15 Day Iran Tour Romance of Persia

Upon your arrival, you will be cordially met and transferred to your hotel. You will have time to rest before our morning tour of Tehran starts. We are going to visit the National Museum of Iran where you have an opportunity to see and experience the evolution of mankind through the spectacular display of historical relics.

Next, we will visit a world of breathtaking jewels in stunning Treasury of National Jewelry Museum. We then take a glance at the Carpet Museum (which houses a variety of eye-catching hand-woven rugs and carpets).

Today we are going to visit Sa’dabad Complex (with 18 impressive palaces two of which we will visit).  Built by Pahlavi Dynasty, the site houses a number of museums (devoted to various subjects such as the miniature paintings, and royal automobiles).

We continue our journey by a visit to the Glass & Ceramics Museum. With hundreds of exhibits, the building delightfully combines features of Eastern and Western styles. We then move to the airport for the flight to Shiraz.

On the way to your hotel, we’ll visit Shah Cheragh Shrine (with impressive lightings and mirror-work).

The day is dedicated to the beauty of Shiraz, the historical center of Persian culture well-known as a glorious image of gardens and poetry.

We’ll start with a visit to the Arg-e Karim Khan, splendid Vakil Mosque and Vakil Bazaar (where you are going to experience an impressive atmosphere with an eye-catching architecture).

Next, we’ll visit the Nasir Almolk Mosque (known as the Pink Mosque) followed by walking through the Narenjestan Mansion. Shiraz is home to the most cherished Persian poets such as Hafez whose tomb we will visit in the afternoon.

Today we go on a full-day excursion to visit two major spots where you have a chance to deeply experience the glory and magnificence of the ancient Persia. Persepolis is the first astonishing site that we will visit.

Located on an immense terrace, this Achaemenid capital founded by Darius I in 518 B.C. We then drive to Naqsh-e Rustam (Necropolis), the notable burial place of the Persian kings. There also exist some rock reliefs depicting the Sassanid kings. We’ll return to Shiraz in the late afternoon.

Leaving Shiraz in the morning, we are going to drive to Yazd (490km) via Pasargadae, Abar Kouh, and Zein-o-Din Caravanserai. You have an opportunity to visit the Tomb of Cyrus the Great at the Pasargadae site.

We then visit Abar Kouh, an ancient city with impressive desert architecture and some historical sites. The 4500-year-old cypress tree is also seen (a trace of eternity). Afterward, we’ll take a look at the Zein-o-Din Caravanserai, a Safavid structure rooted in the heart of the desert. We’ll arrive in Yazd in the evening.

The full-day city tour of Yazd will start in the morning with a visit to the Towers of Silence (used by Zoroastrians for the Ritual of Death in the past). We then take a glance at the Zoroastrian’s Fire Temple (an impressive place with a peaceful sense of spirituality).

Next, we are going to visit the Water Museum and Amir Chakhmagh Square. In the afternoon we’ll visit the Jaame Mosque with a couple of minarets among the highest in Iran. We’ll end our tour by visiting Alexander Prison, and Zour Khaneh (Iranian’s traditional gymnasium).

Today we are driving to Isfahan (280km) make a few stops on the way to visit Chak Chak (the impressive Zoroastrian’s Pantheon), the old Caravanserai, Ice House (one of the most ancient monuments in Meybod used to store ice during the year), and Pigeon Tower (an Eco-friendly structure artistically built by mud bricks).

Next, we have an opportunity to take a glance at the Jame Mosque, a magnificent sample of Islamic Persian Architecture in Nain. After our arrival to Isfahan, we’ll stroll by the river visiting the historical bridges.

The full-day city tour of Isfahan starts with a visit to the historical Naqsh-e Jahan Square (one of the largest squares in the world), glorious Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, Imam Mosque (an architectural masterpiece due to its tile-works, impressive dome, and minarets), and elegant Ali Qapu Palace.

Next, we are going to explore the UNESCO World Heritage site, Chehel Sotoun Palace (with a graceful terrace, and delicate wooden pillars). Next, we’ll visit the Persian Bazaar where you have a chance to be introduced to Iranian handicrafts and workshops.

The last day in Isfahan dedicated to visiting the Jame Mosque and the Vank Cathedral. Regarded as a masterpiece of Iranian Architecture built step by step during 12 centuries, the magnificent and splendid appearance of this historical monument is mainly because of the beauty of its calligraphic inscriptions and seven-color mosaic tiles.

The delightful Vank Cathedral is a Safavid monument (where you can see the synthesis of Islamic architecture and Christian themes). In the afternoon we’ll drive to Kashan visiting the eye-catching village of Abyaneh on the way.

The city tour of Kashan starts in the morning with a visit to some of the best Iranian houses in size and design which are of great architectural value (for example, Borujerdis House, Ameri House, and Abbasi House).

We then take a look at the historical Mosque of Agha Bozorg (used also as a theological school). Next, we are going to see the UNESCO World Heritage site Fin Garden which is a delightful sample of Persian Garden and a remarkable highlight of Kashan. We then leave Kashan to Hamadan (395km) in the afternoon.

Today involves visiting the major places in Hamadan, an ancient city which has had different names: it was Ecbatana to the Greeks, and Agbatana or Hangmatana to the Medes.  

We’ll visit the Alavids Dome, (a post-Islamic architectural masterpiece), and the Tomb of Esther and Mordecai (which is of great significance for Jews in Iran). We also see the Tomb of Avicenna (the well-known Persian physician and philosopher).

At the end, we’ll visit the spectacular Ganjnameh, (inscriptions carved in three languages: Old Persian, Babylonian, and Elamite).

Today we go on a full-day excursion to Kermanshah (210km). After visiting the Anahita Temple in Kangavar, we are going to visit the Behistun inscription, (one of the most spectacular sites of Iran located 30km east of Kermanshah).

It is cut on a cliff at a height of 100m and dates back to the Achaemenid era. (This splendid inscription is a cuneiform text of 400 lines in three ancient languages: Old Persian, Elamite, and Babylonian).

Once in Kermanshah, we’ll have a chance to see Taq-e Bostan (rock-carvings which go back to the Sassanid period). We then drive back to Hamadan.

We are going to drive to Uraman Takht village (230km) visiting Sanandaj city on the way. We have a chance to visit old Bazaars and Hajar Khatoon Mosque (an eye-catching structure due to its architecture) in Sanandaj before leaving the city to Uraman Takht (an eye-catching village abundant with pomegranate, walnut, fig and mulberry trees).

We’ll visit the Tomb of Peer Shaliar Urami which is a well-known site for the local people. We also possibly take a look at the Tomb of Loskeh Hijij, and the Abdollahi and Oihang Mosques.

On this day, we are driving to Zanjan via Takab (480km) where we’ll have an opportunity to visit the UNESCO World Heritage site, Takht-e Soleyman, located to the north east of Takab.

It is one of the oldest Zoroastrian fire temples (dating back to the Sassanid Dynasty), which has had an enduring impact on the development of religious architecture in the Islamic era.

Once in Zanjan, you have a chance to take a look at the delightful handcrafts such as traditional sandals and knives (which the city was famous for in ancient times).

Today we move from Zanjan to Qazvin (165km) visiting two major sites on the way: we are going to have a look at an impressive brick structure Soltaniyeh Dome (also known as the Mausoleum of Oljaytu).

It is one of the spectacular samples of the accomplishments of Islamic Architecture and Art in Iranian history, famous for its spatial proportions, decorative ornaments, and the architectural forms.

We then drive to the Alamut Castle to take a look at this historically significant mountain structure situated in the heart of the Alborz Mountain.

On last day of your tour you are at leisure to relax and explore Qazvin City. In the afternoon you’ll be transferred to Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport for departure.