0 IMPORTANT POINTS TABRIZ: - BLUE MOSQUE - HISTORIC GRAND BAZAAR - ST. STEPANOS ARMENIAN CHURCH AT JOLFA ARDEBIL: - SHEIKH SAFI AL-DIN KHANEGAH AND SHRINE ENSEMBLE - SAREIN THERMAL POOLS ZANJAN: - KANDOVAN VILLAGE - TAKHT-E-SOLEYMAN - DOME OF SOLTANIYEH HAMEDAN: - GANJNAMEH ACHAEMENID INSCRIPTION - ESTER & MORDECAI TOMBS KERMANSHAH: - BISOTUN - TAQ-E BOSTAN KHORRAMABAD: - FALAK – OL – AFLAK FORTRESS SHUSHTAR: - HISTORICAL HYDRAULIC SYSTEM SUSA: - SUSA - TCHOGHA ZANBIL ZIGGURAT - HAFT TAPPE MUSEUM - TOMB OF DANIEL SHIRAZ: - NASIR-OL-MOLK MOSQUE - NARENJESTAN GARDEN - KHAN THEOLOGICAL SCHOOL - ALI EBN-E HAMZE SHRINE - VAKIL MOSQUE, BAZAAR AND MOSHIR SARAY - KARIM KHAN CITADEL - ERAM GARDEN - HAFEZ TOMB - SAADI TOMB - PERSEPOLISE - NAQSH-E ROSTAM - PASARGADAE KERMAN: - GANJALI KHAN COMPLEX - SHAZDEH MAHAN GARDEN - BAM AND ITS CULTURAL LANDSCAPE - RAYEN CASTLE - CYPRESS OF SIRCH - LUT AND KALUTS - NEMATOLLAH VALI MAUSOLEUM - CARAVANSERAI - BAZAAR YAZD: - TOWER OF SILENCE - FIRE TEMPLE - WATER MUSEUM - AMIR CHAKHMAKH COMPLEX - DOWLAT ABAD GARDEN - JAME MOSQUE OF YAZD - FAHADAN DISTRICT ISFAHAN: - MASJED- E JAME ISFAHAN - CHEHEL SOTUN PALACE - MEIDANE EMAM - THE PAVILION OF ALI’QAPU - SHEIKH LOTFOLLAH MOSQUE - IMAM MOSQUE - GRAND BAZAAR TEHRAN: - GOLESTAN PALACE - NATIONAL MUSEUM OF IRAN - TREASURY OF NATIONAL JEWELS MUSEUM - CARPET MUSEUM - MILAD TOWER UNESCO SIGHTS OF IRAN OVER NIGHTS: TABRIZ, ZANJAN, HAMEDAN, KHORRAMABAD, AHWAZ, SHIRAZ, KERMAN, YAZD, TOUR LENGTH: 19 DAYS, 18 NIGHTS ISFAHAN,OJJ TEHRAN Day 1: Tabriz - Jolfa - Tabriz (292 Km Drive) Being in Tabriz is surly a fabulous experience. Not only is Tabriz famous for its industry but it also has been a birthplace of modern style of Persian poetry. We embark on our journey through Azerbaijan by visiting St. Stepanos Armenian Church at Jolfa (WHS). Then drive back to visit Historic Bazaar Complex (WHS) a historical market situated in the city center of Tabriz. This Bazaar was once one of the most important commercial centers on the Silk Road. Next we go to Blue Mosque. The mosque was built upon the order of Jahan Shah the ruler of Kara Koyunlu dynasty which made Tabriz the capital of his Kingdom. The building enjoys an impressive architecture which makes it a worth- while visit. O/N Tabriz Day 2: Tabriz - Ardabil - Tabriz (500 Km Drive) Early check out after breakfast, visit Ester & Mordecai Tombs of the We settle in vehicle to visit one of the World heritage sights in the biblical Queen Esther and her uncle Mordechai, it is the most important city of Ardabil, Sheikh Safi al – Din Mausoleum. It was pilgrimage site for Jews in the country before our departure to constructed between the beginning of the 16th century and the Kermanshah where we visit Bisotun (The ancient area located along the end of the 18th century. The mausoleum, a tall, domed circular historical trade route linking the Iranian high plateau with Mesopotamia and features remains from the prehistoric times to the Median, tower decorated with blue tile and about 17 meters in height; Achaemenid, Sassanian, and Ilkhanid periods. The principal monument beside it is the 17th-century Porcelain House preserving the of this archaeological site is the bas-relief and cuneiform inscription sanctuary's ceremonial wares (WHS). Sightseeing is followed by ordered by Darius I, The Great, when he rose to the throne of the Persian the Sarein Thermal pools which is located in the foothills of Empire, 521 BC) & Taq-e Bostan bas relief carvings (WHS). After visits in mount Sabalan. Kermanshah, continue the track to Khorramabad. O/N Tabriz O/N Khorramabad Day 3: Tabriz - Takab - Zanjan (470 Km Drive) Morning drive to Zanjan via Takab. On the way firstly, we visit Kandouvan Rocky Village which not only famous for its scenic beauty and the healing power of its spring waters, Kandovan is also home to a remarkable modern age troglodyte (cave dweller) community. After that continue to Takab to visit Takht-e-Soleiman (WHS). The site includes the principal Zoroastrian sanctuary partly rebuilt in the Ilkhanid (Mongol) period (13th century) as well as a temple of the Sasanian period (6th and 7th centuries) dedicated to Anahita. The site has important symbolic significance. The designs of the fire temple, the palace and the general layout have strongly influenced. O/N Zanjan Day 4: Zanjan - Hamadan (265 Km Drive) Depart Zanjan to visit Dome of Soltaniyeh (WHS), the mausoleum of Oljaytu was constructed in 1302–12 in the city of Soltaniyeh, the capital of the Ilkhanid dynasty, which was founded by the Mongols. Then Day 6: Khorramabad - Shushtar - Ahwaz (333 Km Drive) continue to Hamadan to Visit Ganjnameh Achaemenid Inscription Today, we can visit ancient sights and cities of western Iran including which are set of cuneiform characters written in three languages Falak – ol – Aflak fortress which is the most impressive castle in Iran and (ancient Persian, Elamite, and Babylonian), set into a rock face on Mount the Shushtar ancient Hydraulic system & mills (WHS) a masterpiece of Alvand, about 5 kilometers from Hamadan upon arrival. creative genius dates back Darius the Great in the 5th century B.C. O/N Hamadan O/N Ahwaz Day 7: Ahwaz - Susa - Ahwaz (300 Km Drive) Our overnight in Ahwaz give us the chance to explore the ancient cities and sites of south western Iran including, The ruins of the holy city of the Kingdom of Elam, Tchogha Zanbil Ziggurat (WHS) and Haft Tappeh located 15 kilometers to the south of the ancient city of Susa, which is one of Iran's most significant archeological sites. We finish the excursion by visiting Susa (WHS) the property encompasses a group of archaeological mounds rising on the eastern side of the Shavur River, as well as Ardeshir’s palace, on the opposite bank of the river in the Khuzestan province to complete our trip along the king road. O/N Ahwaz Day 5: Hamadan - Kermanshah - Khorramabad (380 Km) Day 8: Ahwaz - Shiraz (550 Km Drive) Day 12: Kerman - Mahan - Rayan - Kerman (210 Km) A long drive via Bishapour (The city of Shapur the second Sassanid king An excursion to the cities of Rayan and Mahan give us a great feelings that constructed on the road from Persepolis to Ctesiphon) and Tange of ancient trading routes which comes through this region of the Chogan (Inscriptions of Sassanid kings on the four corners around a river country. On this day you will have a time of your life. At first, we seize in a valley near to the Bishapur) bring us to the famous and beautiful city the opportunity to enjoy visiting Rayan Castle and Ganjali Khan of Shiraz. Complex which encompasses a traditional bathhouse, well-designed O/N Shiraz Bazaar, a Caravanserai and a mosque with divine and spiritual atmosphere. For the next part of the day, we will travel to an area called Day 9: Shiraz Mahan, situated in south of Kerman, where a green patch, known as In the morning, you will open your eyes to a majestic city; Shiraz, the Shazdeh Mahan (prince) Garden (WHS), appears right in the middle of home to numerous internationally-recognized philosophers and poets, an arid and sterile Desert. This land mark is a dazzling pavilion at far end is waiting to welcome you right outside your hotel room. After being of the pool which is located on top of the garden and water flows down served with a tasteful and delicious breakfast, your exiting tour will from a stair-like path to the entrance gate. To complete the joy, we will begin; we will visit Nasir-ol-Molk Mosque, a master piece of innovation then go to Nematollah Vali Mausoleum. The spectacular Turquoise and creation. Sun rays will paint the floor and the columns with various dome of the building is easily recognized from far away. and vibrant colors by passing through the colorful window glasses. Then O/N Kerman we move on to enjoy the fabulous architecture of Narenjestane Qavam , Khan Theological School, Ali Ebne Hamze Shrine, Eram garden and Day 13: Kerman - Sirch - Shahdad - Kerman (315 Km Drive) Vakil Mosque and admire the beauty of carpets, rugs, and woven An excursion for exploring the mysterious desert of Lut by visiting handicrafts found in Vakil Bazar Then we get to Moshir Sarai. Spectacular sights like Shahdad to enter the Lut desert (WHS) and visit Afterwards, you will be taken to see Karim khan Citadel, a well-built Caravanserai, The central Lut is the vast part in the Lut desert that fort, and a most see monument. We will call it a day by Hafez Tomb, one contains the lowest part of the desert. There are several Kaluts in this of the most prominent poets of Iran. region that are extended from the center Lut to the west. They are the O/N Shiraz most beautiful natural phenomena. They are unique and can’t be found in any desert of the world, egg shaped hills and Salt River as the Day 10: Shiraz - Persepolis - Pasargadae - Shiraz (274 Km Drive) samples of eye-catching sights. On the way visiting Cypress of Sirch is We will start the second day by driving to the history of ancient Persia by possible. visiting Persepolis (WHS), a complex accommodating a cluster of O/N Kerman palaces. Afterwards we will visit Naqsh-e Rostam which is the ancient necropolis, a large ancient cemetery with Day 14: Kerman - Meymand - Yazd (527 Km Drive) elaborate tomb monuments. Here you can see a group of ancient The home to Zoroastrians, Yazd still holds Fire temples, with fires Iranian rock reliefs cut into the cliff, from both the burning for 2500 years now. The city also has great reputation for its Achaemenid and Sassanid periods. We will continue to have the remarkable wind towers providing us with natural air conditioning privilege by visiting Pasargadae (WHS), where Cyrus the Great is resting system to blow cool and pleasing air in the middle of the burning for centuries.