DAY 1: SHIRAZ

Today’s program starts at Qavam Mansion with its beautiful orange garden, where we can visit a nice sample of Qajar era interior decorations. Nasirolmolk Mosque or the Pink Mosque,  famous as the most colourful mosque of Iran is next followed by visiting Shahcheragh Shrine, one of the most important holy shrines in Iran. We will then stroll into Vakil Bazaar, to see one of the well-preserved samples of traditional roofed bazaars of Iran. On exit from the Bazaar, we see Vakil Mosque with its renowned spiral pillars and green marble minbar (pulpit). Vakil Hammam (Public Bath) is our next stop where you can see an elaborate sample of traditional Iranian bathhouses with wax statues showing the relevant costumes and traditions.  Karimkhani Citadel, the Zand dynasty’s headquarters is next. We will then drive to visit Eram garden, part of the city’s botanical gardens and a UNESCO world heritage site and end our program at Hafiz Memorial where Iranians gather to commemorate their most popular poet who lived in Shiraz in the 14th century. O/N Shiraz

DAY 2: SHIRAZ > PERSEPOLIS > PASARGADAE > ABARKOOH > YAZD

On exit from Shiraz, we visit the Quran Gate, which is believed to give the blessing of the Holy Book to the travellers passing underneath. After an hour drive, we arrive in Persepolis to visit the magnificent remains from the ancient world in this 2500 years old ceremonial complex used for celebrating Nowruz, the Persian new year at the spring equinox, during the Achaemenid Empire. A short drive takes us to Naghsh-e-Rostam, a necropolis for Achaemenid kings and a collection of Sassanid rock reliefs. Next is Pasargadae, where we visit the tomb of Cyrus the Great and remains of the first capital of the Achaemenid Empire. Proceeding towards Yazd, we will have a stop in Abarkooh to visit Aghazadeh Mansion with its immaculate two-story windcatcher and an adobe ice-house. There is also an ancient Cypress tree in this town with an estimated age of 4000-5000 years, believed to be planted by Zoroaster. Today’s 450km. trip ends in Yazd. O/N Yazd

DAY 3: YAZD

Yazd, in the middle of Iran and in a remote desert location, remained largely immune to large battles, including the Mongols’ invasion. It’s a living testimony to the use of limited resources for survival in the desert. We start our program at AmirChakhmagh Complex, where we see Yazd’s landmark facade, a venue for religious ceremonies. We then visit The Water Museum, with a visible qanat running underneath, posing the old art of water management in this arid landscape. Jameh Mosque of Yazd is next with its magnificent portal and minarets. From here, we start strolling in the narrow alleys of The Old Town, renowned for its earthen architecture and windcatchers. Yazd was a refuge for Zoroastrians after the Arab conquest and is still the hub of the country’s Zoroastrian community. We visit a Fire Temple which gives us more information about this ancient religion. The sacred fire of this temple is stated to have been burning since about 470 AD. We then proceed to The Towers of Silence, used until a few decades ago by Zoroastrians for excarnation – that is, for dead bodies to be exposed to carrion birds, usually vultures. Next is Dowlatabad Garden, a Persian garden with a pavilion having the tallest windcatcher of the country. Our tour ends at a Zoorkhaneh, Persian traditional gym, where we can watch Persian traditional sports in action. O/N Yazd

DAY 4: YAZD > MEYBOD > NAEIN > ISFAHAN

On our drive to Isfahan, we stop in the historical town of Meybod and see the Sassanid Narin castle, one of the oldest castles of Iran, Chaparckhaneh (the old post office) and the Safavid Caravanserai (one of the 999 motels which were built on the order of Shah Abbas). We also visit a pigeon tower, one of the many similar dovecotes in the region which were used for housing pigeons and collecting bird droppings to be used as farming fertilizer. Proceeding towards Isfahan, we also visit the desert town of Naein to see Jameh Mosque of Naein, one of the oldest mosques of Iran, still in its original form.  We also visit Pirnia Historical Hous which is now an anthropological museum showing desert lifestyle. Today program ends in Isfahan. [320km./200miles] O/N Isfahan

DAY 5: ISFAHAN

Iranians claim Isfahan is half the world! One of the largest cities of the world in the 16-17th centuries, and the capital of Safavid dynasty. We start today’s program in UNESCO World Heritage site of Naghsh-e-Jahan Sq., one of the largest city squares in the world, where we will visit Aliqapu Palace (in 6 floors), The Royal (or Imam) Mosque (one of the masterpieces of Persian Islamic architecture),  Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque (private mosque of the royal court) and Chehelsotoun (40-columns) Pavilion. We will then stroll through the labyrinth of Qeysarieh Bazaar, starting on the northern side of the square and ending at The Old Jameh Mosque of Isfahan, another UNESCO world heritage site, one of the oldest still standing mosques in Iran. We then visit Jolfa, the Armenian quarter of the city, where we visit Vank Cathedral, a showcase of Christianity in Iran. Our next stop will be on the banks for Zayandeh River, where we can visit several historical bridges, including  Siosepol and Khaju, the two most beautiful bridges of the city. The tour ends with a walk on Charbagh Street, literally the four gardens, a historical street in the heart of Isfahan. O/N Isfahan

DAY 6: ISFAHAN > ABYANEH > KASHAN > QOM > TEHRAN

En-route to Tehran, we first stop in Abyaneh (The Red Village) where we can visit a well-preserved old Iranian village famous for its red buildings. It’s a living architectural and anthropological museum. We proceed to the city of Kashan and see some beautiful Historical Houses. We also visit  Fin Garden, an interesting sample of Persian gardens. Continuing towards Tehran, we stop in the city of Qom, where we can visit one of the most important religious centres in Iran, The Holy Shrine of Hazrat-e-Masuma. On outskirts of Tehran, we finish today program with a visit to The Mausoleum of Imam Khomeini.  [475km./295miles]

DAY 7: TEHRAN

The tour starts in Bagh-e-Melli, formerly known as the Parade Square, where we can see some landmark buildings dating back to Reza Shah’s reign (early 20th century). The National Museum is next, where the rich 7000+ year history of Iran is on display with a unique collection of chronologically ordered archaeological findings. UNESCO World Heritage site of Golestan Palace comes next where the Qajar (18-19th century) headquarter of the country can be seen. We continue the tour with a visit to the busy Grand Bazaar of Tehran, followed by an unforgettable visit to the world-renowned Treasury of National Jewels. The tour finishes at the former US embassy called as the Den of Espionage in Iran after its seizure in 1979 leading to the hostages’ crisis between Iran and the USA. The tour ends here. You can fly out of Iran via IKA airport, return to Shiraz on a flight/train, or continue exploring Iran with one of our other tours.