Iran highlights tour
Persepolis.The ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire
Nasir ol Molk Mosque
AKA, Pink Mosque, Dreamy Mosque in Shiraz
Pasargadae
Pasargadae was the capital of the Achaemenid Empire under Cyrus the Great who had issued its construction; it was also the location of his tomb
Persepolis
Persepolis was the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire. It is situated 60 km northeast of the city of Shiraz in Fars Province, Iran. The earliest remains of Persepolis date back to 515 BC. It exemplifies the Achaemenid style of architecture.

Duration
08 Days & 07 Nights

Tour Code
# SM-8d-1890-bhn
Group Size
- Min 1 PAX
- Max 15 PAX

Location
Iran
Start
Tehran
Finish

Tehran

Type
Classic & Cultural
Physical Grading
Standard
Best Time
Spring

Autumn

Winter

Iran Highlights Tour

(Tehran, Isfahan, Shiraz)

If you want to embark on a journey with a focus on history and culture, and UNESCO World Sites, you’ve chosen the right tour. From museums, royal palaces and the city life in modern Tehran to the mythical UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Persian empires, Persepolis & Pasargadae dating back to 2500 years ago. Isfahan, the creative city and cornerstone of crafts and folk art with mesmerizing blue tiled mosques is waiting for you along the way. This capital of Persia in Safavid Dynasty provides glimpses into Iran’s rich history. Lastly, the delightful oasis city on the edge of the Dasht-e Kavir, Kashan. One of Iran’s most alluring destinations with handmade embossed velvet fabrics. On the last day, you would probably find out how beautifully you lived your life in Iran.

Best Time	Autumn, Spring, Winter
Duration	8 Days
Physical Grading	2- Gentle (Light)

Highlights

• Persepolis (UNESCO)
• Pasargadae (UNESCO)
• Naqsh-e Jahan Square (UNESCO)
• Borujerdis House & Tabātabāei House
• Fin Garden (UNESCO)
• Golestan Palace (UNESCO )
• Iran National Museum

Itinerary

Day1: Arrival - Tehran

Welcome to Iran’s capital, Tehran! Alive with lights and ringing with bustle. Tehran is the heart and core to Iran national identity. You will be met on arrival at Tehran International Airport and transferred to your hotel. The highlight of the tour today may be your guided visit of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites opulent masterpiece of the Qajar era, Golestan Palace (the Rose Garden Palace), one of the oldest historic monuments belonging to a group of royal buildings in Tehran. The second best highlight of today’s tour would be the National Museum of Iran holding prestigious relics influential in shaping the world’s culture and civilization. Spend a little time checking out the labyrinthine Tehran Grand Bazaar. After today’s excursion, your leader can give you advice on where to go for good Iranian cuisine.

O/N Tehran (Hotel)

Meals included: Breakfast

Day2: Tehran

Discover Tehran and its mesmerizing monuments while you hit the streets on a walking tour with your leader. Begin today’s journey to learn the history of Qajar and Pahlavi in Sa’dabad Palace Museum (two museums) and Niavaran Palace. Next up is Tajrish Traditional Bazaar, being the locals’ favorite bazaar, which is definitely worth a look. Later on, get back to your hotel for a good night’s rest.

O/N Tehran (Hotel)

Meals included: Breakfast

Day3: Tehran -Shiraz

After breakfast, transfer to Mehrabad domestic airport to board your flight for a journey to Shiraz.

Arrive to the warm and welcoming city of Shiraz, a city of poems, nightingales and gardens filled with flowers which has been considered the center of Persian culture for thousands of years.

Join an excursion to travel through time, visiting the colorfully decorated Nasir-ol-Molk Mosque, where the streaming colors of stain glass windows fill the interior when they hit the sunlight. Next on today’s visit list is UNESCO-listed, Eram garden, which has a perfect resemblance to the Persian style gardens. Next stop is the tomb of Hafez with its intricately carvings, (where Iranians come to pay their respects and place flowers) your leader will give you a declamation of his exhilarating poems making your soul fly. Hafez has always been more than just a poet due to his enchanting poems, which are still a soul consulting part of Iranians life, present at the table on different celebrations and ceremonies such as Nowruz (New Year) and Yalda. Check out Karim Khani citadel along the way and take some quick snaps. Get a head start on your souvenirs with a stroll through Vakil Bazaar with your leader, which is one of Iran’s most loved Bazaars, a great spot to sit, chat, and enjoy a glass of orange blossom tea.

Perhaps you would like to finish your day by getting lost in the thousand shining mirrors and twinkling lights of Shah Cheragh Holy Shrine.

O/N Shiraz (Hotel)

Meals included: Breakfast

Day4: Shiraz- Persepolis- Shiraz

This morning you will join a historical excursion to visit the ancient city of Persepolis, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Just an hour from Shiraz. Persepolis, one of the great cities of the ancient world, which was constructed during the reign of Darius, was once the center of the Persian Empire. The magnificent gateways, exquisite relief carvings bearing the legends of the past emperors and towering columns still make the visitors speechless to this day. Delve into this somewhat mysterious ancient city.

In the afternoon, continue to Naghsh-e-Rostam, with a group of ancient Iranian rock reliefs cut into the cliff, from both the Achaemenid and Sassanid periods with four large tombs of ancient kings cut high into the cliff face. You will also explore Naghsh-e-Rajab and four face inscriptions on limestone rocks and rock-cut bas-reliefs that date back to the early Sassanid Era. Settle back in Shiraz this evening for a meal in a city of artists and dreamers.

O/N Shiraz (Hotel)

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 5: Shiraz- Pasargadae- Isfahan

Set out on a drive towards Isfahan, stop at Pasargadae, one of the most important historical sites of Iranian civilization, dating back to 2500 years ago with its simple yet majestic elegance, putting you in a trance. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site Pasargadae; previously known as Zendan-e-Soleyman, which was surrounded by many palaces, pillars and different structures, once linked by a set of gardens. Go on a walking tour of the Tomb of Cyrus the Great with six broad steps leading to the sepulcher, Achaemenes Palaces and reliefs. Later on, hit the road towards the beautiful Isfahan, with the excitement of visiting a city bearing a world of creativity and a more recent piece of history in mind, awaiting you. Upon your arrival you could have the option to have a stroll through the city and a magical night walk along the Si-o-se-pol (33 arches) and Khajoo historical bridges which light up at night.

O/N Isfahan (Hotel)

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 6: Isfahan

Rise and shine for a day of exploring Isfahan teemed with fabulous monuments and UNESCO World Heritage Sites, once chosen as the capital of the Safavid dynasty, now known as one the creative cities of the world due to its magnificent handicrafts. Soak up the atmosphere of the immense Naqsh-e-Jahan Square (Meidan Emam) UNESCO World Heritage Site; Flanked by azure-tiled mosques. Fountains dance where once polo players pranced to entertain Safavid Ruler, Shah Abbas. Marvel at the outstanding Sheikh Lotf-ol-lah and Imam Mosques. Continue to Ali Qapu, a massive and majestic palace with six floors. The sixth floor being the well-known music hall, having niches in the wall giving it both aesthetic and acoustic value. Next up is the local bazaar, walk along the covered lanes with eye-catching handicrafts and jewelry that give you the opportunity to get closer to Iranian culture. You can get an overall look, strolling around the square by a classic carriage with horses.

O/N Isfahan (Hotel)

Meals included: Breakfast

Day7: Isfahan- Abyaneh-Kashan

This morning, drive to visit Vank Cathedral, formerly known as the saintly sisters. The architecture of this amazing cathedral has been the subject of many tourist’s fascination as the plain exterior looks quite simple comparing to the detailed paintings and western church interior design. Later on, if time permitted, check out Chehel Sotun palace. A royal palace built by Shah Abbas to greet ambassadors and hold special receptions. The name Chehel Sotun, meaning (forty pillars) in Persian, was inspired by the reflection of the twenty front pillars of the mansion appearing to be forty, in the long pool in front of the palace.

After your exotic journey of Isfahan, head to the last location of your trip, Kashan. First, visit the spectacular village of Abyaneh. A village of great antiquity, which resembles a living architectural and anthropological museum, dating back to Safavid Era. The simplicity found in the houses affords a picture of life in rural areas of Iran. Spend some time browsing the breathtaking highlights of Kashan. The first attraction is the lavish Fin Garden, UNESCO World Heritage Site. A historical legacy that contains the famous Fin bath belonging to the long list of Persian gardens. Lastly marvel at the affluent historical Borujerdi House & Tabatabaei House. The details and special features of the architecture is truly a treat for the eyes.

O/N Kashan (Hotel)

Meals included: Breakfast

Day8: Kashan - Departure

Transfer to the IKA international airport to board the homebound flight.

End of the Tour.

Gallery

Inclusion

Transport: One-Way air ticket of Tehran-Shiraz & Air-Conditioned transportation throughout the tour
Airport transfer: all airport transfers
Accommodation: 07 nights’ accommodation in hotels (01-night early check in upon arrival)
Meals: as per itinerary
Tour Guide: English speaking Guide / Guide-driver
Other Services: Arrangement of official Visa reference number issued by the ministry of foreign affairs.

Exclusion

International flight ticket
All meals not included in the itinerary
Entrance fees
Tips and porter charges
Any other services not specified above
Any expenses such as telephone calls, laundry, and mini bar used in the room, tips (guide, driver &restaurant) & porter charges etc.
Entrance fees
Visa fee charged by Government at the embassy or the airport

Important Note

Please bear in mind in local houses single room is only available upon request. Clean mattress is available.
• On sea trips in case of bad conditions, routes and timing may change
• In trips close to nature, in case of climate changes and lousy weather, accommodation and schedule may change
• Booking process of the hotels starts upon receiving the flight details.
• Changes in the hotels may occur

Visa

In order to get the visa, we need 7 working days to get the invitation ref number from Iran foreign ministry.
Required documents :Completed visa application form (please Click here to fill the application form),
Copy of your passport; and also the scan of your former visa if you have traveled to Iran before .
Passport copy file should be as follow:

• Size 40 kb/5.5 cm *4.3 cm
• Format should be JPEG or GIF

Responsible Travel

As the executive of nature tours in Iran & Globe, we have assumed our responsibility & role so seriously, know the tourism effect on our surrounded environment & local society, and try to plan & operate our tours in accordance with this foreground thought; For, we believe that the tour executive has a great effect on the means of transferring his/her experiments, to guarantee both the passengers health & environment conservation .