Essential/Ancient Iran: Tehran, Yazd, Shiraz, Persepolis, Esfahan, Abyaneh & Kashan
April 10 through April 23 - 13 nights
Price $3,450 per person, double occupancy - Single supplement $690
To reserve a space please click here and fill out the form: Tour Reservations
DAY 01: April 10 - AMSTERDAM-TEHRAN
Arrival at Tehran airport late in the evening, meet and transfer to hotel for overnight (O/N).
DAY 02: April 11 - TEHRAN
Visits in Tehran to include Iran’s National Museum (Archaeological Museum only as Islamic Museum is currently under renovation), displaying an authentic collection of pottery, bronze and valuable pieces from millennia B.C until Islamic era. The objects on display have been found from different regions of Iran including Susa, Persepolis, and many other ancient sites; Glass & Ceramics Museum with a beautiful collection of glass and pottery from different periods; also visit to the Carpet Museum, displaying a beautiful collection of old and new Persian carpets and rugs. O/N at hotel.
DAY 03: April 12 - TEHRAN/SHIRAZ
Morning flight to Shiraz; transfer to hotel for check in. Afternoon visits to the tombs of Iran’s greatest lyric poets, Hafez and Sa'adi, both located in beautiful gardens, also visit the extensive and exotic Vakil Bazaar of Shiraz; O/N hotel.
DAY 04: April 13 - SHIRAZ/PERSEPOLIS
Full day excursion to Persepolis, one of the most important sites of the Ancient World, the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid kings with remains of the palaces of Darius the Great, Xerxes and Artaxerxes, and its famous bas-reliefs, depicting kings and courtiers and gift-bearing representatives of tributary nations of the Persian Empire; also visit Naghsh-e-Rostam to see Ka’be-Zardosht (fire temple/sanctuary), and Royal Tombs (also Achaemenid); plus seven magnificent Sassanian rock-reliefs (including Shapur the First’s famous victory over Roman Emperor Valerian); and Naghsh-e-Rajab, a nearby grotto with several more Sassanian reliefs; return to Shiraz for O/N stay at hotel.
DAY 05: April 14 - SHIRAZ
Full day city tour of Shiraz to visit some of the famous gardens of this city of “roses
and nightingales”, including the Eram Garden, the pink tiled 19th-century Nasir-ol-Molk Mosque, the Arg-e-Karim Khan (18th-century citadel), the Madrassa Khan (Theological School), to have interaction with teachers and students, the Qajar-period Narenjestan Garden/House, and the Holy Shrine of Shah-e-Cheragh (not open to non-Moslems and can only be seen from outside). O/N hotel.
DAY 06: April 15 - SHIRAZ/YAZD
Drive to Yazd, en route visit Pasargadae, the site of the simple, but impressive tomb, and remains of palaces of Cyrus the Great (the Founder of the Persian Empire), all located in the vast Dasht-e-Morghab, and drive through Abarkuh (a typical desert town), and have tea under the shade of a 4,000-year old Cypress tree; continue to Yazd for O/N stay at hotel.
07: April 16- YAZD
Full day sightseeing in Yazd, the center for Iran’s small Zoroastrian community, who seeking refuge from the invading Arabs found a safe haven within its fortified walls. On this day you will visit one of the two Zoroastrian abandoned Towers of Silence (Dakhma), dating back to the 18th century, where until some 50-60 years ago the dead were carried and left to decompose and be devoured by birds; and the active Zoroastrian Fire Temple, the fire of which has been burning for about 1500 years. Among Yazd’s Islamic sites are the Friday Mosque (1324 A.D.) with the highest portal and minarets in Iran and the Mirchachmagh Maidan and Mosque. Other notable Islamic monuments in the old Fahadan area of Yazd are the Seljuk shrine dedicated to the Twelve Shi’ite Imams; and Ziaieyeh Theological School, known as Zendan-e-Eskander or Alexandar’s Prison. There are also many beautiful old houses in Yazd, among them the Dowlat-Abad Garden, with an 18th century feudal hexagonal house. O/N hotel.
DAY 08: April 17 - YAZD/ESFAHAN
Drive to Esfahan, en-route stop over first at the village of Mohamadiye, to see the traditional workshops weaving the camel cloaks worn by the Moslem clergy in Iran; on to Na’in, another charming desert town, half way between Yazd and Esfahan, to visit the 10th century Friday Mosque, and the 17th century Pirnia House/Ethnographic Museum (closed on Mondays), with a walk through the old part of the town; continue to Esfahan for O/N hotel.
DAY 09: April 18 - ESFAHAN
Full day tour of the beautiful city of Esfahan, the 17th century capital of the Safavids, referred to as Nesf-e-Jahan (Half of the World) in Safavid sources, to visit the famous bridges of Shahrestan/Khajou/Sio-se-pol, the Armenian Quarter with several churches, including the important Cathedral of Vank; in the afternoon visit one of the world’s grandest squares, the Maidan-e-Naghsh-e-Jahan, with several sites (the Ali-Qapu Palace with its enchanting music rooms and balcony overlooking the Maidan, from where the Safavid Kings watched polo games, and two of Islamic world’s greatest mosques – the Sheikh Lotfollah and the Shah – with magnificent architecture and tilework), finishing with a visit to the Qeisarieh Bazaar with hundreds of shops displaying the arts and handicrafts for which Esfahan is world-famous, O/N hotel.
DAY 10: April 19 - ESFAHAN
Another full day sightseeing of Esfahan to visit the magnificent Friday Mosque, with the famous Uljaitu Mihrab (Prayer Niche) of the Il-Khanid period. The Friday Mosque is considered a museum of a thousand years of Persian religious architecture and is truly one of the world’s greatest mosques. Also visit the Harun-e-Velayat Shrine and the Ali Minaret. From here drive to the Chehel Sotun Palace, built by Shah Abbas II in the 17th century; its wooden columns reflected in the surface of the pool give rise to its name ‘The Palace of Forty Columns’. Final stop of the day is at the Hasht Behesht pavilion built in 1670 by Shah Solayman and known as the Pavilion of Eight Paradises or the Palace of Nightingales. The small but intricate building is set amongst tree-lined alleys, a reflecting pool and water rills. Return to Maidan for further visit to the Bazaar and handicraft shops around the Maidan. O/N hotel.
DAY 11: April 20 - ESFAHAN/ABYANEH
Morning drive to Abyaneh, en-route stop over at the charming town of Natanz to visit a beautiful Islamic Complex (Friday Mosque/Monastery/Tomb of Sheikh Abdol Samad
Esfahani), on to the village of Abyaneh, hidden in Karkas Mountains, an Iranian Cultural Heritage site, and a charming traditional village, and enjoy walking in this ancient village which was one of the last places in Iran which surrendered to Islam. The people of Abyaneh have preserved their ancient culture and traditions over the centuries, and still wear their traditional colourful dress; O/N at hotel.
DAY 12: April 21 - ABYANEH/KASHAN/TEHRAN
Drive to Tehran, via Kashan to visit the historical garden of Fin which was first planted during the Safavid period and kept alive with water from the nearby Sulaimanieh Spring. This beautiful garden was expanded by the Zand and Qajar monarchs, with many open pavilions added. You will also visit a fine example of a 19th century merchant residence known as Taba-Tabai House with its beautiful stucco dome and inlaid mirror work, with some of the best examples of existing “badgirs” (wind-catchers), on to Tehran, and drive by the Mausoleum of Imam Khomeini, overnight stay at hotel.
DAY 13: April 22 - TEHRAN
Visit the Golestan Palace/Museum Complex, the former residence of the 19th early 20th century Qajar Kings of Iran, with several museums including the Marble Throne Room. Also visit the fabulous State’s Jewels Museum, housed in the vaults of the Central Bank of Iran, displaying the most dazzling and priceless collection of jewels and gems in the world. In the afternoon visit the former residence of the last Royal Family of Iran at Sa’adabad Palace/Museum Complex, in north Tehran, where several palaces/museums, including the White and Green Palaces, are visited. You can also visit the nearby local Tajrish fruit and vegetable market. Return to the hotel for overnight stay.
DAY 14: April 23 -TEHRAN/AMSTERDAM
Transfer to Tehran airport for departure flight at approximately 2 a.m.
restaurants or hotels, airfare within Iran, all entrance fees to museums, all pickups, transfers, transportation in air conditioned coach, excellent English speaking national and local guides, tips for included meals & visa approvals in Iran. *in Abyaneh and Shiraz the accommodation would be in 3 star hotels.
Not included: Visa fee: $150, International air, one meal per day, personal expenses, telephone calls, room service, internet, laundry, dry cleaning, travel insurance, etc
The price includes: accommodation in 3-4 star hotels*, two meals a day at best available
Deposit and Final Payment: Registration requires a $500 deposit. The balance is due sixty days prior to the departure date. You can pay by check or credit cards. To register please call or send an email to abdi@solhtours.com.
