Historians believe human life existed in Persia around 6000 BC and there were many communities who had settled in the eastern side of the mountain range Zagros. This tour will offer you an essence of the ancient Persian Empire, most of the towns and sites that you will visit are either thousands of years old or have been registered by UNESCO as a heritage site. On this tour in addition to the official tourist track you will be visiting some of the usually over sought and yet astonishing places also.

Tehran    Masuleh    Anzali    Ardebil    Sae Ein    Tabriz    Kandovan    Zanjan    Hamedan    Isfahan    Shiraz  

Day 1: Tehran

Arrival, meet and greet at the airport, transfer to hotel. Overnight Tehran

Day 2: Tehran

A full-day tour of the capital, Tehran. 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 which is a large roofed old shopping complex. We will then get more familiar with Persian Carpets at the Carpet Museum

Day 3: Masuleh

Drive to Masouleh. Masouleh village is one of the most beautiful & unique places you will have seen and is perched high on a densely forested mountainside about 60 kilometers inland from the Caspian Sea. The roofs of houses on lower tiers are used as courtyards for houses on the tiers above them. In some cases, public streets are laid out along interconnected roofs. The organic layout and steep stairs have made motor vehicles impractical, so they are banned in the village. About 800 people currently live in the village. Overnight Masuleh.

Day 4:  Anzali

Drive to the port of Anzali, where we will be visiting Anzali’s great natural sites, including its beautiful beaches and swamps. Overnight Anzali.

Day 5: Ardebil

Drive to Ardebil via Khalkhal & Kivi to visit sheikh safi-o-Din Mausoleum, Jame mosque, overnight Ardebil. The roads on this trip are amongst the most beautiful sceneries of North Western Iran.

Day 6: Sar Ein

On this day we will be visiting Sar Ein. located 28 km outside of Ardebil. With its newly developed tourism infrastructure combined with its natural beauty and thermal springs, Sar Ein is the perfect excursion. Overnight Sar Ein.

Day 7: Tabriz

Early morning drive to Tabriz. Overnight Tabriz.

Day 8: Kandovan

In the morning we will embarque on a half day city tour of Tabriz to visit blue mosque, Shah-Goli Pavilion, Azerbaijan museum and its magnificent bazaar. After visiting Tabriz we will head to kandovan, on the way you will be served a traditional Persian meal in a local restaurant. Kandovan will simply take your breath away with its beautiful houses which are carved inside rocks and its mineral water springs. Overnight Kandovan.

Day 9: Zanjan

Drive to Zanjan to visit Rakhtshoor-khaneh, Jameh mosque, its two pleasant tea houses, Soltaniyeh Dome and fantastic bazaar. Overnight Zanjan.

Day 10: Hamedan

Drive to Hamedan, we will have a half day city tour of Hamedan in the afternoon. Overnight Hamedan

Day 11: Hamedan

An excursion to Kermanshah to visit Sassanian bas-reliefs at Tagh-e Bostan, the Achaemenian inscriptions and relieves at Bisotun and the Anahita Temple at Kangavar,  a half day city tour of hamedan in the afternoon to visit Ganjnameh and Avicenna mausoleum. Esther and Mordecai Tomb. Overnight Hamedan.

Day 12: Isfahan

Drive to Isfahan, in the evening we will stroll along  'Zayandeh Rood’ river which splits the city  and visits Sio-se-Pol and Khajou bridges where we can relax by the river and enjoy the local night life in a traditional tea house. Overnight Isfahan.

Day 13: Isfahan

Full day city tour of Isfahan to visit Hasht-Behesht and A’li Qapu palaces, Sheikh Lotfollah, Imam Mosques, Bazaar, Vank Cathedral and the Armenian quarter. Overnight Isfahan.

Day 14: Shiraz

Drive to Shiraz, enroute visiting Pasargad (Pasargadae was the capital of the Persian Empire from the sixth century BC until it was conquered by the Macedonians led by Alexander the Great in 330 BC. Now a town in Iran, Pasargadae was established by the first ruler of the Achaemenid Dynasty, Cyrus the Great.), Naghshe Rostam (aka Necropolis or the city of the dead) and the Persepolis, overnight shiraz.

Day 15: Shiraz

City tour of Shiraz, after an easy morning we will start by paying a visit to Zandiyeh Complex, the residential palace of Zand dynasty. We continue to Vakil complex, Vakil Mosque, Bazar and public bath that are remaining from his reign. We will chill out at the traditional tea house of Saray e Moshir to have a fully Persian experience, a quick visit to Nasiro - Molk Mosque will conclude our morning tour before lunch. In the afternoon we will head to Eram Garden, tombs of poets Hafez, Saadi , Ali ebne Hamza Shrine and finally Narenjestan Palace. Overnight Shiraz.

Day 16: Departure

Transfer to Shiraz’s international airport for your departure flight.

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