10D8N IRAN LAND OF THE GREAT PERSIAN EMPIRE IR10PEG 26/Jun/2019 to 31/Mar/2020
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Exclusive Experiences
Star gazing experience in Zeiondin Caravanserai, desert in Yazd
Visit Abyaneh Village, one of the Iran’s oldest Village
Lunch in a Caravanserai in Meybod
25 Included Meals 8B, 9L, 8D
Speciality Meals
100% meals coverage PLUS additional local delicacies :
Faloodeh, frozen dessert similar to sorbet
Iran red tea with saffron rock candy
Tachin, Persian baked rice cake
Persian saffron ice cream
Kohrest Mast, beef youghurt dessert
SHIRAZ
Karim Khan Citadel
Vakil Bazaar
Quran Gate
Nasir ol Molk Mosque
Shah Cheragh Mausoleum
Ali Ibn Hamzeh Holly Shrine
Tomb of Hafez
Persepolis
Necropolis
MARDASHT
Pasargada
YAZD
Fire Temple
Tower of Silence
Saryazd Fortress
Fahadan Quarter
Amir Chakmaq Mosque Complex
MEYBOD
Narin Castle
Pigeon Tower
ISFAHAN
Vank Cathedral
Allahyardi Khan Bridge
Chehel Sotoun Palace
Meidan Emam
Shah Mosque
Ali Qapu Palace
Sheikh Lotfollah Msoque
Isfahan Bazaar
Khaju Bridge
KASHAN
Fin Garden
QOM
Fatima Masumeh Shrine
ABYANEH
Abyaneh Village
TEHRAN
Golestan Palace
Azadi Tower
Hypermarket
Tajrish Bazaar
HERITAGE PLUS
Visit 6 UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Persepolis, Pasargadae, Golestan Palace, Fin Garden, Meidam Emam, city of Yazd
Explore City of Windcather,Yazd
Fire Temple,one of the oldest religion in the world
2nd largest square in the world, Meidan Emam
Vank cathedral, Isfahan’s Armenian district
Saryazd fortress, the oldest and the biggest safety deposit box
D1 SINGAPORE - DUBAI - SHIRAZ
Fly to Shiraz via Dubai. Upon arrival, stop to take photos at Karim Khan Citadel. Dominating the city centre, this medieval-style fortress was built in the early Zand Dynasty and used as a prison. Visit the Tomb of Hafez and the memorial garden in which it lies; there is no better place to understand this Persian poet’s place in the nation’s psyche. Stop to take photos at Shah Cheragh Mausoleum, which translates to “King of the Light.” The mausoleum contains the tombs of several important figures in Shia Islam.
Meals on board/Lunch/Dinner
D2 SHIRAZ
After breakfast, visit the Qoran Gate, a historical gate located at the northeastern entrance of the city of Shiraz. Then, visit Narenjestan Museum, a traditional and historical house in Shiraz, before admiring the Nasir al Mulk Mosque from the Qajar era – its facade makes extensive use of coloured glass, and the building is known as the Pink Mosque for the numerous pink tiles in its interior design. Stroll through Vakil Bazaar; Vakil means “regent,” the title used by Karim Khan, the founder of the Zand Dynasty. Next, visit the Ali Ibn Hamzeh Shrine and be amazed by its dazzling Venetian mirror hall and stained-glass windows.
Seasonal Bonus: From May to October, visit Maharloo Lake, where you may get to witness a salt lake coloured pink due to its blooming algae
Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
D3 SHIRAZ-PERSEPOLIS–MARVDASHT-YAZD
Another exciting day awaits as you depart Shiraz for Persepolis, also translated as the “Persian City.” Among the world’s most popular and famous architectural sites, Persepolis was the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site today. With 2,500 years of ancient history, the city is an architectural masterpiece that embodies the past glories of a oncegrand civilisation. The majestic site of the Necropolis is a treasure trove documenting all of Iran’s history. Make a stop at Pasargadae, an UNESCO World Heritage Site and the first dynastic capital of the Achaemenid Empire.
Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
D4 YAZD
Zoroastrianism is one of the most ancient pre-Islamic religions of Iran; less widespread today, it is still practiced in isolated areas. The Zoroastrians consider the Fire Temple their place of worship, and the Tower of Silence was where ancient Zoroastrians put the dead to rest in order to avoid
contaminating the earth. Proceed to Amir Chakhmaq Complex, a prominent structure with an elaborate facade of symmetrical sunken alcoves surrounding a pair of towering minarets. Roam the Fahadan Quarter, the oldest part of the city, where houses are made of sun-dried bricks and walls of mud and straw. Next, visit Saryazd Fortress, an old castle once used as a giant safety deposit box for protection of grain and other valuables. This evening, transfer to Zeinodin Caravanserai and experience stargazing in the desert.
Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
D5 YAZD - MEYBOD - ISFAHAN
Built on the silk route as early as 4,000 BC, Narin Castle was used by soldiers who provided armed escort services for passing caravans for a tax. Stop at Pigeon Tower, where guano is collected, before continuing to Isfahan. Visit the Vank Cathedral, the historic focal point of the Armenian Church in Iran, and round off the day with a stop at Si-O-Seh-Pol, also known as Allahverdi Khan Bridge. Marvel at its characteristic Safavid design, featuring 33 arches built on a series of pontoons.
Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
D6 ISFAHAN
After breakfast, see Chehel Sotoun, also known as the “40 Columns” – so named because the 20 columns supporting the entrance pavilion resemble 40 columns when reflected in the fountain’s waters. Visit Meidan Emam, one of the largest city squares in the world and a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Shah Mosque on the south side of this square remains its most iconic representation, while on its west side sits Ali Qapu Palace, with its ornamental entrance gate extending 48 metres wide and rising to a height of 7 storeys. On the east side is Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, a private mosque for the royal court. Finally, proceed to Khaju Bridge, which doubles as a dam, as locks in the lower terraced arcade regulate water flow.
Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
D7 ISFAHAN–ABYANEH-KASHAN - QOM
This morning, drive to Abyaneh, one of the oldest villages in Iran famed for its reddish buildings made of clay and wood. Even now, people still wear traditional costumes and live here following the old ways. Next, proceed to Kashan, known for its symmetrical proportions, old cedars, spring-fed
pools and fountains, Fin Garden is widely regarded as the epitome of the Persian garden and its evocation of heaven. Finally, stop to take photos at the Fatima Masumeh Shrine.
Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
D8 QOM – TEHRAN
Set off for Tehran, the capital of Iran. First, visit the lavish Golestan Palace, or the Palace of Flowers. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a masterpiece of the Qajar era, embodying the successful integration of earlier Persian crafts and architecture with Western influences. Next is the Azadi Tower; a visual icon of Tehran with its distinctive inverted Y-shape, the tower was built in 1971 to commemorate the 2,500th anniversary of the first Persian empire. Make a stop at a local hypermarket to bring home some local Iranian titbits. This evening, enjoy your dinner in the Darband and enjoy the area’s beautiful nature and restaurants.
Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
D9 TEHRAN – DUBAI
Spend some time at leisure at Tajrish Bazaar, the perfect place for some classic Iranian shopping, before transferring to the airport for your flight to Dubai.
Breakfast/Lunch
D10 DUBAI – SINGAPORE
Connect your flight home.
Meals on board
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