Journey through Iran: 16-Day Vacation Package
Historians believe human life existed in Persia around 6000 BC, and many communities had settled on the eastern side of the mountain range Zagros. This tour will offer you the essence of the ancient Persian Empire; most of the towns and sites you will visit are either thousands of years old or have been registered by UNESCO as a heritage site. On this tour, besides the official tourist track, you will visit some of the usually overlooked yet astonishing places.
16 Days
- Tehran
- Tehran to Masuleh: (369) km
- Masuleh to Anzali: (63) km
- Anzali to Ardebil: (224) km
- Ardebil to Tabriz: 217) km
- Tabriz to Kandovan: (53) km
- Kandovan to Zanjan: (345) km
- Zanjan to Hamedan: (266) km
- Hamedan to Isfahan: (470) km
- Isfahan to Shiraz: (403) km
- Shiraz
Highlights
- Duration: 16 Days
- Arrival: Tehran
- Departure: Shiraz
- Wheelchair Access Available
- Iranian Cuisine Workshop
- Iranian SIM card
- Exploring the green and mountainous villages.
- Visit Golestan Palace, Grand Bazaar, and National Carpet Museum; explore the village of Masuleh and the town of Anzali for diverse cultural experiences.
- Discover Ardabil and its cultural sites, then experience Tabriz's rich heritage; visit the unique Kandovan and scenic Sarein for a mix of culture and nature.
- Explore historical Tagh-e Bostan in Kermanshah, scenic Soltaniyeh in Zanjan, and Gonbad-e Alavian in Hamedan for a blend of history and culture.
- Explore Isfahan, including Naghsh-e Jahan Square and Chehel-Sotun Garden; visit historic Persepolis and Karim Khan Citadel in Shiraz for rich cultural and historical insights.
Hotspots
- UNESCO World Heritage
- Persepolis
- Pasargadae
- Golestan Palace
- Masjed Jame Isfahan
- Eram Garden
- Sarein
- Anzali
- National Museum of Iran
- Soltaniyeh
- Kandovan Village
- Chehel Sotoun
- Masouleh Village
- Sheykh Safi Shrine
- Zandiyeh Complex
Day 1: Tehran
Arrival, meet and greet at the airport, transfer to hotel. Overnight Tehran.
Day 2: Tehran
A full-day tour of the capital, Tehran. Starting with a walking tour through old Tehran and visiting the old Gate of Tehran, Golestan Palaces, Imam (former Royal) Mosque, and the Grand Bazaar, a large roofed old shopping complex. We will then become more familiar with Persian carpets at the Carpet Museum.
Day 3: Masouleh
Drive to Masouleh. Masouleh village is one of the most beautiful & unique places you will have seen. It is perched high on a densely forested mountainside about 60 kilometers inland from the Caspian Sea. The roofs of houses on lower tiers are used as courtyards for homes on the levels above them. In some cases, public streets are laid out along interconnected roofs. The organic layout and steep stairs have made motor vehicles impractical, so they are banned in the village. About 800 people currently live in the town. Overnight Masuleh.
Day 4: Anzali
Drive to the port of Anzali, where we will be visiting Anzali’s great natural sites, including its beautiful beaches and swamps. Overnight Anzali.
Day 5: Ardebil
Drive to Ardebil via Khalkhal & Kivi to visit Sheik Safi-o-din Mausoleum, Jame mosque, and overnight Ardebil. The roads on this trip are amongst the most beautiful sceneries of North Western Iran.
Day 6: Sarein
On this day, we will be visiting Sar Ein. We are located 28 km outside of Ardebil. With its newly developed tourism infrastructure, natural beauty, and thermal springs, Sar Ein is the perfect excursion. Overnight Sar Ein.
Day 7: Tabriz
Early morning drive to Tabriz. Overnight Tabriz.
Day 8: Kandovan
In the morning, we will embark on a half-day city tour of Tabriz to visit the Blue mosque, Shah-Goli Pavilion, Azerbaijan Museum, and its magnificent bazaar. After visiting Tabriz, we will head to Kandovan; on the way, you will be served a traditional Persian meal in a local restaurant. Kandovan will take your breath away with its beautiful houses carved inside rocks and mineral water springs. Overnight Kandovan.
Day 9: Zanjan
Drive to Zanjan to visit Rakhtshoor-Khanh, Jameh mosque, its two pleasant tea houses, Soltaniyeh Dome, and the fantastic bazaar. Overnight Zanjan.
Day 10: Hamedan
Drive to Hamedan; we will have a half-day city tour of Hamedan in the afternoon. Overnight Hamedan
Day 11: Hamedan
An excursion to Kermanshah to visit Sassanian bas-reliefs at Tagh-e Bostan, the Achaemenid inscriptions and relieves at Bisotun, and the Anahita Temple at Kangavar, a half-day city tour of Hamedan in the afternoon to visit Ganjnameh and Avicenna mausoleum. Overnight Hamedan.
Day 12: Isfahan
Drive to Isfahan; in the evening, we will stroll along the ‘Zayandeh Rood’ river, which splits the city, and visit the Sio-se-Pol and Khajou bridges, where we can relax by the river and enjoy the local nightlife in a traditional tea house. Overnight Isfahan.
Day 13: Isfahan
Full-day city tour of Isfahan to visit Hasht-Behesht and Ali Qapu palaces, Sheikh Lotfollah, Imam Mosques, Bazaar, Vank Cathedral, and the Armenian quarter. Overnight Isfahan.
Day 14: Shiraz
Drive to Shiraz, en route visiting Pasargad (Pasargadae was the capital of the Persian Empire from the sixth century BC until it was conquered by the Macedonians led by Alexander the Great in 330 BC. Now a town in Iran, Pasargadae was established by the first ruler of the Achaemenid Dynasty, Cyrus the Great.), Naghshe Rostam (aka Necropolis or the city of the dead) and the Persepolis, overnight Shiraz.
Day 15: Shiraz
City tour of Shiraz: after a leisurely morning, we will start by paying a visit to the Zandiyeh Complex, the residential palace of the Zand dynasty. We continue to the Vakil complex, Vakil Mosque, Bazar, and the public bath remaining from his reign. We will chill out at the traditional tea house of Saray e Moshir to have an entirely Persian experience; a quick visit to Nasira Molk Mosque will conclude our morning tour before lunch. In the afternoon, we will head to Eram Garden, the tombs of poets Hafez and Saadi, Ali Bene Hamza Shrine, and finally, Narenjestan Palace. Overnight Shiraz.
Day 16: Departure
Transfer to Shiraz’s international airport for your departure flight.
