Persian Sands includes some of Iran’s most stunning sites, along with desert vicinity destinations featuring amazing eco-adapted architecture. Stay in 16th-century caravanserais and visit historic luxury merchants’ houses in Kashan, the red village of Abyaneh, and the larger cities of Kerman and Yazd with their thousands of years of history.
START | Tehran, Iran |
FINISH | Tehran, Iran |
TRANSPORT | Private Mini Bus |
ACCOMMODATION (double/twin) | Hotel 3&4 star, Traditional Home Stay |
INCLUDED IN QUOTED PRICE
- Iranian visa invitation letter with reference number issued by Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Inbound and outbound airport transfers
- Transportation in a fully air-conditioned, non-smoking vehicle
- Professional English-speaking tour guide for the duration of the tour
- Entrance fees to various sites as per itinerary
- Daily breakfast and lunch; three dinners
- 12 nights, 3- & 4-star accommodation
- 2 nights traditional accommodation at 16th century caravanserais
- Shiraz-Tehran flight ticket
EXTRAS
- Tips – driver and guide
- Meals where not mentioned in the itinerary
- Entrance fees for sites not mentioned in the itinerary
Salam! Welcome to Tehran. Our representative meets you at IKA airport and assists with the transfer to your hotel. You’ll meet your tour guide and fellow travellers at the tour briefing and welcome dinner.
Overnight Tehran Enghelab 4 star dinner
We head into downtown Tehran to visit the National Museum of Iran, with exhibits dating back 35,000 years. We also see the splendid former royal Qajar complex of Golestan Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then we wander through the Grand Bazaar and marvel at the world’s most magnificent jewellery collection at the Treasury of National Jewels.
Overnight Tehran Enghelab 4 star breakfast & lunch
After breakfast we leave for the Maranjeb Desert. On the way we stop at Kashan to visit the exquisite, World Heritage-listed Fin Garden and Agha Bozorg Mosque, noted for the symmetry of its design. Finally, we visit Borujerdi House, an excellent example of Persian desert-vicinity architecture. We will spend the night at the 16th century Maranjab Caravanserai
Overnight Maranjab Maranjab Kervanserai breakfast & lunch
We begin the day with a short visit to Abyaneh Village, one of the oldest settlements in Iran. We continue on to the wonderful city of Isfahan, famed for its Persian-Islamic architecture, where we take an evening walk from Si-o-she Pol (Thirty Three Bridges) to Khajou Bridge.
Overnight Isfahan Piroozy 4 star breakfast, lunch & dinner
We start the day 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 take a walk through Naqsh-e Jahan Square (a UNESCO World Heritage site) to the Imam and Sheikh Lotfollah mosques before heading to the Armenian district of Jolfa for a tour of Vank Cathedral.
Overnight Isfahan Piroozy 4 star breakfast & lunch
We depart in the morning for Yazd, with a couple of stops on the way to visit the 9th century Jame Mosque (still in use) and the Old Bazaar in the desert city of Naein. Then we’ll visit Narin Castle at Meybod, an ancient city dating back to pre-Islamic times.
Overnight Yazd Safaieh 4 star breakfast & lunch
Yazd is also known as the City of Windcatchers. We’ll spend a full day sightseeing, starting with the striking Amir Chakhmaq Complex. Next we’ll see Badgir (wind towers) and explore the Grand Mosque of Yazd, fabled for its magnificent dome and mosaic work. We’ll also visit the Zoroastrian Fire Temple and Tower of Silence. We spend the night at another 16th century caravanserai.
Overnight Yazd-Kerman Highway Zeinoddin Caravanserai breakfast & lunch
We begin by touring the very ancient stone village of Maymand (UNESCO World Heritage Site). It’s believed humans have lived in this area for over 12,000 years. Then we continue on to the city of Kerman, known for its Zoroastrian fire temples.
Overnight Kerman Govashir 3 star breakfast & lunch
We’ll make a morning visit to the enormous Ganjali Khan Complex, and then on to Jabalieh or Rock Dome, an octagonal stone monument dating back to 2,000 BC.
Overnight Kerman Govashir 3 star breakfast & lunch
We leave Kerman after breakfast to visit the World Heritage-listed walled Shazdeh (Prince) Garden in Mahan and the 1,000 year-old mud brick citadel of Rayen. Then we marvel at the amazing Kalouts (natural rock formations) in the desert.
Overnight Kerman Govashir 3 star breakfast & lunch
We drive to Shiraz, renowned for its poetry and gardens. On the way, we visit the palace of the 3rd century Sassanid emperor, Ardeshir. The design of this rugged, powerful-looking structure is unique to the architects of the province.
Overnight Shiraz Karimkhan boutique breakfast & lunch
We explore one of ancient Persia’s oldest cities, beginning at the World Heritage-listed Bagh-e Eram (“Garden of Paradise”). We move on to Nasir al-Mulk Mosque and Narenjestan-e Qavam (“Qavam’s Orange Garden”—named for its sour orange trees). Then we visit Arg-e Karimkhani (“Citadel of Karimkhan”), Vakil Bazaar and the Shah Cheragh Mausoleum. Finally, we’ll see the last resting places of two of Iran’s greatest poets, Hafez and Sa’adi.
Overnight Shiraz Karimkhan boutique breakfast & lunch
We’ll leave Shiraz in the morning for a full day excursion to Persepolis (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the ancient capital of the Achaemenid Empire dating back to 515 BC. We’ll also visit the awe-inspiring Naqsh-e Rostam tombs of Achaemenid and Sassanid emperors before heading to Pasargad, containing the tomb of Cyrus the Great. We return to Shiraz for an evening flight to Tehran.
Overnight Tehran Engelhab 4 star breakfast & lunch
Another full day of sightseeing. We’ll visit the 19th century Sa’d Abad Palace, the stately Niavaran Palace Complex; and wander through the Tajrish Bazaar, set in one of the oldest parts of the city. We cap off the day and the end of the tour with a farewell dinner.
Overnight Tehran Enghelab 4 star breakfast, lunch & dinner
The tour concludes after breakfast, with a transfer to IKA Airport for your departure flight. Khoda hafez—goodbye. We wish you a safe journey and many happy memories of your Persian Sands tour!

Tour Reviews
What a difficult choice to make one highlight! I’m afraid I’ll have to give a list of several highlights. I can’t just choose one!
Yazd/Abarkouh: I found the ancient wind-catchers of Yazd and Abarkooh fascinating. Such clever technology.
Shiraz/Garden tour:The Eram Gardens of Shiraz were stunning, as were the gardens surrounding the mausoleums of Hafez and Sa’adi.
I just loved the intricate and beautiful tile-work on the mosques of Shiraz, Yazd and Esfahan. Stunning.
We had a fantastic time and always recommend travelling to Iran to friends and people we meet. Thank you for your help which made the bureaucratic part easy.
We never had any safety issues in Iran. People were always warm and friendly. We are well experienced travellers but any negative preconceived ideas we may have had were quickly dispelled and we had no issues.
Leave a Review