IRAN INSPIRATION (14 DAYS – 13 NIGHTS)

BASIC INFORMATION

Duration  Duration: 14 days trip – 13 nights
blank   Start: Tehran, Iran
blank   Finish: Tehran, Iran
Flight   Flight: Tehran – Shiraz
blank   Included meals: 14 Breakfasts, 0 Lunches, 0 Dinner
blank   Accommodation grade: 3, 4, and 5-Star Hotels
blank   Transport: Private Car, Van, A.C. Minibus, and Bus
blank   Internet: Free Wi-Fi in Vehicle and at the hotel

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

» Have you ever seen a subterranean lake? Do not worry, come with us, we will show you an extensive subterranean lake system in limestone caverns near Hamadan.

» In Hamadan (ancient Ecbatana) you will visit, Avicenna’s tomb, and Iran opens its gates to you one by one from old castles and palaces to new gardens and museums.

» Discover Pasargadae and Persepolis, cities of the Achaemenid Empire that rank among the world’s greatest sites of antiquity.

» On this tour, you will visit Bishapour that trace back to the Sassanid era and is a combination of Persian and Roman art and architecture that hadn’t been seen before Bishapur construction.

MAP

IRAN INSPIRATION
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ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrival - Tehran

Arrival at Tehran airport, welcome by a Gashttour representative. Then transfer to hotel and rest. O/N Tehran

Day 2: Tehran - Shiraz

(01:15 Hours distance by plane)

After breakfast, we will visit Saad Abad Palace Complex which was the complex first built and inhabited by Qajar monarchs in the 19th century. After the expansion of the compounds, Reza Shah of the Pahlavi Dynasty lived there in the 1920s. Then, we 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. Later, visit the Golestan palace complex a UNESCO heritage and dates from the 18th century AD. Finally, in the evening, transfers to the airport and flies to Shiraz. Meet and transfer to the hotel. O/N Shiraz

Golestan palace

Day 3: Shiraz - Bishapour - Shiraz

(280 Kilometers distance) [Round Trip]

Early morning departure to visit Bishapour, an ancient partly excavated Sassanian city built as a commemoration of Persia’s victory over the invading Romans. According to an inscription, the city was found in 266 by Shapur I (241-272), who was the second Sassanid king and inflicted a triple defeat on the Romans, having killed Gordian III, captured Valerian, and forced Philip the Arab to surrender. Besides, we will visit six Bas-reliefs on the rock walls of Tang – e Chogan depicts the Persian’s victory over the invading Romans. During our return to Shiraz, there may be an opportunity to see Qashqai nomads in their annual migration. O/N Shiraz

Day 4: Shiraz

We will visit the Eram Garden 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. Then, toward Hafez and Saadi mausoleums who were two famous Persian poets in the world. Afterward, we will visit the Vakil mosque complex and the most astonishing mirror decoration of the Ali Ibn Hamzeh Holy Shrine. O/N Shiraz

Persepolis

Day 5: Shiraz - Persepolis - Necropolis - Pasargadae - Yazd

(460 Kilometers distance)

We drive to Yazd and depart from Shiraz via the Quran gate, 45 KM north of Shiraz stopping at Persepolis the outstanding ceremonial palace of the Achaemenians (550BC) which is UNESCO heritage. At 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, our route crosses central Iran and ranges to Yazd. O/N Yazd

Day 6: Yazd

Yazd is a very ancient city. 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 which form efficient cooling systems in this desert climate. Then, visit the Doulataad 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, The Friday mosque dates from the 14th century, and at a silk weaving workshop, we see exquisite brocades still being made on traditional looms and at last Athletic House (Zour Khaneh). O/N Yazd

Pasargadae

Day 7: Yazd - Meybod - Naein - Isfahan

(330 Kilometers distance)

In the morning, we will explore this ancient city and visit a Zoroastrian temple where a sacred fire has kept burning for hundreds of years at this Zoroastrian pilgrimage center. This is an opportunity to learn about Zoroastrianism, which was the Persian religion before the Arabs brought Islam to Iran. Later visit the Zoroastrian Towers of Silence on the outskirts of the city. Their burial rituals were performed. In the afternoon, drive to Isfahan en route, we will visit Narin Castle, an old caravanserai at Meybod, and a carpet workshop at Naein. O/N Isfahan

Day 8: Isfahan

In the morning, we will visit Naghshe Johan 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. In the afternoon, we will visit Si-o-Se Pol (thirty-three arches) and Khajoo bridges spanning the Zayanderud River. Then, we will visit Music Museum. O/N Isfahan

The Windcatchers of Yazd

Day 9: Isfahan

We will visit the Armenian quarter of Jolfa, Vank cathedral, Friday mosque, Shaking Minarets, and the Safavid reception palace of Chehel Sotoun (forty columns) with its exquisite frescos. O/N Isfahan

Day 10: Isfahan - Kermanshah

(570 Kilometers distance)

In the morning, we drive towards Kermanshah. En route, we will visit Falak-ol- Aflak castle in Khoramabad once the center of an Assassin guerilla group that battled with Arab rulers. O/N Kermanshah

isfahan

Day 11: Kermanshah - Hamadan

(195 Kilometers distance)

Drive to Hamadan, en route we will visit UNESCO heritage the Bisotun inscriptions which when translated by Rawlinson in 1835 provided an insight into the history of the Achemenians at the time of Darius and Xerxes. Much later Sassanian bas-reliefs are seen at lower levels in the massive rock escarpment. O/N Hamadan

Day 12: Hamadan

Hamadan is the site of a very ancient center which was the capital of the Medes about 3000 years ago. Formerly called Ecbatana (or Hegmataneh) city has witnessed many noteworthy historical events. Recent excavations have revealed archaeological treasures, which are seen in the adjoining museum. Other places to be visited include the tomb of Avicenna (Ibn Sina) the 10th Century physician, and author of early medical texts, the tomb of Mordecai and Ester now a Jewish pilgrimage site, the tomb of early poet Baba Taher and the remains of the 12th century Alaviyan dome.O/N Hamadan

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Day 13: Hamadan - Tehran

(340 Kilometers distance)

In the morning, we visit the extensive system of subterranean lakes in limestone caverns at Ali Sadr. Later continue to Tehran, O/N Tehran

Day 14: Tehran - Departure

Transfer to Tehran Intl. airport for your return flight from Iran.

hamadan

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