Iran tour packages

Arrival in Tehran, sightseeing tour and overnight flight to Dezful

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 transports us to Persia in the 18th and 19th centuries, during the reign of the Qajar dynasty. Traditional elements of Eastern architecture - badgirs and eyvans covered with vibrant, hand-painted ceramics in traditional patterns - are unexpectedly intertwined with European scenes and attributes of European life, demonstrating the fashion for all things European among the ruling circles of the Qajar dynasty.

Ancient cities of Iran - Dezful, Susa, Shushtar

According to German orientalist and Iranologist Professor Walter Hinz, Dezful may have been the capital of Elam. This city will be our starting point for our exploration of Iran's ancient history. Early in the morning, we'll depart for Susa (in Iran, the city is called Shush), the winter capital of the Persian Empire, a city repeatedly mentioned in the Bible and considered one of the oldest cities in the world. After visiting the tomb of the Prophet Daniel, we'll head to the Chogha Zanbil ziggurat (Dur Untash). The ziggurat was built in the 2nd century BC and is currently a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Chogha Zanbil provides insight into the religious and cultural traditions of ancient Mesopotamia. Archaeologists have uncovered numerous artifacts at the site of the ziggurat, including pottery and cuneiform tablets, which shed light on the culture, traditions, and customs of the Elamite civilization.

The next attraction on the route will be the ancient hydraulic system of Shushter.

Shushtar was built in the 5th century BC. In 2009, this historic Iranian landmark was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as a "masterpiece of creative genius."

In the evening, we'll depart for Ahvaz for our flight to Shiraz. Given that most airlines release their domestic flight schedules in Iran two to three weeks in advance, itinerary changes are possible. If there are no flights, we'll spend the night in Ahvaz. In the morning, we'll depart for Shiraz (540 km). The route passes through the Iranian mountains and picturesque landscapes.

Shiraz Tour

If there is a flight from Ahvaz to Shiraz, this day will be dedicated to rest and an excursion around Shiraz.

In the heart of Iran, in Fars Province, lies a city of blooming gardens, poetry, and wine - Shiraz. The great Persian poets Hafez and Saadi celebrated its beauty in their verses. The poets' tombs have become a cultural treasure of Shiraz: pilgrims from all over the world flock to them, hoping to touch ancient relics and uncover the mysteries of the Persian soul.

Masterpieces of Persian architecture and engineering.
Photoshoot at Nasr al-Mulk.

As locals say, it's hard not to be a poet in Shiraz.

At dawn, you'll head to Nasr al-Mulk for a photo shoot. The mosque is best visited early in the morning, when the first rays of sunlight filter through the multicolored stained-glass windows, filling the hall with a variety of colors and patterns.

After a breakfast break, you will continue your tour of Shiraz, get acquainted with Persian poetry, visit the city's sights, and learn about Sufism and its followers.

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.

Kashan: Engineering Heritage and Historical Evidence

After breakfast, you'll visit the Sultan Amir Ahmad Hamam, where the original underfloor heating system, mentioned in medieval Persian engineering treatises, has been preserved. Archaeological evidence suggests that such structures served not only hygienic but also important social functions in urban life.

The Tabatabai House reveals the secrets of Safavid architecture. The stained glass windows were created using Byzantine techniques, and the wall paintings contain authentic quotations from classical Persian poetry. Archival documents confirm that the building's forty ceiling vaults are decorated with unique geometric compositions, never repeated.

The Fin Garden preserves the memory of key events in Persian history. According to historical chronicles, it was here that dramatic events associated with the famous state reformer unfolded. The garden contains trees that are five centuries old or more.

The route to Tehran runs along a section of an ancient trade route, as eloquently attested by the surviving caravanserais marked on ancient cartographic sources. Check-in at a hotel near the international airport.

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