Highlights: Trip Overview: St. Thaddeus Monastery Iran is truly one of the worlds beautiful countries, not just in nature but in its culture and variety of ethnic groups inhabiting Masuleh Village it. Compared to trekking in other countries in the region, Iran Alamout Castel offers better serviced trekking routes making trekking easy and Persepolis (UNESCO World Heritage Sites) comfortable. Trekking in Iran has captured the imaginations of Services: mountaineers and explorers for more than 1000 years. The B / B, H / B, F / B (Based on Your Choice) lifestyle and habits of the inhabitants of the mountain regions Hotels: has not changed for generations, the village people offer a 3 Stars, 4 Stars, 5 Stars or Camp huge sense of hospitability and welcome trekkers and (Based on The Program) mountaineers alike. 2nd floor, NO 40, Shahid Beheshti Ave, Tehran, Iran Tel: +98 21 88 46 07 55 / +98 21 88 46 09 78 Fax: +98 21 88 46 10 32 Email: [email protected] / [email protected] www.pitotour.net Day 1: Pre reserve symbol of Iran high up in the the Arasbaran forest near Kaleybar City. It was also one of the last regional Day 2 Tabriz: Morning arrival Tabriz, meet the Guide and strongholds to fall to Arab invaders in the 9th Century. transfer to the Hotel. After that drive to Jolfa Border, to O/N in Kaleybar visit two of the best churches in iran. St Stepanos Monastery and St. Thaddeus Monastery. The Saint Day 5 Kaleybar - Sareyn: Drive to Sareyn through Ahar. Thaddeus Monastery is an ancient Armenian monastery Sareyn, is a city and the capital of Sareyn County, in located in the mountainous area of Iran's West Ardabil Province, Iran. Sareyn is known for its hot springs. Azerbaijan Province, about 20 kilometers from the town The population is about 8000, and increases to more of Maku. The monastery is visible from a distance than 20000 in the summer because of the many tourists because of the massiveness of the church, strongly who go there due to the charming climate. The Sareyn characterized by the polygonal drums and conical roofs springs are near an inactive volcano in mount Sabalan of its two domes. O/N in Tabriz and its water contains sulphur particles and it is believed Day 3 Tabriz - Kaleybar: After cozy breakfast continues that it is good for bone and joints pains. The word Sareyn the tour by driving towards Arasbaran Forest. The in the Persian dictionary means "Spring´s Outlet”. The declaration by UNESCO of Arasbaran as a UNESCO climate and hot springs are the first attractions to Biosphere reserve in 1976 was a great endorsement for tourists who travel to this region from different parts of the region’s ecotourism potential. The planned Iran and the world. Sareyn is also famous for its ´Ashe promotion of the Biosphere to the National Park status Doogh´ (Yogurt Soups), during the busy summer periods, may farther enhance Arasbaran’s environmental it is not uncommon for many of the local shops to be significance. Arasbaran is home to 215 species of birds, seen selling and preparing this soup. O/N in Sareyn. notably the Caucasian black grouse, grey partridge, black francolin, and common pheasant, 29 species of reptiles, Day 6 Sareyn - MeshkinShahr: After breakfast. Drive to 48 species of mammals, notably wild goat, wild boar, Ardebil, in Ardabil visiting Sheikh Safi-ad-Din Ardabili brown bear, wolf, lynx, and leopard, and 17 species of Temple. Khangah is a spiritual retreat in the Sufi order. fish. Then go to Kaleybar Village, O/N in Kaleybar This UNESCO site is a complex consisting of several Day 4 Kaleybar: After breakfast, start our daily tour by sections with different functions: a mosque, mausoleum, trekking in Forest, Visiting Babak Castel. Set attractively a library, a school, a hospital, a cistern, kitchens, a in a wide, steep-sided mountain valley, unassuming bakery, and some offices. Iranians refer to it all as Kaleybar town makes a great starting point for random "Sheikh Safi Shrine in Ardabil”. In addition to its historical hikes and visiting nomad camps en route to the upper significance, the site is of high value in Iranian Aras River Valley. But by far its biggest draw is the architecture. Also, from Islamic architecture point of extensive crag-top ruin of Babak Castle. It's a national view, it’s a landmark of Safavid era. Continue through 2nd floor, NO 40, Shahid Beheshti Ave, Tehran, Iran Tel: +98 21 88 46 07 55 / +98 21 88 46 09 78 Fax: +98 21 88 46 10 32 Email: [email protected] / [email protected] www.pitotour.net MeshkinShahr. O/N in camp in zone of Sabalan and visit Lagoon of Anzali. Anzali lagoon, which has been Mountain. registered in Ramsar International Convention, is considered as an important tourist attraction and Day 7 MeshkinShahr – Sabalan Mountain: In this day, destination for the birdwatchers. Anzali lagoon is located have trekking around Hillside of Sabalan Montain. Mount in Gilan Province in the north of Iran. Having great Sabalan, the third highest mountain in Iran, 4811- meter, weather and being the greenest province in Iran, Gilan an inactive stratovolcano in the northeast of Alborz attracts a huge number of tourists every year. This mountain range and Ardabil Province of northwestern natural freshwater lagoon, which is recognized as an important bird habitat in the world, hosts about one Iran. Sabalan Lake, near 12,000 sq.m, at the top of the hundred species of birds like swans, herons, ducks, etc. A mountain almost covered with snow through the year, variety of species of fish like the Caspian White Fish, but from May to July, it melts and creates a beautiful Anchovy, and the Common Carp live and spawn in this scenery. O/N in Tent lagoon as well. Water lilies that grow in summer are another fabulous beauty of Anzali lagoon. Pink water Day 8 Sabalan Mountain - Masuleh: In the Morning go lilies with their green heart-shaped leaves cover the lake towards Masuleh Village, via beautiful road of Khalkhal, and make a magnificent view. O/N in Bandar Anzali. the clients may have trekking in Khalkhal-Asalom Road if the time allows. Arrival Masuleh Village. Built right into Day 10 Bandar-e Anzali - Alamut: In the morning drive the slope of an Iranian mountain, the small town of forward Alamout Castel via Tonekabon and Garmarod. Masuleh has a unique, purpose-built architectural style Alamut Castle was originally built in the ninth century at where the front yard of each of the houses on the incline an elevation over 6,800 feet. It was constructed in such a is actually the roof of the house below it, with roof-lawns way that it only had one passable entrance that wound trickling down to the base of the mountain. The its way around the cliff, making the fortress difficult to conquer. But in 1090 A.D., a man named Hassan-i Sabbah landscape surrounding Masuleh is lush and mountainous was able to do just that. O/N in Tent near Alamout Castel. with a frequent covering of dense fog, so much so that many of the homes in the town are covered in bright Day 11 Alamut - Hamedan: In the Morning the Clients yellow clay so they can be seen better through the haze. have trekking around the Alamout Castel, then drive O/N in Masuleh Forward Hamadan Province, Visiting Ali Sadr Cave. With a network of channels, lakes, and watery passageways Day 9 Masuleh – Bandar-e Anzali: In the morning drive spreading out over several kilometers, Ali Sadr Cave is to Masal Village, arrival and have trekking in Forest and one of the largest subterranean water complexes in the Tea Plantations, then continue forward Bandar Anzali 2nd floor, NO 40, Shahid Beheshti Ave, Tehran, Iran Tel: +98 21 88 46 07 55 / +98 21 88 46 09 78 Fax: +98 21 88 46 10 32 Email: [email protected] / [email protected] www.pitotour.net world. Stable since its formation millions of years ago, Day 16 Chelgard - Isfahan: Drive to Isfahan from the sunless grottoes feature clear waters, fantastical rock Chelgard and arrival Isfahan. Among the cities of Iran, formations, and stalactite-covered ceilings soaring high Isfahan is like a piece of jewelry that despite the historical overhead. O/N in Touristic Inn fluctuations in the area has still retained its luster and glory throughout the centuries. The city is so vibrant that Day 12 Hamedan - Borujerd: Drive to Borujerd via it seems as if it has been born today and yet it is so Nahavand. Nahavand is a town in the province of original that it looks as though it has always existed. The Hamadan which is situated in the western part of Iran. city’s rich culture and beautiful nature are in such perfect The surrounding region around the city of Hamadan is harmony that one seems to be a reflection of the other. one of the most productive when it comes to carpet Isfahan is an ultimate expression of the Iranian-Islamic manufacturing in Iran. In almost every village there is Culture.in Isfahan visit old Bridges of Zayandeh rood (Sio manufacturing of unique and simple carpets, and in all se pol –Khaju), and then visit Hasht Behesht Palace. O/N sizes. The quality is very high and thanks to the high shiny in Isfahan. wool they use, the carpets are very durable. Arrival Borujerd and O/N in Hotel Borujerd . Day 17 Isfahan: Full day city Tour in Isfahan, sightseeing: Imam Square.