Explore Persia Through Its Historical Capitals

Borujerdi House

Tange Chogan

Nasir al Mulk Mosque

Si o Se Pol Bridge

Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque

Niavaran Palace

Overview

Throughout this 12 day trip, the target is to visit Iran via its important historical capitals. Tehran where is an attractive combination of history and modernity, Hamedan where you have a chance to explore Hegmataneh, Kermanshah and its wonderful reliefs reminded from Achaemenids Empire are the first destinations in this tour. You will follow the plan to Ahvaz and two important ancient cities of Susa and Shushtar which will amaze you by Iranians brilliant knowledge in ancient times by discovering hydraulic constructions. There is no doubt you will walk through history and watch the grandeur of Persians by visiting Shiraz and Persepolis. Isfahan and Kashan with their unbelievable architectural sites are another destinations. Besides, you have a unique chance to visit one of the most famous historical villages, Abyaneh and make your trip to Iran a fascinating one.

Details

Arrival City: Tehran

Theme: Cultural Tours

Departure City: Tehran

Duration: 12 Days

Cities: Tehran, Hamadan, Kangavar, Kermanshah, Khorramabad, Shush, Shushtar, Ahvaz, Shiraz, Isfahan, Kashan

Highlights

Walking in archaeological ruins of Ancient city of Ecbatana.

Being surprised by the masterpiece of Achaemenids, Historical Hydraulic System in Shushtar.

Visiting Persepolis, the seat of Cyrus the Great, declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Feel the magical energy in the temple of the god of water in Anahita Temple.

Visiting a series of rock reliefs dating back to Achaemenids in Taq-e Bostan.

Walking through the unique village of Abyaneh.

Related Attractions

National Jewelry Museum in Tehran

National Museum of Iran in Tehran

Grand Bazaar in Tehran

Tajrish Bazaar in Teheran

Darband in Tehran

Saheb Gharaniyeh Palace of Niavaran Complex in Tehran

Carpet Museum of Iran in Tehran

Naqsh-e Jahan Square in Isfahan

Si-o-se Pol (Allahverdi Khan Bridge) in Isfahan

Qeysarie Bazaar in Isfahan

Ali Qapu Palace in Isfahan

Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque in Isfahan

Hasht Behesht Palace in Isfahan

Khaju Bridge in Isfahan

Vank Cathedral in Isfahan

Chehel Sotoun Palace in Isfahan- The Persian Gardens

Borujerdiha House in Kashan

Fin Garden in Kashan

Narenjestan Qavam House in Shiraz

Nasir-ol-molk Mosque in Shiraz

Tomb of Hafez in Shiraz

Arg of Karim Khan in Shiraz

Falak-ol-Aflak Castle in Khorramabad

Ecbatana in Hamadan

Taq Bostan in Kermanshah

Naqsh-e Rustam in Marvdasht

Persepolis

Pasargadae

Abyaneh Village in Natanz

Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System in Shushtar

Chogha Zanbil Ziggurat

Map

Explore Persia Through Its Historical Capitals

Itinerary

DAY 1: Tehran

Welcome to Tehran metropolis. Our leader will come to IKA Airport and welcome you. After a short rest at your hotel, the central city sightseeing will be started. You first visit a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Golestan Palace which is a royal complex of Qajar era. Then, you visit Iran National Museum which exhibits some ancient objects of Persia. The next are Royal Crown Jewel Museum and Carpet Museum. Finally, to make it more enjoyable, we spend some time shopping in Tehran Grand Bazaar.

DAY 2: Tehran Full Day

On the second day of this trip, you experience another part of Tehran. This time you discover the northern part of Tehran. Luxurious Sa'dabad Palace and Darband Mountainous area which is full of colorful restaurants is your first sightseeing. Niavaran Palace which shows us the lifestyle of the former King and Queen will be the next point. Tajrish Bazaar with its traditional atmosphere full of fresh fruits and other stuff is the next step.

DAY 3: Tehran to Hamedan

Today we drive to Hamedan which was known as Ecbatana in ancient times. Alavian Dome which was a mosque dating back to Seljuq era. Tomb of Avicenna, a Persian polymath who is regarded as one of the most important physicians, astronomers, thinkers and writers of the Islamic Golden Age and Ganjnameh Relief across Mount Alvand are the places you have the chance to visit in Hamedan.

DAY 4: Hamedan to Kermanshah

In the morning, you have the opportunity to see Hegmataneh archaeological hill which is an open area on Alvand Mount slopes and the view of the mountains from the top of this hill is pleasantly rewarding. We drive to Kermanshah but on the way there is an important UNESCO World Heritage site which you will visit, Anahita Temple which is the second Iranian biggest stone structure. Then, it is time to go to Bisotun which is located on an ancient trading route that connected Iranian Great Plateau to Mesopotamia. Now, you enter beautiful Kermanshah and breathe the clean fresh air of this city.

DAY 5: Kermanshah to Khorramabad and Ahvaz

Taq-e Bostan, a stone made arch that dating back to Sasanid Empire in the heart on Mount Zagros, is the first attraction to be visited today. Now we drive to Ahvaz but don’t worry. We surely do not miss visiting Falak-ol Aflak Castle in Khorramabad in the middle of the way. Continue driving to Ahvaz the capital city of Khuzestan province and take a rest at your hotel.

DAY 6: Ahvaz to Susa and Shushtar

We start our day by driving to the worldwide treasure, the ancient city of Susa. It comprises several layers of covered urban settlements from the 5th millennium BCE until 13th century CE. Then, you visit Chogha Zanbil Ziggurat. Many archeologists thought that Chogha Zanbil was the first religious complex in Iran. The magnificent Hydraulic system of Shushtar which is surely a masterpiece of creative genius will be the next point. This structure was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Come back to Ahvaz and stay overnight there.

DAY 7: Ahvaz to Bishapur and Shiraz

The plan is to drive toward Shiraz but on the way we have a stop in ancient city of Bishapur dates back to Sasanid era. Just beside this ancient city, there are six reliefs remained from Sasanid era located in Tang-e Chogan valley. You will visit them and surely enjoy it. Then, we continue our journey to receive awesome Shiraz.

DAY 8: Shiraz Full Day

Today you will discover the cultural city of Shiraz. The city tour will be started by Pink Mosque (Nasir al Mulk Mosque) to watch its charming architecture and take some unique photos. After that, we continue the way to visit Arg of Karimkhan which was a citadel dates back to Zandieh Dynasty. The next point is Vakil Complex which includes a bath, a mosque and traditional bazar. Narenjestan Ghavam and Eram Garden are two attractive gardens in Shiraz which are in our plan for visiting next. At the end of your excursion, you go to Tomb of Hafez, you listen to his inspiring poems and feel fresh after a busy day.

DAY 9: Shiraz to Persepolis and Isfahan

Today, you go to Legendary City of Persepolis, the former Capital of great Achaemenids. The city was founded by the order of Darius the Great in 512 BC. Then, you move towards Naghsh-e Rostam (Necropolis) where King Darius was buried. You visit Pasargadae, the tomb of Cyrus the Great, who established justice through the vast Persian Empire in ancient times and was the father of Human Rights. This site was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site. You move towards beautiful city of Isfahan.

DAY 10: Isfahan Full Day

Today, you will discover the city of architecture. You start a fresh day by going to Naghshe Jahan Square (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the largest historic square in the world and its 4 important monuments around it. The first one is Shah Mosque (Imam Mosque) with its stunning architecture and charming dome. The next is Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque which people call it Ladies Mosque due to its gentle interior designing. Ali Qapu Palace which was the tallest building in the capital of Safavid dynasty and Qeysarie Bazar a well-known center for buying handicrafts are the next attraction. After lunch, you move to Chehel Sotoun Palace. In the evening, you visit historical Hasht Behesht Palace.

DAY 11: Isfahan Full Day

Today, you go to Jolfa District for visiting Vank Cathedral is considered as the largest and most beautiful church in this area and walk around Armenians neighborhood. Then you have a chance for visiting one of the oldest mosques in Iran which is on UNESCO World Heritage list, Jame Mosque of Isfahan. This great mosque was used as a fire temple in Sasanid era and became a mosque in Islamic period. In the evening, you have enough time for walking on 2 famous historical bridges in Isfahan, Si o se Pol and Khaju Bridge .

DAY 12: Isfahan to Abyaneh and Kashan and Tehran

Leave the enchanting city of Isfahan and move towards Tehran. In the middle of the route there is a unique village named Abyaneh . In this red village, the houses are mostly built of mud and bricks and have wonderful facades designed with sash windows, balconies and wooden roofs. Then, we drive to a tiny historical town which is popular for its historical houses, Kashan. You will visit Fin Garden, one of the Persian Gardens in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The next site is Boroujerdiha Historical House which is a good example of Irani architecture in past century. Drive to IKA Airport and leave this amazing country.

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.

Opening dates and time of Jewels Museum in Tehran are Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays from 14:00 to 16:00.

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.