Between Island and Desert

Tour details

Origin City: Tehran

description

On this trip you will see what is to be discovered in the south of Iran. You will arrive in Tehran, the Iranian capital, and experience the mix of tradition and modernity here. You will then fly to Qeshm Island and then visit the cities of Bam and Kerman in Kerman Province. The desert cities are particularly worth seeing because of their architecture, which is a specialty. In Isfahan there are numerous exciting buildings mainly from the Islamic era on the program. At the end of your trip you will visit Shiraz and the surrounding area, where you will visit the ancient remains of old Persian palaces in Persepolis and get a good impression of how people built and lived in the Persian Empire.

Day 1

Arrival Tehran

You will be met on arrival at IKA Airport and transferred to the hotel.

Day 3

Tehran-Qeshm

In the morning flight to Qeshm. Depart for explore Laft Port in which splendid wind catchers and a ship traditional factory comes to your attention. Have lunch in a local house. In addition, you will enjoy the beautiful scenery of sunset.

Day 5

Qeshm-Konar Sandal-Bam : 406 km

In the morning, you cross on the ferry to Bandar Abbas Port and drive to Bam from there. On the way, stop in Jiroft and visit Konar Sandal archeological Hills and its museum, which demonstrates one of the oldest civilizations of the world dating back to about 5000 years ago.

Day 7

Kerman-Mahan-Shahdad : 275 km

Today, you go on an excursion to Mahan. In Mahan, you visit Shahzadeh Garden, a green oasis at the heart of the desert, and Shah Nematollah Vali Shrine an Iranian poet and Sufi (mystic). Then go for an exquisite stroll in Shahdad Desert located in Lut Desert. It is noteworthy that Lut Desert, listed in UNESCO World Heritage Site, is known as the hottest place in the world.

Day 9

Yazd

In Yazd, known as bride of the desert, you take the opportunity to get familiar with the burial ceremony of ancient Persia in Towers of Silence. Then you head for Zoroastrian Fire Temple, a holy site for Zoroastrians in which you can find the holy fire maintained about 1500 years by clergies. Then you visit Water Museum and Amir Chakhmaq Square. In the afternoon, you explore Jameh Mosque of Yazd, which dates back to the 9th century and demonstrates Iranian art to the world. Then stroll in the Historical District, listed in UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Day 11

Isfahan

Start your sightseeing in Isfahan, known as one of the treasures of art and architecture. First, you visit Jameh Mosque of Isfahan, one of the five oldest Friday Mosques in the world. Then head for Si-o-se Pol and Khaju Bridges, which have spanned the Zayandehrud River. Continue to the Vank Cathedral, constructed with an inspiration from Saint Stepanos Monastery and influenced by Iranian and Italian art, and its Museum. At the end, stroll in Grand Bazaar of Isfahan, one of the greatest and luxurious trading centers in Safavid era.

Day 13

Isfahan-Persepolis-Shiraz : 489 km

Depart Isfahan for Shiraz. On the way, visit Persepolis, the ancient capital of Persia with its wonderfully well-preserved remains. Then Proceed to Naqsh-e Rustam, which contains four graves of the first Achaemenid Emperors, Darius the Great, Xerxes, Artaxerxes I and Darius II, carved into the cliff.

Day 15

Departure Shiraz

You will be transferred to SYZ Airport for your flight home.

Day 2

Tehran

Start your trip by exploring Tehran including National Museum of Iran and Golestan Palace. This palace which is listed in UNESCO World Heritage Sites is a brilliant example of an important period in the history of Persia where the society starts a new era of modernism. Afterward, visit National Jewelry Museum of Iran where the most dazzling collection of gemstones and jewelry is held.

Alternative to National Jewelry Museum of Iran: Carpet Museum

Day 4

Qeshm

Continue your sightseeing in Qeshm. First, you visit Namakdan Cave, literally means saltshaker. This adorable cave features permanent salt icicles and a flow of salt water. Then explore Chahkuh Valley, listed in UNESCO World Heritage Sites as a part of Global Geopark. Your next exploration is among Hara Forests, which offers you refreshing activities such as boat riding. At the end, you will visit Stars Valley created because of soil, stone and sand erosion caused by the wind, rain and shower.

Day 6

Bam-Rayen-Kerman : 240 km

In the morning, visit Bam Citadel, listed in UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and admire the biggest adobe construction of the world. Then depart Bam for Kerman. On the way, make a stop in Rayen Citadel, the second largest adobe construction in the world built in Sassanid era. Then you go sightseeing in Kerman.

Day 8

Kerman-Yazd : 368 km

First, you explore Jameh Mosque of Kerman, a 4-iwan mosque dating back to 700 years ago. Then visit GanjaliKhan Historical Bathhouse in which you can find paintings belonging to Safavid era and a portal decorated with marble. At the end, you go for a stroll in Grand Bazaar of Kerman including 60 different markets. Then depart Kerman for Yazd.

Day 10

Yazd-Nain-Isfahan : 332 km

In the morning, depart Yazd for Isfahan, the capital of Iran in Safavid era. On the way, visit Narin Castle dating back to 4000 years ago, in Meybod. Continue to Jameh Mosque of Nain, built about 1000 years ago with an inspiration from Prophet Mosque in Medina. Finally, you visit Kavir Anthropology Museum, the pattern of traditional houses of the central deserts in Safavid era.

Day 12

Isfahan

Continue your sightseeing in Isfahan by visiting Chehel Sotoun Palace (Forty Columns), a brilliant example for Persian garden listed in UNESCO Word Heritage Site. Next, Head for Naqsh-e Jahan Square, the second largest square in the world, and the monuments around including Imam Mosque, a stunning monument at the head of the square; Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, also known as the mosque of women; and Ali Qapu Palace in which the important meetings of the king with ambassadors and other politicians were carried out. Have some leisure time in the afternoon.

Day 14

Shiraz

In Shiraz, you explore Nasir-ol-molk Mosque; also known as the Pink Mosque. Afterwards, you visit Narenjestan e Ghavam Garden and enjoy the beautiful orangery gardens. Next, you proceed your sightseeing to Hafiz Tomb where you appreciate a great poet who was also admired by Goethe. Finally, end the day by visiting Ali Ibn Hamzeh Holy Shrine and Vakil Bazaar; a traditional covered bazaar located at the center of Shiraz enjoying natural air conditioning, arches and stunning architecture.