Iran Ancient Tour 14 Days

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

Tour Destinations: Tehran to Tehran

Duration: 14Days

Tour styles: Style

Cultural Historical

Code: PIAT-S

Tour route:

Tehran Mahan Tehran

Tailor made Tour highlights

Get acquainted with the history of ancient at the great Iran National Museum, walk along the traditional and enjoy its oriental atmosphere, learn about the glory of the Achaemenid Empire art in and Necropolis, travel in time and visit Safavid legacies of Isfahan like the fancy Ali Qapu Palace and Palace, enjoy the Persian architecture by wandering through the historical cities of Kashan and Yazd.

What you need to know about this tour

Discover the ancient heritages of Iran from the earliest civilizations like the glorious Persepolis and necropolis besides the cultural and architectural masterpieces of Islamic dynasties including traditional bazaars, awe-inspiring and meet the hospitable Iranians in Tehran, Kerman, Yazd, Shiraz, Isfahan, and Kashan on our 14-day Iran Ancient Tour

What is Included

13 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 Kerman, Night stay in Hotel in Yazd, Nights stay in Hotel in Shiraz, Nights stay in Hotel in Isfahan, Night stay in Hotel in Kashan

Tour Meals:

13 Breakfasts, 1 Dinner Day 1: Arrival Day

Welcome to Iran, the land of Persian history and culture. Your 14-day Iran trip will start from Tehran, the chaotic and modern capital of Iran with 14 million residents. You will be transferred from the IKA Airport to your hotel, meet your guide, take a rest and prepare for the Iran adventure ahead. If you have enough time, you can explore some city attractions like the Carpet Museum or the Iranian Artists Forum.

Included Excursions

None

Optional Excursions

Iranian Artists Forum Carpet Museum

Accommodation: Hotel in Tehran Day 2: Tehran city tour

Start your Tehran city tour by visiting the lavish , a UNESCO World Heritage Site which was the seat of the Qajar dynasty. It displays a combination of traditional Iranian and western architecture. Then walk along the labyrinth of Tehran Grand and take a rest at a local restaurant or tea house. In the afternoon head to the Iran National Museum to view the historical masterpieces from pre historic and ancient times. In the evening you will be transferred to Mehrabad Airport to fly to Kermran, located in east of Iran (Flight: 1 hour and 10 minutes).

Included Excursions

Golestan Palace Tehran Grand Bazaar Iran National Museum

Accommodation: Hotel in Kerman

Tour Meals: Breakfast Day 3: and Mahan

Kerman is a historical city and the center of the . It has a semi desert climate, with a diverse nature and a very rich culture and history. Early in the morning, hit the road and drive 106 kilometers to Rayen Castle, inhabited since Sassanid Era until 150 years ago! On the way back to Kerman, you will stop in Mahan and enjoy the atmospheric holy shrine of Shah Nematollah Vali, a Sufi Master and poet during the 14th and 15th century. Then visit the (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and be amazed by the beauty of this lush garden constructed in the heart of barrennes and desolation. Arriving in Kerman, you will visit Kerman Jame and the Jabalieh .

Included Excursions

Rayen Castle Shah Nematollah Holy Shrine Shazdeh Garden Kerman Jame Mosque Jabalieh Dome

Accommodation: Hotel in Kerman

Tour Meals: Breakfast Day 4: Shahdad Desert adventure

Explore the Shahdad Desert (96 km), a part of Lout desert protected by UNESCO as a world natural heritage site. Be amazed by the surreal splendor of this desert, its famous Kalout sand formations and silence. You will drive back to Kerman in the afternoon and explore the historical Ganj Ali khan Complex, including the bathhouse, bazaar, mint and the .

Included Excursions

Shahdad Desert Ganj Ali Khan Complex (the bathhouse, bazaar, mint and the caravanserai)

Accommodation: Hotel in Kerman

Tour Meals: Breakfast Day 5: Kerman to Yazd

After a late breakfast drive towards Yazd (366 km) and the attractions awaiting you in this historical city known as the city of sunshine and wind catchers. The narrow lanes (Kucheh), arches, mud brick houses and wind catcher towers, functioning as air-conditioners in desert climate are what you'll see in the old quarter of Yazd, which is a UNESCO world heritage site. Your city tour today includes visiting the Zoroastrian Fire Temple, the Tower of Silence and the Yazd Jame Mosque.

Included Excursions

Yazd old city walking tour Zoroastrian Tower of Silence Fire Temple Yazd Jame Mosque

Accommodation: Hotel in Yazd

Tour Meals: Breakfast Day 6: Yazd to Shiraz

Leave Yazd and drive toward Shiraz (440 km). En route you will visit the glorious UNESCO world heritage site, (the tomb of Cyrus, the great Achaemenid king and the founder of the Persian Empire). Arrive in Shiraz in the afternoon and enjoy a Persian home cooked meal with a local family.

Included Excursions

Pasargadae

Accommodation: Hotel in Shiraz

Tour Meals: Breakfast Dinner Day 7: The Achaemenid Day

Drive for 60 kilometers to visit the ancient city of Persepolis founded by Darius the great in 518 B.C., to host the unforgettable Nowruz ceremony. The UNESCO listed Persepolis, with its masterly bass reliefs, palaces and high columns, is considered as one of the most exquisite legacies of the ancient world. Afterwards visit the Necropolis, located a few kilometers from Persepolis. This is a collection of Achaemenid kings’ rock tombs and Sassanid bass reliefs telling heroic stories about kings. Drive back to Shiraz and enjoy a free afternoon in the city of roses and nightingales.

Included Excursions

Persepolis Necropolis

Accommodation: Hotel in Shiraz

Tour Meals: Breakfast Day 8: Shiraz city tour

Shiraz is the city of poetry, cypress trees, gardens and charming mansions with colorful tile-work. In the morning we first visit the Nasir Al Molk Mosque, known for its pink tile-work and colorful stained glass reflections. Venture through Shiraz's old quarter and view the Naranjestan Palace (The Orange Garden) and walk through the , the beating heart of Shiraz. In the afternoon visit the , which is one of the nine protected by UNESCO. Finish your Shiraz city tour by visiting the Tomb of , the great Iranian poet and hearing some of his impressive poems.

Included Excursions

Nasir al Molk Mosque Naranjestan Palace Vakil Bazaar Eram Garden Hafez Tomb

Accommodation: Hotel in Shiraz

Tour Meals: Breakfast Day 9: Shiraz to Isfahan

Start your road trip to Isfahan (489 km). On the way stop at the historical city of and visit its Sassanid fortress located over a massive rock and the Safavid caravanserai. After your check in at the hotel in Isfahan and taking a short rest, explore Khaju and Si o Se Pol Bridges, where you can meet the locals of Isfahan, who gather here every evening and sing old Persian songs. These two bridges crossing over the Zayandeh River date back to the Safavid Dynasty.

Included Excursions

Izadkhast Sassanid fortress and Safavid caravanserai Khaju and Si o Se Pol Bridges

Accommodation: Hotel in Isfahan

Tour Meals: Breakfast Day 10: The Safavid Day

Today, enjoy an Isfahan city tour and admire the fantastic heritages of the Safavaid Dynasty, constructed during the 16th and 17th centuries, when Shah Abbas ruled Iran and Isfahan was one of the most impressive cities in the whole world. First, explore the royal Ali Qapu Palace, its music hall, wall paintings and balconies which faced Naqsh-e Jahan, where the Safavid kings used to sit and watch polo games. Continue your Safavid trip and visit the two mosques around this square, Sheikh Lotfollah and Imam Mosques, and learn about during the Safavid time. Then walk through the bazaar and get familiar with handicrafts of this city. Isfahan was honored as a world city of handicrafts by the World Crafts Council in 2015. Finish your day by viweing the Chehel Sotun Garden and Palace, a UNESCO listed garden with fascinating wall paintings inside its pavilion.

Included Excursions

Naqsh-e Jahan Square Ali Qapu Palace Jame Imam Mosque Isfahan Bazaar Chehel Sotun Palace

Accommodation: Hotel in Isfahan

Tour Meals: Breakfast Day 11: Isfahan city tour

In the morning visit the Jame Mosque of Isfahan (Masjed-e Jame of Isfahan). This graceful UNESCO world heritage site displays the evolution of architecture over 12 centuries and the first example of a four-Ivan layout in Iranian mosques. Then travel to , the Armenian quarter of Isfahan and visit the Vank Church. In the afternoon visit the Safavid Palace and its pavilion.

Included Excursions

Isfahan Jame Mosque New Julfa, the Armenian quarter Vank Church Hasht Behesht Palace

Accommodation: Hotel in Isfahan

Tour Meals: Breakfast Day 12: Isfahan to Kashan

Drive to Kashan (218 km). Stop in the magnificent village and enjoy its weather, hospitable locals and the scenic landscape of reddish mud brick houses located on the slopes of the Karkas Mountains hills. In Kashan, visit the UNESCO protected , then explore the Tabatabai historical house and admire the architectural ornaments of the Persian house, walk through Kashan bazaar, one of the most thriving bazaars in Iranian history.

Included Excursions

Abyaneh Village walking tour Fin Garden Tabatabai historical house Kashan Bazaar

Accommodation: Hotel in Kashan

Tour Meals: Breakfast Day 13: Kashan to Tehran

In the morning say farewell to the exquisite Kashan and drive back to Tehran. On the way stop at , the most religious city in Iran and visit the Fatima Masoumeh Holy Shrine. Check in to your hotel in Tehran and join your leader for an optional city tour, including a visit to the Pol-e Tabiat (the Nature Bridge), which is a modern attraction in Tehran with a unique architectural design. (If you have booked your departure flight for today, you have the option of taking an airport transfer from Kashan to the IKA INTL Airport.)

Included Excursions

Fatima Masoumeh Holy Shrine

Optional Excursions

Pol e Tabiat (the Nature Bridge)

Accommodation: Hotel in Tehran

Tour Meals: Breakfast Day 14: Departure day

Your two week visit to Iran will finish today. You will check out of your hotel before 12:00 PM and get transferred to the IKA INTL Airport for your flight back home.

Included Excursions

None

Tour Meals: Breakfast