Journey through Ancient Persia: A 2-Week Tour
Indulge in an impressive historical journey with us to witness the greatness of the Persian empire, its post-Islamic architecture and Iran’s modern urban life. Whether this is your first trip to Iran or you’ve already fallen in love with Iran on your previous trips, this tour has a lot to offer. Traveling to Yazd and Kerman, our terms provide the perfect blend of mystery, beauty, history, culture and star-filled skies, from the narrow streets of ancient Persian towns to the fantastic dunes of the mosques and hidden oases.
14 Days
- Tehran
- Tehran to Hamedan: (320) km
- Hamedan to Kermanshah: (185) km
- Kermanshah to Ahvaz: (520) km
- Ahwaz to Shiraz: (529) km
- Shiraz to Kerman: (570) km
- Kerman to Yazd: (362) km
- Yazd to Isfahan: (323) km
- Isfahan to Tehran: (433) km
- Tehran
Highlights
- Duration: 14 Days
- Arrival: Tehran
- Departure: Tehran
- Wheelchair Access Available
- Iranian Cuisine Workshop
- Iranian SIM card
- Road trip experience
- Road trip experience: Experience over 3200 kilometers of road travel in Iran and witness Iran's natural landscapes and mountains.
- Journey through history at UNESCO-listed Persepolis and Pasargadae, Naqsh-e Jahan Square, Chogha Zanbil, Bisotun, Bam Citadel, and Bishapour.
- Explore Yazd & Kerman: Ancient Zoroastrian Fire Temple, Masjed Jame, and the world's most giant adobe wind catcher in Dolat-Abad Garden. Also, visit Shazdeh Garden and the Ganjali Khan Complex in Kerman.
- Visit the historical buildings of Isfahan and Shiraz, which are the essence of Iranian culture. Explore the tombs of renowned Iranian poets and the Pink Mosque in Shiraz, and experience walking on the historic bridges of Isfahan.
Hotspots
- UNESCO World Heritage
- Persepolis
- Pasargadae
- Golestan Palace
- Masjed Jame Isfahan
- Eram Garden
- Hafezieh
- Sadie Tomb
- National Museum of Iran
- Bisotun
- Shazdeh Garden
- Chehel Sotoun
- Bishapour
- Susa
- Shah Nematollah Vali
Day 1: Tehran
Arrival, meet and greet at the airport, transfer to hotel. Overnight Tehran
Day 2: Tehran
A full-day tour of Tehran’s capital. Starting with a walking tour through old Tehran and visiting the old Gate of Tehran, Golestan Palaces, Imam (former Royal) Mosque, and the Grand Bazaar, a large roofed old shopping complex. We will then become more familiar with Persian carpets at the Carpet Museum. Overnight Tehran.
Day 3: Hamedan
Drive to Hamedan, afternoon sightseeing in Hamedan, overnight Hamedan.
Day 4: Hamadan - Kermanshah
Half-day city tour of Hamadan, afternoon drive to Kerman-shah; en route, you will visit the Anahita Temple at Kangavar, the Achaemenian inscriptions and beliefs at Bisotoun, and Sassanian rock reliefs at Tagh-e-Bostan, overnight Kermanshah.
Day 5: Ahwaz
Drive to the city of Ahwaz, also known as the oil capital of Iran. En route, we will visit the ancient sites of Susa and Daniel the Prophet. Overnight in Ahvaz.
Day 6: Bishabour
Early morning departure for Shiraz (Overland), visit the ancient city of Bishabour en route and transfer to your hotel in Shiraz. Overnight Shiraz.
Day 7: Shiraz
We will start our Shiraz tour by the Karmikhani complex, the residential palace of the Zand dynasty. Karim Khan Zand, the founder of the Zand dynasty, chose Shiraz as his capital; we continue to Vakil complex, Vakil Mosque, Bazar, and public baths that remain from his reign.
We also visited the colorful Nasirolmolk mosque. We will visit the Eram Garden, Naranjestan Palace, and the tombs of world-famous poets Hafez and Saadi in the afternoon.
Day 8: Persepolis - Shiraz
On an excursion day, you will visit the most magnificent city of the ancient world, Persepolis, which is now registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Persepolis was the ceremonial capital of the Persian Empire during the Achemaenian era. The site, 125,000 sq.m. in area, comprises various reception halls and palaces, private palaces, royal treasury, and fortifications, where we find the tomb of Cyrus the Great and remains of Achaemenian palaces and edifices. We continue our excursion by visiting Naghsh-e-Rostam, the Achaemenian necropolis (city of the dead), before returning to Shiraz.
Day 9: Kerman
Early morning departure for the city of Kerman (overland), en route visiting the enormous fig garden in the world at Estahban and Sassanid palace at Sarvestan, overnight Kerman.
Day 10: Kerman Bam
Having traveled overland the day before, we will start a full-day excursion in Kerman and Mahan later in the morning, visiting the mausoleum & monastery of Shah Nematollah Vali, the famous Sufi Dervish. We will also visit Shazdeh (Prince) Gardens and drive to Rayn to see its beautiful castle, which has become an alternative to Bam Citadel for tourists after the 2004 Earthquake. Overnight in Kerman.
Day 11: Yazd
Drive to Yazd in the morning and take a day city tour to visit the Towers of Silence, Fire Temple, Zoorkhaneh (Power House), and Amir Chakhmaq Square. Overnight Yazd.
Day 12: Yazd - Isfahan
A half-day city tour of Yazd, visiting Dowlat-Abad Gardens, Friday Mosque, and bazaar—an overland trip to the magnificent city of Isfahan in the afternoon. Upon arrival, we will head to the banks of the Zayanderud River, the town’s soul. Several historical bridges over this river were erected during the Safavid era (17th Century). Siosepol (33-arch) and Khaju bridges are the most famous ones. We enjoy visiting these two interesting bridges, drinking tea at the tea house below the bridge, walking along the river bank, or paddling on a boat from one to the other.
Day 13: Isfahan
In the morning, we start our full-day tour of Isfahan at the UNESCO World Heritage site of Naghsh-e-Jahan Sq. Once a royal polo court, this site was the official center of the city when it was the Safavid Capital (17th Century). We will visit the famous Imam Mosque (Royal Mosque) on the square’s southern side, which has incredible architecture and tile-work. Overnight Isfahan.
Day 14: Isfahan - Tehran
Starting another wonderful day in Isfahan, you will visit the Friday Mosque, followed by Chehelsotun (forty columns) palace in the morning. We will then see the Vank Cathedral and the Armenian Quarter—an evening flight to Tehran’s capital. (Depending on your departure flight, you will either be transferred to the airport or stay another night in Tehran and catch your flight the following day).
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