Essences of Iran: From the Caspian Sea to Persepolis

Welcome to Iran! Transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon (variable schedule based on arrival flights), we will begin the visit to TEHRAN, the capital of the country, a modern city with almost ten million inhabitants. We enter the Tajrish Bazar, a small and active bazaar full of activity and life. Inside we visit the Imamzadeh Saleh Sanctuary, one of the most popular Shiite shrines in Iran, magnificent blue architecture, dedicated to a descendant of the prophet. Tehran is on the slope of the Alborz Mountain range, some peaks exceed 5000 meters, and at its foot - on the edge of Tehran - is DARBAND VILLAGE, with its mountain atmosphere, its waterfalls, its green paths, its numerous Tea houses and its restaurants. Dinner included.

We include a visit (with guide and tickets included) to the great metropolis. We begin by going to the 437 meters high MILAD TOWER, its views are impressive (if it´s a foggy day with low visibility, instead of the Milad Tower we will go to the Azadi Tower). We visit the National Museum, the largest historical and archaeological museum in the country, where we can learn more about this land, the cradle of civilizations. Afterwards, we visit the Golestan Palace, declared a world heritage site by UNESCO, a site of palaces and gardens which construction began in the 16th century. Lunch included.


14.00 hrs.- In the afternoon, we will visit the National Jewelry Museum, property of the central bank, an amazing collection of precious stones and metals, highlighting the “peacock throne” and the “earth globe”. Free time; we will drop you off in the Grand Bazaar area, with its many covered streets, alleys and hundreds of shops.


Note: Sometimes the jewelry museum is not open, in that case, we would visit the carpet museum that shows Persian carpets, some from the 16th century.

Total Distance: 324 km
Landscapes: We cross the mountain range, wet, green and full of forests that leads us to the Caspian Sea.




08.00 hs.- Tehran- departure. We set off for the west of Iran on a magnificent highway.
10.15 a.m. - Qazvin, arrival in what is considered the capital of Iranian calligraphy. We are in one of the oldest cities in Iran known as "Little Isfahan" because of the similar Safavid constructions of both cities. During our visit, we will explore the Atiq Mosque, one of the oldest mosques in Iran, the Aminiha House, a luxurious 19th century dwelling, the Chehel Sotoun Palace (where the calligraphy museum is located), with its beautiful gardens, the monumental Ali Qapu Gate, the Mausoleum of Hamdollah Mostofi, a 14th-century geographer and historian, and the magnificently restored ancient caravanserai. Lunch included.




16.00 hrs- Qazvín, departure. We continue our route, crossing the mountain range that separates the interior of Iran from the Caspian Sea. Mountains, forests and green landscapes
18.45 hrs- Rasht, arrival in the largest city of the Caspian region in Iran. Before going to the hotel, we´ll have time for a stroll through its traditional bazaar and Mohtasham Garden, the city´s park. Accommodation.

Total distance: 410 km


Note: Today we will visit traditional and religious places. It will be important for you to show respect in the manner and dress code.


08.00 hrs- Hamadan- departure.
11.45 a.m. - Qom, arrival in the provincial capital and one of the holiest Shiite religious centers in the Islamic world that houses the Mausoleum of Fatima Masuma, sister of the eighth Shiite Imam, Imam Reza. Tens of thousands of pilgrims visit Qom every year. Qom is known for being a major center of Shia Islamic studies and is home to numerous religious schools and seminaries, as well as Al-Mustafa Islamic University, which attracts students from all over the world. Accompanied by an Islamic scholar we will visit the sacred mausoleum (courtyards and outdoor areas) and he will introduce us to Islam in its Shiite branch, enveloping us in the atmosphere of this holy place. After that, we´ll visit Imam Khomeini´s house. Free time in the city´s bazaar, with its many shops specializing in prayer and religious objects. Lunch included.

15.15 hrs- Qom, departure.
16.45 hrs- Fin Garden, among arid landscapes, at the gates of Kashan, we will discover the wonderful Fin gardens dating back to the sixteenth century, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, in an area of thermal springs and surrounded by a wall. We´ll stroll through the gardens, the palace and the baths.

17.45 hrs- End Garden, departure.
18.00 hrs- Kashan, a pleasant city whose historic center, with numerous monuments and historic mud-brick houses, are very beautiful. Free time in the historic center, with a lively tourist life.

Total Distance: 279 km.


08.30 hrs- Kashan, after breakfast we begin the panoramic tour of Kashan, where we visit the Agha Bozorg mosque/madrasa, a beautiful and original construction whose ground floor is occupied by the madrasa while on the upper floor is the great mosque that reminds us of the constructions made by the Persians in India. The center of Kashan has several ancient houses/palaces; We will visit one of them, the Boroujerdi house-museum, from the nineteenth century, where we will be surprised by its mural paintings, in which the rich merchant who built it wanted to show the places he had visited, and the ventilation system to give freshness to the palace in the summer. We will also enter the hammam "soltan bath", with its blue tiles it is one of the most beautiful historical baths in Iran. Flower drinks are typical in Kashan, so to get to know them, we will visit one of the factories-shops of these unique flower drinks, see how they are made and have a delicious tasting. Afterwards, we head to the outskirts of the city where the great archaeological site of Tappeh Sialk is located. We are impressed to know that there existed here a civilization, the Elamite, highly developed 7,500 years ago, one of the first of humanity.




11.30 hrs- Kashan, departure,
12.00 hrs- Noush Abad, stop to visit the "underground city", a complex of tunnels and galleries built over 1500 years ago to protect against invasions.




13.30 hrs- Noush Abad, departure. Our route continues south.
14.15 hrs- Abouzeydabad, stop for a traditional lunch included in an old restored caravanserai very close to desert dunes.




15.15 hrs- Abouzeydabad, departure. We entered a mountainous area.
16.15 hrs- Abyaneh, stop to get to know one of the most charming villages in Iran, in a valley 2500 meters above sea level. Its cool climate, red clay houses, its own cultural traditions (including an ancient dialect and traditional dress) and its mausoleum will leave us with indelible memories.




18.00 hrs- Abyaneth- Departure.
20.30 hrs- Isfahan. Arrival at the end of the day. We are in a city with an impressive architectural and cultural heritage: mosques, palaces, bridges and bazaars with delicious handicrafts. This city, inhabited for over 5000 years, was the capital of the Persian Empire. Upon arrival, we´ll walk across the historic Si-O-Se Pol Bridge, "the bridge of thirty-three arches" illuminated.

After breakfast we begin the visit of ISFAHAN, the main tourist destination of Iran, the third city of the country. We start by walking through the Armenian quarter; This community has lived here for centuries and has always been respected. We walk through its quiet streets and visit the cathedral (Kelisa-ye Vank), a small museum that allows us to learn about Armenian culture and history. We also visit the 17th century Bethlehem Church with its impressive frescoes. Afterwards we head to the historic center, making a first stop at the Jame Mosque, the largest mosque in Iran that still celebrates worship and we get emotional in its immense courtyard when we hear the call to prayer. This mosque has been declared a World Heritage Site. We continue to the main square of the city, Naghsh Jahan, one of the largest public squares in the world with more than half a kilometer in length, declared a World Heritage Site, and where the "three powers" are located: the political, with the Ali Qapu Palace that we will enter to see its view over the square; the commercial, with probably the best bazaar in Iran to buy handicrafts; and the religious one, with two mosques in the square. We visit the Imam Mosque, built 400 years ago with its various sections and blue tiles. Inside the venue, we meet with an imam who will talk to us about Islam and will be able to guide us in our doubts. Lunch included. In the afternoon, we visit the Chehel Sotun Palace, with its fountains, gardens, paintings and public bath. We also include the entrance to the Museum of Music, a small museum that shows us how Persia was the cradle of many of the instruments that are played today and we will attend a small concert of traditional Persian music to discover the great beauty of Iranian music. Free time at the bazaar.

Total Distance: 437 km.


08.00hrs- Isafahan, departure. We continue south, crossing arid landscapes.
10.00 hrs- Izadkhast, stop to get to know this small town with adobe architecture, with its old quarter, its ruined castle and its caravanserai.




11.00 hrs- Izadkhast, departure, among mountains.
14.00hrs- Qalat, time for a walk in this charming town with a long history with stone houses, and gardens where a Christian community lives; we will visit its small church surrounded by charming gardens that has endured since the time of the Qajar. Lunch included.




16.30 hrs- Qalat, departure.
17.30 hrs- Shiraz. We are at the center of Persian culture, inhabited for more than 4000 years. A city of nightingales and poets, it was the capital of Persia for a period in the 18th century. In the afternoon we will visit 2 of the mausoleums of the great names of Persian literature born in Shiraz, the gardens and the mausoleum of Hafez of Shiraz, a Sufi poet and mystic of the 14th century and who today remains one of the most beloved figures by the Iranian people, who memorize his verses or seek advice in his texts and the gardens and mausoleum of Saadi, another great Persian poet of medieval times with a deep sensitivity. popular in this city.

07.30 hrs- Shiraz, departure to visit 60 km away, the most impressive archaeological site in Iran.
08.30 hrs- Persepolis. This World Heritage Site was built 2700 years ago to be the capital of the Achaemenid empire. Its stone palaces, its carvings showing historical and ritual scenes, as well as details about the kings and the court, show us one of the first great cultures of humanity.




10.00 hrs- Persepolis, departure. Nearby we will visit Naghsh Rostam, the cemetery of the emperors with their tombs in the stone.




After the visit, we´ll return to Shiraz, where we´ll visit the Nasir Almolk Mosque (Pink Mosque) to admire the light filtering through the colorful stained glass windows, the Naranjestan Qavam Garden, and the Zandyeh compound, which includes the Vakil Bazaar, Saray-e Moshir, Vakil Mosque, Vakil Bath, and Karim Khan Citadel.




We will return to the hotel for a short break and before heading out for dinner with a local family in their home (Note: if there is a case this is not possible, a dinner in a restaurant with live music will be included).

Today we include a flight to Tehran. Schedules are subject to frequent modifications and will be informed at the time of booking (at the time of preparation of this itinerary, the flight is scheduled to depart at 12:40 hrs.). Arrival at TEHRAN airport.