Iran in Depth Tour 16 Days

Available from: January 1, 2019 To December 31, 2019

Tour Destinations: Tehran to Tehran

Duration: 16Days

Tour styles: Style

Cultural Historical

Code: PIAT-R

Tour route:

Tehran Zanjan Hamadan Kashan Abyaneh Natanz Isfahan Shiraz Tehran Tour highlights

The UNESCO listed and lavish of Tehran, The exotic rocky Kandovan Village, The UNESCO listed Sultaniyeh Dome known as one of the highest domes in the world, The historical fancy houses of Kashan, The glorious city of .

What is Included

15 nights accommodation at hotel Private vehicle Professional English speaking guide Arrival and departure airport transfers Visa service

Tour accommodations:

Nights stay in Hotel in Tehran, Nights stay in Hotel in Tabriz, Night stay in Hotel in Zanjan, Night stay in Hotel in Hamadan, Night stay in Hotel in Kashan, Night stay in Ecolodge, Nights stay in Hotel in Isfahan, Nights stay in Hotel in Yazd, Nights stay in Hotel in Shiraz

Tour Meals:

15 Breakfasts, 2 Dinner Day 1: Arrival day

Salaam and Welcome to ! Your ancient Iran tour will start from Tehran, the huge modern capital of Iran with 14 million residents. You will be transferred to your hotel in Tehran and meet your leader. Depending on your arrival time, you can visit some attractions of the city, like the Nature Bridge or the Carpet Museum.

Optional Excursions

Nature Bridge Carpet Museum

Accommodation: Hotel in Tehran Day 2: Tehran to Tabriz

This morning, explore Tehran with your local guide, which includes visiting the Golestan Palace and the National Museum of Iran. Then enjoy lunch in the bustling Tehran and head to Mehrabad Airport for your domestic flight to Tabriz. Tabriz is one of the metropolises in northwestern Iran, where a big population of Iranian Turks, Azeri people, are living. This city is rich in terms of culture and history.

Included Excursions

Golestan Palace Tehran Grand Bazaar Iran National Museum

Accommodation: Hotel in Tabriz

Tour Meals: Breakfast Day 3: Tabriz and Kandovan city tour

Drive to the amazing Kandovan village (55 km). This village houses man made cliff troglodyte residences, which are still inhabited by locals. Then drive back to Tabriz, visit Museum and the magnificent Bazaar of Tabriz which is a UNESCO world heritage site. This bazaar is the biggest roofed bazaar in the world.

Included Excursions

Kandovan Village Tabriz Bazaar

Accommodation: Hotel in Tabriz

Tour Meals: Breakfast Day 4: Tabriz to Zanjan

Travel to Zanjan (315 km), a historical city with a rich history, which was once the capital of Iran during the Ilkhanid Dynasty (founded by the Mongols). In Zanjan you’ll visit the Museum, the Bazaar, which is a masterpiece of Qajarid architecture and the Rakhtshooy Khaneh or the Museum of Anthropology. Rakhtshooy Khaneh is a very special building which was designed for the locals as a place for washing their clothes, especially during cold winters.

Included Excursions

Zanjan Museum Zanjan Bazaar Rakhtshooy Khaneh

Accommodation: Hotel in Zanjan

Tour Meals: Breakfast Day 5: Zanjan to Hamadan

Drive to Hamadan via Soltanieh (260 km). The UNESCO protected Soltaniyeh Dome (the mausoleum of Oljaytu) is an octagonal building topped with a 50-meter-high turquoise dome, which is an outstanding example of Iranian architecture. On the way to Hamedan you’ll also visit one of the longest water caves in Iran, the Ali Sadr cave.

Included Excursions

Sultaniyeh Dome Ali Sadr Cave

Accommodation: Hotel in Hamadan

Tour Meals: Breakfast Day 6: Hamadan to Kashan

You will spend the morning visiting the highlights of Hamadan. At Ganjnameh, view the two Achaemenid inscriptions by Darius the great and Xerxes. Both inscriptions are written in three languages: Old Persian, Neo Elamite and Neo Babylonian. Then visit the Tomb of Aveccina, the world famous Iranian polymath, and drive to Kashan via Qom. You will have a short stop in Qom to visit the Fatima Masoumeh Shrine and learn about religious architecture in Iran. Arrive in Kashan and enjoy taking a rest at your hotel. In the evening you can take a walk in the city's historical district.

Included Excursions

Ganj Nameh Tomb of Aveccina Fatima Masoumeh Holy Shrine

Accommodation: Hotel in Kashan

Tour Meals: Breakfast Day 7: Abyaneh Village

Enjoy a full day of sightseeing in Kashan, including the Tabatabai and Borujerdi historical houses, which display eye-catching interior ornaments and courtyards and the magnificent , a world heritage UNESCO site. In the afternoon drive to Abyaneh Village, known as the red village of Iran located on the slopes of the Karkas Mountains. Abyaneh is filled with narrow lanes and houses with old architectural design, constructed from red clay, lattice windows and wooden doors. Enjoy taking a walk through this scenic village and meeting locals, wearing their traditional outfits. Tonight you will stay at a cozy village stay run by a local family and enjoy local homemade food.

Included Excursions

Tabatabai and Borujerdi houses Fin Garden Abyaneh Village walking tour

Accommodation: Ecolodge

Tour Meals: Breakfast Dinner Day 8: Natanz - Isfahan

After having breakfast and enjoying a morning walk in the gardens of Abyaneh, drive to Isfahan via Natanz. Natanz is another historical village known as a green emerald in the barrenness. Visit the Natanz Jame Mosque and the Sassanid Fire Temple and then drive to Isfahan in the evening.

Included Excursions

Natanz walking tour

Accommodation: Hotel in Isfahan

Tour Meals: Breakfast Day 9: The Safavid day

Tour the fantastic city of Isfahan, home to the Safavid masterpieces built during the 16th and 17th centuries, when this city was the capital of Iran. First, visit Naghsh-e Jahan Square (UNESCO heritage site), the world famous royal square of Isfahan and the buildings around it, including the royal Ali Qapu Palace, the Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque and the Jame Imam Mosque. Then explore the handicrafts bazaar. After taking a rest at a traditional teahouse, visit Chehel Sotun Palace, which is another Persian garden protected by UNESCO.

Included Excursions

Naqsh-e Jahan Square Ali Qapu Palace Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque Jame Imam Mosque Chehel Sotun Palace

Accommodation: Hotel in Isfahan

Tour Meals: Breakfast Day 10: Isfahan City Tour

Today visit the magnificent Masjed Jame of Isfahan, exhibiting the evolution of mosque architecture during 12 centuries, and also the first mosque with the four-Ivan layout. Travel to New Julfa, the Armenian quarter of the city and visit the charming Vank Church. Finish your Isfahan city tour by listening to some Iranian music and getting familiar with instruments in the Music Museum of Isfahan.

Included Excursions

Isfahan Jame Mosque Vank Church Isfahan Music Museum

Accommodation: Hotel in Isfahan

Tour Meals: Breakfast Day 11: Isfahan to Yazd

Continue your road trip by driving towards Yazd, the ancient city located in the heart of desert in central Iran. On the way, stop at Naein and visit the Jame mosque, which is one of the oldest mosques in Iran. Then you will stop at Maybod, the 7000-year-old city with a magnificent architecture, known as the city of ceramics and pottery. After arriving in Yazd, check in at the hotel and enjoy taking a rest.

Included Excursions

Naein Jame Mosque

Accommodation: Hotel in Yazd

Tour Meals: Breakfast Day 12: Yazd city tour

Today, explore the old city of Yazd, known as the center of the Zoroastrain religion. First visit the Tower of Silence and learn about its fascinating history, then visit the Fire Temple and witness the ancient fire, burning for more than 1500 years. Then we visit the Water Museum and discover how Qantas (underground water channels) were built and how the water was supplied to desert cities like Yazd. In the afternoon, walk through the old town where you can see old houses with Badgirs (wind towers). The old quarter of Yazd is protected as a UNESCO world heritage site.

Included Excursions

Tower of Silence Fire Temple Water Museum Yazd walking tour

Accommodation: Hotel in Yazd

Tour Meals: Breakfast Day 13: Yazd to Shiraz

Hit the road in the morning and travel towards Shiraz. On the way, you’ll stop at to visit the tomb of Cyrus the great Achaemenid king, and the founder of the Persian Empire (UNESCO heritage site). In the afternoon you’ll arrive in Shiraz and you will have enough time for some sightseeing, including the Quran Gate and the Saadi Tomb.

Included Excursions

Pasargadae Quran Gate Saadi Tomb

Accommodation: Hotel in Shiraz

Tour Meals: Breakfast Day 14: The Achaemenid day

Today you will explore the Achaemenid legacies. Drive 60 kilometers to reach Persepolis, an impressive collection of ceremonial palaces built by the Achaemenid kings (UNESCO heritage site). Also visit Necropolis, a collection of the rock tombs of Achaemenid kings and bass reliefs that were carved into rocks during the Sassanid Empire. This evening you are going to enjoy an Iranian home-cooked meal, with a Shirazi family and experience Iranian hospitality.

Included Excursions

Persepolis Necropolis

Accommodation: Hotel in Shiraz

Tour Meals: Breakfast Dinner Day 15: Shiraz to Tehran

Shiraz was one of the important cultural cities of Iran during different dynasties and it was the capital of Iran during the Zand Dynasty, therefore, we know Shiraz as the city of lush gardens, lavish mansions and poetry. Early in the morning stand in the awe of the colorful tiles and the mysterious lights of the Nasir al Molk Mosque, shining through the stained glass windows, then walk to the Naranjestan Palace, one of the excellent samples of Persian houses built duringthe Qajar Dynasty. From here you can take a walk to the historical , where you can find eye-catching carpets, colorful textiles, spices and herbs. The last attraction you visit in Shiraz will be tomb of Hafez, the great Iranian poet. Then you will be transferred to Shiraz Airport to take a domestic flight back to Tehran. In Tehran you will be transferred to your hotel and prepare for your flight back home. *NOTE: You can also book your departure flight from Shiraz and extend your accommodation in your Shiraz hotel for one more night.

Included Excursions

Nasir al Molk Mosque Naranjestan Palace Vakil Bazaar Tomb of Hafez

Accommodation: Hotel in Tehran

Tour Meals: Breakfast Day 16: Departure Day

Your 16 day Iranian adventure will finish today. Check out from your hotel in Tehran or Shiraz before 12:00 pm to be transferred to the airport to catch your departure flight.

Tour Meals: Breakfast