Iran Classic Tour Program, Tehran, Qom, Kashan, Abyaneh,  Isfahan, Yazd, Persepolis, Shiraz

Day 1 Arrival Tehran

You arrive in the capital of Iran and will be met on the airport by our representative, who will escort you to the hotel.

Day 2 Tehran

The first day of your trip is a visit to the capital city, Tehran, the largest metropolitan city in the Middle East. Tehran never sleeps. This large city during the recent history of Iran was the home of very important events. To discover Tehran and its different lives and lifestyle one day is not enough. You will be amazed how tradition and modernity come together and make the structure of this city. There is plenty to do and see in Tehran. Depends on what you like to do, Tehran can offer you many of interesting museums, traditional and local bazaars, modern shopping centers, galleries of modern art, parks, mountains, ski resort in the season, historic buildings, modern architecture, street foods, hipster café , high-end classy restaurants … for a classic city tour in Tehran we may suggest you to have a visit of National Museum. This museum has two exhibitions, The Museum of Ancient Iran and the Museum of Islamic Art and Architecture. We may suggest that you to pay a visit to this museum in order to have a general idea of what you will visit on your next days of your travelling. 

The other place which can be suggested is the Golestan Palace , which is one of the oldest historic places in the city and formerly was the royal Qajar complex. The complex of Golestan Palace consists of 17 structures, including palaces, museums, and halls. Golestan palace has a collection of Iranian crafts and European presents from the 18th and 19th centuries. If it fits your program do not miss Treasury of National Jewels and be fascinated by all the gemstones and the history behind each piece. The Grand Bazaar of Tehran is one of the places you should visit. Tehran Grand Bazaar splits into several corridors and each specializes in different types of goods. So far you are in the old part of Tehran, to get some idea about the modern part of the city you should drive to north of the city and spend some times in Nature Bridge (Pol-e Tabiat) and sit and relax in one of the many cafes and get refresh while you have a view of Tehran.  

This list is a few places in Tehran that you can visit. You can always ask us for more detailed information.

Day 3 Tehran – Kashan (Qom)

Today you head to Kashan. On the way you have Qom and in case of your interest you can stop and see this city. It can be a surprise to visit Qom after Tehran. You will discover it when you are there. Qom is the center of the Islamic revolution and the city of mullahs, the muslim clergy. Here you can visit the Shrine of Hazrat-e Masumeh, sister of Imam Reza. This Shrine is one of the most important pilgrimage sites for shiites. Once you are in front of the mausoleum you will find yourself in another world. You can only see women in black chadors and mullahs and a huge number of pilgrimages from all over Central Asia and the Middle East. It’s a beautiful sight, right in the heart of shiite Islam. In the center of this huge complex is the mausoleum of Hazrat-e Masumeh.

In the evening you arrive in Kashan and you will stay in one of the old houses of wealthy Kashani people that now turned into a very charming boutique hotel.

Day 4 Kashan

Kashan, a small oasis town with its tasteful wealthy merchants who built marvelous houses that you like to spend hours and hours to see all the detailed work of art in every corner. The most famous houses of these merchants are close together, not far from your hotel. You can see amazing stained-glass windows in beautifully decorated rooms at Tabatabai house or in the house of Samovar Merchant, Mr. Broujerdi, you can find masterpieces of frescos made by famous Iranian artist, Kamal- al molk. Nearby you can visit one of the finest hammams, (traditional bath) which today does not have its function as hammam but still a splendid site to visit; Hammam-e Sultan Ahmed that features multiple rooms of beautifully- colored tiles. Another important site to visit is Fin Gardens. The origin of the garden is prior to the Safavid period and developed by Shah Abbas II and highly recognized during Qajar. Fin Gardens is not only one of the best samples of Persian garden in its structure, it also was witness to one of the saddest events of Qajar period. Amir Kabir, the Qajarid chancellor, who was well-known for his justice and knowledge was murdered by an assassin sent by King Nasereddin Shah in 1852. So far all the places you visit are not dating back to far history. You will be amazed to know in a suburb of the city of Kashan there is a historical site, called Sialk Hill with the history dated back to 6000- 5500 BC.

Back to the city you will rest in the yard of your charming hotel with a fountain in the middle and trees around. Drink tea or cold herbal syrup.  

Day 5 Kashan – Isfahan via Abyaneh

After breakfast, you will leave Kashan and will travel to the heart of art and architecture of Iran. On your way to Isfahan it's worth making a stop in Abyaneh village. Abyaneh is one of the oldest villages in the country and each year hosts a lot of visitors, foreigners or domestic, especially during traditional ceremonies.

People of Abyaneh preserved their tradition persistently, you can see it in the customs of women. Women wear long floral scarves and colorful skirts. Abyaneh is also known as the Red Village because of its red clay architecture. You can enjoy an hour of walking in the village and also do not miss the mosque with its wooden mihrab. In the evening you will be in Isfahan and you have time to make a panoramic tour of the city. 

Day 6 Isfahan

First day of your tour in the amazing city of Isfahan where you find yourself walking in boulevards surrounded by beautiful gardens and splendid art and architecture masterpieces.

This city is famous for its Persian – Islamic architecture and one of the largest city squares, Naghsh-e Jahan square. Your city tour will start with visiting this famous and truly beautiful square, where you will find Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque on its eastern side, this mosque was built during Safavid dynasty, Shah Abbas I and was a private mosque for the royal court.

The next monument is Imam Mosque (formerly Shah Mosque) on the south side of the square also built under the order of Shah Abbas I considered as one of the masterpieces of Persian architecture. Next site, opposite Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, is the imperial Palace of Ali Qapu, the best example of Safavid art and architecture. Now time for one of the oldest Bazaars in Isfahan, Qeysarie Bazaar in the north side of the square. The entrance of Bazaar is full of paintings and you will be amazed by the high ceiling and all the art details you find on the roof. You can find different shops on both sides and it can be the best place for buying souvenirs; Persian carpets & rugs, miniature, calligraphy, tile work…  or sitting in one of the tea houses to get refreshed.

Among other places you can visit in the afternoon Chehel Sotoun is highly recommended, this Pavilion that was built under the order of Shah Abbas II is in the middle of a park and used for his entertainment. After visiting the Chehel Sotoun and its collection of paintings, you can sit in its park and enjoy a cup of tea.

In the evening you will enjoy the city on your own, having dinner in one of the many local restaurants that all of them serve high quality food and no matter where your hotel is located, you can always find some of these good places easily.

Day 7 Isfahan

You wake up again in Isfahan while your head is still full of those dreams you had last night of all the Eslimi patterns, miniature, frescos… and still another day.

Isfahan is also famous for its Zayandehrood, the largest river of the Iranian Plateau. Anywhere there is a river there are some bridges and bridges in Isfahan are among the most beautiful ones. There are eleven historical bridges over Zayanzehrood. You will visit 2 of them. Allahverdikhan Bridge, popular as Si-o Se Pol is the largest one. The next bridge is Khaju Bridge, in the words of Arthur Pope and Jean Chardin, Khaju is "the culminating monument of Persian bridge architecture and one of the most interesting bridges extant ... where the whole has rhythm and dignity and combines in the happiest consistency, utility, beauty, and recreation.

Isfahan also has a great number of Armenian population. You will have a visit to Armenian Quarter in Jolfa district and will visit Vank Cathedral and its museum. While you are walking in the streets and alleys of Jolfa you can smell coffee, no wonder, you can find many coffee bars here and all serve nice coffee. Jolfa is also a very nice part of the city to spend your evening. Many young people will come for dinner here and you see a lot of street food and also good restaurants.

Day 8 Isfahan - Yazd via Nain and Meybod

Today while keeping all the pictures of splendid Safavid arts and architecture in your mind, you will head to Yazd. On the way to Yazd there are some nice cities and villages that you can make a stop at. Your first stop will be in Nain. Like much of the Iranian Plateau Nain has a desert climate. Due to this kind of climate Iranian many years ago learnt how to construct aqueducts underground (Qanats) to bring water from the mountains to the plains. Nain is one the best places to see these Qanats. Nain also has some few outstanding monuments, Jame mosque of Nain is among the oldest ones in Iran. Nain is also very famous with its textile and carpet workshops.

 Continue to Yazd you pass Aghda, Ardekan and Meybod. No doubt to make a stop in Meybod, this small city in the desert has great history that goes back to pre-Islamic era. You visit the ancient Castle of Narin Ghaleh which dates back to the Sassanid dynasty almost 2000 years ago. Also you can visit some Safavid and Qaajar sites in Meybod too such as Caravanserai and also Chapar Khaneh (Postal Service Office) and the most interesting one is the Meybod Ice Reservoir. Ceramic and pottery in Meybod is also very much well-known in Iran. You will see some of the workshops while walking in the streets.

Late in the afternoon you arrive in Yazd. You will stay in one of the cute boutique hotels in the old town, therefore you can easily walk around and get the vibe and also enjoy sitting in one of the roof coffee bars, these cafes are unique in their own kind, until tomorrow we show this special city to you.

Day 9 Yazd

Yazd has a unique architecture adapted to its desert climate. In the city of windcatchers you see how these people could manage to have a natural ventilation system to chill the hot days of summer inside their houses.

Yazd houses a remarkable number of Zoroastrians, and you will start your city tour with a visit to the Zoroastrian Fire Temple, the sacred fire of the temple is stated to have been burning since about 470 AD.

After the Fire Temple you will visit Dowlat Abad Garden, as the sample of Persian garden Dowlat Abad was also built with residential purpose and the tallest windcatcher has been built in the center of the garden.

Walking in the old town, Yazd Jame Mosque & Amir Chakhmaq façade can be visited in the afternoon.

Yazd also has a nice Bazaar and its silk textile (Termeh) is very much famous worldwide, even Marco Polo in his visit in 1272 has remarked on the city's fine silk-weaving industry. Take a walk in the Bazaar and enjoy seeing colorful Termeh hanging on the walls in front of each shop.

One special activity to see in Yazd in the evening is going to Zurkhaneh, Traditional gymnasium in which Varzesh- Bastani (ancient sport) is practiced. Ancient Sport is a traditional system of athletics originally used to train warriors in Persia. 

Day 10 Yazd – Persepolis (Pasargadae)

Leaving desert, windcatchers and mud bricks walls toward the splendid history and glory of Persia. On the way to Shiraz, we make 3 important stops. Your first stop will be in Pasargadae, the first capital of the Achaemenid Empire built by the order of Cyrus the Great. The most important monument in Pasargadae is the tomb of Cyrus the Great. In about one hour you will be in Persepolis, the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire, located on the skirt of Rahmat Mountain. Persepolis was built mainly during the time of Darius I. Persepolis was a spring/summer royal residence and seems to have been intended as a ceremonial center where representatives of subject states came to pay respects to the king. The complex has nine structures that you can visit some of them  as the Gate of all Nations, The Apadana staircase and Apadana palace, Palace of Darius I, Palace of Xerxes and Achaemenid Kings. Not far from Persepolis you will visit Necropolis (Naghsh-e Rostam). Naghsh-e Rostam is the necropolis of the Achaemenid dynasty. There are four large tombs cut high into the cliff face. There are also some reliefs below the tombs from the Sassanid dynasty.

Day 11 Persepolis – Shiraz

After breakfast you will have time to visit Persepolis for the second time in the morning if you like.

Soon you will be in Shiraz. Very nice welcoming city with friendly people. 

Shiraz was the capital of the Zand dynasty, therefore many sites in the city belong to that era. You can visit Arg-e Karimkhan, in the downtown of Shiraz at the beginning of Karimkhan Zand street. Not far from Arg you can find Vakil Bazaar and also Vakil Hammam and Vakil mosque. The whole part is called the karimkhan complex. You may spend the whole afternoon in this part of the city and you have time to stroll in the Bazaar and sit in a café in Saray-e Moshir and order a herbal drink or Faloodeh ( a traditional shirazi cold dessert).

Day 12 Shiraz

It is really good to end such a wonderful trip in Shiraz. The rhythm of life in this beautiful city is delicately slow & easy. 

 As Shiraz has a rich background in poetry and literature, many famous Persian poets were from this city, that’s why you may see that shiraz is introduced as the city of rose and nightingale. 

We suggest you start your tour in the morning and first a visit to Nasir-al molk mosque known as Pink Mosque, because of the usage of a considerable number of pink-colored tiles for its interior design. Also, its stained-glass façade with the reflection in the morning, makes you just say Wow and take 1000 pictures.  You can visit the tombs of two Poets that have worldwide fame, the Tomb of Poet Hafez and Sa’adi. A visit to Eram Garden specially in May with the smell of orange blossom should not be missed. As you may have already noticed, people of shiraz enjoy eating out and having fun outside. In the evening you see many people having picnic dinner in any green space they can find in the city. Families are together and kids are playing. Also, there are many good restaurants with live music that you can go to for the last dinner in Persia.