This 6-day journey combines daily yoga and meditation with Persian poetry, Sufi traditions, ancient history, historic gardens, and the everyday atmosphere of Shiraz.
Duration: 6 Days
Best Season: 🌸 March–May 🍂 September–November
DAY 1 Shiraz Welcome & Gentle Yoga
DAY 2 Vakil Bazaar & Hafez
DAY 3 Baba Kuhi & The Seven Dervishes
DAY 4 Azadi Park, Nasir al-Mulk & Saadi
DAY 5 Persepolis, Jahan Nama & Eram Gardens
DAY 6 Quran Gate, Khwaju & Departure
From: 790
Tour Overview
Experience Shiraz through a slower and more meaningful lens on this 6-day yoga and cultural journey, combining daily yoga and meditation with Persian poetry, Sufi traditions, historic gardens, ancient history, local stories, and the atmosphere of one of Iran’s most culturally important cities.
Shiraz is known as the city of poets and gardens, and this journey introduces you to the world of Hafez, Saadi, Khwaju Kermani, and the dervishes of Shiraz while giving you time to slow down, practice, walk, and enjoy the city.
Yoga is part of the journey rather than the only focus. Daily sessions are held with a professional local yoga group, while the rest of your time is spent discovering the culture, stories, nature, and everyday pleasures of Shiraz.
Trip Highlights
Yoga & Meditation
Daily practice with a professional local yoga group, naturally integrated into the rhythm of your journey.
Hafez & Persian Poetry
Discover Hafez and explore themes of life, impermanence, joy, and wisdom through his poetry.
Sufi Shiraz & Baba Kuhi
Visit Baba Kuhi, its historic cave, and Haft Tanan while discovering the stories of Shiraz’s dervishes.
Saadi & Practical Wisdom
Visit Saadi’s tomb and explore the practical, human side of Persian wisdom through stories from the Gulistan.
Persepolis & Persian Gardens
Experience the grandeur of Persepolis, followed by the peaceful atmosphere of Jahan Nama and Eram Gardens.
Living Shiraz
Stay in a traditional Shirazi house and experience the city’s gardens, local atmosphere, hospitality, and everyday rhythm.
Best Time to Join
The most comfortable periods are March to May and September to November. These months are especially pleasant for walking, gardens, Baba Kuhi, Persepolis, and other outdoor activities.
Spring brings flowers and greener landscapes, while autumn usually offers comfortable temperatures for walking and sightseeing. In summer, outdoor activities are planned around the cooler hours of the day.
🌸 March–May
Best for gardens • Mild weather • Spring flowers
☀️ June–August
Hot afternoons • Morning activities preferred
🍂 September–November
Comfortable temperatures • Excellent for walking
❄️ December–February
Cooler weather • Quieter travel period
What This Journey Feels Like
Yoga
Daily practice • Meditation • Breathing
Poetry
Hafez • Saadi • Khwaju
Spirituality
Dervishes • Sufi traditions • Reflection
History
Persepolis • Historic Shiraz • Persian heritage
Pace
Relaxed • Local • Unhurried
A Typical Day
Morning Yoga & Meditation
Breakfast Persian Breakfast
Daytime Cultural / Nature Experience
Afternoon Personal Exploration / Relaxation
Evening Dinner & Time at the Shirazi House
Typical rhythm — exact activities and times vary according to the day’s itinerary, weather, and local conditions.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
DAY 1 — Welcome to Shiraz
Arrive in Shiraz and transfer to your traditional Shirazi house. After settling in, meet your retreat leader and local yoga group and receive an introduction to the journey ahead.
Your first yoga session is intentionally gentle, giving you time to recover from your journey and settle into the slower rhythm of Shiraz.
In the evening, enjoy a Persian welcome dinner in the atmosphere of a traditional Shirazi home, surrounded by the character of old Shiraz and the scent of bitter orange trees.
Accommodation: Traditional Shirazi House
DAY 2 — Vakil Bazaar & Hafez
Begin with morning yoga and meditation before heading to the historic Vakil Complex.
Walk through Vakil Bazaar, one of Shiraz’s most atmospheric traditional markets, where you can explore local handicrafts, spices, textiles, sweets, and other Persian products. There is also time for shopping and enjoying the lively atmosphere of the bazaar.
In the afternoon, visit Hafez Tomb and explore the world of one of Persia’s most loved poets.
Hafez is still part of everyday Persian life. His poetry is often read when people are looking for comfort, hope, advice, or simply a different way of looking at life.
One of his most famous poems begins:
Arrived the glad tidings that grief’s time shall not remain;
Like that remained not; like this grief’s time shall not remain.
The song of Jamshid’s assembly, they have said, was this:
“Bring the cup of wine; for Jam shall not remain.”
After visiting Hafez, return to the old Shirazi house for a relaxed evening.
Accommodation: Traditional Shirazi House
DAY 3 — Baba Kuhi & The Seven Dervishes
Today we leave the city center and head into the mountains around Baba Kuhi, named after the dervish and Sufi figure associated with this mountain.
We spend time around Baba Kuhi’s tomb and visit the historic cave where dervishes and Sufi seekers once gathered.
In the mountain setting, you’ll have a yoga and meditation session surrounded by nature, followed by time to enjoy the views and atmosphere of the area.
A short distance from Baba Kuhi, we continue to Haft Tanan, home to a historic collection of stone works and known as the resting place of seven legendary dervishes of Shiraz.
Your tour guide will tell you the local story of the seven dervishes and how the site became known as Haft Tanan.
After the visit, return to the old Shirazi house for a relaxing evening.
Accommodation: Traditional Shirazi House
DAY 4 — Nasir al-Mulk Mosque & Saadi
Begin the morning early with a visit to Azadi Park, where Shiraz comes to life with local people gathering for their morning exercise. Join them for some light exercise and experience a more everyday side of the city.
At around 9:00, continue to the beautiful Nasir al-Mulk Mosque, known for its colored glass, intricate tilework, and peaceful atmosphere. After the visit, continue with your morning yoga and meditation session.
Later, visit Saadi’s Tomb and Saadieh.
Saadi was a traveler as well as a poet. His journeys through the wider Islamic world strongly influenced his writing, and his works helped shape the Persian literary tradition.
At Saadieh, we visit the famous Fish Pond and explore some of the stories behind Saadi’s practical approach to life.
One story from the Gulistan tells of someone bringing Nushirvan the Just news that an enemy had died.
There is no occasion for our rejoicing at a foe’s death,
Because our own life will also not last for ever.
It is a good example of Saadi’s style: he deals with real people, difficult situations, power, money, relationships, and everyday choices, while still keeping a strong sense of morality and responsibility.
Return to the old Shirazi house in the evening.
Accommodation: Traditional Shirazi House
DAY 5 — Persepolis, Jahan Nama & Eram Gardens
Today begins with one of the great historical experiences of Iran: a morning visit to Persepolis.
Explore the monumental remains of the Achaemenid capital and see the great stairways, reliefs, columns, and ceremonial spaces that made Persepolis one of the most remarkable sites of the ancient world.
After returning toward Shiraz, spend the afternoon at Jahan Nama Garden, one of the city’s historic Persian gardens.
Take time to walk through the garden, enjoy Persian tea, take photographs, read, or simply sit and enjoy the atmosphere.
Later, continue to Eram Garden, another of Shiraz’s famous gardens and an important part of the city’s identity as the City of Gardens.
The gardens offer a completely different experience after the scale and history of Persepolis — shaded paths, water, trees, flowers, and the everyday beauty that has made Shiraz famous for centuries.
Return to the old Shirazi house for your final evening in the city.
Accommodation: Traditional Shirazi House
DAY 6 — Quran Gate, Khwaju & Departure
Begin the final morning with a gentle yoga and meditation session.
Later, visit Quran Gate, the historic entrance to Shiraz. For generations, travelers entering or leaving the city would pass beneath the Quran, making the gate a fitting symbol for the beginning and end of a journey.
Nearby, visit the tomb of Khwaju Kermani, the poet closely connected with Shiraz and an important influence on the literary world that later produced Hafez.
Take some final time to enjoy the city before your transfer to Shiraz International Airport.
Departure: Shiraz
What’s Included in the Tour
Included
- Private transportation according to the itinerary
- English-speaking retreat leader / tour guide
- Traditional Shirazi house accommodation
- Daily breakfast
- Daily yoga and meditation sessions
- Professional local yoga group sessions
- Guided visits included in the itinerary
- Airport pick-up and drop-off
- Bottled water during road transfers
Not Included
- International flights
- Iran visa fee
- Travel insurance
- Lunches and dinners unless specifically stated
- Personal expenses
- Optional activities
- Entrance fees to attractions and monuments
- Personal yoga equipment
Practical Things to Know
- Clothing: Iran has a modest dress code in public spaces. Comfortable, loose-fitting clothing works well for sightseeing and yoga.
- Yoga equipment: Bring your preferred mat if you have one. Ask us in advance if you need help arranging equipment.
- Walking: Most city visits are easy, while Baba Kuhi involves walking on mountain paths and uneven ground.
- Persepolis: The site involves outdoor walking and limited shade, so comfortable shoes, sun protection, and water are recommended.
- Weather: Outdoor yoga and meditation may be adjusted according to temperature and local conditions.
- Daily rhythm: This is a cultural wellness journey, not an intensive yoga camp. There is deliberate time for rest, conversation, and personal exploration.
Can This Journey Be Customized?
Yes. The six-day journey can be adjusted around your travel dates, yoga experience, accommodation level, and interests in Persian culture and history.
You can also extend the trip with Isfahan, Yazd, or other destinations in Iran while keeping the same relaxed pace.
Want to experience Shiraz this way? Tell us your preferred dates, group size, and accommodation level, and we’ll help you shape the journey around your trip.
