Duration

9 Days

Activity Level

Moderate

Activities

Multi-Activity

Travel Styles

Soft Adventure

A custom-made Iran trip to have an intensive visit of main Iran touristic destinations and camping in the heart of Dasht-e Kavir desert

TOUR CODE

165-STN-TRK

START

Tehran

FINISH

Tehran

REGION(S)

Iran Central Desert

INCLUDED

MEALS: 8 Breakfasts, 7 Lunches, 7 Dinners
ACCOMMODATIONS: Camp: 1 Night, Guesthouse: 7 Nights
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

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

An attractive journey through the ancient Persia and exploring its very old civilization
A trip to historical places and cultural events of the old Persia
Visiting major cities of Esfahan, Kashan and Yazd together with smaller towns of Naiin, Anarak and Meybod
Visiting historical villages of: Qehi, Mesr, Farahzad, Garmeh and Abyaneh
An opportunity to taste different local foods of Iran
Staying in different villages with indigenous people, an opportunity for knowing them, their culture, handicrafts and beautiful costumes
Two days and one night camping and trekking in the heart of Iran Central Desert. 4WD driving on the sandy dunes

The Idea of Iran Hippie Ancient Trail was created when we thought that most of the tours designed for travelers visiting Iran are for major touristic cities of Tehran, Esfahan, Shiraz, Yazd and Kashan. In such tours, tourists have only the opportunity to see and visit some very well-known historic places and stay in well-known hotels. During these routine tours travelers miss out the opportunity of visiting people, associating with them and knowing their divers culture and civilization left from thousands of years ago which is the main attraction of Iran.
We have decided to offer a journey completely different to those of regular ones. In this trip not only you will see the main touristic cities of Iran, but also you will have the chance to visit the historic villages and stay with local people and enjoy their homemade food, become familiar with their customs and way of life.
The trip is a memorable journey through Iran’s central desert, a 2 day trek into the desert and exploring Iran’s desert town of Yazd, one of the world’s most important historical desert cities in terms of architecture and elegant desert living.
The planned itinerary will start from the international IKA airport and end in the Yazd historical city. The trip will take 9 days. The total route travelled on the ground in 9 days will add up to 2000 Km but the distance would be divided in such a way not to be tiresome for the travelers. The longest distance travelled during the trip will be on the 9th (last day) day for 600 Km and the shortest will be on the 8th for 35 Km which will be in the city. The type of vehicle used in this trip depends on the number of tourists. The journey can be performed from two people by a private vehicle and a guide up to 30 people by a V.I.P bus. We have designed the itinerary in a way that you will visit the most possible places in 9 days.
The difficulty range of the trip is easy; only one part of the tour is moderate (Trekking on the desert) but we can transfer those who wish to skip trekking by a 4WD car to the camp. The trip also can be tailor made to suit your needs or desires. Accommodation in this trip is guesthouse, all accommodations in villages are clean local lodgings renovated for the purpose of hosting national and international tourists.
The tour guides are all experienced individuals with a very good knowledge of the villages and visiting places. The tour is performed in English but can be also performed in Italian, French, German, Spanish and Russian.
During the trip, there are clean hygiene services available in all staying places in the villages.

Day 1: Arrival to IKA International Airport and departure to Kashan (200 Km)

An Adventure Iran representative will greet you at the IKA and you will be transferred to Kashan which is situated about 200 Km away from Tehran. In Kashan you will stay in a 100 years old historic house belonging to Qajar Dynasty, this historic house has been renovated beautifully as a tourist residency and is administrated by local people. We will stay overnight in this house enjoying a warm local hospitality.

Day 2: Kashan city tour leaving to Esfahan (Qehi village) (235 Km)

After breakfast we will have a meeting for a friendly chat and to know your travel mates. We will give you sufficient information, maps, tips, etc. in order to make your journey enjoyable and hassle free, then we will get ready for Kashan city tour (here, we would ask our guests to pack what they might need during the day in a backpack carrying with them and leave the rest of their luggage with our representative in their suitcases). Kashan city tour consists of visiting the city’s historic houses such as Khaneye Borujerdiha, Khaneye Tabatabai, paying a visit to the Old Great Bazaar, Soltan Mir Ahmad historic Bathhouse, and Agha Bozorg Mosque and also we will visit a traditional cloak weaving workshop. Then we will return to our residential place for having a local lunch and some rest, in the afternoon we will begin the second part of the Kashan city tour which is exploring the significant ancient site of sialk dating back to 3000 – 4000 BC, along with Fin historic garden which was built for Shah Abbas I. In the evening we will continue our journey towards Qehi village. The distance between Kashan and Qehi is 235 Km which will take about 2-3 hours. In Qehi we will check into the historic traditional guesthouse of Qehi where we will stay overnight for having rest and getting ready for the next day. After checking-in we will enjoy a locally prepared dinner.

Day 3: Esfahan city tour, (70 Km)

The third day would be a busy day as Esfahan is one of the most visited cities of Iran and hosts numerous touristic attractions. After breakfast we will drive to Esfahan (45 min) to visit Naqshe Jahan Square, Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, Imam Mosque and Aali Qapu Building. All these sites are in the UNESCO’s world heritage list. 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 have the lunch in a traditional restaurant and then will continue towards south of the city to visit Chehel Sotun (Forty Pillar) and Hasht Behest (Eight Heaven) building. Later we will go to visit Zayandeh Roud (Zayandeh River) where we will also visit two of Iran’s historic bridges Siose Pol (33 Bridge) and Pole Khajoo (Khajoo Bridge). Zayandeh Roud is an ideal place to take some photos in the river’s sunset along with the two bridges. Then we will return to the guest house (Qehi).

Day 4: Sightseeing in Qehi village, transfer to Naiin (visiting attractions) and then to Anarak Caravanserai (144 Km)

On this day we will have an optional visit to an old castle located 15 Km away from the village, those wishing to participate in this program should wake up early in the morning (sun rise). The castle (Kheir Abad) is in a picturesque location ideal for taking photos and early morning walk. Afterwards we will drive back to the guest house for an organic breakfast totally prepared from local dairies. We will also spend some time for roaming in the village and visiting its old beautiful houses. Then we will depart for historic city of Naiin in 70 Km from Gehi. When we arrive to Naiin it will be about noon, so first things first, we will have the lunch in Naiin’s Tourism Hotel (Jahangardi). We would spend the afternoon for Naiin city tour visiting historic mosque, anthropology museum and Narin castle. Following Naiin we will leave for the Anarak town where is located at the starting point of Iran central desert (74 Km). In Anarak there is a 120 year old caravanserai which has been renovated as a hotel and guest house and would be the place of our overnight stay.

Day 5: Anarak sightseeing & Drive to Garmeh village (165 Km)

After breakfast we have a one day Anarak sightseeing tour. Visiting the village, Anarak tower and anthropology museums. We will have lunch in the caravanserai and take a rest. In the afternoon we will drive towards Germeh village which is located in a 200 Km distance in the heart of Iran’s central desert. We will be there in the late afternoon. Overnight stay in the famous Ateshooni guest house and having dinner.

Day 6: Desert trekking tour

The early morning wake up and drive from Garmeh towards Mesr oasis (100 km) where we will have breakfast. Trekking will start after breakfast. The length of trekking is between 10 to 20 km which would take about 4-8 hours depending on the fitness level of the group. On the trekking route we will stop every now and then to rest and take photographs from spectacular and amazing sand dunes. After a light lunch on the route the journey will continue until evening. We will set up our camp in the desert and after a short rest; we would go to watch the sunset in the heart of the desert. In the early night darkness we will have dinner and would have some time to watch the stars and enjoy the silence. (B, L, D)

Day 7: Meybod and Yazd (403 Km)

We will wake up at the crack of dawn (optional), walking about 10-15 minutes to watch the sunrise view of desert and walking back to our camp for having breakfast. After, the camp will be collected and trekking will continue till noon time. Then, our vehicle will arrive to pick us up and drive to Yazd. We have lunch on the road and we will drive to the old city of Meybod to visit the 16th Century Marian Qal-eh, the Narin castle complex, Caravanserai, Post House, Water Reservoir, Ice House, Storage centre and also some old handicraft shops run by local people making fabrics and clays. In the evening we will leave Meybod towards Yazd 80 Km away for staying overnight and having dinner in the Silk Road hotel (Jaddeye Abrisham), (B, L)

Day 8: Yazd city tour, Caravanserai (60 Km)

Following breakfast in the hotel we will start Yazd city tour which is famous for its windwards and is the home of the largest community of Iran’s Zoroastrians. In this day we will visit the Amir Chakhmagh complex (Mosque and Water Museum), city’s old regions, Masjed Jamee (General Mosque), Alexander’s Prison dating back to the 15th century, Dolat Abaad Garden and Zoroastrians sacred fire temple which is visited by the world’s Zoroastrians (470 AD). We will have the lunch in the middle of the day in a traditional restaurant and will leave Yazd in the afternoon towards the east west to Mehriz (60 Km). In the evening we will arrive to one of the oldest Caravanserais of Iran Zeinoddon. This caravanserai has been renovated in recent years and is very well-known amongst the foreign travellers. After checking-in we will enjoy an evening program performed by locals which consists of traditional music along with traditional wood dance (dancing with wood sticks). We will have the dinner in this old caravanserai.

Day 9: Drive to Abyaneh, Qom and IKA airport (Departure Date) 600 Km

This day would be the longest day travelling by car. After breakfast, depending the departure flight time we consider visiting Abyaneh historical village and pilgrim city of Qom before your flight. We drive to the north and first visit the Abyaneh village. We have lunch there and after visiting, will drive to Qom. Depending on our time scale we can see some pilgrimage places there and drive to the IKA International airport.