Iran Heritage Tour; Tehran, Kashan, Yazd, Kerman, Mahan, Persepolis, Shiraz, Isfahan

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 via Qom

Today you will travel to Kashan.

On the way, you can visit Qom . It can be a surprise to visit Qom after Tehran. You will discover 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 chador 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 , which  everyone touches.

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 very  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 love to 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- Yazd via Nain and Meybod

After breakfast you will travel to Yazd. On your way there few cities and village that you can visit. We suggest that your first stop will be in Nain. Like much of the Iranian Plateau Nain has desert climate. Due to this kind of climate Iranian many years ago learned 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 such as The Jame mosque of Nain which is among the oldest ones in Iran. Nain is famous with its textile and carpet workshops.

your next visit will be in Meybod which a is small city in the desert has great history goes back to pre-Islamic era. You visit the ancient Castle of Narin Ghaleh which dates back to Sassanid dynasty almost 2000 years ago. Also you can visit some Safavid and Qaajar sites in Meybod; such as Caravanserai and Chapar Khaneh (Postal Service Office) and the most interesting one is the Meybod Ice Reservoir. Ceramic and potteries in Meybod is very much well-known in Iran. You will see some of the workshops while walking in the streets.

In the evening you will be in Yazd.

Day 6 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 7 Yazd - Kerman via Saryazd 

Today you will travel to Kerman but on the way not far from Yazd, you will visit the fortress of Saryazd, which dates back to Sassanid are and still it remains very well. Historically, Saryazd Fortress served as a defensive structure to protect the local population from invasions and raids.

In the afternoon you will be in Kerman. It is one of the oldest cities in Iran and has a rich cultural, historical, and architectural heritage. You will visit Ganjali Khan Complex which includes a square, a mosque, a bathhouse, a bazaar, and a caravanserai. It is a significant architectural and historical site.The Bazaar of Kerman is known for its unique architecture and vibrant atmosphere. It's a great place to experience local life.

Day 8 Kerman - Mahan / excursion Rayen 

Today morning first you will drive to the city of Rayen in order to visit the Rayen Citadel, also known as Arg-e Rayen, is an ancient fortress. t is one of the largest adobe structures in the world and is often compared to the famous Bam Citadel which has been ruined by a massive earthquake. You will drive back to Mahan which is known for its historical and cultural attractions, including the Shah Nematollah Vali Shrine and the Shazdeh Garden. The Shah Nematollah Vali Shrine is a prominent complex in Mahan dedicated to the Sufi mystic and poet Shah Nematollah Vali. Shazdeh Garden, also known as the Prince's Garden, is a historical Persian garden. The garden features terraced levels, water channels, and a central pavilion. It is known for its scenic beauty and provides a refreshing retreat, especially during the hot seasons.

Day 9 Mahan - Kerman / Excursion Kaluts

Today an otherworldly experience in Kaluts is waiting for you. 

Early in the morning you will drive to Shafi abad village, the last inhabitant village before kaluts start and from this point you will take Safari car and visit the most unique natural phenomenon on the earth, rock formation that happened over 1000 years due to erosion in Dasht-e Lut. 

You will have  rest in a local homestay and then you will drive back to Kerman .

Day 10 Kerman - Shiraz via Niriz and Sarvestan

The journey today from Kerman to Shiraz offers the opportunity to experience the diverse landscapes of the region. The first part of the journey is mostly desert scenery .You may see vast stretches of desert with sand dunes and rocky formations.As you travel towards Shiraz, you may encounter mountainous and hilly terrain. The landscape can change from the flat desert plains to undulating hills and mountainous regions. you will pass through agricultural areas with fig and pomegranate trees and oases greenery and there may be chances to encounter nomadic encampments. 

You will make a stop to visit Jame mosque of Niriz and also the Sassanid palace in Sarvesan.

In the evening you will be in Shiraz.

Day 11 Shiraz 

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

We suggest you to 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. Since Shiraz was the capital of Persia during Zand dynasty, you will see more monuments of this era such as Karimkhan Complex & Shiraz famous Bazaar. You can visit tomb of two Poets that they have the worldwide fame, 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 already noticed, people of shiraz enjoying a lot eating out and having fun outside. In the evening you see many people are having picnic dinner in any green space they can find in the city. Families are together and kids playing. Also, there are many good restaurants with live music that you can go for the dinner.

Day 12 Shiraz / Excursion Persepolis & Necropolis 

Today, you will travel to the glory of the Persian Empire at Persepolis. 

In about one hour you will be in Persepolis, the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire, located on the foothill 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 has nine structures that you can visit. Some parts of them still remained preserved after invasions and natural destructions; 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 the Achaemenid dynasty. There are four large tombs cut high into the cliff's face. There are also some reliefs below the tombs from the Sassanid dynasty.

Day 13 Shiraz - Isfahan via Pasargadae 

Today you continue to the paradise of Iranian - Islamic art and architecture, to Isfahan but on the way, you will stop to visit Pasargadae.Pasargadae is 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 the afternoon you will arrive in Isfahan. Isfahan is an open air museum and you will have time to walk in the center of the city or go for a panoramic tour of the city and enjoy dinner in one of the cozy restaurants. 

Day 14 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.

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. 

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 15 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 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.