Church Seeking in Iran

Thaddeus Church

Saint Stephen Cathedral

Baghcheh Joogh Palace

Dome of Soltaniyeh

Constitutional House

Urmia Lake

Overview

Due to the presence of many Christians in Iran in various historical periods, it is not surprising that many churches have been built across the country. Iranian churches have always been like mysterious structures for the stories hidden within them. You will visit some churches of Jolfa, Maku, Khoy, Urmia. Plus, you won't miss looking at the home of specious bird species in Lake Urmia and the energy source of Takht-e Soleyman. Also, you will visit Tabriz on this tour in Iran.

Details

Arrival City: Tabriz

Theme: Cultural Tours

Departure City: Tabriz

Duration: 10 Days

Cities: Tabriz, Jolfa, Maku, Khoy, Urmia, Takab, Zanjan, Ardabil, Sareyn

Highlights

Visiting a UNESCO World Heritage site, Dome of Soltaniye.

Visiting Urmia Lake, an important salt lake in Iran which has a fabulous ecosystem.

Let your soul feel free at Saint Stepanos Monastery, a UNESCO World heritage site.

Visiting Maku city lying down in the history.

Visiting Blue Mosque known as the turquoise of Islam.

Related Attractions

El-Goli Park in Tabriz

Blue Mosque in Tabriz

Tabriz Bazaar

Maqbaratoshoara in Tabriz

Seh Gonbad Tomb Tower in Urmia

Jameh Mosque in Urmia

Urmia Museum

Urmia Lake

Sheikh Safi Khanegah and Shrine in Ardabil

St. Stepanos Church in Jolfa

Shams-e-tabrizi Minaret in Khoy

Rakhtshooy Khaneh Edifice and Museum in Zanjan

Salt Men Museum in Zanjan

Zanjan Bazaar

Takht-e Soleyman in Takab

Map

Itinerary

DAY 1: Tabriz

You will enter Tabriz International Airport. Our guide will welcome you and accompany you to your hotel which was booked in advance. You take a rest at your hotel and will be ready for the excursion in Tabriz. The first point is Azerbaijan Museum which is one of the most important museums in Iran. Then we visit Blue Mosque which is a worthy building due to its architecture. The next points are Constitutional House and Tabriz Grand Bazar. You will have a chance to walk around the largest roofed cover Bazar in the world and the oldest bazar in Middle East done. The last attraction is Mausoleum of Poets. You come back to your hotel at the end.

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DAY 2: Tabriz to Jolfa

Jolfa is a part of East Azerbaijan province. Although it is a tiny city, it hosts many great tourist attractions. You visit Saint Stephanos Cathedral which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. After that Saint Marry Church is the second church you visit today. Finally we walk along Aras River and then go to the hotel to have a nice night sleep in Jolfa.

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DAY 3: Jolfa to Maku

Today we drive to Maku to visit its interesting sites. You visit one of the most dramatic historical palaces of Iran, Baqche Jogh Palace and St. Thaddeus Church. The monastery and its conical roofs are visible from long distances. You have some time for shopping in bazaar and meet local people. Tonight you stay in Maku.

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DAY 4: Maku to Khoy

We drive to Khoy and first of all, you visit Shams Tabrizi Tower. Shams was the spiritual instructor of Mawlana Rumi, the great Persian poet. Then it is time to go to Khoy Museum. This single story museum consists of two halls and two rooms and includes both archeological and ethnological sections. Finally, you enjoy the Municipality Building. You will rest at your hotel in Khoy.

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DAY 5: Khoy to Urmia

Today we will go to another city, Urmia. First you visit Urmia Lake, the largest lake in the Middle East and the sixth-largest saltwater lake on Earth. Back to history, we visit Se Gonbad Tower and Jame' Mosque of Urmia. An ancient Assyrian church called St. Mary Church is where you go next. The last step today is Urmia Museum housing artifacts from different historical periods. You stay in your hotel in Urmia.

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DAY 6: Urmia to Takab

Located in a valley set in a volcanic mountain region, UNESCO World Heritage Takht-e Soleyman is the place you visit today. The site includes the main Zoroastrian sanctuary which partly rebuilt during the Ilkhanid period as well as a temple of Anahita from the Sasanid period .You go to Takab city to rest in your hotel.

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DAY 7: Takab to Zanjan

You will visit another UNESCO World Heritage site today. Soltaniyeh Dome is the first monument you visit today on the way to Zanjan. The mausoleum of Oljaytu which was constructed in the city of Soltaniyeh, the capital of the Ilkhanid dynasty. After that we go to Rakhtshoykhane and Saltmen Museum. To end our day we go for shopping in Zanjan bazar. You can find the best hand-made knives and best quality copper dishes. You stay at your hotel in Zanjan.

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DAY 8: Zanjan to Sareyn

Today we have a short trip to Ardabil to visit UNESCO World Heritage site of Sheykh Safi Ensemble. It was the largest and most comprehensive khanegah and the most noticeable Sufi Shrine due to hosting the tomb of the founder of the Safavid Dynasty. We drive to Sareyn and in the afternoon you enjoy swimming in hot water springs of Sareyn.

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DAY 9: Sareyn to Tabriz

In the morning, you have free time to enjoy exploring Sareyn, then we head off for Tabriz. You visit El Goli Park and its beautiful landscape in the afternoon. The park has a square artificial lake in four directions, surrounded by sidewalks. There is also a building in the middle of the lake, with traditional architecture of Iranians. You rest at your hotel in Tabriz.

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DAY 10: Tabriz

You take the flight back to your home while gaining a lot of interesting experiences in Persia land.

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Inclusions

Visa Application Process

All transportations by best quality vehicles including transfers from/to hotel

All entrance fees of sites mentioned in the itinerary

Mid-day refreshments

Professional English-speaking guide who accompanies you all days

Insurance fee

Accommodation in the hotels mentioned in the itinerary including breakfast and wifi

Exclusions

International flight

Lunch & Dinner

Related Cities

Notes

Depending on the group size, the tour price will change.

Fridays are weekend in Iran and Bazar is closed.

The hotels could be replaced with other hotels in same category if these hotels have limited availability for your selected dates.

States offices, administrations, post offices and banks are generally open from 07:30 to 12:00 and reopen after lunch break from 13:00 to 16:00.

On 15 May, 03 June, 17 June, 29 & 30 August and 16 October 2020, all tourist sites are close in Iran.

You can ask the officer to not stamp your passport.

You must follow the rules of the Iranian government for clothing. Women should cover their hair whenever they are in public (since they land at the Iranian airport), for men the use of shorts is not allowed.