12 Days Cultural Tour | Tehran - Shiraz - Persepolis - Pasargadae - Yazd - Isfahan - Abyaneh
Written by Iran Travel Agency
1 Arrival -Tehran
Arrival at Tehran airport, transfer to hotel & rest. Overnight Tehran.
2 Tehran- Shiraz
After breakfast, we
shall visit the Archaeological & Islamic Art Museums; The pre-Islam
archaeological museum covers Persia’s history from the 5th
millennium BC to 648 AD while the Islamic art museum provides a view of Islamic
works of art. In the evening, transfer to the airport and fly to Shiraz,
Overnight Shiraz.
3Shiraz- Black Tents
In the Morning we leave Shiraz to see the Sassanid palace near Firuzabad.
Later we shall have the chance to mingle with the Qashqai nomads. These
colorful and hospitable people preserve their traditions in their encampments
of black woven goat hair tents. In the evening return to Shiraz, Overnight
Shiraz.
4 Shiraz
We
will visit the Eram and Naranjestan Gardens, Nasir-ol-Molk Mosque, Khan
Theological School, Hafez (or Saadi) mausoleum, Vakil mosque complex
and the most astonishing mirror decoration of the Aliebnehamze Holy
Shrine, Overnight Shiraz.
5 Shiraz - Persepolis - Necropolis - Pasargadae -
Yazd
Drive to Yazd, en route we depart from Shiraz via the Quran gate and 40km to
the north we stop at Persepolis the outstanding ceremonial palace of the
Achamenian at 550BC.At Necropolis we see four tombs of Achamenian high in the
cliffs of limestone. Further on then through mountain scenery to Pasargad an
earlier Achamenian capitol and location of the tomb of Cyrus the Great. On
across the central Iran ranges to Yazd, Overnight Yazd.
6 Yazd
Yazd
is a very ancient city. Marco Polo wrote of the fine attributes of that city.
It is like a living museum. We will visit narrow alleys, a bathhouse
converted to a first class restaurant, see the high wind towers which form
efficient cooling systems in this desert climate. The Friday mosque dates from
the 14th century and at a silk weaving workshop we see exquisite brocades
still being made on traditional looms, Overnight Yazd.
7 Yazd- Isfahan
In the morning we
will explore this ancient city and visit a Zoroastrian temple where a sacred
fire has been kept burning for hundreds of years and is now a Zoroastrian
pilgrim center. This is an opportunity to learn about Zoroastrianism which was
the Persian religion before Arabs brought Islam to Persia. We also visit
the Towers of Silence on the outskirts of the city. This was the burial
place for the Zoroastrians. In the
afternoon we drive to Isfahan, en route we will visit Nareen Castle
& an old caravanserai in Meibod where we can purchase pottery items.
Further on at Naeen we will visit a carpet workshop, Overnight Isfahan.
8 Isfahan
In the morning we will visit Imam square, a huge open square in the center
of Isfahan. The square periphery is marked by outstanding Safavids buildings
which include the Ali Qapu palace, the Imam Mosque, the Sheikh Lotfollah
(ladies) mosque and to the north the expansive bazaar where we can see artisans
crafting metal work, Persian miniatures, printing intricate designs on cloth
and other activities. In the afternoon, we will visit Si-o-Se Pol
(thirty three arches) and Khajoo bridges spanning the zayanderud river. We can
relax in one of the traditional tea houses there to drink tea and smoke a
Persian water pipe, Overnight Isfahan.
9 Isfahan
We will visit the Armenian quarter of Jolfa where the Vank cathedral and its
adjacent museum are of interest. Later we visit the Friday mosque, Shaking
Minarets and Chehel Sotoun Palace where the huge murals are masterpieces from
Safavids, Overnight Isfahan.
10 Isfahan - Abyane Drive to Abyane, an ancient fascinating village with its colorfully
dressed inhabitants and red mud brick houses, where little has changed for
several centuries. En route we will visit the Natanz Friday Mosque, Overnight
Abyane.
11 Abyaneh – Kashan - Tehran
Continue
to Tehran, en route we will visit the Fin garden complex in Kashan, a city well
known for its old merchant houses several of which are being restored, Overnight
Tehran.
12 Departure
Transfer to Tehran International Airport for your departure from Iran.