14 Day Iran Tour The Past and Present of Persia

Arriving in Ahvaz, you’ll be transferred to the hotel for a short rest before your tour of Khuzestan begins. Today’s tour incorporates: a riverside stroll (to visit some bridges and places related to Mandaeism); Moein-o Tojar Caravanserai; Shadegan Ponds (with a peaceful and rich environment for natural life); and Minoo Island where you encounter a customary way of life in a Mozif, a special structure belonging to this region that goes back to Sumerian times and made altogether out of reed. We’ll come back to Ahvaz in the evening.

Today we have an excursion to three World Cultural Heritages (Susa, Choghazanbil, and Shushtar). You will visit Susa, (a standout amongst the most noteworthy ancient areas of the Mesopotamia and a strategic Elamite city).

We have likewise a chance to visit the Tomb of Daniel (the scriptural prophet). Heading to Shushtar you will visit, on the way, Choghazanbil ziggurat, giving you a glimpse of how astounding the ancient Elamite culture was. You will also have a look at Shushtar historical Hydraulic System (an intricate irrigation system).

Leaving Ahvaz for Shiraz (563 km), this is a journey through various climates and scenes (our trip starts from 60 meters above sea level and proceeds to a height of 1,600 meters)!

We will visit, en route, Bishapur City (known for its bas-reliefs and the remainders of a Sasanian city) and the Anahita Temple, the name of which is depicted from Anahita (goddess of water).

A short stroll around Tange Chogan, the rough walls here are home to six immense bas-reliefs cut out of limestone. We arrive in Shiraz around evening time.

Our Morning tour starts by visiting Arg-e Karim Khan, Vakil Mosque, and Vakil Bazaar. Next, you’ll visit Nasir Almolk Mosque enjoying the intricate tile work and ponder about how well thoroughly considered this building is.

We have also walk through Narenjestan (which is so called because of the plenitude of sour orange trees). In the afternoon we will visit Shah Cheragh Shrine (a serene spot with a tranquil climate to get a glimpse of Iranian Shia holy shrines) and the Tomb of one of the most renowned Iranian poets—Hafez. If we still have more time we’ll visit more places.

Today we go on an excursion to visit three major spots: the UNESCO World Heritage site, Persepolis, undoubtedly one of the most impressive sites in Iran with a tremendous amount of structures carved out of stones.

We then move to Naqsh-e Rustam (a standout amongst the most tremendous and astonishing ancient locales of the Achaemenid Empire including the enormous tombs of Persian kings going back to the first millennium B.C.).

We may end our excursion by visiting Pasargadae (optional), home to the Tomb of Cyrus the Great coming back to Shiraz in the evening.

We are going to hit the road again. Moving from Shiraz to Kerman, we might have time to visit the Salt Lake. Our primary objective, for now, is visiting the Sassanid Palace at Sarvestan (90 km southeast from the city of Shiraz).

This large monument was built in the 5^th century A.D. and is one of the best samples of the Sassanid architecture.

The structure, made of mortar and stone, more likely has had fine enrichments, which partially survive. We’ll arrive in Kerman during evening staying overnight in the city.

Today we go on an excursion to visit the following spots: Mahan, Rayen, and Shahdad (122 km). We are going to visit Shazdeh Garden in Mahan (35 Km). It is an expansive garden as an oasis in the desert. Next, we visit Rayen Castle (104 km).

It is an adobe monument (covering a 20,000 m2 area) and a remaining image of the residential fortresses in the ancient time that dates back to the Sassanid era. We then continue to reach Shahdad Kalout (desert) with impressive formations built by the disintegration of compacted sand.

We have a plan for a half-day tour of Kerman before moving to Yazd via Zein-o-Din Caravanserai. The city tour includes visiting The Ganjali Khan Complex (square, Bathhouse, bazaar, Caravanserai, and Mosque).

Next, we are going to see Zein-o-Din Caravanserai situated on the Silk Road which was until 1500 A.D. the main trade route between Asia and Europe. Circle in plan, the caravanserai is a two-storied structure with a water pool and a courtyard. We’ll be continuing our trip arriving in Yazd during the evening.

We will start today’s tour with Towers of Silence (Zoroastrian structures for the Ritual of Death in the past). Next, we visit Zoroastrian Fire Temple and its Sacred Eternal Flame, Water Museum, Amir Chakhmaq square, Dolat Abad Garden (well known for having the tallest Badgir/wind catcher in Iran and likely in the world, standing over than 33m), and the eye-catching, congregational Jameh Mosque. On our walking tour of the old district of the city, in the evening, we’ll have a look at Alexander’s Prison.

Today, we will drive to Isfahan (350 km), having a chance to take a look at the Caravanserai Complex of Meybod. We also visit Pigeon Tower (with its use for agricultural purposes) and Meybod Ice House, both of which are Eco-friendly inventions.

Next, we take a look at the tile and ceramic workshop and Narin Historical Castle. Arriving in Nain we have the opportunity to explore the Jame Mosque (the city’s major attraction). We arrive in Isfahan (blazing with splendid aquamarine mosaic domes, grand minarets, and some of the world’s finest architecture) in the evening.

In the morning we are going to see the UNESCO World Heritage site Naqsh-e Jahan Square, the delightfully proportioned and decorated Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, Imam Mosque, and richly beautified Ali Qapu Palace.

After lunch, we’ll visit the UNESCO World Heritage site, Chehel Sotoun Palace and Garden (the dominant feature of which is its impressive veranda with a greatness and radiance that spots it among the world’s most noteworthy structures). Next, we’ll visit the Persian Bazaar displaying the Iranian handicrafts and workshops.

Our today’s city tour begins, in the morning, by visiting the Jame Mosque (having incredible interiors with different areas from different eras) and the historical Vank Cathedral (a Safavid-Christian imagery synthesis best known for its architectural merits and tile works).

The paintings in the church are magnificent and the combination of Islamic architectural styles and Christian patterns are obvious. We’ll end our tour, in the afternoon, by walking through the riverside viewing the historical bridges.

Today we are moving to Tehran aiming at visiting Abyaneh (a village of living traditions and architectural styles wherein one can experience the ancient civilization and culture of Iran).

Next, we make a few stops on the way to visit the best Iranian houses in size and architecture (for example, Borujerdis House, Ameri House, and Abbasi House), and the glorious Agha Bozorg Mosque (used as a mosque and likewise as a theological school). We then visit the UNESCO World Heritage site Fin Garden, a highlight of Kashan before leaving the city to Tehran.

Our full-day tour of Tehran begins with a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage site, Golestan Palace the most famous building of which is the Mirror Hall. Next we visit a number of fabulous museums including National Museum of Iran, (including the Museum of Ancient Iran and the Museum of the Islamic Era); Glass & Ceramics Museum, (displaying objects from the 2nd millennium B.C. to the modern day); and possibly Treasury of National Jewelry Museum (which accommodates the largest pink diamond in the world). In the late evening, we are going to the airport for departure.