DAY 1 - Tehran
You are well greeted at the airport by your guide and transferred to your hotel afterward. You settle in and take a rest in your private rooms. After a short rest, set out for the National Museum of Iran which contains over 300,000 historical and archeological objects. This is a good opportunity to get familiar with the history of Iran and know how the people lived in the past. Afterward, you are transferred to Golestan Palace and will be captivated by the magnitude of this monument as you wander along the palace. In the evening you are transferred to your hotel to eat dinner and rest for the rest of your trip.
DAY 2 - Ahvaz- Shush- Shushtar
Early in the morning you go to the airport to take a flight to Ahvaz which takes approximately 2 hours. We will transfer to Shush to visit the Apadana Palace of Susa and the Susa Museum and Castle then drive to Choqa Zanbil Zigurat, one of the few existing ziggurats outside Mesopotamia (14th century BC). The ziggurat is considered the best-preserved example of the stepped pyramidal monument by UNESCO. Then head to Shushtar and visit Salasel castle and Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System, inscribed as a masterpiece of creative genius, which can be traced back to Darius the Great in the 5th century B.C. Overnight stay in a traditional hotel in Shushtar.
DAY 3 - Kazerun
Early in the morning, you get in the vehicle and head to Kazerun. After a long way through the Zagros Mountains we will reach to ancient city of Bishapour the grand capital of the Sassanid king, Shapur (I) whose armies defeated the Romans three times. Overnight stay in a guesthouse in Tang Chowgan
DAY 4 – Shiraz
The fourth day will start by a visit of the relief I, in the Tang-e Chowgan gorge, which celebrates one of the earliest victories of the Sassanid monarch. Also visit reliefs II and III to commemorate the defeat of Valerian and then climb a mountain to visit Shapur sculpture at the entrance of a cave. After our visit we head to Shiraz. Overnight in Shiraz.
DAY 5 – Shiraz
Capture the colorful beauty of Nasir-ol-Molk Mosque, where the rays of sunlight crossing through the windows fill the interior with kaleidoscopic colors. Delight in Narenjestan-e-Qavam, an elaborate mansion built in the middle of sour orange trees. This garden house dates back to the Qajar dynasty and is one of the most fascinating gardens of Shiraz. Get mesmerized in the tombs of widely known Persian poets, Hafez. Take a tour of the awe-inspiring Vakil complex. Overnight stay in Shiraz.
DAY 6 – Shiraz - Persepolis - Yazd
Drive to Yazd. En route, stop by the Persepolis, the glamorous capital of ancient Persia. Tread in the simple but impressive site of Pasargadae, the tomb of Cyrus the Great” the Founder of the Persian Empire” and remains of his several palaces. Treat your eyes to the dazzling rock reliefs of Naghsh-e-Rostam. Discover Ka’be Zardosht, the center of astronomy and religion in old Iran. Arrive at Yazd, the Living Museum of Iran, and check into a cozy traditional guest house. Overnight stay in Yazd.
DAY 7 – Yazd
Catch a glimpse of a Zoroastrian temple where a sacred fire has been kept burning for hundreds of years. Discover the mud-brick mazes and buildings staying cool in scorching hot summers with windcatchers, the very first air conditioning systems ever. Get captivated by the Tower of Silence, a structure previously used for excarnation, with a short distance from the city. Also, visit the Friday Mosque (1324 A.D.) with the highest portal and minarets in Iran, with a walk through the old Fahadan quarter. Overnight stay in Yazd.
DAY 8 – Yazd - Varzaneh Desert – Isfahan
After a 2-hour drive from Yazd, plunge into Varzaneh Desert, one of the most accessible deserts in the world. Mark the combination of wilderness and civilization sitting right next to each other. Unique to Varzaneh, are the local women’s costumes. While women in the rest of Iran wear black chadors, they wear completely white ones. Get entertained by warm locals in traditional houses. Head off to Esfahan. Overnight stay in Isfahan.
DAY 9 – Isfahan
Capture the marvels of the Safavid dynasty, all in a single square, Naghsh-e-Jahan Square, the second biggest square in the world. Once used as a polo field, Naghsh-e-Jahan Square is now a lively traditional bazaar. Marvel at Ali Qapu Palace with its unique features and mesmerizing view of the square from the top. Soak up Islamic architecture in the magnificent Jame Abbasi Mosque on one side and the small but impressive Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque on the other side of the square. Sip some tea and indulge yourself in an ethnic dish in a memorable place. Stroll in the splendid Chehel Sotoun palace with the gardens surrounding it. Overnight stay in Esfahan.
DAY 10 – Isfahan ¬– Kashan – International airport
A half-day sightseeing of Isfahan. Take a walk in the cobbled streets of Jolfa, Armenian district, and capture the allures of the Vank cathedral with breathtaking paintings on its wall and dome. Drive to the City of Kashan, a merchant town known for its high-quality ceramics, silk, carpets, and fine houses. Tread in Fin Garden, is the epitome of Persian gardens including the pavilion, turquoise pools, a Hammam complex, and the modest Kashani National Museum. Catch a glimpse of the elaborate Borujerdi mansion, built in the 1840s for the affluent Tabatabaei family containing features such as a Biruni (where visitors and guests are entertained) and an Andaruni (the private part only open to family members). Head to Tehran International Airport to catch your flight out.
