Iran: Mountains, Cities And Nomads

Iran: Mountains, Cities And
Nomads
Home to one of the oldest civilisations on earth, Iran can boast a cultural legacy of unparalleled scope. The
lands of Cyrus the Great and the powerful Achaemenids, the Persia of antiquity once held sway over all the
known world, from North Africa to the lands west of the Indus, before going on to play a leading role in a
period that many saw as the golden age of Islam.
This comprehensive journey into the heart of this fascinating country takes you across a historical landscape
that stretches back to the beginnings of the Persian Empire and beyond. You’ll journey from the Alborz
Mountains and deep into the deserts of central Iran, visiting the fire temples of Yazd and the beautiful gardens
of Kashan. You’ll take in the poetry and culture of Shiraz and enjoy the stunning Islamic bridges and
architecture of Isfahan.
Amongst the mud brick houses and meandering alleyways of Abyaneh you will then escape to a timeless
world of tradition, where you will spend an evening in the company of a people who’s lifestyles have changed
little in generations. The journey then fittingly ends back in Tehran, a city steeped in the traditions and history
of the old and new Persia.
Highlights:
Discover the unique Zoroastrian culture of Yazd
Enjoy the houses and gardens of poetic Shiraz
Explore the Islamic majesty of Isfahan’s Emam Square
Visit the ancient cities of Persepolis and Pasgardae
Overnight in the traditional village of Abyaneh
Tour Includes
13 nights four star or five star hotel accommodation, 2 nights homestay
13 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners
Private guided sightseeing
Private driver and vehicle
Entrance fees included as per itinerary
Private guided transfers to and from all airports
Please note the prices shown above are based on two persons sharing a twin or double room
Itinerary
Day 1: Tehran
Arrive in Tehran and transfer to your hotel. The country's largest city,
Tehran bears the distinction of being Iran's 32nd national capital. Filled
with a wealth of mosques, churches, Zoroastrian fire temples and
synagogues, the city lies sandwiched between the snowcapped
mountains of the Alborz ranges and the baking heat of the central desert
which lies to its south.
Day 2: Tehran
A full day's sightseeing tour of the Iranian capital includes a visit to some of the city's most impressive
buildings including the majestic Golestan Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the oldest of Tehran's
historic monuments. You will also get a chance to visit the city's impressive National Museum, which
combines the historic and cultural treasures of both the Archaeological Museum and the National Arts
Museum and there is an option to pay a visit to the Contemporary Art Museum. (B)
Day 3: Tehran - Kashan
Once a centre for high quality pottery and tile production, the historic
oasis city of Kashan was also an important leisure destination for the
Safavi kings and the beautiful gardens of Bagh-e-Fin were specifi-cally
designed to represent classic versions of Persian paradise. Created by
Shah Abbas I, it is one of the most famous gardens in Iran and is filled
with a wonderful collection of Safavid, Zandiyeh and Qajar buildings.
There will also be a chance to visit the bazaar and the traditional bath
house, before taking in the views of the city from the roof of a converted
hammam. (B)
Day 4: Kashan - Yazd
Leaving Kashan behind this morning you drive on through the desert,
stopping first at the major carpet making centre of Na'in. Home to the
10th century Jama Mosque, there will be a chance to visit the mosque
and the nearby anthropological museum, before continuing on to the
important Zoroastrian shrine of Chak Chak. Hidden deep within the
desert, this small shrine is one of the most revered sites in the country,
attracting thousands of pilgrims from across Iran and India. Back on the
main road, you head next for the famous ceramics town of Meybord,
before a late afternoon arrival in Yazd. (B)
Day 5: Yazd
Yazd was a major centre of Zoroastrian thought even after the Arab conquests of Persia. With a history dating
back over 3,000 years, it contains some of the finest examples of traditional Persian desert archi-tecture left in
the country and a tour of the city begins with a visit to the remarkable Zoroastrian, Towers of Silence. You will
also visit the fire temple, before moving on to discover the beautifully restored set-ting of the Water Museum.
An afternoon walk then takes in the high city walls, the Jama Mosque and Alexander's Prison, which today
houses a number of craft and tea shops. (B)
Day 6: Yazd - Bavanat Valley
Departing Yazd this morning you drive through the desert landscapes to
the Bavanat Valley, where a walk up into the mountains provides some
spectacular views out across the valleys, with their small, lush pockets
of fertile oases. Arriving at your overnight homestay in time for lunch,
this afternoon you then head into the valley to meet up with the local
nomads. Spending the afternoon in the presence of these timeless
people provides a rare opportunity to learn something of their culture
and lifestyles, before returning to your homestay in time for a traditional
meal by the fire. (BLD)
Day 7: Bavanat Valley - Shiraz
There will be time for a walk around the village before leaving for the
ancient site of Pasgardae, the capital of Cyrus the Great, the founder of
the Persian Empire. The earliest known example of Achae-menid
architecture, the city remains a stunning testimony to the artistry of the
early Persian civilisation. Then it is on to Persepolis, the great capital of
the Achaemenid Empire, founded by Darius I and de-stroyed nearly 200
years later by Alexander the Great. Before leaving you'll pay a visit to
the spectacu-lar Sassanid necropolis at Naqsh-e-Rustam, final resting
place of Darius himself. (B)
Day 8: Shiraz
A city of poets and gardens, Shiraz revels in its importance as a centre of Persian culture. Beginning with a
wander through the traditional Qahqai bazaar and into the courtyard of the Shah Cheragh Shrine, you then
move on to the Nasir al Molk Mosque, where you can enjoy the splendour of its tile work and stained glass,
before taking in the blooms of the Narenjestan Gardens and Palace. Back in central Shi-raz, you then visit the
Vakil Mosque and Bazaar and the immense Citadel of Karim Khan, before ending the day at the tomb of
Hafez, one of Shiraz's most celebrated poet. (B)
Day 9: Shiraz - Isfahan
A long drive north today gets us into Isfahan late this afternoon. An
Iranian proverb once described Isfa-han as "...half of the world" and,
indeed, this stunning city was once one of the largest anywhere on
earth. Home to some truly exceptional examples of Iranian and Islamic
architecture, its centrepiece is the magnificent Naqshe e Jahan Square,
which provides the backdrop for an ice cream and an evening stroll
through the bazaar later. (B)
Day 10: Isfahan
An exploration of the huge Naqshe e Jahan Square today provides an opportunity to explore one of the
largest city squares on the planet. Surrounded on three sides by the exquisite Imam and Sheikh Loftallah
Mosque and the Ali Qapu palace, this beautiful World Heritage Site covers an area of nearly 90,000 square
metres. A climb up to the balconies of the Ali Qapu Palace provides the perfect vantage point from which to
take in the tiled majesty of this truly unforgettable World Heritage Site. (B)
Day 11: Isfahan
Heading south of the river towards Joffa this morning you will pay a visit to the Armenian quarter, to view the
beautiful 17th century Vank Cathedral. A mix of Persian and western styling, the church's inte-riors display a
stunning array of gilded carvings and delicate blue and gold paintwork and the attached museum and library
is a treasure trove of invaluable Armenian and medieval European manuscripts. Then it is time to enjoy a walk
across the city's famous bridges and take in the splendours of its cele-brated palaces, which boast some of
the finest architecture in the whole city. (B)
Day 12: Isfahan - Abyaneh
Leaving behind the majesty of Isfahan you'll head next towards the
ancient mud brick settlement of Abyaneh, one of the most picturesque
villages in the country. Lying deep in a valley, the village is rid-dled with
a twisting network of alleyways that add character to a setting that has
changed little over the intervening centuries. Staunchly traditional, the
village is one of the oldest in Iran and the local people still proudly wear
their distinctive local dress, making this one of the most authentic
experiences of your entire journey. You will overnight in one of the
village homestays. (BD)
Day 13: Abyaneh - Tehran
The drive back to Tehran today stops at the Holy Shrine of Imam Khomeini, a fitting reminder of Iran's long
road from the Achaemenid kings to the strict beliefs of Shia Islam. Still unfinished, this stunning mausoleum
will be the centrepiece of a complex that covers some 20 square kilometres, housing a cul-tural centre, a
university and room for more than 20,000 cars. Close by is the Behesht e Zahra, the cemetery dedicated to
the thousands who died in the bloody Iran-Iraq War. A final afternoon is then spent on the slopes of the
Alborz Mountains, in the prosperous resort of Darband. (B)
Day 14: Tehran
Transfer to the airport today for the return flight to the UK. (B)
Accommodation
Isfahan
Isfahan Traditional Hotel
Tehran
Homa Hotel Tehran
Bavanat Valley
Bavanat Valley Guest House
Shiraz
Kharimkhan Hotel
Kashan
Negin House
Yazd
Fahadan Museum Hotel