A cultural trip that will show you both modern Iran and ancient Persia. This is a roundtrip through the Persian lands especially recommended to culture seekers showing both the modern face of Iran and the ancient remains of Persia like it was 2500 years ago. For more than 300 years Persia has played central role in the Greeks, Arabian, Mongolian and the Turkish empires, having influenced all of them to some extend (art, scientific, philosophical or religious aspects). Nowadays Iran remains widely misrepresented and little understood by the general public. We follow the steps of several renown conquerors, that invaded these lands during the ages like Alexander the Great, Chingiz Khan, Timur etc. The tours is rather diverse not only because of the cultural highlights that we will visit. The nature of Iran also amazes with alternating landscapes – deserts, oasis, green areas, orchards etc.
Highlights:
♦ Persepolis - Persepolis is the Greek name of the ancient town of Parsa, one of the capitals of the Persian Empire, included in UNESCO’s World Heritage
♦ Isfahan (Esfahan) - Isfahan is the third largest city in Iran and it’s called Orient’s Florence
♦ Yazd - one of the largest cities built almost entirely out of adobe
Itinerary:
Day 1. Arrive Shiraz.
Arrive Shiraz International Airport and transfer to our hotel for overnight. -/-/-
Day 2. Shiraz
Celebrated as the heartland of Persian culture for over 2000 years, Shiraz has become synonymous with education, nightingales, poetry and wine. It was one of the most important cities in the medieval Islamic world and was the Iranian capital during the Zand dynasty (AD 1747–79), when many of its most beautiful buildings were built or restored.
Our city tour includes a visit to Karim Khan Complex, Nasir Almolk Mosque, Vakil Mosque and bazaar, the tombs of the famous Persian poets Hafez and Saadi. Overnight in Shiraz. B/L/-
Day 3. Persepolis and Naghsh-e-Rostam
Founded by Darius I in 518 B.C., Persepolis was the capital of the Achaemenid Empire. It was built on an immense half-artificial, half-natural terrace, where the king of kings created an impressive palace complex inspired by Mesopotamian models. The importance and quality of the monumental ruins make it a unique archaeological site. Next is Necropolis - the burial site of the Achaemenid kings (Naghsh-e-Rostam).
Drive back to Shiraz for overnight. B/L/-
Day 4. Shiraz - Yazd
En route to Yazd (430 km) we visit Pasargadae and the tomb of Cyrus the Great. Pasargadae was the first dynastic capital of the Achaemenid Empire, founded by Cyrus II the Great, in Pars, homeland of the Persians, in the 6th century BC. Its palaces, gardens and the mausoleum of Cyrus are outstanding examples of the first phase of royal Achaemenid art and architecture and exceptional testimonies of Persian civilization.
Arrive Yazd late in the afternnon. Hotel overnight B/L/-
Day 5. Yazd
Yazd is located in the middle of the Iranian plateau, close to the Spice and Silk Roads. It bears living testimony to the use of limited resources for survival in the desert. Water is supplied to the city through a qanat system developed to draw underground water. The earthen architecture of Yazd has escaped the modernization that destroyed many traditional earthen towns, retaining its traditional districts, the qanat system, traditional houses, bazars, hammams, mosques, synagogues, Zoroastrian temples and the historic garden of Dolat-abad.
On our city tour we visit to Dowlat abad garden, Tower of Silence, Fire temple, Jame mosque, Mir chakhmagh Mosque, Water Museum. Overnight hotel in Yazd. B/L/-
Day 6. Yazd - Meybod - Isfahan
Morning drive to Isfahan (270 km), with stop in Meybod visit the Caravanserai and Narin Castle , continue road to Isfahan. Overnight in Isfahan. B/L/-
Day 7. Isfahan
Isfahan was once one of the largest and most important cities in Central Asia, positioned as it is on the crossroads of the main north-south and east-west trade routes that cross Central Asia. The city was the splendid capital of the Seljuq and Safavid dynasties, and is renowned for its beauty, which has given rise to the Iranian saying that “Isfahan is half the world”.
We have a full day of city tour including Naghsh-e-Jahan Square with Imam & Sheikh Lotfolah Mosques and Alighapou Palace and the bazaar; Sheikh Lotffollah Mosque and in the evening visit the Old bridges of the city. Overnight in Isfahan. B/L/-
Day 8. Isfahan - Teheran
Today we continue the city tour with Vank Church - one of the most beautiful Armenian churches, Monar Jomban (The Shaking Minarets),Chehen Sotun Palace before we continue our journey to Teheran (450 km). B/L/-
Day 9. Teheran
A morning visit to Tabiat Bridge and Sa'ad Abad Complex (The Summer Palace of the Shah) - we visit two out of the 18 historical palaces. Overnight hotel in Teheran. B/L/-
Day 10. Departure
Transfer to Imam Khomeini Airport and departure B/-/-
Practical information:
Click here for practical pre-departure information.
Click here to see the required information and documents for obtaining a visa.
You will be required to fill out the application form and provide the requested documents as soon as possible after placing your booking.
Visa: Citizens of many countries are eligible for a 15-day tourist visa upon arrival at the airport. To receive the visa, you need to receive a pre-approval visa grant notice, which we can provide for you. The visa is then received and paid upon arrival at the airport (price: about 78 - 90 EUR). Please, check in advance if you are eligible to this. If not, we will provide the necessary documents, so you can obtain Iranian visa in your local Consular Office in advance. NB! No Israeli stamps or visa are allowed in your passport!
IMPORTANT: *Citizens of Canada, the USA and the UK are not eligible to get visa on arrival and need to get their visa from the local Iran embassy after receiving the grant notice. The visa fee for these nationalities might be higher and is paid in the respective embassy. We can assist with providing grant notice and other necessary documents. Since the process for obtaining visa for the above-mentioned nationalities might take up to 2 months, we do not guarantee you will receive it if you sign up for the tour less that two months before the departure date.
*Visa information is updated April 2023. There might be changes at the time of your trip and all information should be confirmed at the time of booking.
Tour leader from Penguin at min. 10 people
small group supplement: 190 EUR (the announced price is calculated based on a group of min. 6 people. We can still run the tour for a smaller group with an additional fee of 190 EUR per person to which you must agree when booking.
1090 €, 10 Days
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