14 Days
Duration
Moderate
Activity Level
Mar, Apr, Oct, Nov
Best Months
Trekking & Hiking, Multi-Activity
Activities
Adventure Travel, Classic
Travel Styles

A classic trip exploring the main UNESCO sites of Iran and crossing Dasht-e kavir, visiting villages and oases in the desert.

TOUR CODE 186-STN-TRK
START Tehran
FINISH Tehran
REGION(S) Central Iran
INCLUDED
MEALS: 14 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 5 Dinners
ACCOMMODATIONS: Hotel: 6 Nights, Camp: 2 Nights, Guesthouse: 2 Nights, Caravanserai: 1 Night, Train: 2 Nights
TRANSPORTATION:  Night Train, Private vehicle
All transportation according to the itinerary
Accommodation as mentioned in the itinerary
Meals as indicated in the itinerary
English speaking tour guide
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

Most travelers travelling to Iran miss out on the opportunities of Iranian deserts. Some of them just touch the desert and have no idea about the attractions of this quintessential place. Trekking in the Dasht-e Kavir would be a great opportunity for hikers as this area is fabulous and untouched without many tourists. On this trip which is perfect for Iran first visitors, we provide a memorable journey, an adventurous 5 days trek into the heart of the desert alongside of your cultural-historical exploration which covers Iran’s quintessential main well known attractions.

Sven Anders Hedin was a Swedish geographer, topographer, explorer, photographer and travel writer who travelled by paddle steamer in 1886. This itinerary has been designed taking into account the travels of Sven Hedin in Iran. Keeping his book (Through Persia, Mesopotamia and the Caucasus) in mind guided us through the routes he had taken while travelling in the desert. For those who are interested, we advise reading his book before starting the journey. For more information please check SVEN HEDIN link.

About this IRAN ACTIVE TRIP

 This trip is a combination of two main elements of desert trekking activity and cultural-historical tour via Iran Classic Route. In your active part of your trip you will do 120 km long desert trek in heart of Dasht-e Kavir desert which was a part of the ancient Silk Road. In the exploring part of your trip, you will visit the main Iran’s highlights which includes 7 of Iran’s most famous UNESCO world heritage sites that is located in the four major tourist cities of Tehran, Kashan, Esfahan, Yazd and Shiraz. Along the two main above mission of your journey, you will have two other important experience.

  • Traveling with one of Iran best quality trains which is around 900 km allows you to be in touch with people and socialize with them to understand the local culture and the famous Iranian hospitality
  • Staying in one of the best historical renovated caravansaries of Iran in the middle of desert which is now operating as a boutique hotel.

Those four elements on this travel itinerary is very carefully designed to enable you have a good image of Iran after you finishing your trip. The length of this trip is two weeks with a tight timetable so Traveling light with a duffel bag enable you travel to be easier and travelers must be physically as well as mentally prepared for an adventurous journey. The activity level of the trekking part is moderate to challenging. The trip start from Tehran and finishes in Kashan which is about 2 hours away to IKA airport of the capital. The best travel time for this trip is in middle of autumn (October & November) and early spring (March & April).  As this trip is one of the more special tours of the company and we have been operating it since 2012, we have a limited departure date but the bonus point is that one of the founders of the company will definitely be leading it.

 About the TREK

The chosen route is part of the ancient Silk Road that was in more or less continuous use for about 2,000 years before modern transportation put an end to it. The same route was taken by Sven Hedin who followed this path about 100 years ago.

We will be covering a variety of terrains including oases, mountain slopes, heavily weathered rock formations, sand dunes, salt dunes and other large scale crystalline formations.  We will pass an old underground water reservoir, palm date orchards and ancient villages with still standing primitive buildings. It is worth stopping in these villages in order to taste some of their local food offerings.

This combination of desert trekking, local cuisine and open air desert camps create an epic and unforgettable atmosphere that helped ancient travelers with their caravans and merchandise cross the desert on the Silk Road.

You will start your trip from the capital and after a short visit of the main sites and Golestan palace UNESCO site, you will continue your trip with a comfortable night train towards south to Shiraz. Then you will have a day tour in Shiraz, which is known as the city of lovers. Eram Garden which is one of Persian Garden UNESCO site, the Pink Mosque, the ground Bazaar and Hafeziyeh (temple of lovers) are the main highlights of your Shiraz city tour. Afterward you will continue your trip towards Persepolis (UNESCO) which is the main Iran historical site and it was the capital of Achaemenid Empire. The next stop will be Pasargadae (UNESCO), the tomb of Cyrus the Great.  Then, you will continue your trip towards Esfahan which is the capital of art and culture of Iran. After visiting the most important sites and the two UNESCO sites of Esfahan (Naghsh-e Jahan & Jame mosque), you will head towards Dasht-e Kavir desert which is the active part of your adventure holiday. You will stay in one of the most beautiful Iran caravanserai (Kuhpa) and enjoying of experience of silent in the historical monument of the Silk Road period. The next day we will drive to Yazd which is a UNESCO world heritage city. You will have a short visit of Yazd and staying the night in traditional hotel in the lonely Iran’s heritage city. Afterward we will transfer you from Yazd to the starting point of your trek in the desert and from there you will have 5 day desert trek through a few oases in central desert of Iran. We will carry your backpack during the trek and you only carry your daypack during your trekking time. You will have different experiences in the desert like staying with locals, the taste of their food and lifestyle, camping in heart of desert as well as crossing a few oases and seeing the amazing landscape of the Dasht-e Kavir.  After finishing your trek you will be transferred to Kashan historical city and staying the last night of your trip in one of traditional historical houses of Kashan .Your tour will finish by its next day and according to your return flight ticket you will get back home.

1

Day 1: Arrival to Tehran

Upon arrival at IKA airport (Imam Khomeini International Airport) in Tehran, an Adventure Iran representative will greet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel in Tehran. Overnight stay at hotel.
2

Day 2: North Tehran tour

Our today plan is visiting different attraction of Tehran which is in the north of the capital. In the morning we will drive to Milad tower to see the capital from the heights of the tower. Then we will drive to Shemiran which is a special district of north Tehran, with more up class people which is very different form the downtown that we will visit tomorrow. You will be have a walking tour in this area to visit the most important part of Shemiran which is around Tajrish square. Afterward we drive back to the downtown and overnight stay at the hotel. (B)
3

Day 3: Tehran downtown tour – Night train to Shiraz

Day 3 is all about what makes this city the capital of Iran. Today we only have half a day and we have to pack everything and check out before leaving our hotel. In the late afternoon we have train tickets for Shiraz. For the day trip, we will focus the tour on the central part of the city which is a combination of different attractions in this busy part of the city. Afterwards we will go to our hotel to take our baggage’s to go to the train station takes half an hour. The train is one the most high quality Iran train and you will have a comfortable compartment in your travel to Shiraz. Overnight in the night train. (B)
4

Day 4: Arrival Shiraz - The city tour

You will arrive in Shiraz and have a full day of Shiraz city tour. Overnight stay at hotel in Shiraz. (B)
5

Day 5: Persepolis & Pasargadae- Drive to Esfahan

We will drive towards Esfahan and in our way we will spend half a day with a heritage tour to explore the two main Iran’s UNESCO world heritage sites of Persepolis and Pasargadae. Overnight stay in hotel in Esfahan. (B)
6

Day 6: Esfahan walking tour

Todays plan is to have an active walking day in the most popular touristic destinations of Esfahan city. You will have your breakfast in your hotel and your walking tour will start from your hotel which is in the downtown of Esfahan. Overnight stay at hotel in Esfahan. (B)
7

Day 7: Esfahan active day tour – Drive to Kuhpayeh

Our plan for the day is to visit Esfahan’s remaining attractions, which are a combination of different sites. You will have another long walk through authentic parts of Esfahan which is a tailor made active walking tour through the old & modern parts of the city. In the evening we will have a 80 km drive towards east to Kuhpayeh town to enter to Dasht-e Kavir desert region. You will stay in an amazing Kuhpa caravanserai which is one the most beautiful and comfortable Iran’s caravanserai and it’s renovated as a boutique hotel. Overnight say at kuhpa caravanserai. (B)
8

Day 8: Drive to Yazd– UNESCO city tour

After early breakfast we will drive to Yazd and you will have a full day of sightseeing in Yazd, visiting most touristic attractions. Yazd is a UNESCO world heritage city registered on the list on 2017. Overnight stay at hotel in Yazd. You will pack for early transfer to the desert in this day. (B, D)
9

Day 9: Depart to the central Desert -Start of Desert Trekking

We will drive to the starting point of the trek and you will have a day long desert trekking in heart of Dasht-e Kavir desert having open air camp. Overnight stay in tent. (B, L, D)
10

Day 10: Continue the trekking toward the oasis

Today we will cover approximately about 5-7 hours (20-30 Km) walking. Overnight you will be staying in a traditional guest house in the heart of the desert and you will have access to a bathroom for this night. (B, L, D)
11

Day 11: The Sand dune & Mountain Formations

We will continue our trek along the desert mountains ridge which is quite interesting different with the last days. Overnight stay in the tent and you will have dinner in the camp. (B, L, D)
12

Day 12: Oases regions

We will continue our walk toward another oasis which is our last accommodation of our desert expedition trip. You will have dinner and overnight you will spend the night with villagers enjoying the silence of the oasis. (B, L, D)
13

Day 13: Salt Lake – Drive to Kashan

Your trek will be finished on this day and we will drive to Kashan. Overnight at traditional hotel in Kashan. (B, L, D)
14

Day 14: Departure

Today is departure date and the tour end. (B)

Trekking through Dasht-e Kavir

  1. Those who already visited the cultural part of this trip and would like to join us only in the trekking part, we will arrange to join them to the desert trekking part of this travel itinerary.
  2. After your tour booking, we will send you the complete detail itinerary including the guide and tour manager number and the name of your hotel.
  3. If you could not fix your travel time to our fixed departure date, we could make it as a private tour according to your desire date.
  4. If you have more than two weeks of holiday and you would like to extend your trip in Iran, we can suggest an additional package according to travel time which is make complete your Iran visit. Please get in touch with our travel expert.
Dasht-e Kavir Desert Trek Detour
Iran photography Tour - Dashte kavir Desert
ِIran Desert Expedition Trekking Tour
Iran photography Tour - Dashte kavir Desert
Imam Mosque Esfahan
Imam Mosque Esfahan
Kashan historica house
Persepolis - UNESCO World Heritage Centre
Persepolis - UNESCO World Heritage Centre
Persepolis Shiraz
ِIran Desert Expedition Trekking Tour
Iran photography Tour - Dashte kavir Desert
Gandom Berian Lut desert hottest place in the world
Iran desert tour
Iran Desert camping Tour - Dasht-e Kavir
Imama Mosque Masjed Shah-Esfahan
Dome of Imam Mosque Esfahan
Esfahan Hasht Behesht Palace
Esfahan Naghsh-e Jahan Squire in Nowrooz high season-Iran
Chehel Sotoun Palace Esfahan outside view
Hasht Behesht Palace Esfahan inside view
Inside-view-of-Imam-Mosque-Esfahan
Vank Cathedral church Jolfa neighborhood Esfahan night view
Vank church Jolfa neighborhood Esfahan
Camel Trekking in Iran Desert

Tour Reviews

There are no reviews yet.

Leave a Review