Throne to Prison: Ancient Wonders Tour
Discover Iran’s allure through Zanjan to Mahabad, a captivating journey of caves, lakes, and history. Unveil Zanjan’s heritage, explore Takht-e Soleyman’s mystery, witness the surreal Dev Prison, and rejuvenate in hot springs. Experience moving grass phenomenon, bird-watching by Zarinerood, and explore Saholan Cave’s secrets. A compact adventure through time and nature.
3 Days
Zanjan Takab Saqqez Bukan Mahabad
Tour Options
Be in Touch
Tour Map
- Tehran
- Shiraz
- 7 Days
- Free Visa
- Airport transfers
- Free breakfast
- Local tour guides
- Accessibility Options
- Free Wi-Fi
- Adventure activities
- Historical landmarks visits
Your Journey, Your Way: We're Here to Help!
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Tour Highlights
- UNESCO World Heritages
- Persepolis
- Pasargadae
- Golestan Palace
- Masjed Jam-e Isfahan
- Eram Garden
- Hafezieh
- Sadie Tomb
- National Museum of Iran
- Abyaneh village
- Tape Silak
- Chehel-sotun
- Persian Gardens
- And many other places..
Tour Itinerary
We want to inform you that this tour is not bound to specific dates. It’s an introductory Iran tour designed to be flexible and adaptable to your schedule and preferences. Whether you wish to explore the wonders of Iran in the spring, summer, fall, or winter, the opportunity is always available. We aim to make your dream trip come true, allowing you to discover Iran’s diverse cultural heritage, natural beauty, and warm hospitality at your convenience. Whenever you are ready to embark on this incredible journey, we’ll be here, eager to curate an unforgettable experience that aligns perfectly with your desires.
Day 1: Zanjan's Heritage and Delights
Prepare for one of the most attractive Iranian tourist routes, the best time of which is spring and summer. Two caves, a lake, a different conical mountain, a spa and a pond are among the attractions of the upcoming program. This trip starts from Zanjan, which alone needs a day to explore.
Zanjan Bazaar, Zolfaqari Historic House, which has been converted into Mardan Namaki Museum, Khanum Mosque and School, laundry building, which is also the Zanjan Anthropology Museum, and Hosseinieh Azam, which is the gathering place of the largest groups of Hosseini mourners in the months of Muharram and Safar are some of the attractions. Zanjan are famous and one day is enough time to visit them. Of course, suppose you start your excursion early in the morning. In that case, you will have enough time to go to the natural promenade of Gavazang outside the city before sunset and complete your Zanjan sightseeing pleasure.
Apart from this city’s historical and natural attractions, you should not miss the local foods of Zanjan. Start breakfast with jaggery, lunch with kebabs or meatballs, and sour soup for dinner. Try one of the famous and traditional breads of Zanjan called Nan Ardak.
Since Zanjan is the province’s capital, good hotels and accommodation centers in this city allow you to spend the night in this incredible city of Iran.
Day 2: Takht Soleyman's Enigmatic Secrets
In the extreme southeast of West Azerbaijan province, it is closer to the city of Zanjan than Urmia, one of Iran’s most important historical sites registered worldwide. With its valuable works, the Takht-e Soleyman complex is one of Iran’s most attractive areas, but at the same time, it is less known.
To reach Takht-e Soleyman from Zanjan there are two routes. The closer route, which has a winding mountain road, passes through Dandi and takes you directly to the Takht-e Soleyman complex. But the second route, which is safer, does not reach Bijar and turns towards Takab in Saksan and reaches Takht-e Soleyman from Takab. Knowing that inter-route buses can only travel on the second route is not harmful! Interestingly, these two routes do not differ much in time, and you will be on the way for half an hour at most.
The main historical attractions of the complex can be visited around the lake. Takht-e Soleyman World Site has public amenities such as parking, restrooms, grocery stores, etc.
At a distance of less than 4 km from Takht-e Soleyman Lake, if you continue towards Takab, you will reach one of Iran’s most impressive natural attractions. You have to park the car on the side of the road and climb and climb stairs for about 30 minutes to reach the top of a mountain named Deev Prison or Soleyman Prison. But this mountain is not at all like other mountains. You will come across a hollow cone that will be terrifying even if you are not afraid of heights!
A little further, there is a hot spring complex where you can relax, dip in the water, and continue your journey in peace.
On this route, you will pass through the Anguran protected area, one of the protected areas of Iran’s environmental organization, which shows the high richness of the site. The largest lead and zinc mine in the Middle East is also located near Angoran, and you can see the lift for transporting minerals on the side of the road and sometimes above your head on the way!
Another place that you should not miss is the moving grass or Chamli. An island that is covered with grass and moves! To see the moving grass, you have to move from Takab to Baderlo Road, which is not very good.
You are so tired! You can stay the night at the Takab Hotel or be a guest in the villagers’ houses in Takht-e Soleyman.
In whatever direction you choose to continue your journey, other attractive paths exist in front of you. We go to Saqqez to see the Cave of Karaftu.
Day 3: Saqqez to Saholan Exploration
From Takab, we go to the Saqqez Road and choose Karfto Cave as our destination. This cave is less than an hour away from Takab and stands out behind the mountains. After visiting the cave, returning to the main road is unnecessary. You can continue the route and reach Saqqez more than an hour later. Before going to Saqqez, the Zarinerood River stands out on the side of the road, and a little further on, the Zarinerood Dam Lake can be your next destination. Wherever there is water, there is also the flight of birds, and as a result, a good opportunity for bird watching is provided.
You have two choices from turpentine. You can go to Baneh and go to Sardasht from there. Before this, we suggested a trip to Sardasht, which you can read here. The other path goes to Bukan. Upon reaching Bukan, take the Mahabad road. Seholan Cave is located in the middle of the road from Bukan to Mahabad, which can be the end point of this trip.
What plans or ideas do you have for your itinerary?
Tell us about the sort of itinerary you have in mind. In particular, places you want to visit, the accommodation you have in mind, activities you would like to do, and any special interests you have (e.g., temples, local history, wildlife, etc.). The more information you provide, the better.
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Iran Climate Patterns for Trip
| January | February | March | April | May | June |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cold | Cold | Peak season | High season | Warm | Warm |
| July | August | September | October | November | December |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Very warm | Very warm | High season | High season | Cold | Cold |
