7 Day Iran Tour North by Northwest

Following a 70-minute flight from Tehran we land in Tabriz, where we’ll take a full day tour around the city visiting the Grand Bazaar (the biggest roofed bazaar in the world).

Next, we will visit the Constitution House (the gathering place for the revolutionary leaders and sympathizers of the constitutional movement). Then we visit Iron Age Museum (a magnificent museum with numerous items from pre-historic time until today), the Blue Mosque, and the Amir Nezam House.

In the evening we’ll drive to Kandovan – 60 km away – where we are going to spend the night.

Today we will go on a full-day excursion to the Aras Valley a standout amongst the most scenic valleys in the Middle East, where we get ready to take a look at two Armenian monasteries (both are on UNESCO World Heritage List): St. Thaddeus and St. Stepanos.

These eye-catching churches (which represent the outstanding Universal Value of Armenian decorative and architectural traditions) are significant both culturally and historically due to their great antiquity and religiously because of their importance among Christians of Iran and Armenia.

Today we’ll be driving to Masuleh, 590 km east of Tabriz, en route visiting Sarab, Khalkhal and Asalem. On the way to Asalem you are going to experience untouched and pristine nature around the Khalkhal-Asalem road.

Vast plains, rare plants and flowers, wild beauties, rural landscape, the mass of tall trees, valleys of fogs that darken the road, and traditional lifestyle of people are among the unique features of this road.

We’ll spend the night in Masuleh in which the roof of the lower house turns into the terrace for the higher level (an integrated architecture).

After visiting the historical village of Masuleh, we’ll drive towards Rasht – 55 km away – visiting Fuman and the Roudkhan Castle during the trip. After crossing a mountainous winding road covered by dense forests, we’ll arrive in the castle.

As a brick and stone structure, the Rood-khan Castle is one of the largest military castles in the north of Iran. Sitting at the two peaks of a mountain, this old castle involves an area of about 2.6 hectares and is fortified by strong battlements and fortifications at a length of 1,550 meters.

Today we’ll take an excursion to Masal, visiting Olasbelanga Countryside (a wonderful place with its mountainous spectacular areas and intact nature) before moving to Talesh (located on the southwest coast of Caspian Sea).

It is located 140 km northwest of Rasht, on the southwest coast of the Caspian Sea. We’ll then head back to Rasht. A visit to the local Bazaar and Rasht Museum (a two- storied building comprising three sections: the anthropological, archeological, and an area displaying documents) will close the day.

The next stop will be Lahijan (the town of tea gardens) 50km away where we’ll take a gondola lift up to the Tea Farms. The city, which mirrors a mixture of Iranian and European architectural styles, is situated on the southern slope of the Alborz mountain range.

In the afternoon we’ll drive to Anzali, stopping at one of the most delightful watery landscapes in Iran Anzali Lagoon well-known for the boat trips. As a home to migrant birds, it is also a decent place for bird watching and an important sanctuary for wildlife.

Today we’ll drive back to Tehran (375 km) en route visiting Gilan Rural Heritage Museum (about 15 Kilometers far away from Rasht) where you are plunged into the beauty of a genuine world of traditions and customs and have the opportunity to explore the rural environment.

This unique Eco-Museum (with a total surface area of 260 hectares) has been built in order to reveal the hidden corners of Gilan people’s lifestyle and culture. You’ll reach Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport in the afternoon to fly back home.