IRAN CLASSIC WITH CASPIAN SEAS (14 DAYS – 13 NIGHTS)
BASIC INFORMATION
Duration: 14 day trip – 13 night
Start: Shiraz, Iran
Finish: Tehran, Iran
Included meals: 13 Breakfasts, 0 Lunches, 0 Dinner
Accommodation grade: Local Residence, 3, 4, and 5-Star Hotels
Transport: Private Car, Van, A.C. Minibus, and Bus
Internet: Free Wi-Fi in Vehicle and at the hotel
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
» This tour visits impressive sites at Shiraz, Isfahan, and Yazd. Your trip will leave you with memories of an enchanting ancient land.
» Discover Pasargadae and Persepolis, cities of the Achaemenid Empire that rank among the world’s greatest sites of antiquity.
» We enjoy the desert in the Matin Abad and stay overnights in a camp or tent.
» This tour enables you to see the traditional way of life of the unique inhabitants of the ochre mud brick houses at Abyaneh village.
» Ramsar, Anzali, and Masouleh in the north of Iran close to the Caspian Sea are places that we visit in this Itinerary. We can enjoy and explore many beautiful places with pristine and romantic scenery.
MAP
ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrival - Shiraz
Arrival at Shiraz airport welcome by a Gashttour representative and then transfer to the hotel and rest. O/N Shiraz.
Day 2: Shiraz
After breakfast, we will visit the Eram Garden (Paradise Garden) which was built during the middle of the thirteenth century. Besides, we visit Naranjestan Gardens with its outstanding tile working, mirroring, etc., which was built between 1879 and 1886 by Qavam Family, and visit Nasir-ol-Molk Mosque (Pink Mosque). Then, toward Hafez and Saadi Museums who was a famous Persian poet in the world. Afterward, we will visit the Arg Citadel and Vakil Bazaar. Later, visit the most astonishing mirror decoration of the Ali Ibn Hamza Holy Shrine. O/N Shiraz.
Day 3: Shiraz - Persepolis - Necropolis - Pasargadae - Abarkooh - Yazd
[ 460 Kilometers Distance]
After rest and break, we depart from Shiraz via the Quran gate, 45 km north of Shiraz we stop at Persepolis the outstanding ceremonial palace of the Achaemenian (550BC) which is UNESCO heritage. Then in Necropolis, we see four tombs of Achaemenian kings high in the cliffs of limestone. Then, we continue through mountain scenery to visit Pasargadae another UNESCO heritage, the earliest Achaemenian capital where the tomb of Cyrus the Great is well preserved. Further, on our route cross, central Iran ranges to visit 4, 000 old Cypress in Abarkooh. Then, drive to Yazd. O/N Yazd.
Day 4: Yazd - Fahraj Village - Yazd
[80 Kilometer Distance Round Trip]
After breakfast drive to Fahraj village a 5000-year-old village in the desert, and visit the Jame Mosque of Fahraj. Later return to Yazd. Yazd is a very ancient city and is listed as a UNESCO Heritage. Marco Polo wrote of the fine attributes of that city. It is like a living museum. We will visit narrow alleys, a bathhouse converted to a first-class restaurant, and see the high wind towers that form efficient cooling systems in this desert climate. Then, visit the Dowlat Abad Gardens built in the 18th century for a former ruler. Later visit the Syed Jafer shrine, which is decorated with tens of thousands of mirror tiles illuminating the whole mosque. In addition, visit the Friday Mosque dates from the 14th century. Later, visit the silence tower and fire temple. O/N Yazd
Day 5: Yazd - Meybod - Naein - Isfahan
[330 Kilometers distance]
We drive to Isfahan, and en route, we will visit the Ice House, old caravanserai, and Narin Castle in Meybod. Further on at Naein, we will visit a carpet weaving workshop. Later, continue to Isfahan. In Isfahan, we will visit the Armenian quarter of Jolfa where the Vank cathedral and its adjacent museum are of interest. In the afternoon, we will visit Si-o-Se Pol (thirty-three arches) and Khajoo bridges spanning the Zayanderud River. O/N Isfahan.
Day 6: Isfahan (B/-/D)
In the morning, we will visit Naghshe Jahan Square, a huge open square in the center of Isfahan which is listed as a UNESCO Heritage. The square periphery is marked by outstanding Safavid buildings which include the Ali Qapu palace, the Imam Mosque, the Sheikh Lotfollah (ladies) mosque, and to the north the expansive bazaar where we can see artisans crafting metal work, Persian miniatures, printing intricate designs on cloth and other activities. Later, we will visit the Music Museum. Later we visit the Friday Mosque, Pigeon Tower, and Chehel Setoun Palace where the huge murals are masterpieces from Safavid times. O/N Isfahan.
Day 7: Isfahan - Abyaneh - Matin Abad Desert
(280 Kilometers distance)
Drive to Abyaneh and visit this old village full of old archeology and colorful clothing. Later, drive toward the Matin Abad desert and enjoy there. We could have camel riding and stagecoach in this desert.
Matin Abad Desert Eco-Camp
Day 8: Matin Abad Desert - Kashan - Qom - Tehran
(320 Kilometers distance)
After breakfast, continue to Kashan, renowned over the centuries for its ceramics, tiles, pottery, textiles, carpet, and silk. We will see the Fin Garden and Tabatabaei Historical House and the unique Agha Bozorg Mosque and Madrasah. Later, visit Sultan Amir Ahmad Bathhouse. Later transfer to Tehran and en route, we will visit the courtyard of the Hazrat-e-Masoumeh holy Shrine. Later, drive toward Tehran. O/N Tehran
Day 9: Tehran
After breakfast, we will visit Mellat Palace in Saad Abad Palace Complex which was the complex first built and inhabited by Qajar monarchs in the 19th century. After an expansion of the compounds, Reza Shah of the Pahlavi Dynasty lived there in the 1920s. Then, visit the Archaeological and Islamic Art Museums. The pre-Islam archaeological museum covers Persia’s history from the fifth millennium BC to 648 AD while the Islamic art museum provides a display of Islamic works of art. Then, toward the Golestan palace complex, which is UNESCO Heritage and dates from the 18th century AD, and visit Salam Hall and Marble Throne (Takht-e- Marmar) in this palace. Also, visit Azadi and Milad towers from Outside. O/N Tehran.
Day 10: Tehran - Ramsar
(250 Kilometers distance)
Drive by coach through a beautiful mountainous road that crosses the Alborz range taking us from the semi-arid southern slopes to the northern forested slopes which lead down to the rainforests, tea plantations, and rice paddies of the Caspian littoral. O/N Ramsar
Day 11: Ramsar - Anzali
(155 Kilometer distance)
Drive westwards along the Caspian coast and visit tea plantations and rice growing farmlands and fascinating wooden houses which are a feature of this region. Arrive at Anzali the largest Iranian port on the Caspian. Visit the Anzali lagoon a large stretch of freshwater paralleling the coast. This area is renowned as a haven for a wide range of migratory waterfowl. We may also have the chance to visit a caviar processing factory. O/N Anzali
Day 12: Anzali - Masouleh - Qazvin
(360 Kilometers distance)
After breakfast drive toward Masouleh and visit this fascinating village. Then, drive to Qazvin via another Alborz mountainous road which takes us past the Manjil Dam. Qazvin is a city of antiquity and was the first capital of the Safavids dynasty in the 16th century. Here we visit some archaeological sites. O/N Qazvin
Day 13: Qazvin - Soltaniyeh - Tehran
(440 Kilometers distance)
Before we drive toward Tehran, we will transfer to Gonbade Soltaniyeh and visit this UNESCO Heritage site. Now it is best known for the incredible huge Mongol Domed Mausoleum built in the 13th century. Later, transferred to Tehran. O/N Tehran.
Day 14: Tehran - Departure
Transfer to the airport for your return flight from Iran.