Deserts, Oasis and Persian Cultural Trip

Tour details

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description

This trip allows you to discover different deserts of Iran, distinguished by their specificities. You will spend unforgettable nights in the heart of the desert in traditional accommodations. In addition, you will take the opportunity to walk on the dunes, go camel riding and go on safari.

 

Day 1

Arrival in Tehran

Transfer to the hotel.

Day 3

Tehran-Maranjab : 298 km

Today you visit National Museum; one of the most important museums of the world, containing two post-Islamic and pre-Islamic parts. You continue to Golestan Palace. The first palace complex of the Tehran, dating back to the 16th century. It features unique Qajar-era tiling and was the most important public palace of Iran in the 19th century. In the afternoon, depart for Maranjab Desert. Overnight in Maranjab Caravanserai.

Day 5

Kashan-Anarak-Mesr : 501 km

Depart Kashan for Mesr. On the way, visit Jameh Mosque of Ardestan; the first two-story mosque in the history of Islam and the second 4-iwan mosque of Iran. It is characterized with its mihrab which is known as one of the most beautiful types in the world. Afterwards, head for historical part of Anarak Village; the historic texture is vacant currently. It has adobe houses constructed with Iran traditional architecture. Then make a stop and enjoy Landscape of Chupanan Village, the most organized adobe village of the world. It is highly recommended to photograph the windcatchers from the vantage point of this village. In Mesr, go for a stroll in sand dunes.

Day 7

Mesr-Kharanaq-Yazd : 382 km

Depart Mesr for Yazd. On the way, visit Bayazeh Village, an oasis which is home to a historic castle and a trench. Then head towards to the Historical Part of Kharanagh village, literally means the birth place of the sun. The historic part of Kharanaq includes multi-story adobe houses, a bazaar and a mosque. In addition, it is like a surrounded castle. One of the most magnificent attractions of Kharanaq is the minaret of its mosque.

Day 9

Yazd-Nain-Isfahan : 325 km

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 over 1000 years ago with an inspiration from Prophet Mosque in Medina.

Day 11

Isfahan

Continue your sightseeing by visiting Chehel Sotoun Palace (Forty Columns), a brilliant example for Persian garden listed in UNESCO World Heritage Site. Next, Head towards 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. At the end, take some leisure time in the afternoon.

Day 13

Shiraz

Today, 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, you 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.

Day 15

Departure Shiraz

Transfer to the airport.

Day 2

Tehran

Start your sightseeing in Tehran by visiting Sa’dabad Palace; a palace in the north of Tehran, where two former kings of Iran resided. This palace hosted Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin in Tehran Conference in 1942. Then explore Tajrish Bazaar, a big traditional bazaar in the north of Tehran, where people do their daily shopping such as fruits, handicrafts and foodstuff. In the afternoon, visit Carpet Museum; founded by Farah Diba, has a loom-shaped structure and holds 135 carpets such as a copy of Pazirik Carpet. In addition, an occasional exhibition has been established on the upper floor of this museum. At the end visit Iranian Artist’s House; It is a cultural-artistic complex and a place to hold visual arts and display movies, theater and concert. It is also a good place to buy handicrafts and artworks.

Alternative to Artist’s House: Contemporary Arts Museum

Day 4

Maranjab-Kashan : 64 km

In the morning, stroll in salt desert on the edge of the Salt Lake. At noon, depart for Kashan where you can visit Tabatabaei Historical House, this oriental house dates back to the 19th century and features a big courtyard and beautiful ornaments and then visit Agha Bozorg Mosque, a mosque and theological school featuring a unique dome. It is noteworthy that it is still functioned as a theological school, in Kashan. Finally stroll in Fin Garden, a Persian garden which belongs to the 16th century and includes a few pavilions and a historic bath in which one of the most well-known Iranian ministers was murdered.

Day 6

Mesr

Mesr, a part of Dasht-e Kavir (central desert) located at the vicinity of an oasis of the same name. It is home to tall dunes. Have stroll in desert, camel riding and Safari. You can enjoy sunset on the sand dunes.

Day 8

Yazd

Enjoy your sightseeing in Yazd by exploring Towers of Silence, also known as Dakhma, the round structures on top of a tall mountain. Zoroastrians used to put the corpses on top of the towers to return them to nature without pollution. Head towards Zoroastrian Fire Temple, a temple that holds the sacred fire for several years. This structure was constructed about 100 years ago in Yazd by the Association of the Parsi Zoroastrians of India. Afterwards, visit Water Museum, a traditional house, located at the center of Yazd which displays the construction and operation of qanats. Then you proceed to Amir Chakhmaq Square, the major historic square of Yazd, which was constructed in the 15th and functioned as a Tekyeh. Your next exploration is Jameh Mosque of Yazd, located in the historic district of Yazd, features the tallest historic minarets among Iranian mosques. At the end, you stroll in the Historical District in Yazd, the first adobe city of the world, featuring spiral narrow alleys. These neighborhoods are still inhabited.

Day 10

Isfahan

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

Day 12

Isfahan-Pasargadae-Shiraz : 489 km

Depart for Shiraz in the morning. On the way, visit Pasargadae, the first palace complex of Persian Empire which became an inspiration for Persian Garden. Pasargadae, the dominion center of Cyrus the Great, is also home to his tomb.

Day 14

Shiraz-Persepolis-Shiraz : 130 km

You will spend whole day discovering ancient Persia. In the morning, go on an excursion to Persepolis, the most important political capital of Persian Empire, founded by Darius the Great. This site includes a number of palaces such Apadana Public Palace and Hundred Column Hall. You proceed to Naqsh-e Rustam, the royal necropolis of Achaemenid emperors which is located close to Persepolis. This site is home to a number of Sassanid reliefs. At the end, visit Quran Gate; in the past, all the large cities of Iran had a gate on top of which a Quran was placed to let the travelers pass under Quran before traveling.