Day 1: Tehran - Kish
After arrival at Tehran International Airport, welcomed and accompanied by Shokouh Iranian transfer agent to Mehrabad Airport to catch your flight to Kish Island, the pearl of Persian Gulf and the fourth most visited vacation destination in Southwest Asia. Overnight stay in Kish.
Day 2: Kish
Gain a wealth of memorable experiences at the beach. Opt for a range 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 3: Kish - Shiraz
After breakfast, fly to Shiraz. Check into your hotel. In the evening, uncover the city with a walking tour around the city. 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 fascinated by the tombs of prominent Persian poets, and Sa’di. Take a tour of the awe-inspiring Vakil complex. Become flabbergasted by the glory of Karim Khan citadel dating back to the Zand dynasty. Overnight stay in Shiraz.
Day 4: 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–Rajab and Naghsh–e–Rostam. Discover ka’be Zardosht, the astronomy and religious center of old Iran. Arrive at Yazd, the living museum of Iran, and check into a cozy traditional guest house. Overnight stay in Yazd.
Day 5: Yazd
First thing in the morning, drop by a Zoroastrian temple where a sacred fire has been kept burning for hundreds of years. Uncover the narrow streets and alleys made of mud bricks and delight in checking out windcatchers, the very first air conditioning systems ever. Get captivated by the Tower of Silence, a structure used for excarnation, within 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 6: 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 Esfahan.
Day 7: Isfahan
Capture the marvels of the Safavid dynasty, all in Naghsh-e-Jahan square, the second biggest square in the world. Once used as a polo field, Naghshe Jahan Square is now a vibrant traditional bazaar. Marvel at Ali Qapu Palace with its fascinating features and mesmerizing view of the square from the top. Get a tinge of 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. 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 8: Isfahan – Kashan – International airport
A half-day sightseeing of Isfahan. 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 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.
