14 Days North West of Iran Tour

In the Morning:

Today we will explore Tehran, the grand capital of Iran. Your guide will pick you up at your hotel at 9 and take you to our first stop, The Golestan Palace. Originally built by Qajar kings, this magnificent palace also served as Pahlavi rulers’ winter home. After having lunch at one of Tehran’s best restaurants, called Moslem, we go for a short stroll around Tehran Grand Bazaar. This bazaar is extremely vast and crowded and it isn’t a suitable place for window shopping thus only a brief visit will suffice.

In the Afternoon:

Afterwards, we stop at Shah Mosque, a holy place where merchants and shop owners pay their respect to their god through Namaz (a term to describe Muslim’s prayer).

Our next stop will be at Abgineh museum(Museum of glass arts), Carpet(Farsh) museum or National museum or Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art according to your preferences. In addition, if you’re lucky enough to have this tour on one of the first four days of the Iranian week (Saturday to Tuesday, from 14 to 16:30) you get the chance to see finest pieces of jewelry found in Iran such as Daria-i-Noor diamond (Darya-ye Noor) in the national jewelry museum.

The next item on our list is Milad Tower, The highest tower in Iran and the most famous landmark in Tehran.

Our last stop is at Tabiat Bridge, a beautiful modern pedestrian bridge which is very glorious at nights, where we’ll have dinner and experience Tehran people nightlife as many people in Tehran go for a stroll in the evening there. afterwards we head back to the hotel at 9.

Accommodation: hotel in Tehran

Meals included: Breakfast

In the Morning:

This morning we’ll leave Tehran for Qazvin (150km, 3h), an important city throughout history. We’ll begin our Qazvin tour by visiting Russian Church (Kantur Church), an orthodox church built during the Qajar dynasty. Next, we’ll visit the Qajar bathhouse. This ancient bathhouse is one of the oldest ones in Qazvin and now serves as an anthropology museum. Afterward, we’ll have lunch at one of the best restaurants in Qazvin. This is our chance to taste the delicious Gheymeh Nesar.

In the Afternoon:

We’ll continue our Qazvin sightseeing after getting some rest. First, we visit Chehel Sotoun (Chehel Sotun) and Ali Qapu gate as they’re only a few minutes away. Chehel Sotoun (Chehel Sotun) is the only historical attraction in Qazvin that is left from the Safavid era. Our next stop is Caravanserai of Sa’d al-Saltaneh (Sa’d-al Saltaneh Caravanserai), one of the most important Qazvin attractions. The brick dome of this caravanserai is the most valuable part of it. Caravanserai of Sa’d al-Saltaneh along with the surrounding structures form Qazvin bazaar which is left from the Qajar era. Our last stop is Aminiha Hosseiniyeh which is one of the most beautiful historical buildings in Qazvin. Our day ends after having dinner at a restaurant and getting back to our hotel in Qazvin.

Accommodation: Hotel in Qazvin

Meals included: Breakfast

In the Morning:

Today we’ll also spend some time in nature. This day of our Iran tour begins as we leave the hotel for the Alamut region after breakfast (66km, 2h). Our first stop is Ovan Lake. This lake originates from a spring at its bottom and is less than 7 meters deep. We’ll then head towards * village, a unique village famous for its cliffs. This stunning natural attraction was formed as a result of volcanic activities in central Alborz and erosion.

In the Afternoon:

We’ll continue our journey to Alamut Castle after having lunch and getting some rest. Also known as Hassan Sabah castle, this historical castle sits at the top of a high cliff. Unfortunately, Alamut Castle is mostly destroyed; however, this doesn’t reduce its historical value. Alamut Castle was burnt down on Hulagu Khan’s order in the 12th century and was used as a prison after that. The castle was further damaged as a result of the digging done during the Qajar era in order to find treasures.
After visiting Alamut Castle, we go back to Qazvin to have dinner and rest.

Accommodation: Hotel in Qazvin

Meals included: Breakfast

In the Morning:

On the 5th day of our Iran culture tour, we leave our hotel for Zanjan after having breakfast (180 km, 2 h). We’ll visit the Dome of Soltaniyeh on our way there. This impressive structure was built in the 14th century and it has the third-largest dome in the world. Then we continue our journey to Zanjan and head to the city center upon arrival to visit Rakhtshooy khaneh Edifice. This historical building is located at the old part of the city and was built so that women were able to do laundry for free during winter and stay warm.

In the Afternoon:

We’ll have lunch and rest a while before heading to visit the next Zanjanj attraction, The Salt men Museum. The name Saltmen refers to six mummies discovered at Chehrabad salt mine in 1993. This interesting and tragic collection also includes the corpses of a woman and a teenage boy. Three of the mummies found are estimated to belong to the Achaemenid era (4000 B.C) and the other three to the Sassanid era (400-600 A.D). At last, we’ll visit the Jameh Mosque of Zanjan and Zanjan bazaar and then have dinner before getting to our hotel.

Accommodation: Hotel in Zanjan

Meals included: Breakfast

In the Morning:

Our day begins as we leave Zanjan for Tabriz (310 km, 3.5 h) after having breakfast at the hotel. We’ll visit the mesmerizing Aladagh Mountains on our way there. Aladagh Mountains are among the most unique Iran attractions and extremely popular among nature lovers. These colorful mountains are a perfect photography location due to their vibrant colors such as red, brown, green, yellow, white and orange. We’ll also visit Zahhak castle, a 2000-year-old castle dating back to the Sassanid era. 

After arriving in Tabriz, we’ll drop by the hotel to check in and leave our luggage and then head to Tabriz Bazaar. This grand bazaar is the largest roofed bazaar in the world and an important trade center in Iran. Dating back centuries, Tabriz bazaar was located on the Silk Road and its glory and grandeur was praised by many world travelers such as Ibn Battuta and Marco Polo. We’ll visit Jame mosque of Tabriz (Masjed-e Jameh) that dates back to the Seljuq dynasty.

In The Afternoon:

We’ll have lunch at Tabriz Bazaar and then leave for Elgoli Park, one of the best recreational centers in Tabriz. Elgoli Park was founded during the Aq Qoyunlu era and expanded during the Safavid dynasty. We’ll get some rest while sitting at a café and enjoy the atmosphere of the park. At last, we’ll have dinner and head back to our hotel to rest.

Accommodation: Hotel in Tabriz

Meals included: Breakfast

In the Morning:

Today, we continue our Tabriz sightseeing after having breakfast. Our First stop is the Blue Mosque of Tabriz and the adjacent Azerbaijan Museum and Iron Age Museum. Blue Mosque or Jahanshah Mosque is one of the most unique mosques in Iran. It was built during the Kara Koyunlu monarchy, in the 14th century. Azerbaijan Museum is one of the most important museums in Iran and the second archeological museum in the country after Iran Museum. The objects exhibited in this museum are from both the eras before and after Islam in Iran.  The Iron Age Museum of Tabriz is the first outdoor museum in the country. It’s an ancient site including a graveyard with 38 graves and several clay objects left from the Iron Age. After visiting these three Tabriz Attractions we head to the restaurant to have lunch.

In the Afternoon:

After having lunch and getting some rest, we continue our Iran tour by leaving Tabriz for Kandovan village, one of the oldest and most fascinating villages in Iran (56km, 1 hour and 15 minutes). We’ll also visit Arg of Tabriz if we have extra time. The Arg of Tabriz dates back to the 14th century. Unfortunately, today only its archway is left.

The 7000-year-old Kandovan Village is one of the three rocky villages in the world and the only one that is still residential. The other two similar villages in Turkey and the USA are empty. The unique Kandovan Village is also a national heritage. We’ll spend the night at a traditional hotel in Kandovan to have a new and exciting experience.

Accommodation: Hotel in Kandovan

Meals included: Breakfast

In the Morning:

This morning we’ll leave the amazing Kandovan Village for Sarein (250km, 4h) driving via a mesmerizing road. Sarein is a small town in Ardabil province which is famous for its natural hot springs and honey. We’ll have lunch on the road to Sarein. 

In the Afternoon:

Upon arrival to Sarein, we’ll first go to our hotel to drop off our luggage and take our swimsuits and other equipment and then head to one of the famous Sarein Hot Springs. These natural hot springs originate from Mount Sabalan (the third highest peak in Iran) and are the result of its volcanic activities. We’ll spend some time relaxing and swimming in Sarein Hot Springs and then leave for dinner. We recommend you not to miss the delicious Sarein Doughs and Lamb Kebabs. We’ll get back to our hotel after dinner.

Accommodation: Hotel in Sarein

Meals included: Breakfast

In the Morning:

We’ll start the 9th day of our Iran Cultural tour by having a delicious breakfast at the hotel. We suggest you try the popular honey and Kaymak made in Sarein, produced by cow/sheep farmers and beekeepers of the Sabalan’s foothills. Afterwards, we’ll spend some time exploring nature near Sarein and several of its Iran tourist attractions. If we are lucky, we might also get the chance to see some rare animal species. We’ll then leave for Ardabil (32km, 45 min). We leave it up to your preferences to have lunch in Sarein or wait until we arrive in Ardabil.

In the Afternoon:

We’ll begin our Ardabil sightseeing tour by visiting Sheikh Safi-al Din Khanegah and Shrine Ensemble (Sheikh Safi-od Din Mausoleum) after checking in the hotel. This UNESCO World Heritage Site contains some great samples of several types of art such as the best Tilework, Muqarnas, and Stucco, wood carving, Persian Paintings, epigraphy, and calligraphy dating back to the Safavid Era. We’ll then head to Shorabil Lake and have dinner while enjoying the beautiful landscape. Our Ardabil tour ends as we get back to our hotel.

Accommodation: Hotel in Ardabil

Meals included: Breakfast

In the Morning:

This morning, we’ll leave Ardabil and head to Masuleh (Masouleh) Village through Asalem-Khalkhal Road (210km, 4-5 h). The majestic Asalem-Khalkhal Road is approximately 70 km long and is a replica of paradise on earth. It has the typical climate of the northern part of Iran, meaning it’s often misty and rainy there. It’s also rather cold during winter due to being close to Khalkhal and its high altitude. Going through Asalem-Khalkhal Road is an unforgettable experience and a chance to enjoy a breathtaking landscape.

In the Afternoon:

We’ll have a delicious lunch on the road and then head to a forest to wander around in nature for some time. We’ll walk through the magnificent forests of the north of Iran and also spend some time on the shores of the Caspian Sea before continuing our journey to Masuleh Village.

The historical Masuleh Village is one of the most unique villages in Iran which is also registered as a UNESCO world heritage site. It’s famous for its structure featuring stepped houses. In other words, the yard of each house in Masuleh is the roof of the one below it. Masuleh is also a great place to enjoy the refreshing atmosphere of the north of Iran and also buy local products. We’ll spend the night in this dazzling village after having a traditional Iranian meal in a local residence.

Accommodation: Local stay in Masuleh Village

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

In the morning:

Today we will start sightseeing in Masuleh Village after having breakfast at 8:00. We’ll stroll through the alleyways of this beautiful village and also visit some local shops where you can buy handicrafts and souvenirs. We’ll have lunch at a restaurant in the village where you can try the appetizing local dishes.

In the afternoon:

We leave Masuleh Village after lunch and head to Bandar-e Anzali, a port city on the shore of the Caspian Sea (100 km, 2h). Anzali Lagoon is our first destination in the city. Anzali Lagoon is one of the most beautiful and significant lagoons in Iran. It’s best-known for its lotuses that create stunning scenery during spring and summer. This magnificent lagoon is also the natural habitat of many unique species and home to thousands of migrant birds, turning it into an ideal bird-watching destination. Next, we’ll head to Anzali city center and visit the local outdoor bazaar where fishermen bring their daily catch to sell. Lastly, we’ll visit Anzali Harbor to see the mesmerizing landscape of the Caspian Sea and the ships sailing and docking. We’ll then leave for Rasht and have dinner at Khomam city on our way.

Accommodation: Hotel in Rasht

Meals included: Breakfast

In the morning:

We begin the Rasht sightseeing part of our Iran tour by heading to Rudkhan Castle (Qal’eh Rukhan) after breakfast (50km, 1h and 15 min). Dating back to the Saljuq Era, Rudkhan Castle is believed to be one of the most secure castles in its time. This amazing castle is located on a mountain top and has 40 watchtowers and is accessible by a set of stairs. Rudkhan Castle is a valuable historical attraction and is also located in a mesmerizing forest. We’ll have lunch at a restaurant near Rudkhan Castle.

In the afternoon:

We return to Rasht after having lunch and getting some rest to continue the rest of our Rasht sightseeing tour. We start by visiting the local outdoor market of Rasht. Similar to the other markets of the type that are popular in Gilan Province, Rasht market is the beating heart of trade in the city. Many locals come to the market every day to buy groceries and local products among other things. Our next Rasht attraction is Shahrdari Square (Municipality SQ). This square was built during the Pahlavi Era and it’s still one of the most important places in the city and a popular hangout location for locals and visitors. Shahrdari Square has also won an award for its special design in 2017. We’ll have a delicious dinner at the square and then take a walk inside Sabzeh Meydan Park. The 12th day of our Iran cultural tour ends as we return to our hotel in Rasht.

Accommodation: Hotel in Rasht

Meals included: Breakfast

In the morning:

This morning, we head back to Tehran; however, we’ll make a few stops on the way to visit a few attractions. Our first stop is Gilan Rural Heritage Museum which is located in Saravan Park. This museum is one of the most special and important ones in Iran as it demonstrates the various aspects of rural life in different parts of Gilan Province. Gilan rural heritage museum is the best place for those interested in knowing about Iran culture and learning about the lifestyle, traditions and customs of the villagers in Gilan. Afterward, we’ll head to Ramsar through the beautiful seaside road (115km, 2h). We’ll take a ride on Ramsar Cable Car and witness the beauty of Hyrcanian Forests. These forests are between 25 and 50 million years old and are among the most valuable ones in the world. The Hyrcanian Forests are the 24th UNESCO Heritage Site in Iran as well. 

In the afternoon:

After having lunch in Ramsar, we’ll go to the beach again where you can also enjoy aquatic activities. Then we’ll head back to Tehran through the lovely Chalus Road (240km, 4-5h), which is one of the most important roads connecting the capital to the north of Iran. We’ll also have dinner on our way to Tehran. At last, we’ll get to our hotel in Tehran to rest.

Accommodation: Hotel in Tehran

Meals included: Breakfast

On your last day in Iran, you can spend some time on your own to go shopping or packing up. You will be picked up in time to be taken to the airport for your flight. We hope you’ve had a good time in Iran and wish you a safe flight. Thank you for choosing Cheetah Adventures

Accommodation: –

Meals included: Breakfast

Note: Extra nights of accommodation in Tehran can be requested.

Note: This cultural tour can be followed by a trekking tour or skiing tour.

Note: In case your flight leaves late at night, it’s possible to add a Tehran cultural tour to your schedule with extra charge