Explore Iran & the Taste of Lut Desert

12 Days

Duration

Easy

Activity Level

Mar, Apr, Sep, Oct

Best Months

Cultural & Heritage

Activity Type

Classic

Travel Styles

Visit Tehran, Kashan, Isfahan, Yazd and Shiraz main tourist sites through the Classic Travel Route of Iran and experience of Iranian night train

TOUR CODE	253-STN-XPL
START	Tehran
FINISH	Tehran
REGION(S)	Central Iran
INCLUDED	MEALS: 13 Breakfasts ACCOMMODATIONS: 11 nights’ accommodation: 2 nights hotel in Tehran, 2 nights hotel in kerman , 2 nights traditional hotel in Yazd, 2 nights traditional hotels in Shiraz , 3 nights hotel in Esfahan TRANSPORTATION: Private tourist vehicle based on number of people, Domestic flight Tehran to Kerman All transportation according to the itinerary Accommodation as mentioned in the itinerary Meals as indicated in the itinerary English speaking tour guide
NOT INCLUDED	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

Discover Iran through a historical group tour
Explore the most tourist cities of Iran
Visit Nasir-ol-Molk, most colourful Iran’s mosque
Golestan & Saad Abad palaces of the capital
Admire iconic Persian gardens: Eram, Shazdeh, Dolatabad, and Fin
Learn about the magnificent Persepolis and Pasargadae (UNESCO)
Visiting the most beautiful houses of Iran in Isfahan
Walk through historical alleys of Abyaneh colourful village
Marvel at the Shahdad Kaluts desert sunset & stargazingin the Lut Desert
Stroll through historical bazaars: Vakil, Tajrish and Isfahan Grand Bazaars
Explore Zoroastrian heritage: Towers of Silence, Fire Temple, and the ancient Cypress of Abarkuh

Covering a large part of the country, this multi-region travel package is one of our best Iran group tours offering the finest tourist attractions of Iran. In the cities, this guided tour covers Iran’s most famous highlights as well as UNESCO sites. In the countryside, you will see one of Iran’s most beautiful villages as well as the most amazing desert landscapes which is a UNESCO natural site. The journey starts from the capital and finishes there. With a travel loop, you will have one domestic flight and for the rest of the journey travel will be with a comfortable vehicle. This is either a tourist van or minibus. You will be accompanied by an experienced English-speaking guide on this small group tour, (between 2-8 travellers). You will have a walking tour in each city to allow interaction with locals and be able to socialize and participate in Iranian hospitality during this cultural tour. Breakfast is included. The guide will help you choose the other meals which are not included in the package. This trip would be ideal for first time visitors who are interested in visiting the Iranian cultural and historical heritage sites through an active sightseeing tour in various tourist places.

We will start our adventure from the capital city of Tehran where you will get your first cultural sight of the country. You will visit the Bazaar and UNESCO Golestan Palace along with a couple of important museums. The following day you will go to the foothill of the Alborz Mountain in the north of Tehran (2800 m above sea level) to prepare you to get acclimatized with the country. With a domestic flight you will then fly to the south east of Iran, where you will discover one of the natural wonders of Iran (Kalouts) in the heart of Dasht-e Lut desert. From there you will start your overland journey to explore the highlights of the main tourist cities of Iran which are Kerman, Yazd, Shiraz and Isfahan. You will have an in-depth experience of each one of these famous cities by visiting UNESCO sites and its numerous highlights such as the Persian gardens, the vibrant bazaars, as well as the colourful and historical mosques and museums.

From the foothill of the Alborz Mountains’ to the surreal Kalouts of the Lut Desert (100 m) , from Yazd’s Zoroastrian heritage to Shiraz’s poetic gardens, and from Persepolis’s monumental ruins to Isfahan’s breathtaking squares and bridges, this trip offers a complete immersion into Iran’s cultural soul. What makes this journey special is its balance between history, architecture, and living traditions.

You will wander through ancient citadels, admire masterpieces of Islamic and Persian design, and mingle with locals in bazaars and walking tours. The program also introduces you to Iran’s natural wonders, such as desert sunsets, stargazing under pristine skies, and the 4,500-year-old Cypress of Abarkuh.

You will finish this classic cultural tour in the historical city of Kashan where you will have a short visit to the masterpieces of Iranian architecture and the historical houses in the city

Day 1: Arrival in Tehran & check in

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. (B)

Day 2: Tehran city tour

Full day city tour of Tehran. Visit to the National Museum of Iran, where we can see historical objects from 5,000 BC to the advent of Islam. Then, we will visit Golestan Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a complex of magnificent palaces, halls, and gardens, which was the royal residence of the Qajar dynasty. In the afternoon, we will visit the Carpet Museum and Abgineh Museum (Glassware & Ceramic). Overnight stay at hotel in Tehran. (B)

Day 3 : North Tehran sightseeing - Fly to Kerman

Half day sightseeing tour of Tehran visiting Saad Abad Palace. The main palace consists of beautiful palaces, museums, and gardens, dating back to the Qajar and Pahlavi dynasties. Then, head to Tajrish Bazaar and Imamzadeh Saleh Shrine. We will have lunch in the Darband hills before transferring to the airport and flying to Kerman. Overnight stay at hotel in Kerman. (B)

Day 4: Kerman- Shazdeh Garden & Lut desert ( Both UNESCO)

A drive to Mahan to visit Shazdeh Garden, (UNESCO Persian Garden), and the renowned Iranian mystic and poet Shah Nematollah Valli’s Monument followed by a visit to Rayen Citadel, the historical adobe fortress located on the edge of the desert. In the afternoon, we will visit Shahdad Kaluts to marvel at these surreal wind-carved formations in the Lut Desert, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Sunset over the desert: One of the most breathtaking experiences in Iran. Stargazing: see the night under the desert sky then return to Kerman late evening. Overnight stay at hotel in Kerman. (B)

Day 5: Kerman city tour– Transfer to Yazd

Half day city tour of Kerman, visiting Ganj Ali Khan Complex, a Safavid-era complex, composed of a school, a square, a caravanserai, a bath, abanbar (traditional Persian water reservoir), a mosque, and a bazaar. After visiting Jame Mosque dating back to the 14^th century, we will drive to Yazd with a stop at Saryazd , a historic fortress in Yazd Province, dating back to the Sassanid era (3rd–7th centuries AD). It is famous for being one of the world’s first “safe deposit boxes,” built to protect valuables and food supplies during invasions. Overnight stay at hotel in Yazd. (B)

Day 6: Yazd city tour (UNESCO)

Early morning, visit Jameh Mosque in Yazd with the tallest minarets in the country. Then, visit the Dolatabad Garden (UNESCO Persian Garden), and to the Zoroastrian Towers of Silence or Dakhma, a circular structure where Zoroastrians used to leave corpses. (The dead bodies were exposed to the air to allow vultures to consume them so as not to pollute the earth). We will also visit the Zoroastrian Fire Temple where one of the nine highest-ranked fires called Atash Bahram has been burning there from 470 AD. After lunch, we will stop by the Amirchakhmaq Complex dating back to the 15^th century. Overnight stay at hotel in Yazd. (B)

Day 7: Yazd-Abarkuh -Pasargadae (UNESCO)–transfer to Shiraz

Early morning, we will drive to Shiraz with a stop at Eagle Mountain. Then, continue to Abarkuh visiting the Old Cypress tree of Abarkuh – nearly 4500 years old- that is said to have been planted by Zoroaster- and the ice house to see how Iranians used to overcome drought in the desert areas. Then, a drive to Pasargadae (UNESCO Heritage Site), the first capital of the Achaemenid Empire – founded in the 6^th BC- and the mausoleum of Cyrus the Great – the founder of the Persian Empire. After that, drive back to Shiraz stopping by Qur’an Gate. Overnight stay at hotel in Shiraz. (B)

Day 8: Shiraz city tour

Today, we will visit Eram Garden, (one of the nine Persian Gardens inscribed on the UNESCO Heritage List). Eram means heaven. Then, visit Zinat al-Molk House, a historical house and a museum with magnificent plasterwork and mirrorwork next to historical Narenjestan-e Qavam, and the historical 19^th-century Qavam House with its impressive decorations located in the middle of the scenic garden sampling the gorgeous Persian gardens. After that, we will swing by Arg-e Karim Khan, covering an area of 4,000 mt. (which is a combination of military and residential architecture, as it was both Karim Khan’s house and the dynasty’s military centre). Then, a stop by Vakil Bazaar (where you can buy Persian rugs, spices, copper handicrafts, and antiques). In the afternoon, we will visit the tombs of the two greatest Iranian poets, Hafez (14^th century) and Saadi (13^th century) known as “Master of Speech”. Overnight stay at hotel in Shiraz. (B)

Day 9: Shiraz–Persepolis (UNESCO)-Naqsh-e Rostam- transfer to Isfahan

Early morning excursion to Persepolis (UNESCO Heritage Site), 60 km to the northeast of Shiraz, to travel back in time and be amazed at the glorious ruins of the ceremonial capital of the first Persian Achaemenid Empire. It was founded in 512 BC and continued during the other Achaemenid kings’ reigns for 120 years- Then, travel to Naqsh-e Rostam Necropolis – 5 km to the northwest of Persepolis – where the four tombs of Achaemenid kings are cut into the cliff (5^th and 4^th BC), and later decorated with Sassanid rock reliefs (3^rd AD) as their main ceremonial centre until 7^th AD. We will then proceed to Isfahan. Overnight stay at hotel in Esfahan. (B)

Day 10: Esfahan walking tour

Today’s plan is to have an active walking day in the most popular touristic destinations of Esfahan city. Your tour will start in downtown Esfahan where your hotel is situated. You will cross Sio seh Pol Bridge (33 pol) to reach Chahar Bagh Abbasi Street, the most beautiful street in Esfahan. There are a lot of interesting attractions on both sides of the street which is the best place to meet the locals and to take some pictures. You will continue walking towards Hasht Behesht palace, (Eight Heaven), to visit this lovely building with unique wall paintings. The next stop would be Chehel Sotoun palace, (Forty Pillars), located inside a royal garden. After visiting the palace, you will have lunch in a local restaurant with tasty traditional meal. After lunch and a short rest, you will continue your walk towards Naghsh-e Jahan, (Shah Square), one of the most famous UNESCO world heritage sites of Iran. This square covers a large area with many important attractions that Esfahan has to offer. Then an unforgettable visit to Ali Ghapoo palace (Ali Qapu), Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, Shaah Mosque (Imam Mosque), Qeysarriyeh Gate and the Grand Bazaar of Esfahan. Basically, you will be spending the whole day visiting the highlights of Esfahan. There is a decent café, (Gheysari cafe), on the roof of a museum which is a nice place to have a rest in this intensive day tour with the view of the whole stunning square. After visiting all the attractions around the square, you will have some time to buy souvenirs from handicraft shops of Naghshe Jahan as well as having some free time for yourself. Then a pleasant walk back to your hotel. Esfahan has beautiful nights with people enjoying the city. You will be able to join them and experience their life style. Overnight stay at hotel in Esfahan. (B)

Day 11: Esfahan city tour

Today, we will visit the 17^th-century Hasht Behesht Garden, (meaning eight heavens). Then, head to the gorgeous Vank Church, in the Julfa Armenian district, constructed by Apostolic Armenians in the early 17^th century at the time of the Safavid era. It is an amazing fusion of Islamic-Armenian architecture consisting of a domed sanctuary, much like an Iranian mosque. Then, a visit to Jame Mosque as a masterpiece of Iranian architecture, covering nearly 5 ha in the heart of the city. It is one of the oldest congregational mosques in the country illustrating several major periods over the past 12 centuries in Islamic architecture. In the afternoon, we will visit the old bridges of Isfahan, Si-o-Se Pol, (literally 33 bridges), and, Khajoo, over the Zayandehrud River. Overnight stay at hotel in Esfahan. (B)

Day 12: Isfahan-Abyaneh village-Kashan-Tehran Departure

Early morning, drive to Kashan with a stop at Abyaneh to visit the village where the locals still live a traditional life and wear traditional costumes. Then, continue to Kashan. In Kashan, we will visit Fin Garden, (one of the nine UNESCO Persian Gardens), and visit the palatial traditional Tabatabaei House. Transfer to Imam Khomeini Airport (IKA) for departure. Flight to your home country. (B)

Tour done with a minimum of 2 people . For SOLO travellers (1 person), please contact us for availability and price.

Start	Finish	Price	Single Supplement
07 Mar 2027	18 Mar 2026	€ 1,600	€ 250
04 Apr 2027	15 Apr 2026	€ 1,600	€ 250
18Apr 2027	29 Apr 2026	€ 1,350	€ 250
03 Oct 2027	14 Oct 2026	—-	will be informed