14 days13 nights Tehran- Hamadan- Kermanshah- Susa-Ahwaz-Shiraz-Yazd- Isfahan

Bon voyage! Today you are off on your exciting tour with Iran HRC, as you board your flight to Tehran. On arrival, you will be greeted by your friendly tour guide outside the baggage hall. We shall then proceed to your hotel and check-in. You will stay at Hotel overnight.

After a delicious buffet breakfast, we leave for a guided city tour with an expert guide who will explain to you all the highlights of Tehran: National Museum of Iran, Abgineh (Glass & Ceramics) Museum to see a hidden aspect of Iranian talent and science and Golestan Palaces Complex (UNESCO’s World Heritage Site). Your lunch will be served at a traditional restaurant in old Tehran’s Bazaar. Explore and enjoy the old traditional Bazzar of Tehran. You will stay at Hotel overnight.

Today you will drive to Hamadan Known as Ecbatana, the capital of the ancient Medes people with its fortunes having seen King Cyrus, Alexander the Great, the Mongols and Turkic conqueror Timur come and go. You will visit the tomb of Avicenna (also known as Abu Ali Ibn Sina), the museum encompasses local artefacts, historical medical instruments and manuscripts. Stop by the Lion Stone, one remaining part of the Lions Gate that was once the old entrance to the city, thought to have been constructed by Alexander the Great to commemorate the death of his close friend Hephaestion. Overnight in a hotel.

In the morning, we will visit Mausoleum of Baba Taher, mystic poet contemporary of Avicenna, Baba Tahers songs and maxims were originally read in Pahlavi, Luri, Kurdi and Hamadani dialects, taking their present form in the course of time. Next, you will visit Ganj Nameh, Hamadans oldest Achaemenian rock carvings, 5 km west of the city on the slopes of Mount Alvand. Overnight, you will stay at Hotel.

Check out of the hotel early in the morning and start the journey to Kermanshah and visit Kangavar which is best known for the archaeological remains of a mixed Sassanid and Achaemenid-style edifice then Bisotun (UNESCO’s World Heritage Site) located along the ancient trade route, remaining from the prehistoric times to the Median, Achaemenid, Sassanid and Ilkhanid periods en route.
After arrival to Kermanshah, visit Taq-e Bustan, a site with a series of large rock reliefs from the era of Sassanid Empire of Persia. Our next visit will be Takieh Mo’aven ol-Molk, one of the finest of the theatres religious buildings. Enter down stairs, through a courtyard and domed central chamber decorated with grizzly scenes from the Karbala battle. You will stay at hotel overnight.

Early in the morning, we will drive to Shushtar to visit its famous ancient watermill and ancient city of Susa the administrative capital of the Achamenian kings, visit the tomb of the prophet Daniel follow by visiting the UNESCO World heritage site of Ziggurat Choga zanbil (UNESCO World heritage site). In Susa, Alexander married a Persian girl named Barsine in an attempt to symbolically unite the Persian and Macedonian cultures, by marrying a Persian wife himself and celebrating a mass wedding with Persian ceremony along with his officers. Then continue to drive to Ahwaz. Overnight stay in a hotel.

Today, we will drive from Ahwaz to Shiraz, en route we will visit Bishapur; historic Sassanid site with some fascinating ancient ruins to explore. Arrive in Shiraz, the city of flowers, poetry and literature, take some rest and visit Shah Cheragh Holy Shrine in the evening. Overnight stay in a hotel.

You will have a full day excursion of Persepolis. One of the most important and popular historical sites of Iran belonging to Achaemenid Era. Alexander collected almost 3,000 tons in coins, bullion, gold and silver vessels and jewels (worth perhaps billions in today’s dollars) in Persepolis. It was one of the richest hordes ever taken. Afterwards Alexander unleashed his soldiers, who formed a drunken mob and burned the palaces of Xerxes to the sound of flutes and songs in revenge against the burning of Athens 150 years before. Alexander burned down Persepolis in 330 B.C. To better understand the antiquity of Iranian art and science you visit Takht e Jamshid (Persepolis) (UNESCO’s World Heritage Site), foremost ancient historical site in Iran located in Shiraz as the heartland of Persian culture. We are going to see the magnificent Persepolis with the monumental staircases, exquisite reliefs and imposing gateways that leave you in no doubt how grand this city was and how totally dominant the Achamenid empire that built it. After that, we are going to visit Naghsh-e-Rostam, an outstanding part of the Marvdasht cultural complex. You will stay in a hotel overnight.

Today after a delicious breakfast, you will have a full day tour of Shiraz to visit the graceful garden of Shiraz, Eram Garden (Part of UNESCO’s World Heritage Persian Gardens Site). Next, we will visit one of the most visually stunning mosques in the world called Nasirol Molk (Pink Mosque). After that, we will grab the chance to see Vakil Complex (Bazaar, Bath & Mosque) and Arge Karim Khani. You will stay at hotel overnight.

Early in the morning, we will drive towards Yazd, en route visit Pasargadae (UNESCO’s World Heritage Site); one of the popular historical sites of Iran belonging to Achaemenid Era. Arrive in Yazd with its winding lanes, you will visit; forest of badgirs, mud-brick old town and excellent range of accommodation options. Towers of Silence (Dakhma) and Ateshkadeh (The Zoroastrian Fire Temple). Next visit will be Amir Chakhmagh Complex. You will stay at Hotel overnight.

A full day tour of Yazd is recommended to visit highlights of this city: visit the old section of the city known as the “Prison of Alexander,” actually a 15th-century domed school where legend has it that Alexander the Great imprisoned Iranian elite; and visit an 18th-century Lari-ha traditional house. In the afternoon visit the Dowlat Abad Garden and its lofty ventilation tower. There are also many feudal hexagonal houses that you can visit in this beautiful and tranquil district of the city, called Fahadan. You will also have some free time to shop in the Old City Bazaar, which is probably one of the best places in Iran to buy silk, brocade, glassware and cloth products that brought the town its prosperity in the past centuries. If you have a sweet tooth, do not forget to buy Pashmak (Iranian fairy floss) and Baghlawa available in many shops. You will enjoy the memorable visit of Bagh-e Dolat Abad (Part of UNESCO’s World Heritage Persian Gardens Site). Stay at Hotel overnight

We will start the day by visiting one of the many feudal hexagonal houses that you can visit in this beautiful and tranquil district of the city, called Fahadan. You will enjoy the memorable visit of Bagh-e Dolat Abad (Part of UNESCO’s World Heritage Persian Gardens Site). Then we will drive towards Isfahan, en route visit two beautiful sites of Naeen called Ja’ame Mosque and Narin castle. Overnight, you will stay at Hotel.

After breakfast, another full day of sightseeing in Isfahan enriches your valuable experience. Today, we will visit the magnificent Friday Mosque (Ja’me Mosque) (UNESCO’s World Heritage Site) then visit Vank church, the historic focal point for the Armenian Church in Iran. After that, visit the Hasht Behesht Pavilion (Eight Paradises). The final stop of the day is Historical Bazzar of Isfahan. You will also have some free time to shop for famous arts and handicrafts especially Persian Carpet. You will stay at Hotel overnight.

Today we check out and proceed to the airport for your flight back home. Arrive home with the pleasant memories of your Iranian tour, which we are sure you will treasure for a lifetime. Do spare a few minutes to fill in the feedback form and hand it to your Tour Leader. Your valued suggestions will be most appreciated.