The Beauty of Ancient Iran Tour (15 Days)

Upon your arrival, you will be transferred to the hotel. After a short rest, you can visit the Jewelry Museum to see Persian art. After visiting the museum, Golestan Palace, the former royal Qajar complex and the oldest historic monument in Tehran will welcome you. In the afternoon, you can visit the sixth-tallest tower in the world, Milad Tower, and enjoy its different parts.

Early in the morning, you will visit Kashan, the city of rosewater, a beautiful oasis city with 9,000 years of civilization to become familiar with its historic architecture through the Tabatabaee House (built in the 1880s) and Boroojerdi House (built in 1857). The delightful Fin Garden, designed in the 16th century, also welcomes you. It is a garden and a public bath.

Drive to Abyaneh on the third day of this tour. A fantastic village with red buildings. The kind people living there are in traditional dress. Walk in the mud-brick town. After lunch, you will go to Isfahan, half the world.

On this day, a full-day city tour of Isfahan is waiting for you. You can visit Naghsh-e-Jahan Square including Qeysarie Gate, Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, Ali Qapu, and Imam Mosque. This historical complex was constructed between 1598 and 1629. Afterward, you can visit Chehel Sotoun, a place where the ambassadors and dignitaries were welcomed by Shah Abbas II, Safavid King.

On this day, you can visit Armenian Vank Cathedral established in 1606. After visiting the historical bridges of Isfahan, the Jameh Mosque is waiting for you; it has two minarets which are among the highest ones in Iran.

Leave Isfahan early in the morning to drive to Yazd. You can visit Nain on the way. Some of its outstanding monuments such as the Jameh Mosque (one of the first 4 mosques built in Iran) and the Pirnia Traditional House (built in the Safavid era) are waiting for you. In the afternoon, after a short rest in Yazd, you can visit the Water Museum, another interesting place in Yazd. It can show you the hidden world of waterways through photos and instruments.

After breakfast, you can visit some of Yazd’s beautiful ancient sites: Amir Chakhmaq Complex (built in the 15th century) with its symmetrical sunken alcoves; Fire temple of Zoroastrian built in 1934; Jameh Mosque (12th century); and Dowlatabd Garden, a historic Persian garden built in 1747. It is famous for its highest wind tower in Iran.

In the morning, you will drive to Shiraz, the cultural capital of Iran. En route, you can visit two ancient structures. One of them is Persepolis, the glory of the Persian Empire and the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire that was founded by Darius (486-522 B. C.). Necropolis or Naghsh-e-Rustam is the other site that belongs to both Achaemenid and Sassanid Periods. It has four large tombs cut into the cliffs.

After breakfast, you can visit one of the most elegant architectural sites of Iran, the Zaniyah Complex containing the Arg, Vakil Bath, Vakil Mosque, and Vakil Bazaar. After lunch and a short rest, visit Hafeziyeh, the tomb of the biggest Persian mystic and sonneteer born in the 8th century.

Early in the morning, you will drive to Kazerun. Bishapur, an ancient city in Kazerun, will be an interesting destination for you. This city, founded in 266 by Shapur I (the second Sassanid king), was built near a river. Here you can see both Persian and Roman art and architecture combined together. Afterward, you will be welcomed by nomads and enjoy their music, dance, and hospitality (it should be noted, however, visiting nomads in this region depends upon the season). After visiting this site, you will continue to Ahwaz.

After breakfast, you will drive to Chogha-Zanbil, an ancient Elamite complex and one of the few existing ziggurats. You will certainly be eager to visit the ruins of the holy city of the Kingdom of Elam founded in 1250 B. C. Afterward, drive to Shushtar to visit the ancient city. It was the summer capital during the Sassanian era. The city is traced back to Darius (5th century). It is famous because of its hydraulic system.

After breakfast, the tour will continue to Kermanshah. After a short rest at the hotel, you can visit Taq Bostan, meaning an arch made of stone. It is a series of large rock reliefs in the heart of the Zagros Mountains registered by the UNESCO heritage site.

After breakfast, you can visit Behistun, a multilingual inscription and large rock relief on a cliff that attracts a lot of visitors every year. Then continue to reach Hamedan.

In the morning, you have a chance to visit Ali-Sadr Cave, the most marvelous cave and the largest explored cave on Earth. It is located about 100 km north of Hamedan. It contains several large, deep, and beautiful lakes. The boats take tourists through the cave. Its wall can extend up to 40 m high. It is a highly recommended destination for tourists. Afterward, drive to Tehran.

On the last day of this tour, you will be transferred to the airport to depart.