Treasures of Ancient Persia

Itinerary

Day 1 – Tehran
Arrive in Tehran and transfer to your hotel. Depending on your time of arrival, there may be time to explore the city. Overnight Mashad Hotel or similar.

Day 2 – Tehran
A day of sightseeing in Tehran. We visit the National Museum with its collection of artefacts dating back through Persian history, as well as the National Jewels Treasury. Later we explore the bazaar area. Overnight Mashad Hotel or similar. (BL)

Day 3 – Qom – Kashan – Abyaneh
We drive to the holy city of Qom, home to the 17th century shrine of Fatima as well as other monuments. We then head to Kashan where we visit the Bagh-e Fin gardens and the Borujerdiyah house, a 29th century building that once belonged to a local merchant, and then continue to the village of Abyaneh. Overnight local guesthouse. (BD)

Day 4 – Natanz - Nain – Yazd
We continue to Yazd, stopping on the way to visit the Jame Mosque and the shrine of Imamzadeh Abdolsamaad in Natanz; a significant example of traditional Persian architecture. Abyaneh is one of the oldest settlements in Iran, and its historic importance has recently been recognised by UNESCO. We also visit Nain where we see the Jame Mosque and the ethnological museum. Overnight Caravanserai-e Moshir or similar. (BL)

Day 5 – Yazd
Explore the desert city of Yazd, long a stronghold for Zoroastrianism and with some superb and very unique architecture. We visit the Zoroastrian fire temple, the ‘towers of silence’, the wind towers and the Jame Mosque amongst other sites. Overnight Caravanserai-e Moshir or similar. (BL)

Day 6 – Zeinodin
After spending the morning in Yazd we drive to Zeinodin, where we stay in a beautifully restored caravanserai, one of the ancient inns of the Silk Road dating back to the Safavid era and a real highlight of this trip. Overnight Zeinodin Caravanserai. (BD)

Days 7-8 – Zagros Mountains
Head into the Zagros Mountains where we spend time exploring the mountains, walking through forests, valleys and villages where we get to meet local families and learn about their lifestyle and traditions. Our nights are spent either camping with local nomads or staying in a village house. (BLD)

Day 9 –Shiraz
Drive to Shiraz, a beautiful city known for the shrines of its famous poets and its pretty gardens. On arrival there should be time to explore Shiraz’s stunning sites. Overnight Arg Hotel or similar. (BL)

Day 10 – Shiraz
A full day exploring the many sites of Shiraz. We visit the tombs of the famous Persian poets Hafiz and Sa’di, the Naranjestan – a traditional and well preserved Persian house, the mosque of Nasir al Mulk and the Khan Madrassa among other spectacular monuments. Overnight Arg Hotel or similar. (B)

Day 11 – Persepolis – Pasargadae - Isfahan
Visit Persepolis, one of the greatest cities of the ancient world and one of the highlights of a visit to Iran. We spend time exploring this magnificent site before heading to Naqsh-e Rustam and Naqsh-e Rajab, sites dating back to the Achaemenid and Sassanid periods. We then stop at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Pasargadae to visit the tomb of Cyrus the Great and its other impressive monuments. After visiting these ancient sites we drive to Isfahan. Overnight Safir Hotel or similar. (BL)

Days 12-13 - Isfahan
A World Heritage site, Esfahan is perhaps the most beautiful of all the cities in Iran with an abundance of traditional Islamic architecture, ancient mosques, shrines and palaces. We have two full days to explore this enigmatic place. Overnight Safir Hotel or similar. (Day 12 – BD, Day 13 – B)

Day 14 – Tehran
Drive back to Tehran for our final night in Iran. Overnight Mashad Hotel or similar. (BD)

Day 15 – Tehran
Transfer to the airport for your flight home. (B)