11 days classic tour 3-4 stars

Arrival in Tehran, sightseeing tour of the sights and evening flight to Shiraz

Your guide will meet you at the airport and our journey through Iran will begin with a visit to the UNESCO heritage site, the Golestan Museum.

The Golestan Palace complex will allow you to journey back into the days of the Qajar Dynasty, whose kings reigned during the 18th and 19th centuries. Here you will encounter a refreshing and invigorating blend of Eastern and Western artistic and architectural influences as the traditional design elements of the region such as badgir windcatchers and iwans covered with brightly painted motifs unexpectedly intertwine with European neo-classical architectural features, reflecting the trend for everything being European among the reining elite of the Qajar dynasty.

This tour is adapted for Aeroflot flights Moscow - Tehran - Moscow.

The masterpieces of Persian architecture and engineering.
The photo shoot at Nasir al-Mulk Mosque.

The provincial capital of Fars, Shiraz is located in the heart of Iran, and it’s known as the city of blossoming gardens, captivating poetry, and vine.The beauty of this city was praised in the works of such great Persian lyric poets and ghazal-writers as Hafez and Saadi. The tombs of the poets have become an important part of Shiraz's cultural heritage: pilgrims from all over the world visit them, hoping to touch the ancient shrines and gain an understanding of the mysterious Persians.
As locals say, it’s hard not to be a poet in Shiraz.

You will explore authentic Nasir al-Mulk Mosque where you will be able to take stunning photos at the crack of dawn, The best time for visiting this mosque is early in the morning, right when the sunlight, passing through the dazzling stained glass, fill the prayer hall with various colors and patterns.
After the breakfast, you will continue your journey in Shiraz, get acquainted with Persian poetry, visit the sights of this city, learn about such spiritual path within Islam as Sufism and its adherents.

Ancient capitals of the Persian Empire.

Early in the morning, you'll depart Shiraz for Yazd. Along the route, you'll pass the archaeological sites of Persepolis and Naqsh-e Rustam.

The vast Achaemenid Empire, stretching from the eastern Mediterranean and Egypt to the Indus River in India, is considered the first empire characterized by respect for the cultural diversity of its peoples. This respect was reflected in Achaemenid architecture, which became a unifying representation of the empire's diverse cultures.

You will visit the capital of the Achaemenid Empire, Persepolis, founded in 518 BC. This grandiose ceremonial complex, built by Darius I in the 6th century BC, demonstrates a remarkable synthesis of Mesopotamian, Anatolian, and Persian architectural traditions.

Next, you'll visit Naqsh-e Rustam, an ancient necropolis carved into the rock. Here, you'll discover the majestic tombs of the Persian kings Darius I, Xerox I, Artaxerxes I, and Darius II, each unique in its bas-reliefs and stone carvings. You'll see scenes of triumphs and worship rituals, evoking the greatness of the Achaemenids.

Late in the evening, you'll stroll through the ancient Zoroastrian city. Yazd is older than the Egyptian pyramids and as contemporary as biblical Babylon. It is one of the oldest cities in the world, preserving its traditional architecture to this day. The historic center of Yazd is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The fire of Zoroastrianism and the greatness of the Safavids.

After breakfast, you'll visit the Ateshkod fire temple, where, according to researchers, the sacred flame has been burning since the 5th century. Next, you'll see the Towers of Silence-Zoroastrian structures used for "sky burial" rituals, described by Herodotus.

Transfer to Isfahan (311 km) via Meybod with its Narine Fortress, an example of Sasanian fortification (4th century). In the evening, you'll see the Khaju Bridge, a masterpiece of Safavid architecture, which, according to engineering studies, combined the functions of a dam, teahouse, and cultural center.

A Dialogue of Cultures and Masterpieces of Persian Architecture in the Heart of Isfahan

After breakfast, you'll visit Vank Cathedral, a unique example of the synthesis of Armenian Christian tradition and Persian art. Particularly noteworthy are the dome paintings, which, according to research, combine the techniques of Iranian and European masters of the Safavid era.

The highlight of the day will be a stroll through Naqsh-e Jahan Square, a World Heritage site where not only the empire's political but also commercial life flourished. Built in the early 17th century, the square is an urban architectural complex that encompasses the Shah Mosque, the Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, the Ali Qapu Palace, and shopping arcades. All architectural monuments facing the square are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Of particular interest is the 17th-century Shah Mosque, renamed the Imam Mosque after the Islamic Revolution. The mosque building, crowned with a double-layered dome, is clad in glazed tiles in turquoise, light blue, and blue. At the entrance to the mosque are two enormous minarets, nearly 42 meters tall.

A tour of Abyaneh. Departure to Kashan.

In the morning, you'll head to the village of Abyaneh. The village is renowned for its unique red clay architecture, as well as its culture and customs, which are distinct from those of central Iran.

Among the residential buildings in the settlement are the ruins of a medieval military fortification, as well as a fire temple, mosques, pilgrimage sites, and three citadels. Local residents adhere to a specific traditional dress code and practice the ancient religion of Zoroastrianism. Women wear traditional costumes. There is a production of souvenir handicrafts, and local residents continue the tradition of hand-weaving.

After your walk around Abyaneh, you will continue your route to Kashan.

After visiting the ancient cities of Iran, you will take a trip to the city of Shiraz.

Kashan: Engineering Heritage and Historical Evidence

After breakfast, you'll visit the Sultan Amir Ahmad Hamam, which preserves the original underfloor heating system mentioned in medieval Persian engineering treatises. The hammam is located in the historic center of Kashan. Nearby is the historic home of the wealthy merchant Tabatabai.

The historic mansion was built in the 19th century. The house covered nearly 5,000 square meters. Its owner was a wealthy carpet merchant. Today, the Tabatabai House is a museum and one of Kashan's main attractions.

After lunch, you'll travel to Tehran. The route to Iran's capital runs along a section of an ancient trade route, as evidenced by the surviving caravanserais marked on ancient cartographic sources. Check-in at a hotel in Tehran.

Beach holidays in Iran.

Breakfast, flight to Qeshm Island. Ferry to the neighboring island of Hengam. Relax at the seaside.

There's only one small village on the island. You'll visit the "silver beach," famous for its black sand, composed of a multitude of minerals resembling thousands of tiny crystals.

Schools of dolphins often swim along the Hengam coast. You might be lucky enough to spot one. The island is also home to sea turtles, monitor lizards, roe deer, and other exotic animals.

Wild beaches line almost the entire island. The coastline is comfortable for entering the sea. You can enjoy the sea and the sun.

Excursion to the Chah Kukh canyon, a boat ride through the mangrove forests of Kneshm Island.

The infrastructure of Qeshm Island is less developed than that of the famous Kish Island, but no less attractive.

The island's exotic nature is recognized as a national geopark and is protected by UNESCO.

On this day, you will go on an excursion to Chah Kukh, a valley with bizarre shapes formed by soil erosion.

After lunch, you'll take a boat tour along the mangrove forests, which are made up of Avicennia marina trees, named after the great scientist Avicenna. During this period, these forests harbor a wide variety of migratory birds, reptiles, fish, and mollusks. If you're lucky, you might spot green herons, flamingos, pelicans, and fishing eagles.

Hormuz Island Tour.

On day ten, you'll travel to Hormuz Island, located at the mouth of the Strait of Hormuz. This small island, steeped in centuries of history and boasting fantastic, otherworldly landscapes, has been nicknamed "Martian" for its unusual red sands.

The island is truly colorful. The riot of colors is mesmerizing. The island's soil contains over 80 shades, from scarlet to marble, with red predominating due to the high ochre content. In addition to the pristine nature and picturesque landscapes, the island is home to an ancient Portuguese fortress, a testament to the island's belonging to the Portuguese Empire.

After visiting Hormuz you will return to Qeshm.

Beach holiday and return to Tehran

The day will be spent relaxing on the shores of the Persian Gulf.

Departure to Tehran. Check in at a hotel near the airport.

Return home.