TASTE OF IRANIAN MUSIC (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, Kerman – Tehran
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

» You will visit the most magnificent and ancient treasuries of Iran on this tour.

» You will travel into the past and experience historical sites at Bishapour that trace back to Sassanid era.

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

» Come with us and experience the traditions in the old cities of Yazd, Natanz and Kashan.

» You will visit Abyaneh an old village with the colorful dress of its inhabitants.

» In this tour you have the chance to experience Persian culture for both traditional music and cuisine. The entertainment includes a performance of Persian classical music played on traditional instruments while enjoy a delicious local cuisine.

MAP

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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 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 Islamic works of art. Then, toward the Golestan palace complex, which is a UNESCO heritage and dates from the 18th century AD. Finally, in the evening transfers to the airport and flies to Shiraz. O/N Shiraz

tehran

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. In addition, we will visit six Bas-reliefs on the rock walls of Tang- e Chogan depicts the Persian’s victory over the invading Romans. When we return to Shiraz, there may be an opportunity to see Qashqai nomads in their annual migration. O/N Shiraz

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Day 4: Shiraz - Music

We will visit the Eram 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. Later, visit 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

Amazing Iranian Night Music

This evening we have the chance to experience Persian culture. The entertainment includes a performance of classical music played on traditional instruments while we enjoy a delicious local cuisine dinner. This is the highest taste of Iran culture with a sermonic session of Iranian classic music in a local house with delicious Iran cuisine. Iranian classic music draws back thousands of years ago. In Persian classical music dates back thousands of years and during the times of the Elamites (2500 to 700 BC) and the Achemenians (500BC), the accompaniment of music during religious and ceremonial parades was paramount. Later, during the Sassanian era (200-650AD) great musicians including Bamshad, Nakisa, Azad and Barbad made significant contributions. During this memorable evening, the program includes ancient music composed by Farabi and Shirazi and played on the instruments Saz, Setar, and Zarb and a selection of Persian poetry of Mowlavi and Hafez.

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

(485 Kilometers distance)

 

We depart from Shiraz via the Quran gate, 45 km north of Shiraz stop at Persepolis, the outstanding ceremonial palace of the Achaemenians (550BC) is a 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 the central Iran ranges Continue to Isfahan, O/N Isfahan

Day 6: 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

Persepolis

Day 7: Isfahan

We will visit the Vank Cathedral and adjoining museum in the Armenian quarter of Isfahan and later see the Friday Mosque, shaking minarets Mosque, and the Safavid reception palace of Chehel Setoun (forty columns) where huge frescos depict memorable events of Safavid times. O/N Isfahan

Day 8: Isfahan - Kashan - Abyaneh

(310 Kilometers distance)

After breakfast, we drive northwards to Kashan where we visit the Fin Garden complex, the Agha Bozorg theological school, and the bazaar. Kashan is famed for its fine carpets and many restored traditional merchant houses. We continue to the ancient village of Abyaneh. This is unique in its ochre-colored mud brick constructions and the colorful dress of its inhabitants. O/N Abyaneh

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Day 9: Abyaneh - Yazd

(430 Kilometers distance)

Today we drive to Yazd reputed to be one of the world’s oldest cities and often referred to as being like a living museum. We will visit narrow alleys of mud brick and plaster, and see the tall wind towers, which provide unique and effective cooling systems in this desert climate. The Friday Mosque in which, dates from the 14th century and boasts of having the tallest minarets in all of Persia. Silk weaving workshops may be seen where exquisite brocades are still made on traditional looms. O/N Yazd

Day 10: Yazd - Kerman

(365 Kilometers distance)

Today we shall explore this ancient city and visit a Zoroastrian temple where a sacred fire has been kept burning for hundreds of years and is now a Zoroastrian pilgrimage center. This is an opportunity to learn about Zoroastrianism the religion of ancient Persia and which was followed until Arabs brought Islam to Iran. On the outskirts of the city, we visit the Towers of Silence, the burial locations of the Zoroastrians. In the afternoon drive to Kerman. O/N Kerman

Yazd

Day 11: Kerman - Bam - Mahan - Kerman

(385 Kilometers distance) [Round Trip]

We will visit the remains of Bam citadel which was the largest adobe building in the world and is, listed by UNESCO as part of the World Heritage Site “Bam and its Cultural Landscape”. Then, will visit the magnificent Mausoleum of Shah Nematollah e Vali, the great Sufi, and the lovely Shahzadeh (Prince) Garden in Mahan. Then, return to Kerman. O/N Kerman

Day 12: Kerman - Tehran

Kerman is famous for fine Persian carpets. There we will visit the 17th-century Ganjali khan complex which includes one of the most interesting and ancient bazaars in Iran. This restored traditional bathhouse has a display of wax figures depicting the functions of the bathhouse and a traditional teahouse. In the afternoon, fly to Tehran. O/N Tehran

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Day 13: Tehran

In the morning, we drive to Tehran’s northern suburbs on the foothills of the Alborz Mountains. We visit the Niaveran palace complex where palaces of former Qajar and Pahlavi rulers are now museums. In the afternoon, visit Tehran’s famous mall centers and Jamshidieh park where we can speak with the local people. O/N Tehran

Day 14: Tehran - Departure

Transfer to Tehran Intl airport for your return flight.

Golestan Palace

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