Tehran.-

Welcome to Iran! Transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon (variable schedule based on arrival flights), we will begin the visit to TEHRAN, the capital of the country, a modern city with almost ten million inhabitants. We enter the Tajrish Bazar, a small and active bazaar full of activity and life. Inside we visit the Imamzadeh Saleh Sanctuary, one of the most popular Shiite shrines in Iran, magnificent blue architecture, dedicated to a descendant of the prophet. Tehran is on the slope of the Alborz Mountain range, some peaks exceed 5000 meters, and at its foot - on the edge of Tehran - is DARBAND VILLAGE, with its mountain atmosphere, its waterfalls, its green paths, its numerous Tea houses and its restaurants. Dinner included.

Tehran.-

We include a visit (with guide and tickets included) to the great metropolis. We begin by going to the 437 meters high MILAD TOWER, its views are impressive (if it´s a foggy day with low visibility, instead of the Milad Tower we will go to the Azadi Tower). We visit the National Museum, the largest historical and archaeological museum in the country, where we can learn more about this land, the cradle of civilizations. Afterwards, we visit the Golestan Palace, declared a world heritage site by UNESCO, a site of palaces and gardens which construction began in the 16th century. Lunch included.

14.00 hrs.- In the afternoon, we will visit the National Jewelry Museum, property of the central bank, an amazing collection of precious stones and metals, highlighting the “peacock throne” and the “earth globe”. Free time; we will drop you off in the Grand Bazaar area, with its many covered streets, alleys and hundreds of shops.


Note: Sometimes the jewelry museum is not open, in that case, we would visit the carpet museum that shows Persian carpets, some from the 16th century.

Tehran – Shiraz.-

Today we include a flight to Shiraz. Schedules are subject to frequent modification and will be informed at the time of booking. Free time in Tehran (or Shiraz) depending on the flight schedule. Transfer to the airport and included flight to Shiraz of just over an hour.

With our group and the main guide, we begin in the middle of the afternoon the visit of Shiraz. We are at the center of Persian culture, inhabited for over 4000 years. A city of nightingales and poets, it was the capital of Persia for a period in the 18th century. In the afternoon we will visit 2 of the mausoleums of the great names of Persian literature born in Shiraz, the gardens and the mausoleum/tomb of Hafez of Shiraz, a Sufi poet and mystic of the 14th century and who today remains one of the most beloved figures by the Iranian people, who memorize his verses or seek advice in his texts and the gardens and the tomb of Saadi, another great Persian poet of the medieval period of deep sensitivity.

Shiraz - Persepolis - Shiraz.-

07.30 hrs- Shiraz, departure to visit 60 km away, the most impressive archaeological site in Iran.
08.30 hrs- Persepolis. This World Heritage Site was built 2700 years ago to be the capital of the Achaemenid empire. Its stone palaces, its carvings showing historical and ritual scenes, as well as details about the kings and the court, show us one of the first great cultures of humanity.

10.00 hrs- Persepolis, departure. Nearby we will visit Naghsh Rostam, the cemetery of the emperors with their tombs in the stone.

After the visit, we´ll return to Shiraz, where we´ll visit the Nasir Almolk Mosque (Pink Mosque) to admire the light filtering through the colorful stained glass windows, the Naranjestan Qavam Garden, and the Zandyeh compound, which includes the Vakil Bazaar, Saray-e Moshir, Vakil Mosque, Vakil Bath, and Karim Khan Citadel.

We will return to the hotel for a short break and before heading out for dinner with a local family in their home (Note: if there is a case this is not possible, a dinner in a restaurant with live music will be included).

Shiraz - Pasargad - Meymand - Rafsanjan.-

Total Distance: 547 km

07.30 hrs- Shiraz. Departure. We head towards the east of the country, mountains, agricultural areas and deserts on our route.
09.30 hrs- Pasargad. We will visit another impressive archaeological site declared a World Heritage Site, built 2600 years ago. Pasargad was the capital of the Achaemenid Empire under Cyrus the Great, and where his tomb is located.

10.30 hrs- Pasargad, departure.
14.00 hrs- Meymand, an impressive troglodyte village in the desert, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Meymand is believed to have been one of the oldest residences in Iran, dating back 12,000 years. Many of the inhabitants live in the 350 houses carved by hand among the rocks. Lunch included.

16.00hrs- Meymand, departure.
18.00 hrs- Rafsanjan, arrival in this small town in the desert where we will stay whose history dates back thousands of years and which is currently one of the largest pistachio production centers in the world. We will be able to see its beautiful "wind towers" that help keep homes cool since ancient times.

Rafsanjan – Mahan – Kerman.-

Total Distance: 174 km.

08.00 hrs- Rafsanjan, we continue our route through deserts.
10.00 hrs- Mahan, we will stop in this quiet town famous for the mausoleum of a well-known dervish, mystic and poet of the 15th century. Later we will visit Bagh Shazdeh, a beautiful garden with springs and green trees in the middle of the desert declared a World Heritage Site.

13.00 hrs- Kerman. Arrival in the provincial capital. We are in a religious and conservative city that also has a Zoroastrian minority. We visit the Ganjali Khan enclosure, where the magnificent bazaar, the cistern and the old baths and caravanserai are located. Lunch included. In the afternoon, we´ll visit the Fathabad Garden, a historic garden in the middle of the desert on the outskirts of Kerman. Free time.

Kerman – Caravanserai Zeinodin – Sar Yazd – Yazd.-

Total Distance: 385 km

08.30 hrs- Kerman- departure. We head north, enjoying beautiful scenery on our route.
12.15 hrs- Zeinodin, we make a stop to visit this 16th century caravanserai located on the ancient Silk Road, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. This is one of 999 inns built during the reign of Shah Abbas I to provide accommodation for travelers. Lunch included.

14.00 hrs- Zeinodin- Departure.
14.45 hrs- Arrival in Sar Yazd, a historic city where its great fortress built 1500 years ago stands out. Free time for a stoll.

16.15 hrs- Sar Yazd, departure.
17.00 hrs- Yazd, arrival in this emblematic beautiful desert city, with a historic center that is a World Heritage Site, winding streets, wind towers and brick and adobe houses. The city, founded 5000 years ago, is inhabited by people from different cultures, where 10% of the population follows the ancient religion of Zoroaster. Time for a stroll through its old town, which according to UNESCO is one of the oldest settlements in the world.

Yazd.-

After breakfast we will visit the city of Yazd, we will love its traditional atmosphere and the customs of its inhabitants. On the outskirts of the city, we will visit the Towers of Silence, where, according to Zoroastrian beliefs, corpses are deposited, considered impure, so that they do not contaminate the sacred elements: earth, water or fire. Later, in the historic center, we visit the Amir Chakhmaq compound, with its impressive three-story façade, which includes a caravanserai, cistern and public toilet. We also visit the Water Museum, to introduce us to the great construction works of underground canals, used for 2000 years, to preserve water from evaporation. Lunch included. In the afternoon, we visit the Fire Temple, a sacred place for the Zoroastrian community of fire worship, a fundamental symbol of their religion. It is said that the sacred fire of the temple has not stopped burning since 470 AD. We also visit the Dolat Abad garden, a World Heritage Site. Its 33.8-meter wind tower is the tallest adobe wind tower in the world.

Yazd – Chak Chak – Kharanagh – Garmeh – Khur.-

Total Distance: 377 km

08.00 hrs- Yazd- Departure.
09.30 hrs- Chak Chak, brief stop in this small mountain village with a sacred shrine for Zoroastrians. Every year, thousands of Zoroastrians from Iran, India, and other countries make a pilgrimage to this fire temple.

10.30 hrs- Chak Chak. On the way out, we pass through a volcanic and arid landscape.
11.00 hrs- Kharanagh, we are in a historic mud-brick city whose name means "birthplace of the sun". We will be able to visit its castle, its caravanserai and its old stone bridge.

12.00 hrs- Kharanagh- Departure, we continue through arid landscapes. Lunch included en route.
15.30 hrs- Garmeh, stop in what for many, is the most beautiful desert village in Iran. Surrounded by palm trees and with its spring of water, this adobe oasis village has been populated for more than 4,000 years and was a stop on the Silk Road.

17.00 hrs- Garmeh- Departure.
17.30 hrs- Khur, arrival in this small active town in the middle of the desert where we will stay for the night.

Khur – Tabas Golshan – Historic Village of Esfahak – Ferdows.-

Total Distance: 383 km

08.00 hrs- Khur- We will depart to the east of the country; we will cross the "dry salt lake" with its colors and polygonal crystal formations.
10.30 hrs- Tabas, time to enjoy in the pleasant city known as "the bride of the desert" where we will visit the Golshan Garden, one of the most beautiful gardens in Iran, with its permanent waters and important vegetation in the desert.

12.00 hrs- Tabas, departure.
12.45 hrs- Esfahak, we are in another historic village, an oasis that was destroyed by an earthquake in 1978, rebuilt as an adobe city and hiding many places of great charm. Lunch included.

14.45 hrs- Esfahak, departure.
16.45 hrs- Ferdows, arrival in this town on the edge of the desert, known for its excellent saffron and pomegranates and recently declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its "Qanat". Upon arrival we will head to Baghestan-e Olia to visit Baladeh Qanat and explore how the ancient Iranians used their technology to supply water in arid areas and desert regions centuries ago. Then, we will stroll through its tree-lined streets.

Ferdows- Gonabad Qasabeh – Torbat.-

Total Distance: 364 km.

08.00 hrs- Ferdows- We continue our route to the east.
09.00 hrs- Gonabad Qasabeh. Stop at this impressive new qanat that is part of the area´s network of qanats, built between 700 and 500 BC by the Achaemenid empire.

10.00 hrs- Gonabad Qasabeh departure.
14.00 hrs- Torbat Jam, arrival in the small provincial capital located near the border with Afghanistan, inhabited by the Baluchis, an ethnic group of Sunni religion, known for their unique dance and music as an important cultural expression. We will listen to their music and their stories of victories and failures throughout history. After that, we´ll visit the mausoleum of Ahmad Jami, the Underground Mosque, the Tombstone of Sadooghi, the Dome of Firoozshahi and the Caravanserai of Jam.

Torbat – Mashhad.-

Total Distance: 171 km

Note: Today we will spend the day in the city of Mashhad, arguably the holiest city in Iran. We recommend an attitude of respect and appropriate attire.

08.00 hrs- Torbat Jam, departure. We are approaching the borders of Turkmenistan and Afghanistan.
10.30 hrs- Mashhad, arrival. We are in a city full of strength, the holiest city in Iran, which, with its three million inhabitants, is also the second largest city in the country. The Haram, its massive shrine complex commemorating the martyrdom in 818 of the eighth Shiite imam, is a place of pilgrimage, attracting more than 20 million pilgrims a year. We will visit the shrine of Haram-e Razavi, with its dazzling blue domes and minarets that seem to transport us to the tales of the Arabian Nights. We must be respectful of our attire and surroundings (non-Muslims can access all outer courtyards, but they will not be allowed to enter the interior of holy buildings). We will also learn about the mausoleum of Nader Shah, who after his military campaigns returned with immense riches: the peacock throne, the Koh-i-Noor diamond and "700 elephants, 4,000 camels and 12,000 horses carrying chariots, all loaded with gold, silver and precious stones". Nader ordered that upon his return, Mughal craftsmen should build him a large tomb in the Mughal style: the Kakh-e-Khorshid, or "Palace of the Sun." Lunch included.
In the afternoon, we will also visit the Anthropological Museum located in the former public bath and the Darougheh House Palace. Free time.

Mashhad- Nishabur – Zafaraniyeh – Sabzevar.-

Total Distance: 253 km

08.30 hrs- Mashhad, departure after breakfast.
10.15 hrs- Nishabur, arrival and time to visit what was once one of the most prosperous cities in the country, on the ancient silk road, today its activity is focused on agriculture and turquoise mines. We will also visit the mausoleum and planetarium of Omar Khayam, a Persian mathematician and astronomer originally from this town, and the "wooden mosque" on the outskirts. Lunch included.

14.00 hrs- Nishabur, departure.
15.00 hrs- Zafaraniyeh, stop to visit a quiet village on the Silk Road that has maintained its old caravanserai, its old "ice house" and the remains of its great citadel.

16.00 hrs- Zafaraniyeh, departure.
16.45 hrs- Sabzevar, an active provincial capital whose history dates back to 1000BC, the city has several universities. Before going to the hotel, we will visit its main mosque. We suggest a stroll through its historic bazaar.

Sabzevar – Misty Florest– Damghan.-

Total Distance: 253 km
Landscapes: after a journey among so many deserts, today we will be surprised by the variety of landscapes in Iran; the Alborz mountain range separates us from the Caspian Sea, with its peaks of more than 5000 meters.

08.30 hrs- Sabzevar- departure. We find ourselves in a landscape of cloudy, green, humid and mountainous forest in the Alborz mountain range.
11.30 hrs- Abr, in the mountains, deviating from our path, we arrive at this village where its streams and the great humid forest take us to another world, we are in one of the most beautiful landscape in the country, frequently covered by fog and dense clouds, sometimes so thick that it seems that we could walk on them. Lunch included.

14.00 hrs- Abr, departure. On our route to Tehran there are numerous old caravanserai that offered accommodation for caravans, as we follow the Silk Road.
16.00 hrs- Damghan, we will visit the archaeological site of Tappeh Hessar which shows us that this small city has existed for 4000 years and was the capital of one of the areas conquered by Alexander the Great. They say Damghan pistachios are the best in the world, should we try them? We visit Tarikhaneh, the second oldest mosque in Iran with its tall minaret. Accommodation.

Damghan – Garmsar – Tehran.

Total Distance: 356 km

08.30 hrs-Damghan- Departure.
11.30 hrs- Garmsar, stop for a stroll in a small town inhabited mainly by the Tat, an ethnic minority that has its own language and customs. Lunch included.

13.00 hrs- Garmsar, departure.
13.15 hrs- Salt Mine (entrance included), Very close to Garmsar, we will stop to visit an impressive salt mine, with underground areas with immense rooms and columns and surprising colors.

15.15 hrs- Salt Mine departure.
18.00 hrs- Tehran, arrival

After breakfast, transfer to the airport and end of our services.