Iran Nomad Travel : Shiraz, Firuzabad, Yasuj, Mt. Dena, Koohrang, Chelgerd, Shahr-e Kord, Isfahan

Day 1 Arrival Shiraz

You arrive at the airport of Shiraz and will be met by our local representative who will take you to your hotel. 
Shiraz is the city of poets, poetry (and once of wine) and one of the nicest cities in Iran to visit. Centrally located in the town is the Arg (citadel) from the 18th century at the time of the Sassanian dynasty. It now is a museum and has a nice 'hammam' under one of the towers. The citadel is located on the Sand Boulevard near the Pars Museum and the bustling Vakil bazaar. Enter one of the entrance gates and get lost in the labyrinth of alleys and streets. See copper smiths working on their platters, carpet sellers lazily waiting for a customer, Ghasga'I women in their colorful skirts in search of rags, old men who meet in the tea house and, already sucking the hookah, discussing everyday life.
This city is most famous for its poets and gardens. The most famous poets are Saadi and Hafiz. Hafiz' grave is in a small, quiet park. In the rear is a traditional tea house where you can enjoy sitting on cushions and drink sweet black tea or smoke a water pipe. In the evening the tomb is nicely lit.

Day 2 Shiraz

Visit (preferably in the early morning) the Nasir–ol-Molk mosque where the morning sun shining through the stained glass windows creates a fantastic, colorful panorama on the floor of the main hall. Close to the mosque there is the Narenjestan Garden. This is a 19th-century garden that belonged to a wealthy family in the Qajar period.  In the famous tomb of the King of the Lamp, Shah-e-Cheragh, lie the remains of Sayyed Mir Ahmad, son of the seventh Imam (Imam Mussa). Woman are required to wear a chador here, which you can borrow at the entrance. The mausoleum has become an important pilgrimage site. You can see families pray, talk, and eat, and you can sit inside and experience it among them. Non-Muslims are sometimes admitted to the main shrine.

Day 3 Shiraz / Excursion Persepolis and  Naqhs e Rostam 

In about one hour you will be in Persepolis, the ceremonial capital of Achaemenid Empire, located on the skirt of Rahmat Mountain. Persepolis was built mainly during the 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 as comprised of nine structures that you can visit some part of them still after invasion and natural destruction such 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 Achaemenid dynasty. There are four large tombs cut high into the cliffs face. There are also some reliefs below the tombs from Sassanid dynasty.

Day 4 Shiraz / excursion Firuzabad, Bishapur and Kazerun

Today you are looking for the remains of the Sassanid Empire. At Firuzabad you will find the Palace of Ardashir, the founder of the kingdom of Sasanian (3rd century BC). You will also find the fortress Qal-e Dokhtar here. Another important Sassanid city can be found at Bishapur, an extensive complex of excavations. At Kazerun are some bas-reliefs from the period of the Sassanian.
Additionally, this is also the region where the Qhasga'i nomads trek. Your first encounter with these nomads.

Note: this is a very long day. your can also choose to make a choice between visit Firuazabad and surroundings or visit Bishapur and Kazerun.

Day 5 Shiraz - Yasuj

From Shiraz you begin your journey through the Zagros Mountains.
Depending on the time of year, you head towards Firuzabad or Sepidan to seek the Qhasga'i nomads who have pitched their tents here. The Qhasga'i families all live quite spread apart, and you will never see more than 2-4 tents together. Some families still live in the traditional black tents of goat hair, but more and more families opt for more modern canvas tents. Once invited into a tent, you will quickly be a part of the daily life of the nomads; sheep and goat herding, milking, and sometimes shave or slaughter. They will make dough (a yogurt drink) the traditional way (by shaking vigorously by a bag of sheep skin, or a milk can). There will be cooked in a simple way, perhaps a carpet or klim will be made, and of course, endlessly drink tea. Most nomads are extremely hospitable and warmly welcome you in their tent.

Through a wonderful trip you drive through the mountains. You can specify where and if you want to stop occasionally to visit more nomads, or just to stretch your legs. At the end of the day you arrive in the city of Yasuj, not a special city, but the only city in the surrounding area with few hotels.

Day 6 Yasuj / hiking Mt. Dena conservation area

Today you have a choice of different options. Mt. Sabalan is the home of the Shah Savan nomads, a Turkic speaking tribe who, from spring to autumn, put their tents on the foothills of the mountain. You can make a hike and meet some of the nomads and see their way of live.

You can also go to the hot springs from Ghotorsoei. From here you can rent a jeep to take you up to the basecamp of Mt. Sabalan. Near a small mosque you will find many tents of people climbing the peak. Technically not difficult, this is one of the most popular climbs in Iran. You can hike yourself some part. If you really want go all the way to the top you have to get up very early!!

Day 7 Yasuj - Koohrang
You leave Yasuj and through a scenic route (especially when it’s spring) ,you drive towards Semirom. Here you will find many Qhasga'i nomads. Then you will arrive at the lake of Chogsakor. Here you will find the first Bakhtiari. Especially in the spring, it is a beautiful sight; an ideal place for a picnic. The Bakhtiari often live together with more families. The men are recognizable by their clothes with black and white stripes. Many Bakhtiari still walk over land the traditional way, on foot with their herds, between winter and summer stays.   

After Chogsakor the landscape is even more beautiful and you will drive slowly in the Khoorang region. Here you will not only find an Iranian ski resort at the town Chelgerd, but most importantly the area where most Bakhtiari pitch their tents in summer. A beautiful alpine area to take walks.  

You will sleep in a tent camp (simple, but beautiful views), but can also choose to sleep in a hotel in Chelgerd.

Day 8 Koohrang

You will have a whole day in this area. You can make a nice trip to a glacier. Along the way you will encounter many Bakhtiari nomads. You can climb to the glacier (hard climb and a very steep descent), but you can also go hiking in the valleys. Rather horse riding? That's also one of the possibilities!

Day 9 Koohrang - Isfahan via Shahr-e Kord

Through Shahr-e Kord, the capital of Chahar Mahal-e Bakhtiari (the most scenic province of Iran),you will travel to Isfahan. It is definitely worth to make a stop in Shahr-e Kord  to drive to the Ferdowsi tea house, one of the oldest tea houses in Iran. From Shahr-e Kord it is still an hour drive to Isfahan, the most beautiful city in the county and the wonderful ending to this amazing journey. This beautiful city is the culmination of the Persian culture, with its many mosques, palaces, gardens, madrasa and bazaars. You will have at least enough time to see everything, to strike up a conversation with a curious 'local' and looking for some souvenirs at the bazaar. Maybe you will take a Persian carpet home.

Day 10 Isfahan

This city is famous with its Persian – Islamic architecture and one of the largest city square, Naghsh-e Jahan square. Your city tour will start with visiting this famous and truly beautiful square, that 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 masterpiece of Persian architecture. Next site, opposite to 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 Bazaar in Isfahan, Qeysarie Bazaar in the north side of the square. The entrance of Bazaar is full with painting and you will be amazed by high ceiling and all the art details you find on the roof. You can find different shops both side and it can be a best place for buying souvenir; Persian carpets & rugs, miniature, calligraphy, tile work…  or siting in one 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 that each has its story you can sit in the 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 11 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 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 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 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  streets and alleys of Jolfa you can smell coffee, no wonder, you can find many of coffee bars here and all serve nice coffee. Jolfa is also 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.