Trip Highlights:

A combination of city sightseeing and adventure
Experiencing different IRAN through Central Desert
Thorough cultural, architectural and historical tour
Trekking plus one night camping in the desert
Watch the astonishing view of sunset and sunrise
A possibility to see semi-wild camels pacing on the sand dunes
Visit remote and non-touristic areas with a touch of the Silk Road
Visit Noosh Abad underground town
Six days in most visited cities of Tehran, Kashan, Isfahan, Yazd and Shiraz

TOUR CODE

168-STN-TRK

START

Tehran

FINISH

Tehran

REGION(S)

Central Iran

INCLUDED

MEALS: 10 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 2 Dinners
ACCOMMODATIONS: Hotel: 6 Nights, Camp: 1 Night, Guesthouse: 1 Night, Caravanserai: 2 Nights
TRANSPORTATION: Flight, 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

A memorable journey through central Iran from Tehran to Shiraz, the Persian Empire capital. This tour is a combination of sightseeing in large cities and visiting/trekking in the oases of Iran central desert. The planned itinerary will start and end in Tehran but can finish in Shiraz on your request. You will visit main touristic cities of Tehran, Kashan, Yazd, Esfahan and Shiraz along with some ancient towns and villages such as Qehi, Na’in, Anarak, Garmeh, Mesr, Farahzad and Kharanagh. In this program you will enjoy two days of desert trekking between Esfahan and Yazd.
The total route travelled on the ground in 9 days will add up to 3000 Km but the distance would be divided in a way not to be boring.
The designed itinerary will enable you to visit most possible attractions in 11 days. The difficulty range of the trip is moderate which means anyone with a general level of physical fitness can join the tour.
You will stay two nights in a hotel in Tehran giving you some time to explore the main spots of the capital. Then you will be transferred to an amazing renovated caravanserai in east Esfahan where the real journey will begin following a day of sightseeing in Esfahan. In this program you will visit Farahzad, Mesr, Aroosan and Garmeh oases and historic towns of Na’in and Anarak. An astonishing two and a half day trekking in the desert towards the camping site is also included. If you are an early bird and wake up on time in the morning you will have the chance to trek to an amazing viewpoint to watch the life giving sun rising. After the desert trip our journey will continue to Yazd historic city visiting its popular sites. In Yazd you will have a city tour for the whole day. The next destination is Shiraz. On the way to Shiraz we will visit the ancient Persepolis and the tomb of Cyrus the Great. In Shiraz we will visit its numerous attractions. The following day we will fly back to Tehran and you will be transferred from domestic airport to IKA airport to catch your flight back home.

Day 1: Arrival to Tehran

Depending on your arrival time you’ll likely have free time to relax, get adjusted and explore the capital. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 2: Tehran city tour

After breakfast we will have Tehran sightseeing and city tour. We spend all day visiting the capital attractions. Before noon we will visit the National Museum of Iran and Golestan Palace. 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 inside 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 downtown to the northern part of Tehran to see the capital from a mountain view. In the evening we will return to the hotel. Overnight in Tehran. (B)

Day 3: Tehran – Kashan – Esfahan

Today we drive south towards Esfahan into Iran’s mountainous and desert region. On the way 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 where was built for Shah Abbas. In the late afternoon we will arrive Esfahan and check in to Caravanserai. After refreshing we will go for a short walk and dinner in the old part of the town. Overnight stay in Caravanserai. (B)

Day 4: Esfahan exploring

After breakfast we are going to start our city tour visiting Naqshe Jahan Square, Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, Imam Mosque and Aali Qapu Building. All these sites are in the UNESCO’s world heritage list. Around 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 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 two bridges. Overnight stay at Caravanserai. (B)

Day 5: Exploring Kuhpaye, Qehi, Naiin & Anarak on the way to Central Desert

The desert journey will start from Esfahan at 8 AM driving around 450 km taking around 9-10 hours. We will visit Kuhpayeh historic town, an old caravanserai and one of the oldest mosques of Iran. Then we will drive to historic village of Qehi. In the village you will visit the remains of an old castle in a picturesque location ideal for taking photos. We will also spend some time roaming in the village. The houses, mosque and its underground water (Qanat) are the highlights of the village. Afterward we will drive towards the desert. On the route we will visit historic towns of Naiin and Anarak. In Naiin we will visit its historic mosque, anthropology museum and Narin castle. Following Naiin we will leave for Anarak which is located at the starting point of Iran Central Desert. In Anarak there is a special viewpoint from a tower to see the whole town. We will hike up to the tower for photography and watching the town. We have picnic lunch for this day. Proceeding in the late afternoon towards the desert we will arrive to our guest house in the evening. We will check in taking some rest and prepare for a traditional dinner. The night time would be a great opportunity to watch the stars of the desert. (B,L, D)

Day 6: Trekking in the heart of the desert

Early morning rise up. After breakfast we will start trekking. On the trekking route we will stop every now and then to rest and take photographs from spectacular and amazing sand dunes. We will continue walking until late afternoon. After finding a suitable point for our camp and some rest we leave to watch the sunset. We will have dinner at our camp enjoying the beauty of the desert sky. Overnight stay in tent. (B, L, D).

Day 7: continue trekking - Drive to Yazd

We will wake up at the crack of dawn (optional) walking for a while to watch the sunrise view of the desert and will walk back to our camp for breakfast. Next, the camp will be collected and trekking will continue toward the sand dunes. Then we will return to the oasis where our vehicle will pick us up to Yazd. We will have lunch at the guest house before driving to Yazd. Depending on the season there are some attractions on our way that you may visit. We will be in Yazd in the evening, overnight stay at the traditional hotel. (B, L)

Day 8: Yazd city tour

After breakfast you will have a full day sightseeing tour in Yazd visiting its touristic attractions such as Zoroastrian sites of Dakhmeh (old cemetery & tower of silence), the fire temple, Amir Chakhmagh complex and the main Grand Mosque next to bazaar. Next comes Rokn-o- din Shrine and the old prison named after Alexander Prison. We stay one more night in the traditional hotel in Yazd. (B)

Day 9: Passargad & Persepolis

After breakfast we will leave Yazd towards Pasargadae to visit the tomb of Cyrus The Great before Persepolis. In Persepolis we start a full sightseeing of Persia’s imperial past visiting Naghseh Rajab and Nagshe-Rostam. In the late afternoon we will drive to Shiraz. After check in to hotel we will have a short walk around the downtown. (B)

Day 10: Shiraz city tour

Morning will be spent visiting Hafez mausoleum Persia’s beloved poet, Vakil baths and other interesting sites. In the afternoon we will spend a while for visiting the grand bazaar and the old part of the town. Back to the hotel. (B)