10D8N LAND OF THE GREAT PERSIAN EMPIRE IR10PEG 26/Jun/2019 to 31/Mar/2020

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Exclusive Experiences

Star gazing experience in Zeiondin , desert in

Visit 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 similar to sorbet

Iran red tea with rock candy

Tachin, Persian baked rice cake

Persian saffron

Kohrest Mast, beef youghurt dessert

SHIRAZ

Karim Khan Citadel

Vakil

Quran Gate

Nasir ol Molk

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

Chehel Sotoun

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: , , , , 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 -

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 and used as a prison. Visit the 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 Mausoleum, which translates to “King of the Light.” The mausoleum contains the tombs of several important figures in Shia .

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 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–-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 . 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 , 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 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 , a private mosque for the royal court. Finally, proceed to , which doubles as a dam, as locks in the lower terraced arcade regulate water flow.

Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

D7 ISFAHAN–ABYANEH- -

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 .

Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

D8 QOM –

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 ; 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 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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