We start our tour of northern Tehran at the Nature Bridge with immaculate views of north Tehran and Alborz mountains. We then visit Niavaran Palace, the last residence and office of Shah before the Islamic revolution. Next is the house of Imam Khomeini, from where he ruled Iran for a decade. Afterwards, we visit Tajrish Old Bazaar is next, where we can see a vibrant traditional bazaar where Tehranies do their daily shopping. Saadabad Palace is next which is a large compund of Royal palaces used during Pahlavi era. Our last stop is Darband, which is a vally in north of Tehran, remained hidden from the hustle-bustle of Tehran metropolitan. O/N 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 show 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. O/N Tehran

We drive to Kashan visiting some interesting sites en-route. The first site is The Mausoleum of Imam Khomeini and Tehran war cemetery. After about an hour drive with a glimpse of a large salt lake, we stop in the religious city of Qom, where we can visit one the most important religious centres in Iran, The Holy Shrine of Hazrat-e-Masuma. Another hour drive takes us to the desert city of Kashan where we visit Fin Garden, an interesting sample of Persian garden. We have the afternoon free for exploring this well preserved desert city. O/N Kashan

We start the day with visiting some historical houses with interesting architecture. This will be followed by a visit to Kashan Bazaar and Aghabozorg Mosque before leaving for Isfahan with a stop in Abyaneh (The Red Village) stop where we can visit a well-preserved old Iranian village famous for its red buildings. It’s a living architectural and anthropological museum. Isfahan is another 2.5 hour drive away. O/N Isfahan

Iranians claim Isfahan is half the world! One of the largest cities of the world in 16-17th centuries, and the capital of Safavid dynasty. We start today’s program in the UNESCO World Heritage site of Naghsh-e-Jahan Sq.(U), one of the largest city squares in the world, where we will visit Aliqapu Palace(in 6 floors), The Royal 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(U) , 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 of Zayandeh River, where we can visit  several historical bridges, including Siosepol and Khaju, the two most beautiful bridges of the city. O/N Isfahan

Free time or optional Programs – O/N Isfahan

On our drive to Yazd, we stop in the desert city of Naein to see Jameh Mosque of Naein, one of the oldest mosques of Iran, still in its original form. We also visit Pirnia Historial House, which is now an anthropological museum showning desert lifestyle. Before reaching Yazd, we visit the historical city of Meybod and see the Sassanid Narin castle, one of the oldest castles of Iran, Chaparckhaneh (the old post office) and Safavid Caravanserai (one of the 999 motels which were built on order of Shah Abbas). We also visit a pigeon tower, one of the many similar dovecotes in the region which were used for housings pigeons and collecting bird droppings to be used as farming fertilizer. Yazd is less than an hour drive away. Today program ends in Yazd. (Total drive : 320km./200 miles) O/N 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 windcathcers. Yazd was a refuge for Zoroastrians after 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 the proceed to The Towers of Silence, used until 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

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 colorful 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 bath houses 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(U), 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.

The tour ends here. You can fly out of Iran via Shiraz airport, return to Tehran on a flight/train, or continue exploring Iran with one of our other tours.