Iran in Depth Tour 16 Days

Salaam and Welcome to Iran. Your Iran tour will start from Tehran, the the modern and immense capital of Iran with 14 million residents. You will be transferred to your hotel in Tehran and meet your leader. According to your arrival time you can visit some attractions of the city, like the Nature Bridge or the Carpet Museum.

This morning, explore Tehran with your local guide, visiting the Golestan Palace and the National Museum of Iran. Then enjoy lunch at the bustling Tehran Bazaar and head to Mehrabad Airport for your domestic flight to Tabriz. Tabriz is one of the metropolises in northwestern Iran, where a big population of Iranian Turks (Azeri) are living. This city is rich in culture and history.

Drive to the amazing Kandovan village (55 km). This village exemplifies manmade cliff troglodyte residences, which are still inhabited by locals. Then drive back to Tabriz, visit Azerbaijan Museum and the magnificent bazaar of Tabriz which is a UNESCO world heritage site. This historical bazaar is the biggest roofed bazaar in the world.

Travel to Zanjan (315 km), the historic city with many tales behind, which was once the capital of Iran during the Ilkhanid Dynasty (founded by Mongols). In Zanjan you’ll visit the Museum, the Bazaar which is a masterpiece of Qajarid architecture and the Rakhtshooy Khaneh or the Museum of Anthropology. Rakhtshooy Khaneh is a very special building which had been designed for the locals as a place for washing their clothes especially during cold winters. Also explore the Saltmen Museum.

Drive to Hamadan via Soltanieh (260 Km). The UNESCO listed Soltaniyeh Dome (the mausoleum of Oljaytu) is an octagonal building topped with a 50-meter-high turquoise dome, which is an outstanding example of Iranian architecture. On the way to Hamedan you’ll also take a look at one of the longest water caves in Iran, the Ali Sadr cave. Arriving Hamadan, visit Ganjnameh, the two Achaemenid inscriptions by Darius the great and Xerxes. Both inscribtions are written in three languages: Old Persian, Neo Elamite and Neo Babilon.  

After visiting the Tomb of Aveccina, drive to Kashan (400 km). En route, visit Fatima Masoume Shrine in Qom. Arriving Kashan, visit the Tabatabai and Borujerdi historical houses, which are architecture masterpieces that display eye-catching interior ornaments, then take a walk in city old district and bazaar and enjoy the atmosphere of Kashan.

After visiting the magnificent Fin Garden, one of the UNESCO listed Persian Gardens, drive to Yazd the ancient city located in the heart of deserts in eastern Iran, via Ardestan historical town (392 km). In Ardestan, visit the magnificent Jaame Mosque of Ardestan and the Moun Qanat, and arrive at Yazd in the afternoon, and after taking a rest at hotel visit Zoorkhaneh, the traditional Iranian gym for heroic exercise, inscribed as a UNESCO heritage.

Today, explore the old city of Yazd, known as the center of Zoroastrain religion. First visit the Towers of Silence and hear the mysterious story about this place and then check out the ancient and holy fire at the Fire Temple, burning for more than 1500 years. Then visit the Water Museum and discover how Qantas (underground water channels) were built and the water was supplied to desert cities like Yazd. In the afternoon, walk through the old town where you can see old houses with Badgirs (wind towers). The old quarter of Yazd is inscribed as a UNESCO world heritage.

Hit the road in the morning and travel towards Shiraz. On the way, you’ll stop at Abarkooh to visit its 4000-year-old Cypress tree and icehouse. In the afternoon you’ll arrive shiraz and you will have enough time for some optional sightseeing, including the Eram Garden and Tomb of Hafez.

Today you will explore the Achaemenid legacies. Drive for 60 kilometers to reach Persepolis, an impressive collection of ceremonial palaces built by Achaemenid kings (UNESCO heritage). Also visit Necropolis, the collection of rock tombs of the Achaemenid kings and bass reliefs that were carved into rocks during the Sassanid Empire.

Shiraz has been one of the important cultural cities of Iran during different dynasties and it was the capital of Iran during Zand Dynasty. Therefore, we know Shiraz as the city of lush gardens, lavish mansions and poetry. Early in the morning get amazed at the colorful tiles and the mysterious lights of Nasir al Molk Mosque, shining through the stained glasses and then walk to Naranjestan Palace, one of the excellent samples of Persian houses built during Qajar Dynasty. From here you can take a walk to the historical Vakil Bazaar, where you can find eye-catching carpets, colorful textile, spices and herbals. Continue Shiraz city tour by exploring Pars Museum, and then enjoy a wonderful dinner with a local family of Shiraz.

Travel from Shiraz to Isfahan (485 km). On the way visit the ancient city of Pasargadae and the tomb of Cyrus the great Achaemenid king (UNESCO heritage). Arriving Isfahan take a walk by Zayandeh Rud, the iconic river of Isfahan and visit the historical bridges including Khaju Bridge and Si o Se Pol Bridge, both dating back to Safavid era.

Tour the fantastic city of Isfahan, home to Safavid masterpieces built during 16^th and 17^th century, when this city was the capital of Iran. First, visit Naghsh-e Jahan Square (UNESCO heritage), the world famous royal square of Isfahan and the construction around it, including the royal Ali Qapu Palace, Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque and the Jaame Imam Mosque. And then explore the handicrafts bazaar. After taking a rest at the traditional teahouse, visit Chehel Sotun Palace, which is another Persian garden inscribed by the UNESCO.

Today visit the magnificent Jaame Atiq Mosque, exhibiting the evolution of Mosque architecture during 12 centuries, and also the first mosque with the four-courtyard layout. Travel to New Julfa, the Armenian quarter of the city and visit the charming Vank Church. Finish Isfahan city tour by listening to some Iranian music and getting familiar with instruments in the Music Museum of Isfahan.

Say Goodbye to the beautiful city of Isfahan, and move to Matin Abad Desert located near Natanz Town (170 km). Matin Abad Eco camp is the first eco camp of Iran with amazing desert atmosphere. Here you will enjoy a great desert tour and enjoy optional safari, camel back riding, and a scenic sunset view.