DAY 1 - Shiraz
Received and welcomed by Shokouh Iranian travel agent. Transfer to the hotel and get ready to start an unforgettable trip to once the biggest emperor territory.
DAY 2: 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 or Sa’di. Take a tour of the awe-inspiring Vakil complex. Overnight stay in Shiraz.
DAY 3:Shiraz - 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 4 - Yazd
First thing in the morning, drop by 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 5 - Varzaneh Desert – Esfahan
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. Visit the Dovecote, once used to keep mailing pigeons.
Go to an ox well that has been working for years now to extract water from the ground. Get entertained by warm locals in traditional houses. In the afternoon, hit the Salt Lake of Varzaneh and enjoy its greatness. Drive to Varzaneh Desert to walk on shimmering sand hills and immerse in the starry night and silence of the desert. Head off to Esfahan. En route, catch a glimpse of the Ghoortan Citadel, which is believed to be 1000 years old. Overnight stay in Esfahan.
DAY 6 - 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 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 7 - Isfahan
Delight in the magnificent 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. 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 Isfahan.
DAY 8 - Departure Isfahan
Transfer to Shahid Beheshti airport to catch the departure flight by Turkish Airlines at 7:55 to Istanbul.
