12 Days

Duration

Moderate

Activity Level

Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct, Nov

Best Months

Trekking & Hiking, Multi-Activity

Activities

Soft Adventure, Active Cultural Holiday

Travel Styles

A historical and cultural journey of Iran from Shiraz to Tehran along with two days hiking on Dena mountains

TOUR CODE

123-STN-MUL

START

Shiraz

FINISH

Tehran

REGION(S)

Central Iran

INCLUDED

MEALS: 11 Breakfasts, 11 Lunches, 9 Dinners
ACCOMMODATIONS: Hotel: 7 Nights, Guesthouse: 1 Night, Local House: 2 Nights, Caravanserai: 1 Night
TRANSPORTATION: Private vehicle
All transportation according to the itinerary Accommodation as mentioned in the itinerary Meals as indicated in the itinerary English speaking tour guide Backpack handling by Mules/Horses (limited to 15kg per person)

NOT INCLUDED

Entry fee for the sites not mentioned in the itinerary
Travel insurance
International airfare
Excess baggage charges
Airport and departure taxes
Any extra hotel costs such as early check in or late checkout
Laundry
Mini bar used in the room
Meals not stipulated in the itinerary
Tips (optional)
Cost of medical immunizations
Bottled water
Phone calls
Any other service not mentioned in the itinerary

Iran main highlight through an efficient journey
An Active journey through central Iran
Visiting Dena National Park and protected areas
Visit Shiraz, Isfahan, Kashan and Tehran UNESCO world heritage sites
Staying in historical renovated in different region of Iran
Explore Iran off the Beaten Tracks
Hike in heights of Zagros mountains
Visiting local people in non touristic villages
Taste local cuisine
Visit historic Abyaneh village
Explore off the beaten tracks of Iran
Experience different climate of Iran in one the journey

Zagros Mountain:

Zagros is one of the longest mountain ranges in Asia (sixth) after the Himalaya, Kunlun Mountains, Tian Shan Mountains, Altay Mountains, Ural Mountains and twonthest.

Zagros forms the largest mountain range in Iran and Iraq, spreading across the whole length of the western and southwestern Iranian plateau, beginning in northwestern Iran and ending at Strait of Hormuz. Zagros range is about 932 miles (1,500 km) long and more than 150 miles (240 km) wide. The mountains are separated into many sub-ranges and organically have the same age as the age as The Alps. Zagros is also home to rich and complex flora widely oak-dominated.

Dena mountain chain:

Dena is the name for a sub-range within the Zagros Mountains. Dena is in the middle part of Zagros with 90 km length and 15 km average width which is the main important sub range of Zagros mountains. Dena Mountains are the home of some of the highest mountains in the entire Zagros with more than 40 peaks rising to elevations of 4,000 meters or more above sea level. Ghach Mastan in Dean is the highest peak in Zagros with an elevation of 4,450 meters.

This vast area with its beauties is ideal for many adventure activities like mountaineering, trekking, wildlife adventures, river trekking, river swimming, climbing and nomad adventures.

Dena National Park

Dena is a protected area by the Iranian Department of Environment because of its vast range of plants, several endangered endemic mammals and natural resources. Oak species dominate the highlands, while pistachio and almond are common at lower elevations. Hackberry, walnut, and pear trees are scattered throughout this eco-region. A variety of animal life, such as brown bear, eagles, wolves, various wild cats including caracals, lynxes and leopards, wild goat have long made their homes in the region. Dena is home to a vast range of plant species and several endangered and endemic mammal species. On the other hand many large rivers, including Karun, Dez, and Karkheh originate from the area flowing into the Persian Gulf and the Oman Sea. Scenic waterfalls, pools, and lakes add beauty to the mountainous landscape.

The central part of Dena (Dena National Park) was registered by UNESCO on their list of Biosphere Reserve sites. A biosphere reserve is an ecosystem with plants and animals of unusual scientific and natural interest. It is a label given by UNESCO to help protect the sites in the world.

Untill now the vast majority of people living in the area practice a nomadic lifestyle.

The cultural diversity of the local communities, including the nomad communities are manifested by their languages, traditional production activities, herding, food products, dresses, festivals and dances.

About the Caravanserai:

The accommodation of our trip in the journey ahead will be in the amazing KuhPa caravanserai located in kuhpayeh town only 80 km east of Isfahan. The caravanserai is between Isfahan and Nain. To know the exact location, please have a look to the hyperlink: Kuhpa caravanserai

In 2000, it was registered as a national opus and it was renewed by Iranian Carvanserai Hotel Group in 2014. Now, Kuhpa Carvanserai Hotel welcomes the distinguished guests for a memorable accommodation. Kuhpa Carvanserai Hotel is special traditional hotel in both Iran and the world with below welfare, accommodative and recreational facilities.

This trip is a cultural and historical sightseeing tour of Iran with a short hiking in Dena mountain chains and explore Dasht-e-Kavir desert which is in Iran central desert. You will visit 7 UNESCO world heritage sites in the most famous attractions of Iran in main cities of Shiraz, Yazd , Esfahan, Kashan and Tehran as well as a couple of famous towns and villages like Abyaneh and Varzaneh. As the tour will perform in a couple of ecosystems of weather and climate the travelers must be prepared for cold temperature of the mountains and hot temperature of desert with good cloths.
The best time for this trip is in spring and autumn and if you would like to come in summer or winter please get in touch and we will advise you another efficient itinerary with an improve version of this trip.
The journey will start from Shiraz and finish in the capital city of Tehran. If you cant fly Shiraz to start your trip, we will arrange your domestic flight from Tehran to Shiraz which is not in the service list.

Day 1: Arrival in Shiraz

Travellers will arrive with different flights from different origin and they can check in their comfortable hotels. Also, some of the travellers will join in this tour from different city of Iran. Check in time is noon and there is no early check in for this day. The next day you will have a brief session with all travellers for your upcoming adventure journey in Iran. Overnight stay at hotel. (-, -, -)

Day 2: Shiraz- Persepolis excursion

After breakfast in your hotel, we have a short group chat at 8 am in the lobby and travelers meet each other. Then we will leave Shiraz towards Persepolis, which is in the northern part of the city (about one hour drive, 60 km). First we will visit the main highlights of ancient Persia, which is registered in UNESCO World Heritage sites since 1979. We spend half of the day visiting the Persia’s imperial past and in the afternoon we will go to Naghseh Rajab and Nagshe-Rostam. These two sites are listed in the tentative list of UNESCO. After spending around 2 hours there we will be back to Shiraz. Overnight stay at hotel. (B, L, D)

Day 3: Half day Shiraz city tour- Drive to Dena National Park

Morning will be spent for walking tour to visit Karimkhan citadel, Vakil mosque & baths, Nasirolmolk mosque, the grand bazaar and the old part of the town. Afternoon we will spend a while for visiting Hafez mausoleum Persia’s beloved poet and Eram garden registered in UNESCO World Heritage sites. Late afternoon we will leave Shiraz towards Dena mountains which is 216 km away and will take around 2.5 hours. Evening we will arrive in Sisakht town which is Dena mountain foothill with 2500 m height from the sea level. We will check into a traditional guest house and have a traditional dinner with local hospitality. (B, L, D)

Day 4: Enter to Dena national park- 1st camp

After early breakfast, you will pack up to start your long trekking. One hour drive will take us to the national park’s gate. Trekking will start from there for 2 days adding up to 40 km. The altitude of starting point is 2500m from sea level. The first day trek will start from the north west of the Dena mountain chain and the route lead us towards the central part of the mountain. Some travelers believe that the landscape and terrain is similar to African landscape. There is an oak forest in the southern part of the Dena mountain chain and covered most part of the national park. You will hike through the forest and in most part of the trek we have a spectacular view of a lot of peaks over 4000 m which is on the mountain ridge. You will get to a village on the way and have a stop to take photos and have lunch; see local people live there. Also, there is a couple of rivers and a waterfall on the way and it’s a good place to stop for refreshment. Today, we will walk 19 km. In the late afternoon we will arrive to the 1st camp point and we will stay with a local family at their house which is nearby the foothill of the mountain. Dinner in the house. (B, L, D)

Day 5: Passing by villages & farms- towards 2nd camp

You will have breakfast in the early morning and continue the second day walk to another village. You will have very nice trek and quite different with yesterday as we will cross a couple of canyons and mountains with alloy orange color on our way. Also, there was a place for Persian yellow deer as a rehabilitation centre which is quite interesting too. From this point we are in the national park and there is the possibility to see wild animals. Also, there is an active agricultural area with a few farms belong to the locals and they have plenty of fruits like walnut, apricot, Peach, apple and fig. At the end of the trek, there is a couple of interesting villages which we have stop for photography and also there is a rice fields and a fish farms there. Today you will have 20.5 km passing forest and mountain foothills. By late afternoon we will arrive to 2nd camp, which is another local house and it’s a different experience, socialize with simple and local farmers of the village. (B, L, D)

Day 6: Drive to Yazd- Visit Eqlid- Yazd city tour (UNESCO)

After breakfast you will drive to Yazd which it takes about 5 hours and half. En route to Yazd, we will have stop in Eqlid town. Eqlid county is considered among the mountainous and highland regions of the country and have many natural attractions, and its one of nomadic regions of Zagros mountains. Then we will continue our trip towards Yazd. We will get to Yazd afternoon and check in hotel. Then have a half day sightseeing tour in Yazd visiting its touristic attractions such as Zoroastrian sites of Dakhmeh (old cemetery & tower of silence), the fire temple, Amir Chakhmagh complex and the main Grand Mosque next to bazaar. Next comes Rokn-o- din Shrine and the old prison named after Alexander Prison. We stay in a traditional hotel in Yazd. (B, L, D)

Day 7: Half day Yazd City tour - Drive to Kuhpayeh- visit Meybod & Naeen

After breakfast in the hotel, we will visit the rest of the attractions of Yazd. After checking-out from hotel, we will drive to Kuhpayeh (Kuhpa caravanserai) about 250 km. First we will visit the historical city of Meybod. There is an old historical mud-brick fort called Narin Castle (Narin Qal’eh) back to one thousand years ago. This monument like many other mud-brick stronghold dates back to Medes period and Achaemenid and Sassanid dynasties. Also we will visit Chapar Khaneh (historical post office), caravanserai, Ice house, Pottery and clary workshop and handicraft shop as well. After Meybod we will drive to historical city of Nain. Then we will visit one the oldest mosque of Iran. Also there is a museum of Anthropology which we spend time for visit. Overnight stay in Kuhpa Caravanserai. (B, L, D)

Day 8: visit Varzaneh desert- Drive to Isfahan

After breakfast, we will visit some sites in Varzaneh desert. On the route we will visit Ghurtan Citadel, dated back to 1100 years ago, Deylamian era, registered in National heritage. It contains 14 monitoring tower, 3 mosques, 1 local bath, 2 castles and a bazaar. We will continue to visit Guvchah, industrial irrigating system which it uses one or two cows to water the agricultural lands. Asiab Shotor with a background of 300 years is a mechanical system to grind the wheat, which is a must to see. Then we will drive to the dry salt lake and you spend half an hour to visit and taking photo. Then we will drive to Isfahan. Overnight stay in hotel. (B, L, D)

Day 9: Isfahan walking tour

After breakfast we have a full day Esfahan walking city tour. You will walk to the down town by walking through a couple of nice streets and alley takes around one hour. You will visit all of the UNESCO’s world heritage sites on Naqshe Jahan Square, Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, Imam Mosque as well as Aali Qapu Building, Chehel Sotun (Forty Pillar) and Hasht Behest (Eight Heaven) building on this day. We will have lunch in a traditional restaurant and have a rest around an hour in the mid way. Around the Naqshe Jahan Square there are many shops selling Esfahan’s beautiful handicrafts so it would be a great opportunity for those who wish to buy some of them. We will continue toady’s sightseeing till late afternoon and will walk back to the hotel. Overnight stay at hotel. (B, L, D)

Day 10: Esfahan city tour- Drive to Abyaneh – hike to the top of the village - Kashan

After early breakfast, you will check out of the hotel and drive to Abyaneh historical village. You will visit the remaining Esfahan sites such as visit two of Iran’s historic bridges Siose Pol (33 Bridge), Pole Khajoo (Khajoo Bridge) and Ariminian Vank Church known the Church of the Saintly Sisters. Then you will drive to Abyaneh which is taking two and half hour (180 km). We will be there by noon and we will have lunch in the village. Abyaneh village is one of Iranian historical villages that contains some works of the Sassanid period to the present time. It owns several unequal attributions just like the unique temple of “Herpak”, a Chief mosque with a unique mihrab from Seljukian period, houses harmonious with climate and mountainous land. One can see Sassanid Pahlavic words in daily conversation as well as villagers’ clothing that is rooted in earlier times. An Abyanaki woman typically wears a white long scarf (covering the shoulders and upper trunk) which has a colourful pattern and an under-knee skirt. Abyunaki people have persistently maintained this traditional costume. The dialect of the people of Abyaneh has preserved some characteristics of the Middle Persian language, the language of the Sassanian Persia. The village is on the tentative list of UNESCO to be the other world heritage site as well. On top of the village sits the ruins of a Sasanid era fort. We will have 3 to 4 hours walking from the village to the Zorastian temple which is located at the end of the valley. In the late afternoon we will continue the journey to Kashan taking one hour (90 km). Overnight stay in a traditional house.(B, L, D)

Day 11: Kashan city tour – Drive to Tehran

After breakfast in the hotel you will have a half day Kashan tour. Kashan is famous for historical and traditional houses. You will visit a couple of them such as House of The Abbassi and Tabatabaee house as well as Aghabozorg old mosques and the Grand Bazaar. We will visit Fin garden and bath before leaving the city by drive to outside of the town. Fin garden is one of the Persian gardens UNESCO world heritage list. After visiting all of the important sites in Kashan, we will drive to Tehran. Overnight stay in hotel. (B, L, D)

Day 12: Tehran city tour – departure

We spend all day visiting the capital’s attractions by foot. It will be a walking tour and we will include all of important sites of the capital on it. Golestan Palace world heritage site, Iran anthropology museum and the Grand Bazaar are the sites till afternoon. we will have lunch at a local restaurant. Afterward we will drive to Tehran IKA to take the departure flight. (B, L)