Day 1: Tehran
Arrival at Imam Khomeini International Airport. Welcomed and accompanied by a Shokouh Iranian agent. Hotel transfer. Treat your eyes to a priceless collection of diverse artworks in the Contemporary Art Museum. Uncover Milad Tower, one of the tallest towers in the world. Overnight stay in Tehran.
Day 2: Tehran-Kashan
Marvel at the greatness and dignity of Golestan Palace, a royal palace dating back to the Qajar dynasty. Mark the manifestation of art and culture in the Carpet Museum of Iran, where a permanent and a temporary gallery await you. Hit upon the splendid priceless Jewelry Treasury of Iran and see one of the most renowned gemstones and shah crowns around the world. Transfer to Kashan in the evening. Overnight stay in Kashan, a merchant town known for its high-quality ceramics, silk, carpets, and fine houses.
Day 3: Kashan-Abyaneh-Esfahan
Tread in Fin Garden, is the epitome of Persian gardens including a pavilion, turquoise pools, a Hammam complex, and the modest Kashan 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). Drive to Abyaneh– the living anthropological museum with its red mud bricks– and wonder how the man has adjusted to the environment. Drive to Esfahan. Overnight Esfahan.
Day 4: Esfahan
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 Imam 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 5: Esfahan
Delight in the glamorous Atigh Mosque, which is considered a museum of a thousand years of Persian Islamic architecture and is truly one of the world’s greatest mosques. Take a walk in the cobbled streets of Jolfa, Armenian district, and capture the allures of Vank Cathedral with breathtaking paintings on its wall and dome. Overnight stay in Esfahan.
Day 6: Varzaneh Desert-Yazd
After a 2-hour drive from Esfahan, plunge into Varzaneh Desert, one of the most accessible deserts in the world. Check out 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 Yazd, the living museum of Iran. 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. Unearth the silk weaving workshop where exquisite brocades are still made on traditional looms. Overnight stay in Yazd.
Day 8: Yazd-Shiraz
Drive to Shiraz. 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-Rajab and Naghsh-e-Rostam. Discover ka’be Zardosht, the center of astronomy and religion in old Iran. Overnight stay in Shiraz.
Day 9: Shiraz
Get the first impression of the city by walking through the gardens and treating your eyes to beautiful flower patches. Capture the colorful beauty of Nasir-ol-Molk Mosque, where the rays of sunlight crossing through the windows fill the interior with kaleidoscopic colors. Get mesmerized in the tombs of widely known Persian poets, Hafez and Sa’di. Take a tour of the awe-inspiring Vakil complex. Become astonished by the glory of Karim Khan citadel dating back to 3 centuries ago. Overnight stay in Shiraz.
Day 10: Kish
From Shiraz airport, catch a flight to Kish. Gain a wealth of memorable experiences at the beach. Opt for a scope of water activities including parasailing, jet skis, banana boats, or go diving and immerse in the coral reefs filled with a wide range of marine life. If interested in history rather than excitement, take a tour to the underground city of Kariz– dating back to 2500 years ago, and browse Green Tree Complex having the oldest trees on the island. After lunch, take a Land-cruiser Safari tour to marvel at riding camels and ATV motorcycling. Experience a delightful dinner with dynamic live music. Overnight stay in Kish Island.
Day 11: Kish
Clear your head at one of the most peaceful beaches of the Persian Gulf and rejoice in waters rich in marine life right on the frontline of the beach. Visit the remains of old Kish in Harireh and Greek shipwrecks aground in the water to form an awe-inspiring sunset. Get thrilled by cycling around the island and forming your overall impression of the island. Have an unforgettable dinner on a Persian Gulf cruise. Overnight stay in Kish.
Day 12: Kish-Tehran
Depart from Kish to Mehrabad airport in Tehran. Transfer to Imam Khomeini International Airport to catch your flight back home.
