Azeri Counties in North West of Iran–Extension tour

Easy

Activity Level

Apr, May, Jun, July, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov

Best Months

Cultural & Heritage

Activities

Active Cultural Holiday

Travel Styles

One of special cultural historical tour in Azerbaijan district and visiting the main highlight of northwestern Iran

TOUR CODE

009-STN-XPL

START

Tehran

FINISH

Tehran

REGION(S)

North West Iran

INCLUDED

MEALS: 4 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 3 Dinners
ACCOMMODATIONS: Hotel: 2 Nights, Local House: 3 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 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

Visiting Anzali lagoon
Exploring Khalkhal exotic village
Sightseeing & photography from landscapes of western Alborz Mountain range
Local Homestay & socializing with locals
One day city tour in Ardabil visiting Sheikh Safi-Ad-Din, traditional bazaar and Shourabil Lake
Visiting the Sarein spa town well known for its therapeutic values
One day city tour in Tabriz visiting Azerbaijan Museum, bazaar and Blue Mosque
Visiting Kandovan volcanic village
Crossing Aras River & fascinating forests of Arasbaran
Visiting Jolfa and Saint Stepanos Monastery
Visiting Maku valley & Saint Thaddeus Monastery

Azerbaijan in north west Iran is a historic land always playing its role in Persia and later Iran. This tour is designed to show its nature, history and culture to foreign tourists. On this trip, you will visit many attractions, villages and stay in local homes. A very special journey through the North West of Iran.
You will taste one of the best traditional dishes in Fuman before driving to nomad part of Ardebil called “Khalkhal”. Having Ardabil city tour you will visit Sheikh Safi-Ad-Din (the great Sufi) mausoleum with the dome of Allah Allah (about 56 feet high) above the resting place. In Ardabil, you will also visit its traditional bazaar, public bath and a mosque in the center. In Sarein spa town you visit its numerous hot mineral springs of various temperatures known for their therapeutic values.
In Tabriz which is the capital and largest city of east Azerbaijan, you will visit the impressive tomb of Shahriar (a very well-known poet in Iran). You will also visit Tabriz Bazaar which is a world heritage site with interesting arrays of ethnic crafts on sale. See the exquisite Jameh and Kabood Mosques and explore the interesting collections of Azerbaijan and Constitution Revolution Museums.
Kandovan volcanic village where dwellers carve the rocks of mountains and settle their lives there is a beautiful sample of presence and using of nature in man’s life. Also we will visit Jolfa, the stronghold of the Armenian Christians who possess a rich and unique culture of their own. We will visit Saint Stephanos Church there and take a day excursion to Aras valley. At the very North West of Iran, we will explore Maku Valley, close to Bazargan on Iran & Turkey border. In Maku area, we will visit a 1000 year old church called Gore Kelisa (Black Church) which is the graveyard of Saint Thaddeus located at the foot of a hill. Black and white stones were applied in its construction and then we will visit the Baqcheh Jug Palace before going back to Tabriz in the evening. The last night you will return to Tehran by flight.

Day 1: Tehran to Fuman

You will be picked up from your hotel in Tehran morning time, driving to Fuman. Overnight stay at a local house. (L, D)

Day 2: Fuman to Anzali port, Khalkhal nomad home stay

Drive to Anzali and visiting lagoon with its natural beauty. We will have a nice lunch in a restaurant in Anzali. In the afternoon, we drive to the special nomad part of Ardebil called “Khalkhal” enabling us to escape from civilization for one night and stay with tribes enjoying their customs and food. (B, L, D)

Day 3: KhalKhal rural exploring and walking- drive to Ardabil

Today, we will explore the exotic rural areas of Khalkhal mountainous villages. We will have lunch with locals in their houses and go walking around the mountains. In the afternoon, we will drive towards Ardabil. Ardabil is a famous city for its cold weather. We stay overnight at hotel. (B, L)

Day 4: Ardabil city tour - drive to Tabriz

After breakfast, we have one day Ardabil sightseeing tour. We will visit Sheikh Safi-Ad-Din (the great Sufi) mausoleum with Allah Allah dome which is about 56 feet high above the resting place, Ardebil Bazaar composed of all elements formed a traditional bazaar like small shops, aisles, public bath and a mosque in the center. In the afternoon will continue to Shourabil Lake where we will have a stop for photography. Then will drive to Sarein. Sarein is a spa region with numerous hot mineral springs of various temperatures known for their therapeutic values. After a few hours spending to bath, we will drive to Tabriz city. We stay overnight at the hotel. (B)

Day 5: Tabriz, one day tour – Drive to Kandovan

We’ll take a full day tour around the city, visiting Azerbaijan Museum, Tabriz Bazaar, the Blue Mosque and the Constitutional house. In this day you will see the impressive tomb of Shahriar. The province of Azerbaijan is home to one of the most cultured and bravest races in Iran, the Azaris. It will be a wonderful opportunity for you to rub shoulders with the Azaris and learn more about the origins of the Constitution Revolution. In the afternoon, we drive towards Kandovan Village – 60 km away – a living example of human adaptation to exceptionally unusual natural surroundings. Historians have recently quoted specific geographical references as evidence that links the surrounding area of Kandovan with the Garden of Eden. We will spend the night in Kandovan. (B, D)

Day 6: Explore Kandovan – drive to Jolfa, back Tabriz

Kandovan has achieved world renowned for its special architecture. Its dwellers carve the rocks of mountains and settle their homes there. The archaeologists have estimated the antiquity of this village to 3000 years ago. Then, we will drive to the historical border city of Jolfa which is located near the Aras River and the fascinating forests of Arasbaran. You will visit the Church of Saint Stephanos there. The church of Saint Stephanus is among the handful of magnificent churches that were built between the tenth and twelfth centuries A.D. The church’s architectural style is a mixture of Urartan, Parthian, Greek and Roman styles that came to be known as Armenian subsequent to the construction of the fantastic structures of Echmiadzin, Thaddeus, Akhtmar, and indeed Stephanus. Today we’ll take a day excursion to Aras valley where we’ll visit the attractions nearby. After, we will drive to Maku at the very North West of Iran close to Iran & Turkey border. There you’ll view the 1000 year old Ghare Kelisa (Black Church) which is the graveyard of Saint Thaddeus and located at the foot of a hill. Before going back to Tabriz in the evening, we will visit the Baqcheh Jug Palace. In the evening, you will come back to Tehran by night flight. (B, L)