Day 1: Tehran
Arrival at Imam Khomeini international airport. Received and greeted by Shokouh Iranian agent. Hotel transfer. Overnight stay in Tehran, the cosmopolitan capital of Iran.
Day 2. Tehran to Shiraz
Capture the greatness and dignity of Golestan palace, a royal palace dating back to Qajar dynasty. Mark the glory of history and culture in the National Museum of Iran, where a permanent and a temporary gallery awaits you. Hit upon the splendid priceless Jewelry Treasury of Iran and see one of the most renowned gemstones and shah crowns around the world. Take a train to Shiraz. Overnight stay on train.
Day 3. Shiraz
Morning arrival to Shiraz. Unveil the colorful beauty of Nasir-ol-Molk Mosque, where the rays of sunlight crossing through the windows fills the interior with kaleidoscopic colors. Get mesmerized in the tomb of widely known Persian poets, Hafez. Explore Vakil Complex and enjoy the beauty of ancient Hammam and then browse the bazaar to see Iranian handcrafts.Overnight stay in Shiraz.
Day 4. Shiraz-Yazd
After breakfast, drive to Yazd. En route, visit Persepolis, the capital of ancient Persian Empire. Go to Naghsh-e-Rostam rock reliefs. In Pasargadae, see the tomb of Cyrus the Great, the king of Achaemenid dynasty. Continue your ride to Yazd. Overnight stay in Yazd.
Day 5. Yazd - Varzaneh
Explore Yazd, the living museum of Iran. 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.
In the afternoon, drive 3 hours and 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. Enjoy the night under the star-filled sky of the desert and make a memorable and unique night. Overnight stay in a traditional guest house.
Day 6. Varzaneh-Esfahan
Early morning drive to Esfahan, Known as half the world. Check into a traditional hotel. After a short rest, take a walk in cobbled streets of Jolfa, Armenian district and capture the allures of Vank cathedral with the breathtaking paintings on its wall and dome. In the afternoon, take a walking or bike riding tour on the Zayanderood river side packed with parks. On your way, catch a glimpse of Khajoo bridge– the finest, Si-o-se pol bridge– the longest, and Shahrestan bridge– the oldest of all. Overnight stay in Esfahan.
Day 7. Esfahan
Capture the marvels of Safavid dynasty, all in a single square, Naghsh- e- Jahan square, the second biggest square around 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 magnificent Imam Mosque on one side and 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 splendid Chehel Sotoun palace with the gardens surrounding it. In the afternoon, 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. Overnight stay in Esfahan.
Day 8. Kashan
Drive to Drive to the City of Kashan, a merchant town known for its high quality ceramics, silk, carpets, and fine houses. Tread in Fin Garden, the epitome of Persian gardens including pavilion, turquoise pools, a Hammam complex, and the modest Kashan national museum. Catch a glimpse of 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). Depending on your departure flight, you may stay in Kashan overnight or head off to Imam Khomeini Airport after sightseeing.
Day 9. Departure
Drive to Imam Khomeini international airport to catch your flight back with a handful of fond memories from the land of marvels.
