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Arrival at Tehran airport, transfer to hotel & rest. O/N Tehran. Day 02: Tehran- Shiraz After breakfast, we shall visit the Archaeological & Islamic Art Museums; The pre-Islam archaeological museum covers Persia’s history from the 5th millennium BC to 648 AD while the Islamic art museum provides a view of Islamic works of art. In the evening, transfer to the airport and fly to Shiraz. O/N Shiraz. Day 03: Shiraz- Black Tents In the Morning we leave Shiraz to see the Sassanid palace near Firuzabad. Later we shall have the chance to mingle with the Qashqai nomads. These colorful and hospitable people preserve their traditions in their encampments of black woven goat hair tents. In the evening return to Shiraz. O/N Shiraz. Day 04: Shiraz We will visit the Eram and Naranjestan Gardens, Nasir-ol-Molk Mosque, Khan Theological School, Hafez (or Saadi) mausoleum, Vakil mosque complex and the most astonishing mirror decoration of the Aliebnehamze Holy Shrine. O/N Shiraz. Day 05: Shiraz - Persepolis - Necropolis-Pasargad-Yazd Drive to Yazd, en route we depart from Shiraz via the Quran gate and 40km to the north we stop at Persepolis the outstanding ceremonial palace of the Achamenian at 550BC.At Necropolis we see four tombs of Achamenian high in the cliffs of limestone. Further on then through mountain scenery to Pasargad an earlier Achamenian capitol and location of the tomb of Cyrus the Great. On across the central Iran ranges to Yazd. O/N Yazd. Day 06: Yazd Yazd is a very ancient city. Marco Polo wrote of the fine attributes of that city. It is like a living museum. We will visit narrow alleys, a bathhouse converted to a first class restaurant, see the high wind towers which form efficient cooling systems in this desert climate. The Friday mosque dates from the 14th century and at a silk weaving workshop we see exquisite brocades still being made on traditional looms. O/N Yazd. Day 07: Yazd- Isfahan In the morning we will explore this ancient city and visit a Zoroastrian temple where a sacred fire has been kept burning for hundreds of years and is now a Zoroastrian pilgrim center. This is an opportunity to learn about Zoroastrianism which was the Persian religion before Arabs brought Islam to Persia. We also visit the Towers of Silence on the outskirts of the city. This was the burial place for the Zoroastrians. In the afternoon we drive to Isfahan, en route we will visit Nareen Castle & an old caravanserai in Meibod where we can purchase pottery items. Further on at Naeen we will visit a carpet workshop. O/N Isfahan. Day 08: Isfahan In the morning we will visit Imam square, a huge open square in the center of Isfahan. The square periphery is marked by outstanding Safavids buildings which include the Ali Qapu palace, the Imam Mosque, the Sheikh Lotfollah (ladies) mosque and to the north the expansive bazaar where we can see artisans crafting metal work, Persian miniatures, printing intricate designs on cloth and other activities. In the afternoon, we will visit Si-o-Se Pol (thirty three arches) and Khajoo bridges spanning the zayanderud river. We can relax in one of the traditional tea houses there to drink tea and smoke a Persian water pipe. O/N Isfahan. Day 09: Isfahan We will visit the Armenian quarter of Jolfa where the Vank cathedral and its adjacent museum are of interest. Later we visit the Friday mosque, Shaking Minarets and Chehel Sotoun Palace where the huge murals are masterpieces from Safavids. O/N Isfahan. Day 10: Isfahan-Abyane Drive to Abyane, an ancient fascinating village with its colorfully dressed inhabitants and red mud brick houses, where little has changed for several centuries. En route we will visit the Natanz Friday Mosque. O/N Abyane. Day 11:Abyaneh- Kashan- Tehran Continue to Tehran, en route we will visit the Fin garden complex in Kashan, a city well known for its old merchant houses several of which are being restored. O/N Tehran. Day 12: Tehran - Departure Transfer to Tehran International Airport for your departure from Iran. |
