The Ancient Iran tour is a one-way trip, arrives in Tabriz in the north, and departs from Shiraz in the southwest of the country. Yet it has enough road trip to offer the beauties of the diverse natural areas and landscapes of Iran from the refreshing mountainous and wooded areas of the Caspian see to the amazing oasis and desert regions. This 17-day/16-night package takes the traveler through many symbolic cities and their historical and cultural attractions such as the famous silk road of Tabriz, the rocky village of Kandovan, the UNESCO registered Sheikh Safi al Din mausoleum in Ardabil, a Caspian Sea harbor of Anzali, the hanging-houses village of Masuleh, the never-sleeping Capital city of Tehran, the wind-catchers city of Kashan, the East pearl city of Esfahan, the desert’s bride city of Yazd, the roses and poetry city of Shiraz and the most favorable Persian Empires remains of Persepolis and Pasargadae.
Itinerary in details:
Day 1: Flight Origin / Tabriz
Take the flight to Tabriz. Meet at the airport and transfer to your hotel accommodation in Tabriz.
Day 2: Tabriz / Kandovan / Tabriz
Road trip to the historical village of Kandovan, one of the three rocky villages of the world and enjoy the landscapes of the troglodyte people.
Hotel accommodation in Tabriz.
Day 3: Tabriz
Full day sightseeing in Tabriz. You will visit Tabriz Historic Bazaar Complex, the largest Bazaar in the world, and a UNESCO world heritage site. Other attraction sites are including the Azerbaijan Museum, the Kabud Mosque (Blue Mosque) and the Elgoli Park.
Hotel accommodation in Tabriz.
Day 4: Tabriz / Ardebil / Sarein
Begin the road trip towards Sarein. On the way you visit the city of Ardabil and its fantastic attractions including the UNESCO registered Sheikh Safi al Din Mausoleum, the Safaivd-period bazaar and Jame Mosque of Ardabil. Continue the route to reach the city of Sarein.
Hotel accommodation in Sarein.
Day 5: Sarein / Anzali
A fantastic road trip from Sarein to the seaport of Anzali in Gilan province. Take a stroll along the coast of the Caspian Sea.
Hotel accommodation in Anzali.
Day 6: Anzali / Masuleh / Tehran
Head to Tehran, driving through the green and lesser known landscapes of Iran in the north. On the way you will have a stop to visit the architecturally unique city of Masuleh with buildings built into a green mountain. Continue the rout and arrive in Tehran in the afternoon.
Hotel accommodation in Tehran.
Day 7: Tehran
Spend the day visiting Golestan Palace and a few top selected museums in Tehran including Abgineh Museum of Glassware and Ceramic, National Museum, and Carpet Museum.
Hotel accommodation in Tehran.
Day 8: Tehran
Full day visit to the city of Tehran. You see the National Jewellery Museum and Sa’dabad Palace. In the afternoon, take a stroll through the Tajrish bazaar and visit the Mausoleum of Imamzadeh Saleh in the north of Tehran.
Hotel accommodation in Tehran.
Day 9: Tehran / Kashan / Esfahan
Morning Departure to Esfahan, the city known as the pearl of the orient. On the way you stop to see Kashan, the city of badgirs (wind-catchers) and its fantastic tourist attractions including the historical Garden of Fin (a UNESCO World Heritage site), Agha Bozorg Mosque and school, and the historic Borujerdi House as well as Tabatabai house.
Day 10: Esfahan
Full day of sightseeing in Esfahan, visiting the great Naghsh-e Jahan Square, Grand Bazaar, Shah Mosque (Imam Mosque), Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, Jame Mosque of Esfahan and AliQapu Palace.
Hotel accommodation in Esfahan.
Day 11: Esfahan
Another full day sightseeing in Esfahan visiting Chehel Sotun Palace and Hasht Behesht Palace, take a stroll in the Armenian district of Jolfa and its narrow alleys visiting Vank cathedral, spending time to see the historical bridges of Zayandeh Rood especially Si-o-se Pol and Khaju Bridge.
Hotel accommodation in Esfahan.
Day 12: Esfahan / Naein / Meybod / Yazd
Depart Esfahan towards Yazd, the bride of the dessert. On the way to Yazd you will stop to see the ancient city of Naein and some of its outstanding monuments such as Jame Mosque of Naein, one of the first four mosques built in Iran after the Arab invasion, the Pre-Islamic Narej Fortress, a Pirnia Traditional House, the Old Bazaar, a qanat-based watermill named Rigareh and a Zurkhaneh (a place for traditional sport). Next stop will be to visit Meybod, a pre-Islamic city with one of the oldest castles in Iran Named Narin Ghaleh. Arrive in Yazd in the evening.
Hotel accommodation in Yazd.
Day 13: Yazd
Full day visit to the adobe city of Yazd and selected historical sites such as Amir Chakhmagh monumental complex including a caravanserai, a bathhouse and a cold water well. Take a stroll through the narrow alleys of the old city with traditional houses. You will also visit Atash Behram Temple (Fire of Victory) with continuous burning of sacred fire since the fifth century, the 12th century Jame Mosque of Yazd, Towers of Silence and Dolatabad Garden.
Back to hotel accommodation in Yazd.
Day 14: Yazd / Abarkuh / Pasargadae / Shiraz
Depart Yazd towards Shiraz, the City of Roses and poetry. On the way to Shiraz you will visit Abarkuh a famous city during the Silk Road and Pasargadae, the capital of the Achaemenid Empire under Cyrus the Great.
Hotel accommodation in Shiraz.
Day 15: Shiraz
Full day visit to the city of Shiraz and its numerous attraction sites including the Grand Bazaar, Vakil Mosque and Bath, Arge Karimkhan, Eram Garden, the Nasir ol Molk Mosque, the Garden of Narenjestan Ghavam, the Koran Gate, Shah Cheragh Mausoleum.
Hotel accommodation in Shiraz.
Day 16: Shiraz / Persepolis / Shiraz
Morning Departure to the ancient city of Persepolis, visiting the remains of the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire, 50 km from Shiraz. You also visit four cave-like Achaemenid royal tombs of Naghsh-e Rajab and Naghsh-e Rostam. Return to Shiraz for the afternoon visit to Hafezieh, the Mausoleum and memorial garden, and the building of the celebrated Persian poet Hafez (1324-1391).
Hotel accommodation in Shiraz.
Day 17: flight Shiraz / Origin
Transfer to the airport. Check-in for your return flight home.
End of trip.
Note: Some museums and tourist attractions are closed on certain days. Depending on the selected tour date, the itinerary may be subject to slight changes.