Iran UNESCO Sites Tour

Welcome to Iran, the land of mysterious heritages and hospitality. Your Iran UNESCO tour will start from Tehran, the big capital of Iran. This modern metropolis is the country’s beating heart, where you can familiarize yourself with Iran’s contemporary society. You will meet your guide at the IKA INTL Airport and will be transferred to your hotel. This evening, you can enjoy your first Iranian meal at a traditional restaurant.

Today you will discover the attractions of Tehran with your guide. First, visit the National Museum of Iran and the Islamic Art Museum, to get an overview of Iran’s history and civilization. Then check out the Golestan Palace (a UNESCO world heritage site), the architectural masterpiece of the Qajar era, the Treasury of National Jewels in Tehran and the Carpet Museum, exhibiting masterpiece Persian carpets from all over the country.

Start your road trip by driving toward Zanjan (330 km). Stop in Qazvin to see Sa'd-o Saltaneh Caravanserai and then continue to Zanjan. In the afternoon visit the magnificent Sultanieh Dome (a UNESCO world Heritage site), which was built during the reign of Uljaitu, the Mongol commander ruling this area. The turquoise blue Sultanieh is known to have one of the highest domes in the whole world.

After breakfast, continue your road trip to the northwest of Iran (300 km), and arrive in the magnificent city of Tabriz, one of the most charming and historical cities of Iran known as the capital of Islamic world tourism. Take a walk into Tabriz Grand Bazaar, one of the world's biggest roofed and indoor bazaars protected as a UNESCO world heritage site. Then visit the exquisite Kabood Mosque of Tabriz (literally meaning the blue mosque).

Today you will have an excursion to the border city of Jolfa to visit the Monastery of Saint Stepanos, displaying a mixture of Parthian, Roman and Greek architecture. Afterwards, head to Saint Thaddeus Cathedral known for its smart architectural design. Both the Saint Stepanos and Saint Thaddeus churches are protected as UNESCO world heritage sites. Drive back to Tabriz and visit the El Goli Mansion and enjoy a walk in its park.

Journey to Sanandaj (450 km), the center of the Kurdistan province and the second largest Kurdish city in Iran. Visit the Asef Mansion also called the House of Kurds and see the cultural and historical treasures of the Kurd people. Then walk to the Jame Mosque of Sanandaj and the city’s traditional bazaar to meet locals.

Enjoy the scenic road and drive to Kermanshah (135 km) , the historical city in western Iran with a large population of Kurd people. On arrival in Kermanshah visit the ancient Behistun (Bistoun) multilingual inscription and bass relief, created by Darius, the great Achaemenid king in Old Persian, Elamite and Babylon (UNESCO world heritage). Then visit the rock reliefs of Tagh-e Bostan, carved during the time of great Sassanid Empire. After taking a rest, visit Tekiyeh Moaven al Molk in the afternoon. This construction was built during the Qajar era to host the religious rituals of Imam Hossein and is known for its amazing tile paintings.

proceed to the city of Shushtar in Khuzestan province (440 km) and visit the amazing Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System, dating back to the Achaemenid and Sassanid eras. This ingenius engineering structure of water management is protected by the UNESCO as a world heritage site. Tonight you will stay at an ecolodge in Shushtar to enjoy a more informal accommodation and a homemade dinner.

Continue your adventure through the ancient Khuzestan country side. First explore the Tchogha Zanbil Ziggurat erected during the Elamite Era, 1250 B.C. This brick made monument which was built in honor of the Elamite god, “Inshushinak”, is the first legacy protected as a world heritage site by UNESCO, in Iran. Drive to the ancient city of Susa and visit Achaemenid Palaces, the Susa Castle and museum. Then visit to Tomb of Danial the prophet and proceed to Ahvaz to spend the night.

Rise early in the morning and prepare for a marathon road trip towards Shiraz (630 km). En route stop at Bishapour to visit this ancient Sassanid city, built during the reign of Shapur in 266 A.D. This city which displays a mixture of Roman and Persian architecture, includes the Temple of Anahita, Shapur Palace, the two memorial columns and the bass reliefs of Tang e Chogan showing some scenes of kings’ triumphs or commemorations. The city of Bishapour and various other legacies of the Sassanid Archeological Landscape of the Fars Region are UNESCO world heritage sites. You will arrive in Shiraz in the evening.

Visit the charming Nasir al Molk Mosque also called the Pink Mosque early in the morning and stand in awe of the colorful reflections shining through the stained glass windows during the day time. Then walk to the Naranjestan Palace, and the Vakil Bazaar, which has been the beating heart of downtown Shiraz after the Zand Dynasty. After having lunch near the Zand complex, visit the Ali Ibn Hamzeh Holy Shrine and hear the story of this great man. In the afternoon enjoy the botanical Eram Garden, which is one of the nine Persian Gardens protected by UNESCO. Conclude your city adventure by visiting Hafez's Tomb (the 14th century poet of Iran) and hearing some of his poems in Persian and English.

By driving one hour from Shiraz, you will reach the glorious city of Persepolis, the legacy of the Achaemenid kings in land of Persia (518 B.C). Enjoy walking through the palaces of Persepolis and exploring the mysterious bass reliefs. You will also visit the Necropolis (12 kilometers from Persepolis), the collection of tombs and rock reliefs from the Achaemenid and Sassanid periods (UNESCO heritage site). Continue your Achaemenid adventure by driving to Pasargadae (82 km) and visiting the tomb of Cyruss, which is now an archeological site protected as a UNESCO world heritage site. Pasargade was the capital of this royal empire during the reign of Cyrus. Drive back to Shiraz and enjoy a rest at the hotel.

Back on the road again, you will drive to Kerman today (570 km). En route you’ll stop at the Sarvestan Palace, which is regarded as Sassanid Archeological Landscape of the Fars Region (UNESCO world heritage site). Sarvestan Palace was built during 5th century AD and was used as a residential palace and a Zoroastrian fire temple. You will arrive in Kerman in the afternoon and check in at your hotel. Kerman is a historical and cultural city in the east of Iran with a diverse nature and climate.

Today you will explore the historical attractions of Kerman by visiting the Ganjali Khan Complex, including the mosque, bathhouse, caravanserai and the thriving bazaar. The Ganjali Khan Complex was constructed during the Safavid period and a exemplifies a complete plan of the architectural designs of Iranian cities.

Today explore the diverse countryside around Kerman, where you can see 4000 meters mountain peaks covered in snow and a dry desert in a very short distance. First visit the lush Shazdeh Garden, one of the nine Persian Gardens protected as a UNESCO world heritage site. This garden is known as an emerald at the heart of the desert. Then explore the Rayen Citadel and enjoy walking through this historical mud brick labyrinth. Drive to the Lut Desert (Shahdad) and be amazed by the Kalouts, weird shaped rocks formed over millennia. Lout Desert is one of the two natural world heritage site of Iran protected by UNESCO.

Today you will move to Yazd, the next historical city in central Iran (370 km). The whole ancient district of Yazd, including narrow alleys, mud brick walls and houses, arches and wind catcher towers were all designed and built in harmony with the desert climate, is a UNESCO world heritage site! Today will be spent visiting this old city and getting acquainted with the desert city architecture.

Drive to Isfahan (320 km), the magnificent capital of Iran during the Safavid Dynasty (16th century AD), nicknamed the half of the world! Start your Isfahan city tour by exploring the Armenian neighborhood called the New Jolfa and the Vank Cathedral. Then visit the Isfahan Music Museum to get familiar with rich Iranian Music and a live performance. Iranian traditional music is an intangible UNESCO world heritage. Finish your day by visiting the Si o Se Pol and Khaju bridges, which were both constructed over Zayandeh River during the Safavid Dynasty. Every night, locals of Isfahan gather on the Khaju Bridge and sing old Persian songs.

Travel back to the Safavid Dynasty by visiting the legacy constructed during the reign of Shah Abbas in this city. Visit the vast Naqsh e Jahan Square surrounded by the six story Ali Qapu Palace, the Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque and the Imam Mosque (UNESCO world heritage sites). Then walk to Chehel Sotun Palace and Garden and enjoy the amazing wall paintings (UNESCO world heritage). In 2015, Isfahan was recognized as one of the world cities of handicraft by the World Crafts Council, AISBL. Today you will also visit the handicraft bazaar of Isfahan.

Sadly, your long Iran UNESCO heritage tour will come to an end today. Check out from hotel and visit the Jame Mosque of Isfahan, known as the museum of Islamic architecture (UNESCO world heritage site). Then drive to the historical city of Kashan, and visit the fourth and last Persian Garden that you visit on this tour, the Fin Garden of Kashan. Continue to the city of Qom, the most religious city of Iran and enjoy visiting the Fatima Masoumeh Holy Shrine as your last visit in Iran. You will be transferred to IKA INTL Airport for your departure flight.