Iran by Train Tour Program

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 - Shiraz

The first day of your trip is a visit of the capital city, Tehran, the largest metropolitan city in the Middle East. Tehran never sleeps. This large city during recent history of Iran was the home of very important events. To discover Tehran and its different lives and lifestyles 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 architectures, street foods, hipster cafe , 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 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 17structures, 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 to 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 few places in Tehran that you can visit. You can always ask us for more detailed information.

In the evening with lux night train you will travel to Shiraz. We book a compartment with 4 beds for every 2 passengers. Dinner will be served on board. 

Day 3 Shiraz

In the morning you arrive in Shiraz. our representative is waiting for you at train station and will drive you to your hotel. You will have breakfast and start your visit. 

A full day to explore Shiraz. Very nice welcoming city with friendly people and you will be amazed how these people can enjoy their lives. You see many people on the street eating and drinking and in the evening. They have picnic dinner in any green spot they find in the city.

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 is near to you. The whole part is called karimkhan complex. You may spend the whole afternoon in this part of the city and you have time to stroll in Bazaar and sit in a café in Saray-e Moshir and order a herbal drink or Faloodeh ( a traditional shirazi cold dessert… I do not tell you more cause you have to try it).

The rhythm of life in this beautiful city is delicately slow & easy, people are very warm and friendly, and nothing won't stop them from starting a friendly conversation with you and a warm welcome. As this city 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. Beautiful gardens, good weather, smell of blossom, cold herbal drinks (you should try some in Bazaar or tea houses) and previously Shiraz Wine make you feel like a poet and maybe you start to write some lines.

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 facade with the reflection in the morning, makes you just say Wow and take 1000 of pictures. Since Shiraz was the capital of Persia during Zand dynasty, you will see more monuments of this era. Karimkhan Complex including 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.

Day 4 Shiraz - Persepolis (Pasargadae) - Isfahan 

After breakfast with private car and driver you will leave Shiraz.

In about one hour you will be in Persepolis, the ceremonial capital of 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 are 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 cliff's face. There are also some reliefs below the tombs from the Sassanid dynasty.

You continue to Pasargadae, the first capital of 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 evening you arrive in isfahan and we offer you a panoramic tour of the city. 

Day 5 Isfahan 

First day in 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 with 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, 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 masterpieces 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 of paintings 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 sitting 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 6 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 across 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.

Day 7  Isfahan - Yazd via Nain and Meybod

Today while keeping all the picture of splendid Safavid arts and architectures on 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. 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, 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 stop in Meybod, this 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 too such as Caravanserai and also Chapar Khaneh (Postal Service Office) and the most interesting one is the Meybod Ice Reservoir. Ceramic and potteries 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 the cute boutique hotels in the old town, therefore you can easily walk around and get the vibe 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 8 Yazd 

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

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

After 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 facade 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 the city fine silk-weaving industry. Take a walk in 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 9 Yazd - Kashan by train 

A morning train journey around 2 hours will take you from Yazd to kashan.

Kashan, a small oasis town with its very well-taste 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 one of the saddest event of Qajar period.Amir Kabir , the Qajarid chancellor, who was well-known for his justice and knowledge was murdered by an assassin send 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.

Here you will stay in one of the old houses of wealthy Kashani people that now turned into a very charming boutique hotel and you will love to rest in the yard of your charming hotel with fountain in the middle and trees around. Drink tea or cold herbal syrup.

Day 10 Kashan - Tehran by train 

Another morning train will take you back to the capital city. 

You may spend the afternoon in those places that you could not manage to visit on your first. Surely there are still many things you like to visit or do like an easy walk in north of Tehran in Darband followed by a dinner in one of the restaurants in the area.