Discover Persia on 15 days
Iran Ancient Tours
16 days Iran Ancient Tours
Tehran, Yazd, Kerman, Mahan, Shiraz, Isfahan, Abyaneh, Kashan
Discover Persia through the following Iran ancient tour on 16 day and learn more about the history, culture, foods while meeting with Iranian peoples, visit modern Iran in big cities such as Tehran and Isfahan as well as Shiraz and see gardens, haggle in traditional bazaars and gain a experience that you always was wondering about. With this trip you will visit more sites dating back to the ancient times while exploring historic attractions dating back to the several era of the Persian history. Our trips are private and could be tailor made to be set to your exact wishes.
16 day itinerary
Tour type: Classic + Culture + History
Day 1
Tehran
Fly to Tehran, flights normally arrive either late at night or very early the following morning. Accommodation: 4 star at Enghelab hotel
Day 2
Explore Tehran
Tehran is a sprawling metropolis buzzing with people. It is the economic heart of Iran and a modern city with museums, cafes and restaurants. We head out into Tehran and visit the Archaeological Museum with its collections of pottery, bronze and valuable pieces from various ages ranging from millenniums BCE to the Islamic era. We also visit the Abguineh Glass and Ceramics Museum, a valuable collection of pre-Islamic, Islamic and European glass and ceramics displayed within an elegant early-20th Century mansion. Finally, we visit the Carpet Museum with its extensive collection of old and new Persian carpets and rugs from the country’s major carpet-weaving centers. Accommodation: 4 star at Enghelab hotel
Day 3
See more of Tehran
We see more of Tehran today with full day visits including the Golestan Palace Museum Complex, built by Fath-Ali Shah of the Qajar Dynasty and dating from the 18th to the early 20th century. We continue to the Shams-ol-Emareh (Sun) Palace and the Ethnographic Museum, with a walk around the garden to enjoy the beautiful tile-covered walls and buildings. In the afternoon, we visit the fabulous State’s Jewels Museum, housed in the vaults of the Central Bank of Iran displaying the most dazzling and priceless collection of jewels and gems in the world. Accommodation: 4 star at Enghelab hotel
Day 4
Travel to kashan & Abyaneh
As we leave the hustle and bustle of the Iranian capital behind, we make our way through the desert to Kashan. This oasis town was a favourite of Shah Abbas who was buried here. Visit the historical garden of Fin which was first planted during the Safavid period and kept alive with water from the nearby Sulaimanieh Spring. This beautiful garden was expanded by the Zand and Qajar monarchs, with many open pavilions added. In Kashan, there are also fine examples of grand 19th Century merchant residences and we will have the chance to visit one these.
We continue on to Abyaneh, a small village hidden away in the Karkas Mountains and an Iranian Cultural Heritage Site. The village was originally settled by Zoroastrians fleeing the Arab invasion of Persia and is very traditional with winding alleys of red-mud brick houses adorned with lattice woodwork and balconies. The people of Abyaneh have preserved their ancient culture and traditions over the centuries and dress in colourful clothes (Total drive time about 6hrs plus visits). Accommodation: 3 star at Viuna hotel
Day 5
Travel to Na’in & Yazd
After touring Abyaneh, we drive to Yazd. En route, we stop in the town of Na’in to visit the early Islamic period Friday Mosque and the Pirnia House /Ethnographic Museum, a beautiful example of a late Safavid period private house with delicate monochrome painted plaster decoration. We continue to the nearby village of Mohammadiye to see the traditional pit workshops weaving the camel cloaks worn by the Muslem clergy in Iran, before finally arriving in Yazd. (total drive time about 7hrs plus visits). Accommodation: 4 star at Daad hotel
Day 6
Full day Tour of Yazd
We enjoy a full day sightseeing in historic Yazd, the center for Iran’s small Zoroastrian community. Visit one of the two Zoroastrian abandoned Towers of Silence (Dakhma). Dating back to the 18th Century, until some 70-odd years ago the bodies of the dead were carried and left here to decompose and be devoured by birds. The next Zoroastrian site is the Fire Temple which houses a flame which is said to have been burning for over 1,500 years. Amongst Yazd’s Islamic sites are the Friday Mosque (1324AD) which boasts the highest portal and minarets in Iran and the Mirchachmagh Maidan and Mosque. Other notable monuments, found in the old Fahadan area of Yazd, are the Saljuk shrine, dedicated to the Twelve Shi’ite Imams; and Ziaieyeh Theological School, also known as Znedan-e-Eskander (Alexander’s Prison). Yazd also has many beautiful old houses such as Dowlat-Abad Garden, an 18th Century feudal hexagonal house. Accommodation: 4 star at Daad hotel
Day 7
Travel to Meymand & Kerman
Leaving Yazd, our first stop is the troglodyte village of Maymand. Recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site, villagers still live in cave dwellings today. We explore the village and visit some of these cave dwellings which have been transformed as show-houses. As the caves are strewn along a slope with rubble, make sure to wear walking shoes or trainers with grip. We continue to the desert trading city of Kerman with its blend of Persian and Baluchi people (Total drive time 7.5hrs plus visits). Accommodation: 5 star at Kerman Pars hotel
Day 8
Excursion to Mahan
We head towards the town of Rayan to visit the Arg (Citadel) of Rayan, a miniature version of the Bam Citadel which was destroyed by an earthquake in 2003. Arg-e-Rayan has all the typical architectural features of a desert citadel with ramparts, towers, covered lanes and spectacular views of the nearby Mt. Hezar, snowcapped for most of the year. Returning towards Kerman, we stop in the small town of Mahan to visit the blue-tiled Mausoleum of Shah Nematollah-e-Vali, the great 14th century Sufli Leader, and the Shahzadeh Garden (a late 19th century Qajar period house and garden).
Back in Kerman we visit the Friday Mosque, the Ganj-Ali Khan Complex and Hammam which has been converted into an Ethnographic Museum. We explore the Maidan (square) with its mosque, madrassa and water cistern all dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries and the Vakil Tea House (another covered bathhouse). We will walk through bazaar. Being a Friday, some shops may be closed but there’s still a great atmosphere. Accommodation: 5 star at Kerman Pars hotel
Day 9
Travel to Shiraz
Today is the longest travel day. This is mitigated, however, by the stunning scenery as we cross over the Zagros Mountains and into Iran’s fertile Fars region to the city of gardens and poets which is Shiraz. On the way, we visit the remains of the Sassanian Palace at Sarvestan, a fifth century building thought to be a hunting lodge built by Bahram V (9 hrs plus stops). Accommodation: 4 star at Elizee hotel
Day 10
a day in Shiraz
Shiraz, the city of ‘roses and nightingales’ is the centre of Persian culture, known for its poets, gardens and, at one time, wine which was produced in the fertile valley the city is located in. We spend the day exploring Shiraz’s main sites, visiting the expansive Eram Garden; the tomb of Iran’s greatest lyric poet: Hafez, a popular spot for local lovers, the pink tiled 19th century Nasir-ol-Molk Mosque with its coloured glass windows, the Arg-e-Karim Khan (an 18th century citadel; the Madrassa Khan where we can interact with students and teachers, the Qajar-period Narenjestan Garden and House, the Vakil Bazaar and the Holy Shrine of Shah-e-Cheragh (though only from the outside if not Muslim as it is not open to non-Muslims). Accommodation: 4 star at Elizee hotel
Day 11
Excursion to Persepolis & Naghsh-e Rostam
We spend today exploring the heritage of the Achaemenid dynasty in Persepolis and the royal tombs of Naghsh-e-Rostam. Persepolis, the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid kings with remains of the palaces of Darius the Great, Xerxes and Artaxerxes, is famous for its bas-reliefs depicting kings, courtiers and gift-bearing representatives of tributary nations of the Persian Empire ranging from India to Ethiopia.
We then visit nearby Naghsh-e-Rostam to see Ka’be-Zardosht (a fire temple) and the royal tombs dug into the rock itself. This site also has seven magnificent Sassanian rock-reliefs including Shapur the First’s famous victory over Roman Emperor Valerian. Accommodation: 4 star at Elizee hotel
Day 12
Travel to Esfahan via Pasargadae
Drive to Iran’s architectural gem, Isfahan visiting Pasargadae en route.
We head to Iran’s greatest city, Isfahan. En route we visit Pasargadae, the site of the simple, but impressive tomb and remain of the palaces of Cyrus the Great, the founder of the Persian Empire (Total drive time 6-7hrs plus visits). Accommodation: 4 star at Piroozi hotel
We head to Iran’s greatest city, Isfahan. En route we visit Pasargadae, the site of the simple, but impressive tomb and remain of the palaces of Cyrus the Great, the founder of the Persian Empire (Total drive time 6-7hrs plus visits). Accommodation: 4 star at Piroozi hotel
Day 13
Esfahan city tour
In the morning, we will visit Naghshe Johan square, a huge open square in the center of Isfahan in which listed as UNESCO Heritage. The square periphery is marked by outstanding Safavid buildings which include the Ali Qapu palace, the Imam Mosque, the Sheikh Lotfollah (ladies) mosque and to the north the expansive bazaar where we can see artisans crafting metal work, Persian miniatures, printing intricate designs on cloth and other activities. In the afternoon, we will visit Si-o-Se Pol (thirty-three arches) and Khajoo bridges spanning the Zayanderud River. Then, we will visit Music Museum. Accommodation: 4 star at Piroozi hotel
Day 14
Esfahan
We will visit the Armenian quarter of Jolfa where the Vank cathedral and its adjacent museum are of interest. Later we visit the Friday mosque, Shaking Minarets and Chehel Setoun Palace where the huge murals are masterpieces from Safavid times. Accommodation: 4 star at Piroozi hotel.
Day 15
Natanz, Kashan, Tehran
We drive to Tehran, and en-route stop at the charming desert town of Natanz to visit the beautiful Islamic Complex of Mosque, Monastery and Tomb of Sheikh Abdol-Samad Isfahani. We have a tea-break under the shade of a 500-year old plain tree. Toward IKA, En route we will visit the Kashan, renowned over the centuries for its ceramics, tiles, pottery, textiles, carpet and silk. We will see the Fin Garden and Borujerdiyeh and Tabatabaeiha Houses and the unique Agha Bozorg Mosque and Madrasah. Then, continue to IKA. Our last night is spent in a hotel by the airport ready for the early flights (total drive time 6hrs plus visits). Accommodation: 4 star at Ibis hotel
Day 16
Departure
Transfer to the airport, departure. End of he trip
What is the tour price per person? Note: Prices are valid until 15th March 2019
| Traveler | Rate Per Person | Single Supplement |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2585 EURO | — |
| 2 | 1655 EURO | 455 EURO |
| 3 – 4 | 1600 EURO | 455 EURO |
INCLUSIONS – Whats included on Iran Ancient Tour 16 day:
- Accommodation (15 nights) with daily breakfast included in DBL/TWIN rooms
- Authorization grant / code for visa
- All Transfers on Air conditioned Vehicles
- All the sightseeing mentioned in the itinerary
- Licensed English speaking guide
- Meet & assist services in Airport (Arrival and Departure)
- All road permits, taxes, parking charges, etc
- Daily bottled mineral water – Portages
- All entrance fees (Mentioned in Itinerary)
EXCLUSIONS – Whats Not included on Iran ancient Tour 16 day:
- International Flight Ticket
- Any meals (Lunch or dinner) if not mentioned on the itinerary
- Personal expenses, Travel Insurance, tips (not neccesary)
