Iran the cradle of civilization
9 Days & 8 Nights
DAY 1. Shiraz
Arrival shiraz by QR 476 at 0335 am meet and assist transfer to hotel rest in hotel till 11 am ) . The city has many sights to offer and we will visit the spectacular Nasir al-Mulk Mosque – a colourful affair also known as the Pink Mosque and renowned for its stained-glass windows uncommon in Islamic architecture; Narenjestan Gardens with Qavem House – the erstwhile home of a rich merchant family; and the old part of the city and the Bazaar Vakil – a living ethnographic museum. In the late afternoon we visit the historical Eram Gardens and the Tomb of Hafez, a celebrated Persian poet. Here you can have your fortune told or rather ‘plucked’ by a budgie from a stack of little cards, an age-old tradition in the Persian speaking world. Maybe now is the time to treat ourselves to a famous Shiraz sweet delight – faloodeh: rice vermicelli with lemon. Dinner and overnight Shiraz.
DAY 2. Shiraz/Persepolis/Necropolis/Shiraz
Breakfast and a day excursion to a world renowned site from antiquity, Persepolis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979 and 60km from Shiraz. The ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire (c. 550–330 BC), construction started during the time of Darius the Great and in 330BC the complex was conquered by the army of Alexander the Great. Soon afterwards the wooden structures were destroyed by fire. The city was only recovered in the 1930’s. Close by is the Naqshe Rostam necropolis – four large tombs cut out high into a cliff. On our way back into Shiraz a stop at the Quran Gate before heading back to our hotel. Overnight Shiraz.
DAY 3. Shiraz/Yazd
Breakfast and it is time to bid Shiraz farewell and take the road to Yazd, a journey of 440km. En route we will stop in Abarkuh for lunch and also it’s many interesting sights, eg. The ancient Aqazade House – with a very impressive 18 m high windcatcher, and a mystical old (4 500 years) cypress tree, one of the oldest living trees in the world and oldest in Asia – it has a special place in Iranian mythology. Overnight Yazd.
DAY 4. Yazd
Yazd is one of the centres of Zoroastrianism in Iran and home to a Tower of Silence (for so-called air burials) and the Zoroastrian Fire Temple – where the fire is still kept burning since the 5th century. We will also visit Amir Chakhmag Square where we can shop for the famous Haji Khalifeh confectionary, the Jame (Friday) Mosque and after lunch in the old part of town the Dowlat Abad Garden – a Persian Gardens World Heritage Site. Overnight Yazd.
DAY 5. Yazd/Meybod/Isfahan
Breakfast and we journey further to Isfahan, Iran’s most beautiful city. En route in Meybod we will visit some uniquely Persian buildings, eg. an icehouse and pigeon tower. Overnight Isfahan
DAY 6. Isfahan
Breakfast and a city tour. A full day visit to the impressive and expansive Naqshe Jahan Square (aka Shah Square), home to the Imam and Sheikh Lotfollah Mosques and the Ali Qapu Palace.
we continue our exploration of this magnificent city with a visit to the Vank Church – Armenian church, richly decorated and also housing a museum dedicated to the Armenian genocide in Turkey. We will also visit the Chehel Sotoun Palace – a Persian pavilion built by Shah Abas II, in the middle of a park at the far end of a long pool, and the famous old bridges of Isfahan. Overnight Isfahan.
DAY 7. Isfahan/ Abyaneh / Kashan /Tehran
Breakfast. On our way to Tehran we visit a historical old village of Abyaneh and then Kashan for its Fin Persian Gardens – of interest is the baths which comes with a gruesome history – the assassination of Kabir, the Qajarid chancellor, by an assassin sent by King Nasereddin Shah in 1852. The Sultan Ahmad Bath is far more beautiful as is Borujerdi House, specially built for a wealthy bride. Overnight Tehran
DAY8. Tehran
After breakfast a city tour of the sights Tehran has on offer. Amongst others the magnificent Golestan Palace – its mirrored interiors are just jaw-dropping; a few minutes from there and right in the heart of the city is the vibrant Grand Bazaar – a labyrinth of busy and lively alleyways of shops; the Azadi Tower – a fusion of ancient and modern architecture literally meaning Freedom Tower; and the Archeological Museum .Overnight Tehran.
DAY 9. Tehran
After breakfast a city tour of tehran visiting north of tehran saad abad palace and tajrish bazar then lunch after lunch tabiat bridge at evening transfer to airport for departure flight.
