Short Visit of Persia Tour

In the Morning:

Today we will explore the grand capital of Iran. Your guide will pick you up at your hotel at 9:00 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. We will have our lunch in one of the most famous restaurants in Tehran, named Moslem.

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 the 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 the nightlife of Tehran as many locals go for a stroll on Tabiat Bridge in the evenings. At night’ you will take a bus to Shiraz (12h, 930 km).

Note: It’s possible to get to Shiraz by airplane (a domestic flight – 1:30 h) and spend the night in Shiraz, an extra charge will apply.

Accommodation: On the bus

Meals included: Breakfast

In the Morning:

After arriving in Shiraz we’ll get to the hotel and have breakfast before beginning our sightseeing tour in Shiraz. First we visit Nasir-al-Mulk Mosque (The Pink Mosque), best known for its colorful windows. As the sunlight shines in, the colorful reflection on the floor and the walls creates a dazzling view. The vivid colors alongside the beautiful tile work on the ceiling make this mosque a must-see in Shiraz.

Afterwards, we visit Bagh-e Narandschestan (Narenjestan Ghavam Garden or Qavam House). This garden and its beautiful mansion dates back to the Qajar era. The 7 traditional Iranian types of artwork decorating this mansion can amaze everyone.

Next, we’ll head to the Vakil complex consisting of a mosque a Hammam and a Bazaar. This complex was built during Zand era. We’ll visit Vakil Mosque and Vakil Bath (Hammam-e Vakil) with their impressive architectural style and leave Vakil Bazaar (Bazar-e Vakil) for having lunch in an Iranian traditional restaurant.

In the Afternoon:

Having some rest, we’ll head to Arg of Karim Khan (Karim Khan Citadel). This Citadel was originally built by Karimkhan’s order and used to be his home. The interior of this citadel suffered damages during the Pahlavi era, when it was used as a prison.

Come night, we get to Tomb of Hafez (Hafezieh) and Tomb of Saadi (Saadieh), the tombs of two famous Iranian poets, Saadi and Hafez.

Saadi and Hafez are extremely respected and loved by Iranians. Here you can experience the nightlife of Shiraz, listening to people reciting of these two great poets. We will spend our dinner time in one of the nicest restaurants in Shiraz named Haft-Khan Restaurant enjoying the live show of Iranian Music.

Accommodation: Hotel in Shiraz

Meals included: Breakfast

In the Morning:

This morning we leave the hotel at 7:00 to visit several monuments on our way to Isfahan (450 km, 6 h).

Our first stop is Persepolis or Takht e Jamshid ruins (1h, 60km). This grand archeological site used to be the grand ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid dynasty before being burned to the ground by Alexander the Great dates back to 3000 years ago. The remaining symbols and epigraphs and the magnificent capitals remind visitors of the grandeur of this ancient dynasty. Next, we get to Naqsh-e Rostam Necropolis. These amazing hand-carved tombs belong to the rulers of the Achaemenid dynasty.  We will also spend our lunch time on a road restaurant.

In the Afternoon:

After having lunch, we proceed to The Pasargadae (1h,78km). We’ll visit the ruins of the ancient city of Pasargadae and the tomb of Cyrus the Great, a just and beloved emperor and the founder of the Achaemenid Dynasty. The tomb of Cyrus is usually filled with Iranians paying their respects to this mighty leader.

Later on, we continue our way to Isfahan and spend the night resting in the hotel after arrival (4h, 360 km).

Accommodation: Hotel in Isfahan

Meals included: Breakfast

In the Morning:

Today we explore Isfahan (so called: Nesfe Jahan – Meaning half of the world! ), one of the most famous cultural destinations in the world and a well-known city in Iran for its impressive architectural style and culturally- significant monuments.

Our first stop is Naghsh-e Jahan Square (Imam square) that used to be a polo field is now one of the most famous tourist attractions in Iran. We’ll visit three monuments dating back to the Safavid era: Shah (Imam) Mosque, Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque and Ali Qapu palace ( Kakh-e Ali Qapu).

Ali Qapu palace, home to Shah Abbas from the Safavid dynasty, is best known for its lavish architecture and acoustic music hall. The brilliant design of the walls and the ceiling made music sound perfectly.

The next monument is Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque(Masjed-e Sheikh Lotfollah). To this day, no mistake has been found in the design of this mosque and use of geometry and symmetry can be seen everywhere. Next we will visit Shah Imam Mosque. This architectural masterpiece was built by the order of the king for his people and is a symbol of the bond between the kings and Islam. We have lunch at a nice traditional restaurant around Naghshe Jahan Square.

In the Afternoon:

Our afternoon program starts by visiting Chehel Sotoun Palace (meaning 40 pillars). The name refers to 20 wooden pillars and their reflection in the pool in front of the building. Much like other structures left from Safavid era, the interior of this pavilion is emblazoned with frescoes and paintings telling tales of war.

Next we’ll head to Jolfa quarter, home to the Armenian minority of Isfahan and one of the oldest neighborhoods of the city. We’ll visit Vank Cathedral one of the 13 remaining cathedrals in Isfahan. The fusion of the Christian frescos and the Iranian tile work on the ceilings of this cathedral dazzles every eye.

Later in the evening we will visit the two famous water bridges in Isfahan, Si-o-se-pol and Khaju Bridge, built over Zayandeh Rud River in the 17th century. Si-o-se-pol was used to celebrate Nowruz (Iranian New Year’s Eve) and several Armenian celebrations. You can experience the Iranian nightlife and listen to street musicians signing under Khaju Bridge as it’s a two level bridge & people can sit on the first level.

Our day ends as we have dinner and get back to the hotel.

Accommodation: Hotel in Isfahan

Meals included: Breakfast

Today we’ll spend the morning window shopping and spending time at the Grand Bazaar of Isfahan (Gheysarieh Bazaar), located at Naqsh-e Jahan square. All kinds of Iranian art work, traditional sweets and special spices can be found in this bazaar, making it an ideal place for buying souvenirs.

We leave this amazing city behind and head to Tehran after having lunch (5h, 450 km).

You’ll be dropped off at your desired location in Tehran.

Note: Note: Extra nights for accommodations in Tehran can be requested (before/after the tour start/end date).

Note: You can be dropped off at the Imam Khomeini International airport as well (depending on your departure flight)

Accommodation: –

Meals included: Breakfast