Tour Name: 8 Days Silk Road Tour Tour code: OT1108009 Tour Duration: 08 Days and 07 Nights Tour Category: Discovery Tour Difficulty: 2/5 Tour Tags: Silk Road Tour Best Date: all-month Tour Services Type: Bronze (economy) Tour Destinations: Khorasan, Semnan, , Zanjan, , Related tours code: Max Group Size: 2-25 Overview: Iran Silk Road Tour for 8 days on budget and quality. Meet thousands of Pilgrims in the holy city of in , travel through the history in Damghan town. Visit Zanjan’s Sultanieh as one of the biggest brick domes in the world, meet Azeris in Tabriz. Also, study their rich culture, and check the priceless items in Tehran‘s museums. Highlights: . Walking through Iran’s past to its present . A historical exploration of some of the Silk Road’s most forgotten cities . Experience some of the most eminent historical sites across Iran: ancient archaeology, teeming , majestic Tour Map:

Tour Itinerary:

Landing to PERSIA Arrival to the second most populous city of Iran and the major oases along the ancient silk road. It is also home to the Imam Reza holy shrine, one of the most visited places of pilgrimage in the world. Our guide meets you at the airport. She/ He transfer you to the hotel for the rest. O/N Mashhad

Mashhad – Neyshabour – Sabzevar City tour of Mashhad to visit The Imam Reza Holy shrine and Nader Shah Tomb. Then drive to Tus to visit Ferdowsi tomb and Haruniyeh Dome. Excursion to Nishabour to visit the Tomb of the famous poets of Iran (Attar). He has been one of the greatest writers and philosopher of Sufism (the inner, mystical, or psycho-spiritual dimension of ). Then spend some time visiting the tomb of Omar Khayyam. He wrote important treatises on algebra, a famous philosopher, astronomer and also Poet in Iran and maybe in the world. He also wrote many books in different field of science, religion, and culture. O/N Sabzevar

Sabzevar – Shahroud – Damghan – Semnan Drive to Shahrud to visit the Amirieh Bath which is an ancient relic from the Qajar era. Then continue to Bastam to visit Bayazid Bastami Tomb and Jame . From here, we head to Damghan city to visit (home of god) that is the oldest mosque in Iran. We also visit the ancient city of Hecatompylos, Tappeh Hessar, Aramgah-e Pir Alamdar, Cheshme Ali spring, and the Round Tower. O/N Semnan

Semnan – Qazvin – Zanjan We have a full day of driving today to reach our destination of Zanjan; it is a good idea to stock up on locally bought and easily found dates and pistachio nuts for the journey. On route, we stop at Qazvin for a half day city tour. In Qazvin we visit the Jameh Mosque and the Chehel Sotoun (Kolah Farangi), this building dates back to Safavid Era. Later, you arrive at Zanjan in which you can find many beautiful handicrafts and also historical attractions. O/N Zanjan

Zanjan

We start your full day tour of Zanjan by visiting the traditional Laundry House that belongs to Qajar Era and called Rakhtshoor-Khaneh. Then we continue by visiting the Jameh Mosque, museum. The Saltmen was found in the Chehrabad mines in the winter of 1993. O/N Zanjan

Zanjan - Tabriz Drive to Dome* which is located in 35 km of Zanjan to visit another Iran UNESCO world heritage site. Soltaniyeh Dome is the largest brick made dome in the world. It is not in Zanjan –Tabriz route but worth to visit; then drive back to Tabriz. O/N Tabriz

Tabriz - Tehran

Full day city tour of Tabriz to visit The El-Goli Pavilion, the Mashrooteh House; Blue Mosque, and The Museum. We end our tour of the Grand *, the only bazaar on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. Today’s structure, a vast maze-like complex of bricked arches and vaulted passageways, still evokes the spirit of its earliest days. The days when Tabriz was one of the most important commercial centers along the ancient Silk Road. It’s a wonderful place to chat with engaging merchants and browse for jewelry, carpets, and spices. Later we take you to the airport in Tabriz for your included flight to Tehran and transfer to hotel. O/N Tehran

Missing Persia Half day city tour of Tehran to visit * that is both a historic site and museum. It is a complex that consists of 17 palaces, museums, and Halls. And it is worth to spend a few hours visiting its luxuriously decorated dining area and ballroom and well landscaped Gardens and fountains. At the end of the tour, you transfer to the international airport fly back to your country.

All sites with * sign are submitted in UNESCO world heritage.

Note:  In special conditions the accommodations can be changed to a similar alternative.  Hotel check-in time generally is at 2:00 PM. According to your arrival time, if you need an early check- in you must book an extra day.  Private or single rooms are not available in some traditional local or guest houses. And also, in these places, sleeping equipment is traditional, comfortable Mattresses and Blankets. No Bed!  There is a guide assistant in addition to the tour guide for 16 pax and more.

Services Included:  7 Nights Hotel or Traditional House Accommodation  All transfers and transportations (Private car for 2-3 pax. Suitable minibus for bigger groups).  Professional licensed guides and drivers  All accommodation and meals (B.B)  Refreshment (2 bottles of water/ fruits/ snacks per day)  Visa authorization code processing fee

Services Not Included:  International flights  Visa stamp/ label fee  Travel insurance  Tips to local guides and drivers  Entrance Fees  Food Meals  Room Service Fees