Heart of Persia

Our first day of sightseeing in Iran is a busy one! Highlights include the National Museum of Iran (some of the exhibits date back 35,000 years); the spectacular, UNESCO World Heritage-listed Golestan Palace; the 10km-long national Grand Bazaar; and the Treasury of National Jewels, featuring the world’s most magnificent collections of gorgeous bling!

We fly to Tabriz, famed for its handicrafts (including rugs) and jewellery. You’ll have a free afternoon in which to explore. In the evening, we’ll visit the beautiful Il Goli Garden, a large historic park containing an artificial lake and featuring excellent views of the city.

Today’s touring in Tabriz includes exploring the Grand Bazaar – the largest covered bazaar in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site – and the Kabud or Blue Mosque, built in 1465.

After breakfast, we continue on to Zanjan to visit the World Heritage-listed Dome of Soltanieh. This is one of the largest brick domes in the world.

We leave Zanjan after breakfast for a four-hour dive to Hamedan. Approximately 2,500 years ago, the Achaemanian dynasty had authority over more than half of the ancient world and Hegmataneh, currently Hamedan, was one of its two capitals.

We’ll visit the Dome of Alavian and the tombs of the 10th century philosopher and scientist, Ave Sinna; the 11th century poet, Baba Taher; and the biblical Queen Esther and her cousin, Mordechai. This last is the most important Jewish pilgrimage site in Iran.

We take an early morning drive to Ali Sadr Cave, the world’s largest water cave. It contains artworks dating back 12,000 years. On our return, we’ll have the afternoon free.

After breakfast we head to Kermanshah, a drive of around three hours. We’ll stop at the Bisotun Inscription, a huge rock relief and multilingual inscription on a cliff at Mount Behistun.

In the afternoon, we’ll visit the 1,700-year-old rock monument of Taq-e Bostan (“Arch of the Garden”).

Today we explore the the city of Kermannshah before driving three hours to Khoramabad, home to one of the most impressive castles in Iran.

Today is a day of World Heritage-listed wonders.

After breakfast, we travel to Susa to visit the Apadana Palace and the tomb of the prophet Daniel. Then it’s on to the imposing Elamite ziggurat of Chogha Zanbil. Later we head to the ancient fortress city of Shushtar. Its ancient irrigation system dates back to the fifth century B.C. We spend the night in the city of Ahvaz, once famed as a hub for sugarcane production.

Today is one of our longest days on this trip but it’s well worth it! We depart early for the ancient city of Bishapur, unique for its combination of Persian and Roman art and architecture. We’ll visit the ancient palace, the water temple of goddess Anahita, and see the rock reliefs of Shapur the First, commemorating his triple defeat of the Romans. We then drive to the romantic city of Shiraz, renowned for its poetry and gardens.

Today is a garden day! After yesterday’s long journey we deserve some rest strolling through some of the most famous Persian gardens. We begin at the World Heritage-listed Bagh-e Eram (“Garden of Paradise”), then move on to Nasir al-Mulk Mosque and Narenjestan-e Qavam (“Qavam’s Orange Garden”—named for its sour orange trees). In the afternoon after lunch, we have free time to rest and relax.

We’ll leave Shiraz in the morning for a full day excursion to Persepolis (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). This ancient capital of the Achaemenid Empire dates back to 515 BC. We’ll also visit the awe-inspiring Naqsh-e Rostam necropolis before heading to Pasargad (also World Heritage-listed). This atmospheric place contains the tomb of Cyrus the Great, founder of the Achaemenid Empire. From there, we return to Shiraz.

It’s time to explore the ancient city of Shiraz. We start with Vakil Bazaar, continue to Arg-e Karimkhani (“Citadel of Karimkhan”), then head to the Shah Cheragh Mausoleum. Finally, we’ll visit the last resting places of two of Iran’s greatest poets: Hafezieh (“Tomb of Hafez”) and Sa’dieh (“Tomb of Sa’adi”).

We take the road to the very ancient stone village of Maymand (UNESCO World Heritage Site) with its hand-dug houses. It’s believed humans have lived in this area for over 12,000 years. Then we continue on to the city of Kerman, famed for its Zoroastrian fire temples.

We’ll make a morning visit to the enormous medieval Ganjali Khan Complex, and Jabalieh or Rock Dome, an octagonal stone monument dating back to 2,000 BC.

Today we journey to Iran’s Central Desert. On the way we’ll visit the World Heritage-listed walled Shazdeh (Prince) Garden in Mahan and the mud brick citadel of Rayen. The latter is believed to be 1,000 years old and was still inhabited up to 150 years ago. Then we head to our amazing 4-star camp in the desert.

After breakfast, we marvel at the incredible Kalouts (natural rock formations) in the desert. We’ll stop at some of the wonderful oases on our way, then head back to the camp.

We bid farewell to the Kalouts and drive to the World Heritage-listed city of Yazd. We’ll stay in a caravanserai dating back to the 16th century that’s situated on the ancient Silk Road.

We spend all day sightseeing in Yazd (also known as the City of Windcatchers) starting with the striking Amir Chakhmaq Complex. Next we’ll see Badgir (wind towers) and explore the Grand Mosque of Yazd with its magnificent dome and mosaic work. We’ll also visit the Zoroastrian Fire Temple and the very atmospheric Zoroastrian Tower of Silence.

We travel out of Yazd to explore the abandoned structures of Kharanak. We’ll peer into the houses and “hamans” (bathhouses) of this 1,000 year-old mud brick village, and then continue on to the Zoroastrian pilgrimage site of Chak Chak. Before returning to Yazd, we’ll stop at Narin Castle and spend time in the town of Meybod.

After breakfast we travel to Isfahan, renowned for its architecture. Iranians call it Isfahan Nesfe Jahan, which means “Isfahan, half of the world”! We will take a walk in the evening from Si-o-Se Pol (Thirty-Three Bridges) to Khajou Bridge.

Our touring day starts by visiting the Safavid emperors’ palaces of Chehel Sotoun (“The Palace of Forty Columns”), Hasht-Behesht (“The Palace of Eight Paradises”) and Aali Qapu (“The Royal Palace”). Then we stroll through Naqsh-e Jahan Square (UNESCO World Heritage Site) to the magnificent Imam and Sheikh Lotfollah mosques before heading to the Armenian district of Jolfa for a tour of Vank Cathedral. “Vank” means “monastery” or “convent” in the Armenian tongue.

We have a free day to relax in beautiful Isfahan. You can choose to explore the city’s bazaars and gardens, or chill out and read a book.

We leave Isfahan to visit the mountain village of Abyaneh in Mt. Karkus before we head to Kashan.

We visit Qamsar, home of Persia’s famed rose water, and enjoy the beautiful oasis city of Kashan. We’ll wander through the historic house museums of Khan-e Borujerdi and Khan-e Tabatabei and then head to the Agha Bozorg Mosque and its accompanying school, Madraseh . We complete the day by strolling through the Fin Garden, the oldest garden in Iran.

We leave Kashan for Tehran. On the way we visit Qom to taste its signature brittle toffees or ‘Sohan’, and stop briefly at the shrine of Imam Khomeni. After arriving in in Tehran, we’ll see Iran’s imperial crown jewels in the National Jewellery Museum, and visit the UNESCO world heritage site of Golestan Palace.

Then, depending on your departure time and destination, you will be transported to the airport to catch your flight. We wish you a safe journey home, with many precious memories of your Iranian adventure to take with you .