Day 01: Arrive Tehran

Arrive to Tehran, meet guide & transfer to hotel. Afternoon visit Carpet Museum housing some of the most beautiful carpets & tapestries in the Islamic world & Saadabad Palace, Saadabad  Gardens of the former Shah, the location of his secondary  palace  which has now been converted into a museum.

Overnight: Hotel, Tehran (2 nights)

Day 02: Tehran

Full day tour of the capital starts off with the visit to the  Archeological Museums. Its massive collections include a stone  capital of the winged lion from Susa and a 6th century B.C. audience hall relief of Darius the Great from the Treasury at Persepolis. The museums exhibits date from 4500 B.C.
to contemporary times, Golestan Palace, were the coronations  of the former Shah & his father took place, particularly notable  are the hall of mirrors and the garden hall.

Day 03: Tehran/Hamadan
(Drive 215miles / 343kms)

Early morning drive to Hamadan, one of the oldest inhabited towns in the
world. An afternoon tour of Hamadan will include a stop at the charming
waterfall Ganjnameh before proceeding to the magnificent and dominating
Avecinna Memorial and Baba Taher Tombs. Next follows a visit to Ester and
Murducai the most important Jewish pilgrimage sight in Iran. Before we lose
ourselves in the maze that is the colorful oriental Bazaar of Hamadan, we
pay a visit to the famous 14th century Stone Lion.

Overnight: Hotel, Hamadan (1 night)

Day 04: Hamadan/Kermanshah (Drive 118miles
/ 189kms)

Depart in the morning for Kermanshah via Bi-Sotoun, where the famous bas
reliefs are carved out of a dramatic mountain. This region hosts the most
interesting and famous archeological sites in Iran. We view many Achaemenian
inscriptions including one of about 1200 lines where we get insight into the
hard fought battle of Darius, defeating the governors who tried to dismantle
the Empire. Leaving the famous Tablets of Darius we visit the Temple of
Anahita, the goddess of abundance and the guardian of water in ancient Iran.
In the evening we visit the traditional bazaar in Kermanshah where well
have the opportunity to sharpen our bargaining skills.

Overnight: Hotel, Kermanshah (1 night)

Day 05: Kermanshah /Ahwaz
(Drive 314miles / 509kms)

Travel south on a scenic countryside drives to Ahwaz

Overnight: Pars Hotel, Ahwaz (2 nights)

Day 06: Ahwaz – Susa – Ahwaz

Excursion to Susa, one of the oldest archaeological sites in Iran. This
prehistoric settlement (from at least 4000 B.C. and an important Elamite
city) reached peak under the reign of Untash Gal, who built Susa as his
administrative capital and founded Tchogha Zanbil as his religious center.
Tchogba Zanbil remains the best surviving example of Elamite architecture.
Back to Ahwaz.

Day 07: Ahwaz/Shiraz (Drive
351miles / 568kms)

After breakfast, depart for Shiraz visiting also the famous Sassanid Reliefs
and Palace of Bishapour. Shiraz is traditionally known as city of Roses and
Nightingales.

Overnight: Homa Hotel, Shiraz (3 nights)

Day 08: Shiraz – Persepolis
- Naghsh-e Rostam – Shiraz

Excursion to magnificent Achaemenian city of Perspolis (57 Km northeast of
Shiraz). Persepolis is the last and ultimate expression of the ancient
Middle East. Nearly 2500 years ago, construction for its magnificent
structure was begun by Darius the Great with the intent to make it the focus
of the mighty Achemenian Empire. Our tour will also include the
Naqsh-e-Rustam where hewn out of a cliff rest the tombs believed to be of
Darius I and II, Atraxerxes and Xerxes I.

Day 09: Shiraz

Full day city tour for exploring Shiraz where we start with a visit to the
picturesque Eram Garden, famous for its cypress trees. Next we visit the
tombs of Persias best-known poets: Saadi and Hafiz. Continue to “modern”
Nasirol-Molk mosque and the pretty Afif-Abad Garden followed by a visit to
the Church of Saint Simmon the Zealot with the famed stained glass windows.
This wonderful day culminates with a trip to a labyrinthine bazaar.

Day 10: Shiraz/Kerman
(Drive255miles / 409kms)

Depart for Kerman with stop at en-route visit the Sassanian Palace at
Sarvestan.

Overnight: Hotel, Kerman (2 nights)

Day 11: Kerman – Mahan – Rayen – Kerman

35 kms from Kerman toward bam lays Mahan, with its mausoleum of Shah
Nematollah Vali, a 15th century sufi dervish. Mahan also boasts the pleasant
Shaadeh historical garden, or Bagh-e Tarikhi, fom the Qajar period. Continue
to Rayen to visit Rayen citadel and back Kerman.

Day 12: Kerman – Yazd (Drive
230 miles / 370 kms)

Half day city tour of Kerman to visit Jame mosque the classical Iranian
model of “blue” & Ganj Ali Khan complex, Ganj Ali Khan bath and ethnological
Museum in the Vakil Bazaar(traditional tea-house). This building houses an
interesting exhibition of good waxworks of men in various poses and costumes
set in a traditional but no longer operational bath house. Drive to Yazd en
route visit Zeinoddine caravanserai.

Overnight: Hotel, Yazd (2 nights)

Day 13: Yazd

As Yazd is home of the more traditional Persian architecture, we begin our
day with a visit to the Zoroastrian Towers of Silence and Fire Temple (where
a fire is still kept burning from 5 century AD). We continue to the
magnificent Masjed-e Jameh and Amir-Chakhmaq Mosques and then tour Doulat
Abad Garden with its traditional ventilation shaft (wind tower).

Day 14: Yazd/Esfahan (Drive
195miles / 316kms)

Depart on a beautiful drive to Esfahan, which was a vibrant trade center,
and its glorious Islamic architecture and beautiful gardens, captured the
hearts of many with the saying: “Esfahan is half the World”.

Overnight: Hotel, Esfahan (3 nights)

Day 15: Esfahan

Start city tour of Esfahan to visit to the Emam Khomeini Square. This
majestic square, built in 1612, is constantly bustling with activity. Then,
we take in the beautifully proportioned and decorated 17th century Masjed-e
Sheikh Lotfollah and then off to see the magnificent Emam Mosque – one of
the most stunning buildings in Iran. We will try to include a visit to a
local school.

Day 16: Esfahan

Morning tour includes a visit to Ali Qapu Palace followed by a tour of the
most impressive pavilion and garden, Chehel Sutoon Palace (40 pillars palace
- in reality there are 20 pillars with 20 water reflections) built with 40
pillars by Shah Abbas. We finish off this day of exploration with a trip to
the most famous bazaar in Iran.

Day 17: Esfahan/Tehran
(Drive 256m / 414 Km)

Drive to Tehran, stop at Kashan, an attractive oasis town, and take in its
attractive sights. Visit Tabatabaie Houses and Khan-e Borujerdi, built as a
private residence, now a charming museum with a lovely courtyard. We then
take in the famous Fin Garden and witness its breathtaking pools, orchards
and natural springs. Next visit Agha Bozorg Mosque famous for its lovely
portals and minarets. After lunch, visit the exquisite Shrine of Fatima in
Qum and later we view the Tomb of Ayatollah Khomeini.

Overnight: Laleh Hotel, Tehran (1nights)

Day 18: Depart Tehran

Today we exchange addresses with our new friends and bid farewell to ancient
Persia. (B)

Day 2: Tehran
Full day
tour of Tehran including: Golestan Palace, were the coronations of the
former Shah & his father took place, particularly notable are the
hall of mirrors and the garden hall archaeological museums,7000 years
of Persian history, from the 5th millennium BC to the 19th century. O/N
Hotel.

Day 3: Tehran -Klardasht -Chalous

Drive to Chalous via Kelardasht Located northwest of Tehran
close to the Caspian Sea, this fertile valley is one the most popular
destinations for eco tourists. At an altitude of 1250 m above sea
level, the landscape is one of gentle hills covered with forest. Great
hiking trails, streams suited for fishing and a peculiarly shaped
Valasht lake, make it a paradise for nature enthusiasts; continue to
Chalous, A city on the shores of the Caspian Sea, Chalous is 200 km
from Tehran and the first seaside resort where the Karaj-Chalous
highway ends. In addition to being a major city close to many popular
sea and mountain resorts, it also links the two northern provinces of
Mazandaran and Gilan to the Capital Tehran, making it an important
commercial center. O/N Hotel.

Day 4: Chalous – Anzali
Port
Bandar-e Anzali , known as Bandar-e
Pahlavi before the Iranian Revolution, is a harbour town on the Caspian
Sea, in the Iranian province of Gilan, close to Rasht. Bandar Anazali
has a population of around 150,000.Tourist attractions include the
clock tower (Manareh), the long harbor promenade, and the waterlogged
delta of the Sefid River, especially the beach there. Bandar Anzali is
the most important seaport in the north of Iran. It consists of a main
island “Mianposhteh” and the lands around it. O/N hotel.

Day 5:
Anzali- Masouleh – Ardebil
Early excursion to
the village of Masouleh, The pictoresque village of Masouleh imbedded
in the mountains of Northern Iran, is a cultural heritage landmark on
UNESCOs World Heritage List. This thousand-year-old village resembles
an anthropological and architectural museum, which is located 60 km
southwest of Rasht and 25km west of Fooman in the western most part of
Gilan Province. Even though Masouleh is close to the Caspian Sea, but
it is 1,050 meters above sea level. The difference between the highest
and lowest points in the village itself is 100 meters.
The
history of Masouleh dates back to 10th century CE and in past times the
village was also known as “Maasalar” and “Khortab”. Continue to ardbil.
O/N hotel.

Day 6: Ardebil – Tabriz

Drive to Tabriz via Meshkinshahr, En-route visiting the nomads of the
region.

Day 7: Tabriz
Tabriz is the
capital of one of the most famous provinces of Iran, The Azarbaijan or
Aturpatgan. It is the land of Azargoshnasp temple; the fire temple of
the Kings and the Nobles of Iran. It is perhaps the birthplace of
Zaratushtra, visit Ark or Citadel of Tabriz.
Ark-e Tabriz in
Persian (also called Masjid-e Alishah, Arg-e Alishah) is the impressive
remainder of a great and imposing building in the town. The Arg, a huge
and crumbling brick citadel, is a notable landmark that was built in
the early 14th century on the site of a massive mosque which collapsed
over 500 years ago, and which must been one of the largest ever
constructed, Constitution House The Constitution House is located next
to the Tabriz grand bazaar, on Motahari Ave. During the years which led
to the Constitutional Revolution and afterwards, the house was used as
the gathering place of the leaders, activists, and the sympathizers of
the movement, among them Sattar Khan, Baqer Khan, Seqatoleslam and Haji
Mirza Aqa Farshi, Blue Mosque.
The Blue Mosque (or Masjid-e
Kaboud) on the north side of town, is a 15th-century structure
destroyed partially by one of Tabrizs recurrent earthquakes. The
entrance portal with its two minarets appears to have been connected
with the main prayer hall (Shabestan) under the largest cupola of the
mosque, by means of vaulted corridor. On both sides along the corridor,
there stand the remains of the chambers with vaulted roofs. The walls
of the mosque have been riveted with marble slabs and decorated with
superb mosaic tiles. Some of the blue mosaics in the mosques portal are
heavily damaged and half missing, Shah Goli, El Goli (former Shah
Goli), a pleasant hillside garden and park around an artificial lake to
the area of 54,675 square meters. El Goli, only 4 km south of
downstream Tabriz, is so lovely a place that it deserves an
illustration.
It is a popular weekend resort for the locals.
A hill in the eastern side of the park leads down to the pool with
steps, and a fountain from top of the hill flows down to the pool. In
the center of the pool, there is a grand hexagonal building. The pool
itself is said to have been built during the reign of Aq Qoyunlu kings.
However, the Safavids extended it.

Day 8: Tabriz – Kandovan -
Takht-e Soleiman – Takab
After leaving Tabriz
drive to Kandovan cave village, a Cappadocia-style village composed of
troglodyte dwellings hollowed out of the soft, curiously eroded rocks.
This is one of the most photogenic sights in Iran. The highlight of the
day will be the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Takht-e Soleyman (Throne
of Salomon) a unique place on Earth where a natural monument became a
central place of worship in a world religion – Zoroastrianism. You will
drive to the top of a volcano at the elevationof 2600 meters above sea
level and marvel at the 75-meter deep mysterious sacred lake in the
crater which was surrounded by Sasanian imperial temples and
sanctuaries (3rd-7th centuries AD) dedicated to the sacred fire Atur
Gushnasp (fire of horsemen-warriors) and enjoy the sight of Irans
best-preserved medieval pre-Safavid palace constructed amid the
Sasanian ruins by Mongol Ilkhanid Emperor Abaqa Qan in the 13th
century.

Day 9: Takab – Sanandaj

Drive to Sanandaj, visit this Kurdish city, it hold many worth-seeing
and memorable sites it can be pointed out to Jame mosque, Sanandaj
Museum. O/N hotel.

Day 10: Sanandaj – Kermanshah

Drive to en-route visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site,
Bistoon dating back to the Middle Paleolithic. The Achaemenian
inscriptions offer details in 1,200 lines about the battles of Darius
the Great who fought against the governors trying to dismantle the
Empire originally founded by Cyrus. This was the site where the
decisive battle took place, leaving the famous Tablets of Darius. You
will visit the Anahita Temple-the mother goddess of abundance and
guardian of water in ancient Persia. Nearby in the village of Sahneh
you can visit the tomb of Ostad Khalil Alinejad the best player of
Tanboor in the world.
In Kermanshah visit the Sassanian rock
carvings of Tagh-e-Bostan. These bas-reliefs, cut from the stone cliff,
depict royal scenes of battles and hunts reflecting the glorious
history of the Sassanid Kings.

Day 11: Kermanshah- Hamedan
‍
depart toward Hamedan overland, sightseeing in
Hamedan and visit tomb of two VIP Jewish in Persian Empire, “Queen
Ester” (Artaxerxess wife) and her uncle “Mordecai” (the first
Jewish prince of Persia), Stone made lion, Ganj-Nameh ancient
inscription, World well known medicine tomb “ Ave Sina”, and
Ancient city of Hamedan “ Ekbatan”, O/N Hamedan.

Day
12: Hamedan- Yasouj
Visiting Semirom waterfall
in Semirom. O/N in Yasouj inn.

Day 13: Yasouj- Shiraz

Drive to Shiraz, en route visiting Bishapour
and Tang-e-chogan after crossing zagros mountain toward Shiraz.

Day 14: Shiraz- Isfahan
Early morning
excursion to visit, Perspolis (57 Km north east of Shiraz). Beyond the
gate lie the hall of 100 columns (xerxes throne room), the Apadana
Palace(the Great Hall of Audience of Daruis the Great) with its
spellbinding display of bas-reliefs, the Tachara(or Winter Palace) of
Darius, the unfinished palace of Artaxerxes III, the Palace of Xerxes
and the Tripylon Palace. Banked against the mountainside are the royal
stables, guardrooms, & domestic quarters. The rock tombs cut into
the mountain are those of Artaxerxes II & Artaxerxes III. A few
Kilometers from Perspolis is Nash-e Rostam where four cliff tombs are
located those of Darius I, Darius II, Artaxerxes and Xerxes I. return
to Shiraz, transfer to airport for departure flight.

Day15: Isfahan

Full day city tour including: Chehel
Sutun, inside a garden with an area of 67000 square meters, was built
as an official court and an official court and a reception hall by Shah
Abbas II (1647 AD), Imam Square, this huge open square measures 500 m
long and 165 m wide, with an area of more than eighty thousand square
meters, twice as large as Moscows Red Square. Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque,
a masterpiece of architecture and tile work, is a beautiful religious
building wherein the elaborate design serves to heighten the visitors
spirituality rather than to distract him from it, this small mosque
(began in 1602 and completed in 1919, taking a total of 18 years) on
the eastern side of the square, was built by SHAH ABBAS in honor of the
great Lebanese Sheikh Lotfollah, who was a sort of Islamic Billy Graham
of his time. Visiting the Friday mosque (of the time of Seljuk) as well
as the mausoleum of Velayat Haroun with its exceptional portal and the
minaret of Ali-Qapou (highest of Isfahan). O/N Hotel.

Day16: Isfahan
- Natanz – Abyaneh
Drive to Abyaneh,
en route visit Jame mosque in Natanz and Abyaneh village, Being a
village of great antiquity, Abyaneh is like a living architectural and
anthropological museum. It affords an impressive exponent of the
adaptation of man with his environment.
It is located on the
northwestern slope of Mt Karkas, 2 km away from Natanz (a town in
Isfahan province). It is 2500 meters above sea level. At a place,
called Hanjan is 55 kms away from Kashan and 25 km away from
Abyaneh.
Abyaneh is mainly watered by the river of Barzrud.
Set on the slope of the lofty Mountain of Karkas, this village has a
cold climate and enjoys numerous springs creating a favorite condition
for agriculture.
Considering the evidence found in Abyaneh,
it dates back to antiquity, but its golden age was during the Safavid
period. The word Abyaneh has been derived from the word “viona” meaning
Willow Grove. (In the local dialect, “vey” means willow.)

The village is expanded along the river, and its configuration
indicates that in the past the people showed much consideration for
security. Although the village itself is situated on high ground, three
castles protected the people when the enemy attacked.

Furthermore, the configuration of Abyaneh protects it from strong winds
and floods.
Abyaneh has a compact fabrication with narrow and
steep alleys. Set on the slope of the mountain, the houses are arranged
in a stair-step shape, so that the mountain, the houses are the yards
of the others. The materials used for building the roofs are timbers,
straw, and clay. The materials use for building the roofs are timbers,
straw and clay. The walls, built by red mud bricks are impressive. The
mud bricks are of quality that become harder when they are exposed to
the rain. To use the sun as much as possible, the houses face the east.
An impressive aspect of Abyanehs architectures is that the houses are
uniform in appearance. The doors, most of which have two knockers, are
wooden and built in traditional styles. There are beautiful patterns,
poems and the names of the owner and mason carved on some doors. These
poems afford a good picture of the Old Iranian culture. Many facades
date back to the Safavid period. Beside the door of many houses there
are small platforms providing place for passers-by or local residents
to rest for a while.

Day17: Abyaneh- Kashan – Qom – Departure

Drive to Kashan to visit the
enchanting Fin Garden with it natural springs, the Agha Bozorg Mosque
& School, and the beautiful house of the merchant Boroujerdi,
Continue to Qom, second holiest city in Iran with its Shrine of Fatimah
Masoumah sister of Imam Reza, en-route to Tehran with a visit to the
golden shrine of Imam Khomeini, transfer to Imam Khomeini airport for
departure flight.

Arrive to Tehran at, meet guide & transfer to hotel. Afternoon visit Carpet
Museum housing some of the most beautiful carpets & tapestries in the
Islamic world & Sa’adabad Palace, Sa’adabad Gardens of the former Shah, the
location of his secondary palace which has now been converted into a
museumel. O/N Laleh hotel.

Day 02: Tehran -Shiraz (Domestic flight
included)

Full day city tour of Tehran including: National Jewels Museum, according to
contemporary mineralogists and gemologists, the treasury of the Museum of
Jewel is the richest and most dazzling single collection of jewels in the
world, the jewels have been collected by numerous kings and conquerors who
sometimes went to great lengths to obtain them and were so elated by their
possession that some of them had their names, together with dates, engraved
on certain big-sized gems, the Golestan Palace, where the coronations of the
former Shah and his father took place. Transfer to airport for flight to
Shiraz. O/N Pars hotel.

Day 03: Shiraz

Full day city tour including: the mausoleums of the two venerated Persian
poets, Hafiz & Sa’adi, set in beautiful flower gardens, are unmissable.
Another must-see is the Nasirolmolk Mosque with its incredibly beautiful
tile work. Bagh-e Eram, or Garden Of Paradise, home to a pretty 19th century
Qajar palace which looks enchanting in it flower setting beside a pool. The
famous cypress tree of Shiraz may also be seen here. Narenjistan-e qavam or
qavam Orangery, is an elegant 19th century house with orange trees in its
garden. The house offers some fadcinating tile work in the shape of a
crescent depicting a lion and the sun in the centre with leopards devouring
deer on either side. O/N hotel.

Day 04 : Shiraz -Persepolis -Shiraz

Full day excursion to visit magnificent Achaemenian city of Perspolis (57 Km
north east of Shiraz). Beyond the gate lie the hall of 100 columns (xerxes’
throne room), the Apadana Palace(the Great Hall of Audience of Daruis the
Great) with its spellbinding display of bas-reliefs, the Tachara(or Winter
Palace) of Darius, the unfinished palace of Artaxerxes III, the Palace of
Xerxes’ and the Tripylon Palace. Banked against the mountainside are the
royal stables, guard rooms & domestic quarters. The rock tombs cut into the
mountain are those of Artaxerxes II & Artaxerxes III. A few Kilometers from
Perspolis is Nash-e Rostam where four cliff tombs are located those of
Darius I, Darius II, Artaxerxes and Xerxes’ I. O/N Hotel.

Day 05: Shiraz -Yazd (600 Km)

Drive to Yazd via Passargad, This palace is 600 meters to the northeast of
Cyrus the Great tomb. The area of this palace is 2,620 square meters and
includes a large hall (with eight columns) in the middle and four terraces
in four directions and two rooms in the corners. To the east of the palace
is Pasargad, composed of a large hall with eight columns.

There is a doorway on the north, east, and western side of this hall. In the
northern doorway, there is an impression of a winged human with two wings
directed towards the sky and two wings to the bottom. Where as the hands are
raised towards the sky in a gesture of prayer.

This edifice with 3,427 square meters area is located 15 km. northwest of
the palace. The main hall has 30 columns made of white stone. A mass of
black and white stones have been used as construction material. One of the
characteristics of Pasargad is the canals made of white stone, which were
used, for irrigation.

There are equally other remains distributed in the province, some registered
as national heritage monuments. These include the ruins of the Achaemenid
Dynasty (Saravan Village), the Dokhtar Palace (Rastaq Village) dating back
to the 3rd century AD, the restored Sassanian Palace (Sarvestan) dating
originally back to the time of Bahram Gour (year 420 AD), Ardeshir-e Babakan
Palace, continue to Abarkouh, because this city was built on the foot of a
nearby mountain & thus called “Barkou” which means “on the mountain”
Abarkouh has a several thousand years record of urbanity behind it and had
been one of the major passes on the famous Silk Road. It was only in the
late 15th century with Iranian Roads becoming insecure & Portuguese
discovery of India Sea routs that the Silk Road lost its importance and was
forsaken it is believed that Abarkouh has been in the early centuries of the
Islamic, a seat of learning where Islamic jurisprudence and principles as
well as Arabic literature, and Astrology were thought, Shrines of Tavous
Alharamin, Pir Hamzeh Sabzpoush, Ezeddin Nasafi & some other sages and men
of God are in this region. Ezeddin Nasafi was a famous researcher who
authored a number of books and was contemporaneous with Sultan Jalaluddin of
Kharazm Dynasty. Arrive to Yazd, O/N Moshir or Carvan Hotel.

Day 06: Yazd

Full day city tour of Yazd including: One of the most attractive towns in
Iran, famed for its myriad wind towers that provide natural air conditioning
for the inhabitants, and its network of kuchés, or narrow lanes.

Yazd is also the centre of Zoroastrianism, the religion of the ancient
Ashkanian kings of Persia and practiced to this day. There is a Zoroastrian
temple containing a sacred flame said to have been burning non-stop for over
1500 years. Located just outside the town are the Towers of Silence, an
ancient Zoroastrian burial site built on two hills. In fact, “burial” is the
wrong word, as the dead would be laid out above ground to be devoured by
birds of prey.

There are two beautiful mosques, the 14th century Masjed-é Jame, or Friday
Mosque, with its imposing minarets, splendid dome and mosaics, and the 15th
century Amir Chakhmaq Mosque.

Other sites include the 11th century Tomb of the 12 Imams (although none is
actually buried here) and Alexanders Prison, a circular pit said to have
been built by Alexander the Great, Towers of Silence and Dowlat Abad garden.
O/N hotel.

Day 07: Yazd -Isfahan (300 Km)

Drive to Isfahan en route visit Nain Jame mosque, as a famous historic
monument of Iran and also known as the Alavian Mosque, it is a construction
of the 10th century AD. Architecturally, the crescent-like arches of the
mosque bear close resemblance to those of the Tarikhaneh Mosque in Damghan
and the Jam-e Mosque of Niriz in Fars province. The monument possesses
eleven arcades with semi-circular vaults, the one in the middle being wider
than the rest. Mosque of Nain is also famous for its Manbar (Pulpit) and
wooden door, both of which are beautifully carved and both rank among Iran’s
historic relics of considerable artistic value. Arrive to Isfahan, afternoon
visit Isfahan bridges include: the bridges of 33 arches, Khajou. O/N Abbasi
hotel.

Day 08: Isfahan

Full day city tour including: Chehel Sutun, inside a garden with an area of
67000 square meters, was built as an official court and an official court
and a reception hall by Shah Abbas II (1647 AD), Imam Square, this huge open
square measures 500 m long and 165 m wide, with an area of more than eighty
thousand square meters, twice as large as Moscow’s Red Square. Sheikh
Lotfollah Mosque, a masterpiece of architecture and tile work, is a
beautiful religious building wherein the elaborate design serves to heighten
the visitors spirituality rather than to distract him from it, this small
mosque (began in 1602 and completed in 1919, taking a total of 18 years) on
the eastern side of the square, was built by SHAH ABBAS in honor of the
great Lebanese Sheikh Lotfollah, who was a sort of Islamic Billy Graham of
his time. Visiting the Friday mosque (of the time of Seljuk) as well as the
mausoleum of Velayat Haroun with its exceptional portal and the minaret of
Ali-Qapou (highest of Isfahan). O/N Abbasi hotel.

Day 09: Isfahan -Natanz -Abyaneh
-Kashan -Tehran (450 Km)

Drive to Tehran, en route visit Jame mosque in Natanz and Abyaneh village.
Continue to Kashan to visit the enchanting Fin Garden with it natural
springs, the Agha Bozorg Mosque & School, and the beautiful house of the
merchant Boroujerdi. Arrive Tehran. O/N Laleh hotel.

Day 10: Departure

Transfer to the airport for departure flight.

Day 1: … – TehranArrive Tehran early morning, meet guide & transfer to hotel.
Afternoon visit Carpet Museum housing some of the most beautiful carpets &
tapestries in the Islamic world & Sa’adabad Palace, Sa’adabad Gardens of the
former Shah, the location of his secondary palace which has now been
converted into a museum. O/N Hotel.

Day 2: Tehran – Shiraz (Domestic flight
included)

Half day tour of Tehran including: Golestan Palace, were the coronations of
the former Shah & his father took place,particulary notable are the hall of
mirrors and the garden hall archaeological museums,7000 years of Persian
history, from the 5th millennium BC to the 19th century AD. PM flight to
Shiraz, arrive to Shiraz. O/N Hotel.

Day 3: Shiraz

Full day city tour including: the mausoleums of the two venerated Persian
poets, Hafiz & Sa’adi, set in beautiful flower gardens, are unmissable.
Another must-see is the Nasirolmolk Mosque with its incredibly beautiful
tile work. Bagh-e Eram, or Garden Of Paradise, home to a pretty 19th century
Qajar palace which looks enchanting in it flower setting beside a pool. The
famous cypress tree of Shiraz may also be seen here. Narenjistan-e qavam or
qavam Orangery, is an elegant 19th century house with orange trees in its
garden. The house offers some fadcinating tile work in the shape of a
crescent depicting a lion and the sun in the centre with leopards devouring
deer on either side. O/N hotel.

Day 4: Shiraz – Isfahan

Drive to Isfahan en route visit magnificent Achaemenian city of Perspolis
(57 Km north east of Shiraz). Beyond the gate lie the hall of 100 columns
(xerxes’ throne room), the Apadana Palace(the Great Hall of Audience of
Daruis the Great) with its spellbinding display of bas-reliefs, the
Tachara(or Winter Palace) of Darius, the unfinished palace of Artaxerxes
III, the Palace of Xerxes’ and the Tripylon Palace. Banked against the
mountainside are the royal stables, guard rooms & domestic quarters. The
rock tombs cut into the mountain are those of Artaxerxes II & Artaxerxes
III. A few Kilometers from Perspolis is Nash-e Rostam where four cliff tombs
are located those of Darius I, Darius II, Artaxerxes and Xerxes’ I. continue
to visit via Passargad, This palace is 600 meters to the northeast of Cyrus
the Great tomb. The area of this palace is 2,620 square meters and includes
a large hall (with eight columns) in the middle and four terraces in four
directions and two rooms in the corners. To the east of the palace is
Pasargad, composed of a large hall with eight columns.

There is a doorway on the north, east and western side of this hall. In the
northern doorway, there is an impression of a winged human with two wings
directed towards the sky and two wings to the bottom. Where as the hands are
raised towards the sky in a gesture of prayer.

This edifice with 3,427 square meters area is located 15 km. northwest of
the palace. The main hall has 30 columns made of white stone. A mass of
black and white stones have been used as construction material. One of the
characteristics of Pasargad is the canals made of white stone, which were
used, for irrigation.

There are equally other remains distributed in the province, some registered
as national heritage monuments. These include the ruins of the Achaemenid
Dynasty (Saravan Village), the Dokhtar Palace (Rastaq Village) dating back
to the 3rd century AD, the restored Sassanian Palace (Sarvestan) dating
originally back to the time of Bahram Gour (year 420 AD), Ardeshir-e Babakan
Palace. Arrive to Isfahan, afternoon visit Isfahan bridges include: the
bridges of 33 arches, Khajou. O/N hotel.

Day 5: Isfahan

Full day city tour including: Chehel Sutun, inside a garden with an area of
67000 square meters, was built as an official court and an official court
and a reception hall by Shah Abbas II (1647 AD), Imam Square, this huge open
square measures 500 m long and 165 m wide, with an area of more than eighty
thousand square meters, twice as large as Moscow’s Red Square. Sheikh
Lotfollah Mosque, a masterpiece of architecture and tile work, is a
beautiful religious building wherein the elaborate design serves to heighten
the visitors spirituality rather than to distract him from it, this small
mosque (began in 1602 and completed in 1919, taking a total of 18 years) on
the eastern side of the square, was built by SHAH ABBAS in honor of the
great Lebanese Sheikh Lotfollah, who was a sort of Islamic Billy Graham of
his time. Visiting the Friday mosque (of the time of Seljuk) as well as the
mausoleum of Velayat Haroun with its exceptional portal and the minaret of
Ali-Qapou (highest of Isfahan). O/N hotel.

Day 6: Isfahan

Full day city tour of Isfahan: Armenian Cathedral of Vank (Saint Savior),
begun in 1606, at the time of arrival of Armenian immigrants to Isfahan, it
was completed between 1655 and 1664 under the supervision of Archbishop
David, with the encouragement of the Safavid rulers, Imam Mosque (Masjid-e
Jam’e Abbasi) is one of the finest and the most stunning building in the
world, Visit Bazaar. O/N hotel.

Day 7: Isfahan – Natanz – Abyaneh – Kashan
- Tehran (450 Km)

Drive to Tehran, en route visit Jame mosque in Natanz and Abyaneh village.
Continue to Kashan to visit the enchanting Fin Garden with it natural
springs, the Agha Bozorg Mosque & School, and the beautiful house of the
merchant Boroujerdi. Arrive to Tehran. O/N Hotel.

Day 8: Departure

Transfer to the airport for departure flight.

Day 02:
Shiraz – Isfahan
Excursion to
magnificent Achaemenian city of Perspolis (57 Km northeast of Shiraz).
Beyond the gate lie the hall of 100 columns (Xerxes throne room), the
Apadana Palace(the Great Hall of Audience of Daruis the Great) with its
spellbinding display of bas-reliefs, the Tachara (or Winter Palace) of
Darius, the unfinished palace of Artaxerxes III, the Palace of Xerxes
and the Tripylon Palace. Banked against the mountainside are the royal
stables, guardrooms, & domestic quarters. The rock tombs cut into
the mountain are those of Artaxerxes II & Artaxerxes III. A few
Kilometers from Perspolis is Nash-e Rostam where four cliff tombs are
located those of Darius I, Darius II, Artaxerxes and Xerxes I. back to
shiraz visit: Bagh-e Eram, or Garden Of Paradise, home to a pretty 19th
century Qajar palace which looks enchanting in it flower setting beside
a pool. The famous cypress tree of Shiraz may also be seen here.
Narenjistan-e qavam or qavam Orangery, is an elegant 19th century house
with orange trees in its garden. The house offers some fascinating tile
work in the shape of a crescent depicting a lion and the sun in the
centre with leopards devouring deer on either side. Transfer to airport
for domestic flight to Isfahan. Arrive to Isfahan tranFsfer to Hotel.
O/N hotel.

Day 03:
Isfahan
Full day city tour including:
Chehel Sutun, inside a garden with an area of 67000 square meters, was
built as an official court and an official court and a reception hall
by Shah Abbas II (1647 AD), Imam Square, this huge open square measures
500 m long and 165 m wide, with an area of more than eighty thousand
square meters, twice as large as Moscows Red Square. Sheikh Lotfollah
Mosque, a masterpiece of architecture and tile work, is a beautiful
religious building wherein the elaborate design serves to heighten the
visitors spirituality rather than to distract him from it, this small
mosque (began in 1602 and completed in 1919, taking a total of 18
years) on the eastern side of the square, was built by SHAH ABBAS in
honor of the great Lebanese Sheikh Lotfollah, who was a sort of Islamic
Billy Graham of his time. Visiting the Friday mosque (of the time of
Seljuk) as well as the mausoleum of Velayat Haroun with its exceptional
portal and the minaret of Ali-Qapou (highest of Isfahan). O/N
hotel.

Day 04: Isfahan – Tehran
Half
day city tour of Isfahan: Armenian Cathedral of Vank (Saint Savior),
begun in 1606, at the time of arrival of Armenian immigrants to
Isfahan, it was completed between 1655 and 1664 under the supervision
of Archbishop David, with the encouragement of the Safavid rulers, Imam
Mosque (Masjid-e Jame Abbasi) is one of the finest and the most
stunning building in the world, Visit Bazaar, night flight to Tehran.

Day 05:
Tehran – …
Transfer to airport for
departure flight.

Day 2: Tehran
Half day tour
of Tehran including: Golestan Palace, were the coronations of the
former Shah & his father took place, particularly notable are the
hall of mirrors and the garden hall archaeological museums,7000 years
of Persian history, from the 5th millennium BC to the 19th century AD,
Evening fly to Kerman, a desert town. Transfer to Hotel, O/N pars or
Akhavan Hotel.

Day 03: Kerman – Mahan – Rayen – Kerman

35 kms from Kerman toward bam lays Mahan, with its
mausoleum of Shah Nematollah Vali, a 15th century sufi dervish. Mahan
also boasts the pleasant Shaadeh historical garden, or Bagh-e Tarikhi,
fom the Qajar period. Continue to Rayen to visit Rayen citadel and back
Kerman. O/N hotel.

Day 04: Kerman – Yazd (330
Km)
Half day city tour of Kerman to
visit Jame mosque the classical Iranian model of “blue” & Ganj
Ali Khan complex, Ganj Ali Khan bath and ethnological Museum in the
Vakil Bazaar(traditional tea-house). This building houses an
interesting exhibition of good waxworks of men in various poses and
costumes set in a traditional but no longer operational bath house.
Drive to Yazd en route visit Zeinoddine caravanserai. O/N Moshir or
Carvan Hotel.

Day 5: Yazd
Full day city tour
of Yazd including: One of the most attractive towns in Iran, famed for
its myriad wind towers that provide natural air conditioning for the
inhabitants, and its network of kuchés, or narrow lanes.

Yazd is also the centre of Zoroastrianism, the religion of
the ancient Ashkanian kings of Persia and practiced to this day. There
is a Zoroastrian temple containing a sacred flame said to have been
burning non-stop for over 1500 years. Located just outside the town are
the Towers of Silence, an ancient Zoroastrian burial site built on two
hills. In fact, “burial” is the wrong word, as the dead would be laid
out above ground to be devoured by birds of prey.
There are
two beautiful mosques, the 14th century Masjed-é Jame, or Friday
Mosque, with its imposing minarets, splendid dome and mosaics, and the
15th century Amir Chakhmaq Mosque.
Other sites include the
11th century Tomb of the 12 Imams (although none is actually buried
here) and Alexanders Prison, a circular pit said to have been built by
Alexander the Great, Towers of Silence and Dowlat Abad garden. O/N
hotel.

Day 6: Yazd – Shiraz (600
Km)
Drive to Yazd via Abarkouh, because
this city was built on the foot of a nearby mountain & thus called
“Barkou” which means “on the mountain” Abarkouh has a several
thousand years record of urbanity behind it and had been one of the
major passes on the famous Silk Road. It was only in the late 15th
century with Iranian Roads becoming insecure & Portuguese discovery
of India Sea routs that the Silk Road lost its importance and was
forsaken it is believed that Abarkouh has been in the early centuries
of the Islamic, a seat of learning where Islamic jurisprudence and
principles as well as Arabic literature, and Astrology were thought,
Shrines of Tavous Alharamin, Pir Hamzeh Sabzpoush, Ezeddin Nasafi &
some other sages and men of God are in this region. Ezeddin Nasafi was
a famous researcher who authored a number of books and was
contemporaneous with Sultan Jalaluddin of Kharazm Dynasty, continue to
Passargad, This palace is 600 meters to the northeast of Cyrus the
Great tomb. The area of this palace is 2,620 square meters and includes
a large hall (with eight columns) in the middle and four terraces in
four directions and two rooms in the corners. To the east of the palace
is Pasargad, composed of a large hall with eight
columns.
There is a doorway on the north, east, and western
side of this hall. In the northern doorway, there is an impression of a
winged human with two wings directed towards the sky and two wings to
the bottom. Where as the hands are raised towards the sky in a gesture
of prayer.
This edifice with 3,427 square meters area is
located 15 km. northwest of the palace. The main hall has 30 columns
made of white stone. A mass of black and white stones have been used as
construction material. One of the characteristics of Pasargad is the
canals made of white stone, which were used, for
irrigation.
There are equally other remains distributed in the
province, some registered as national heritage monuments. These include
the ruins of the Achaemenid Dynasty (Saravan Village), the Dokhtar
Palace (Rastaq Village) dating back to the 3rd century AD, the restored
Sassanian Palace (Sarvestan) dating originally back to the time of
Bahram Gour (year 420 AD), Ardeshir-e Babakan Palace. Arrive to Shiraz.
O/N Pars or Homa Hotel.

Day 7: Shiraz

Full day city tour including: the
mausoleums of the two venerated Persian poets, Hafiz & Sa’adi,
set in beautiful flower gardens, are unmissable. Another must-see is
the Nasirolmolk Mosque with its incredibly beautiful tile work. Bagh-e
Eram, or Garden Of Paradise, home to a pretty 19th century Qajar palace
which looks enchanting in it flower setting beside a pool. The famous
cypress tree of Shiraz may also be seen here. Narenjistan-e qavam or
qavam Orangery, is an elegant 19th century house with orange trees in
its garden. The house offers some fadcinating tile work in the shape of
a crescent depicting a lion and the sun in the centre with leopards
devouring deer on either side. O/N hotel.

Day 8: Shiraz -
Perspolis – Shiraz – Isfahan
Drive to
Isfahan via magnificent Achaemenian city of Perspolis (57 Km north east
of Shiraz). Beyond the gate lie the hall of 100 columns (xerxes’
throne room), the Apadana Palace(the Great Hall of Audience of Daruis
the Great) with its spellbinding display of bas-reliefs, the Tachara(or
Winter Palace) of Darius, the unfinished palace of Artaxerxes III, the
Palace of Xerxes’ and the Tripylon Palace. Banked against the
mountainside are the royal stables, guard rooms & domestic
quarters. The rock tombs cut into the mountain are those of Artaxerxes
II & Artaxerxes III. A few Kilometers from Perspolis is Nash-e
Rostam where four cliff tombs are located those of Darius I, Darius II,
Artaxerxes and Xerxes’ I. arrive to Isfahan. O/N Abbasi or Kowsar
Hotel.

Day 9: Isfahan
Full day city
tour including: Chehel Sutun, inside a garden with an area of 67000
square meters, was built as an official court and an official court and
a reception hall by Shah Abbas II (1647 AD), Imam Square, this huge
open square measures 500 m long and 165 m wide, with an area of more
than eighty thousand square meters, twice as large as Moscow’s Red
Square. Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, a masterpiece of architecture and tile
work, is a beautiful religious building wherein the elaborate design
serves to heighten the visitors spirituality rather than to distract
him from it, this small mosque (began in 1602 and completed in 1919,
taking a total of 18 years) on the eastern side of the square, was
built by SHAH ABBAS in honor of the great Lebanese Sheikh Lotfollah,
who was a sort of Islamic Billy Graham of his time. Visiting the Friday
mosque (of the time of Seljuk) as well as the mausoleum of Velayat
Haroun with its exceptional portal and the minaret of Ali-Qapou
(highest of Isfahan). O/N Hotel.

Day 10:
Isfahan
Full day city tour of Isfahan:
Armenian Cathedral of Vank (Saint Savior), begun in 1606, at the time
of arrival of Armenian immigrants to Isfahan, it was completed between
1655 and 1664 under the supervision of Archbishop David, with the
encouragement of the Safavid rulers, Imam Mosque (Masjid-e Jam’e
Abbasi) is one of the finest and the most stunning building in the
world, Visit Bazaar. O/N Hotel.

Day 11: Isfahan – Natanz – Abyaneh – Kashan
- Tehran (450 Km)
Drive to Tehran, en
route visit Jame mosque in Natanz and Abyaneh village. Continue to
Kashan to visit the enchanting Fin Garden with it natural springs, the
Agha Bozorg Mosque & School, and the beautiful house of the
merchant Boroujerdi. Arrive to Tehran. O/N Laleh
Hotel.

Day 12: Departure
Transfer to
the airport for departure flight.