9 Days

Duration

Easy

Activity Level

Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov

Best Months

Cultural & Heritage

Activities

Classic

Travel Styles

A classic journey covering the most touristic sites of Tehran, Kashan, Esfahan, Yazd and Shiraz

TOUR CODE

162-STN-XPL

START

Tehran

FINISH

Tehran

REGION(S)

Central Iran (Tehran, Kashan, Esfahan, Yazd & Shiraz province)

INCLUDED

MEALS: 8 Breakfasts, 1 Lunches, 1 Dinners
ACCOMMODATIONS: Hotel: 6 Nights, Guesthouse: 2 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

Visit main Iran UNESCO world heritage sites
Visit main cities of Tehran, Kashan, Esfahan and Yazd
Visit Naiin, Anarak, Garmeh, Meybod towns and villages
Thorough cultural, architectural and historic tour
Try a variety of Persian cuisine
Visit unknown desert town spots
Visit Persepolis the capital of Persian Empire

A memorable journey through central Iran. This is a sightseeing tour of main historic cities of Tehran, Kashan, Esfahan and Yazd along with smaller towns and villages of Na’in, Meybod, Kharanaq and Chak Chak fire temple.
The journey will start from IKA airport and you will stay the first night in a hotel in Tehran. The next day you will have a sightseeing tour of the capital city before leaving for Kashan. The journey will continue to Esfahan for one and half day of sightseeing of its vast tourism attractions. Next on our trip would be the ancient city of Yazd. After visiting the ancient town and the amazing architecture of the old town we packed the bags and continue the journey towards south to visit the capital of the Persian Empire “Persepolis” & the tomb of “Cyrus The Great”; follow the trip to the last destination “Shiraz”. Visiting the last attraction of the journey by sightseeing of Shiraz and fly back to Tehran to catch our international flight to back home.

Day 1: Arrival in Tehran

You will be picked up from airport to a hotel in Tehran. The first day will be free. Depending on your time of arrival you’ll likely have free time to relax or get adjusted for the journey of the next day. Overnight stay at a hotel. (D)

Day 2: Tehran sightseeing & drive to Kashan

After breakfast we will have Tehran sightseeing and city tour. We spend the day visiting the capital’s attractions. Before noon we will visit the National Museum of Iran, Tehran Bazaar and Golestan Palace, the only UNESCO heritage site of the capital. In the afternoon we will go to Artists Park “Park-e Honar Mandan” for a vegetarian meal. You will be able to spend some time walking around the park after lunch, visiting its attractions depending on your interest. We will spend a couple of hours there. Most of the times there is painting and photography show/exhibition in the park as well as a theatre and cinema hall. Also, there are a few good coffee shops for refreshment. In the late afternoon we will drive from Tehran to Kashan. In the evening we will arrive to the Kashan historic city and check into the hotel. After some rest we will have a short walk in the town and have dinner in a traditional restaurant. Overnight in hotel. (B)

Day 3: Kashan city tour - Drive to Esfahan

After breakfast we will have a busy agenda visiting the attractions of the town. We will visit Noosh Abad ancient underground city and its castle. We will also visit the significant ancient site of Sialk dating back to 3000 – 4000 BC and the historic Royal Gardens of Fin, one of the registered Persian Gardens at UNESCO where was built for Shah Abbas. Also we will spend a short time visiting the historic houses of Kashan. In the late afternoon we will drive to Esfahan and check in to a hotel. (B)

Day 4: Esfahan city tour

City tour of Esfahan will start after breakfast. It will be a tight day today as we will visit Naghshe Jahan Sq., Imam and Sheikh-lotfollah mosques, Alighapou palace, old bazaar, Chehel Soton palace. In the afternoon we will move to Armenian quarter of Julfa to visit magnificent Vank Cathedral. Sioseh Pol Bridge will be the last visit of this day. (B)

Day 5: Drive to Yazd through the desert spots

After breakfast we have a full day exploring tour. The desert journey will start from Esfahan. We will drive towards east. On this day we will visit the historic villages of Qehi, Naiin, Meybod, Kharanaq and Chak Chak Zoroastrian fire temple. The castle (Kheir Abad) is in a picturesque location ideal for taking photos. We will also spend some time for roaming in the village of Qehi. The houses, mosques and its underground water ways called “Qanat“are the highlights of the village. Then we will depart for the historic city of Naiin. In Naiin we will visit the historic mosque, anthropology museum and Narin castle. Following Naiin we will leave for Meybod. On the way to Yazd we will visit the Kharanagh historical village and Chak Chak fire temple (the world’s Zoroastrian halidome). We will reach Yazd in the late afternoon staying overnight in a traditional guest house (B, L)

Day 6: Yazd city tour

After breakfast, you will have a full day sightseeing tour in Yazd visiting most touristic attractions, important Zoroastrian sites of Dakhmeh (Old cemetery & tower of silence), fire temple, Amir Chakhmagh complex and the Grand Jame’ Mosque of Yazd next to the bazaar. Next comes Rokn-o- din Shrine and the old prison named after Alexander Prison (B).

Day 7: Pasargadae and Persepolis

After breakfast, we will move toward Pasargadae, tomb of Cyrus the great and very first capital of Persian Empire. Naqshe Rostam will be the next stop, the royal cemetery of Achamenian kings. After 10 km is the remarkable Persepolis, that someday was the most glorious city under the sunshine! In the late afternoon we will drive to the city of Shiraz. Check in to the hotel and leave the hotel for a short walk around the downtown. Overnight stay at hotel in Shiraz. (B)

Day 8: Shiraz city tour

In the morning will have a walking tour in downtown visiting Karimkhan fort, Vakil mosque and discovering live bazaar, in the other side we have colorful Nasir-ol-molk mosque and Narenjestan Garden with its beautiful pavilion. Our day will be finished by visiting mausoleums of Hafez and Sa’adi to feel Iranian poetry and music. (B)