The Explore Iran tour is a 13-day/12-night journey, starts in Tehran and ends in Shiraz. This one-way exploration is arranged specially for those travelers who prefer to spend more time in cities and less on the road. It covers the must-see attractions of the Capital and the best known historical and cultural cites of Iran including Kerman, Yazd, Isfahan and Shiraz as well as the well-recognized tourist sites of Persepolis, Pasargadae and citadel of Rayen.
Itinerary in details:
Day 1: Flight Origin / Tehran
Take the flight to Tehran. Arrive in the capital of Iran. Meet at the airport and transfer to your hotel accommodation in Tehran.
Day 2: 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 3: Teheran / Kerman
Morning airport transfer for your flight to Kerman, the capital of the province of the same name, located in southeast Iran almost 1000 Km away from Tehran. Visit the historical part of the city known as Ganjali Khan Complex which is composed of a square, a school, a caravanserai, a bathhouse, a mint, a mosque and a bazaar. You will also visit Grand bazar and the 14th century Jame Mosque of Kerman (Grand Mosque).
Hotel accommodation in Kerman.
Day 4: Kerman / Mahan / Rayan / Kerman
Spend the day visiting two historical cities of Rayen and Mahan about 90 Km away from Kerman. Citadel of Rayen, the biggest earthen structure of Kerman province after Bam citadel situated in the south-west of Rayen city. The temple of Shah Nematollah Vali, a Grand Sufi Master and Bagh-e Shahzade (Prince’s Garden, a UNESCO World Heritage site) are situated in Mahan. Back to Kerman in the afternoon.
Hotel accommodation in Kerman.
Day 5: Kerman / Yazd
Depart to the city of Yazd, the bride of the desert. The city is 368 km northwest of Kerman going through the amazing desert landscapes and it takes about 4 hours by bus. On the way you visit the Zeinodin Caravanserai situated on the ancient Silk Road.
Hotel accommodation in Yazd.
Day 6: 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 7: Yazd / Meybod / Naein / Esfahan
Depart Yazd towards Esfahan, the city known as the pearl of the orient. On the way to Esfahan you will stop to see Meybod, a pre-Islamic city with one of the oldest castles in Iran Named Narin Ghaleh. The next stop will be to visit 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). Arrive in Esfahan in the evening.
Hotel accommodation in Esfahan.
Day 8: 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 9: 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 10: Esfahan / Izadkhast / Shiraz
Morning departure to Shiraz, the city of Rose and poetry. On the way you stop to see the historical village named Izadkhast, visiting Izadkhast Castle and Caravanserai and a Safaivd-period bridge. Continue the route to Shiraz.
Hotel accommodation in Shiraz.
Day 11: 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 12: Shiraz / Persepolis / Pasargadae / Shiraz
Morning Departure to ancient city of Persepolis, visiting the remains of ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire, 50 km from Shiraz. You also visit four cave-like Achaemenid royal tombs of Naghsh-e Rajab, Naghsh-e Rostam or “the portrait of Rostam”. Head to Pasargadae, the capital of the Achaemenid Empire under Cyrus the Great. Return to Shiraz for the afternoon visit to Hafezieh, the Mausoleum and memorial garden and building of the celebrated Persian poet Hafez (1324-1391).
Day 13: 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.