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Tours & Groups
::
Day by Day Itinerary |
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The
Persian Explorer in 15 day
Cities to be visited: Tehran
/ Hamedan/ Kermanshah / Susa / Chogha zanbil / Shiraz /Isfahan/ Yazd/ Kashan / Abyaneh
/Qom |
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Extensions &
Alternative endings
:
Extension #1
Extension #2
Extension #3 |
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On arrival, we are welcomed to Tehran, the
pearl of Persia. After checking into our hotel, we enjoy
a leisurely evening and rest up, before our formal
itinerary of exploring this country rich in history and
culture begins.
Services: Meet and Assist, assistance
by Visa issuance and customs clearance , luggage
handling, refreshments, transfers and accommodation included. |
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Locations: Tehran
Breakfast/ Dinner
Hotel:
Laleh in 5 star package /
Kowsar in 4 star /
New Naderi in 3 star /
Khayyam in 2 star
Room: Double
Services: Full Day guided city tour,
meals , refreshments, entrance fees , transfers and
accommodation included.
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AM |
Our Full-Day tour of the
capital starts off with the visit to the
Archeological Museums. Its massive
collections include a stone capital of
the winged lion from Susa and a 6th
century B.C. audience hall relief of
Darius the Great from the Treasury at
Persepolis. The museum's exhibits date
from 4500 B.C. to contemporary times.
next we will visit Carpet and ethnology
museums.
Daily F/D sightseeing of
Tehran
as follow:
Background :
Tehran
: Established as the capital of
Persia
just over 200 years ago , this huge ,
modern and heavily populated city , does
not have the romance nor the ancient
sites which attract visitors to many
other parts of
Iran
, but it is the place to find the
country's best museums , restaurants and
shopping.
Visits :
Our tour of
Tehran
begins with visiting the impressive
Archeological ,
Glass & Ceramic
Museum
, continues in the
TEHRAN
- morning tour of Carpet ,
Archaeological & Ethnological
Museums followed by a visit to the
shrine of Imam Khomeini. (BD)
In order to glean an overview of
Iran
's rich history and culture , visits to
three of
Tehran
's museums are highly worthwhile.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM
It is here where we are introduced to
Iran
's long and fascinating history. The
museum exhibits artifacts representing
all periods in Persian antiquity , many
discovered in sights visited during your
tour.
ETHNOLOGICAL MUSEUM
Here colorful displays help us to understand the ethnic
diversity , which exists within Iranian
society , by illustrating the customs
and traditional dress of many of the
country's 100 tribal groups.
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Lunch |
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PM |
CARPET
MUSEUM
Persian rugs are considered to be among the finest in the
world and the art of carpet weaving is
believed to be as old as Persian history
itself.
This museum contains a wonderful array of pieces dating back
as early as the 15th century , ranging
from stately court carpets to nomadic
rugs distinguished by their lively ,
wild , naive designs.
AYATOLLAH KHOMEINI'S SHRINE
One of the most controversial figures in modern political
history , His Holiness Imam Khomeini ,
as he is known in
Iran
, was laid to rest here in 1989.
Iranians travel from all over the
country to pay their respects to the
revered leader of the Revolution and
founder of the present Islamic Republic
of Iran.
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Dinner |
Our daily visits would be included
special Iranian
dinner at a local traditional
restaurant or outdoor area. |
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Locations: Tehran / Hamadan (Drive 215miles /
343kms)
Breakfast / Dinner
Hotel: Hotel:
Hamedan Azadi hotel 5 star/
Buali hotel 4 star/Baba
Taher 3 star /
Arian hotel 2 star
Room: Double
Services: Full Day guided city
tour, meals , refreshments, entrance fees ,
transfers and accommodation included.
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AM |
An
early start takes us on a scenic
drive to Hamadan, one of the
oldest inhabited towns in the
world. An afternoon tour of
Hamadan will include a stop at
the charming waterfall Ganjnameh
before proceeding to the
magnificent and dominating
Avecinna Memorial and Baba Taher
Tombs.
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Lunch |
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PM |
Next follows a visit to Ester
and Murducai the most important
Jewish pilgrimage sight in Iran.
Before we lose ourselves in the
maze that is the colorful
oriental Bazaar of Hamadan, we
pay a visit to the famous 14th
century Stone Lion.
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Dinner |
Our daily visits would be included
special Iranian
dinner at a local traditional
restaurant or outdoor area. |
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Locations: Hamadan / Kermanshah (Drive 118miles
/ 189kms)
Breakfast / Dinner
Hotel: Hotel:
Azadegan 4 star hotel /
Resalat 3 star
Room: Double
Services: Full Day guided city
tour, meals , refreshments, entrance fees ,
transfers and accommodation included.
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AM |
We depart in the morning for
Kermanshah via Bi-Sotoun, where
the famous bas reliefs are
carved out of a dramatic
mountain. This region hosts the
most interesting and famous
archeological sites in Iran. We
view many Achaemenian
inscriptions including one of
about 1200 lines where we get
insight into the hard fought
battle of Darius, defeating the
governors who tried to dismantle
the Empire. Leaving the famous
Tablets of Darius we visit the
Temple of Anahita, the goddess
of abundance and the guardian of
water in ancient Iran.
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Lunch |
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PM |
In
the evening we visit the
traditional bazaar in Kermanshah
where we'll have the opportunity
to sharpen our bargaining
skills. |
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Dinner |
Our daily visits would be included
special Iranian
dinner at a local traditional
restaurant or outdoor area. |
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Locations: Kermanshah / Susa / Ahwaz (Drive
314miles / 509kms)
Breakfast / Dinner
Hotel:
Ahwaz Fajr hotel 5 star/Ahvaz
Oxin hotel star /
Ahvaz Naderi hotel 2 star
Room: Double
Services: Full Day guided city
tour, meals , refreshments, entrance fees ,
transfers and accommodation included.
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AM |
We travel south on a scenic
countryside drive to Ahwaz. En
route, we stop at Susa, one of
the oldest archaeological sites
in Iran. This prehistoric
settlement (from at least 4000
B.C. and an important Elamite
city) reached peak under the
reign of Untash Gal, who built
Susa as his administrative
capital and founded Tchogha
Zanbil as his religious center.
Tchogba Zanbil remains the best
surviving example of Elamite
architecture.
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Lunch |
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PM |
visit to Tchogha Zanbil
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Dinner |
Our daily visits would be included
special Iranian
dinner at a local traditional
restaurant or outdoor area. |
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Locations: Ahwaz / Shiraz (Drive 351miles /
568kms)
Breakfast / Dinner
Hotel: Hotel:
Homa in 5 star package/
Parseh in 4 star /
Parsian in 3 star /
Apadana in 2 star
Room: Double
Services: Full Day guided city
tour, meals , refreshments, entrance fees ,
transfers and accommodation included.
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AM |
After breakfast and a cup of "chai",
we depart for Shiraz visiting
also the famous Sassanid Reliefs
and Palace of Bishapour. Shiraz
is traditionally known as city
of Roses and Nightingales.
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Lunch |
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PM |
Shiraz |
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Dinner |
Our daily visits would be included
special Iranian
dinner at a local traditional
restaurant or outdoor area. |
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Locations:
Breakfast / Dinner
Hotel: Hotel:
Homa in 5 star package/
Parseh in 4 star /
Parsian in 3 star /
Apadana in 2 star
Room: Double
Services: Full Day guided city
tour, meals , refreshments, entrance fees ,
transfers and accommodation included.
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AM |
Visits:
F/D
excursion to visit of
Persepolis
, and Nagh - she
rostam(Necropolis),
Evening free at leisure
and shopping.
PERSEPOLIS
:
No trip
to
Iran
would be complete
without a visit to
Persepolis
. The site is recognized
as the best preserved
remains of the great
Persian Empire which ,
at its zenith ,
stretched from the Indus
Valley to the Aegean Sea
, encompassing Thrace ,
Armenia , Asia Minor ,
Assyria , and Lower
Egypt.
Persepolis
, meaning
"Capital of Persia" in
Greek , was founded by
King Darius the Great
who reigned between 521
and 486 BC , as the
Ceremonial Capital of
his Empire. Later , the
city was further
developed by Darius'
successors over a period
of more than 150 years.
ToDay ,
you can see the remains
of Persepolis' grandeur
which made this one of
the finest cities of the
ancient world - the
Monumental Gateway ,
Palaces , Audience Halls
, and the Treasury; and
beliefs depicting the
New Year ceremonies in
which Heads of State
from all over the Empire
would travel to
Persepolis to pay taxes
in the form of lavish
gifts for the Great
King.
NAQSH-E-RUSTAM
(Necropolis):
Literally
"Picture of Rustam" ,
local supposition
associated these four
beautifully carved tombs
cut high into the cliffs
near
Persepolis
with the famous Persian
mythical hero , Rustam.
In actual
fact they are the tombs
of the great Achaemenian
kings of the 4th & 5th
centuries BC: Darius the
Great , Xerxes , Darius
II and Artaxerxes.
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Lunch |
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PM |
PASSARGADE
In the
vast desert plain
between
Shiraz
and
Isfahan
, lie the remains of the
first capital of the
Achaemenian (Persian)
Empire. Passargade was
established by King
Cyrus the Great in the
early 6th century BC as
the empire's seat of
government and central
military base
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Dinner |
Our daily visits would be included
special Iranian
dinner at a local traditional
restaurant or outdoor area. |
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Locations: Shiraz
Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Hotel: Hotel:
Homa in 5 star package/
Parseh in 4 star /
Parsian in 3 star /
Apadana in 2 star
Room: Double
Services: Full Day guided city
tour, meals , refreshments, entrance fees ,
transfers and accommodation included.
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AM |
Shiraz
,the cultural capital of
Iran
Background:
SHIRAZ : a city which envelopes so many images of ancient
Persia - exotic gardens ,
lavish mansions , rich red
wine , silky woolen rugs ,
philosophy and poetry.
Shiraz
has also always been a renowned center of learning , boasting many of
the most prestigious colleges
and universities in the
country. Known as
Iran
's "Poetic Capital"
, it was also home to two of
Persia
's most famous poets of the
13th and 14th centuries ,
SAADI & HAFEZ , whose
mausoleums are here in
Shiraz
.
Visits:
Our Day is spent exploring
Shiraz
where we start with a visit to
the picturesque
Eram
Garden
, famous for its cypress
trees. Next we visit the tombs
of
Persia
's best known poets: Saadi and
Hafiz. While there , why not
enjoy a cup of chai at the
wonderful atmospheric teahouse
where one sit on a floor of
cushions and mingle with the
locals. Our next stop takes us
to the "modern"
Nasiro-Molk mosque and the
pretty
Afif-Abad
Garden
followed by a visit to the
Church
of
Saint Simmon
the Zealot with the famed
stained glass windows and then
off to see the ornately
mirrored Shrine of Shah-Cheragh.
This wonderful Day culminates
with a trip to a labyrinthine
bazaar.
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Our daily visits would be included
special Iranian
dinner at a local traditional
restaurant or outdoor area. |
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Locations: Shiraz / Yazd (Drive255miles /
409kms)
Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Hotel: Hotel:
Safaee Hotel 5 star/
Moshir Mamalek garden 4 star/
Mehr 3 star/
Tehrani 2 star
Room: Double
Services: Full Day guided city
tour, meals , refreshments, entrance fees ,
transfers and accommodation included.
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AM |
This morning depart for Yazd
with stop at Passagard, where we
view the six-tiered tomb of
Cyrus the Great.
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Lunch |
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PM |
Visiting the Abarqu village at
the fringes of iran
central desert |
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Dinner |
Our daily visits would be included
special Iranian
dinner at a local traditional
restaurant or outdoor area. |
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Locations:
Breakfast / Dinner
Hotel:
Safaee Hotel 5 star/
Moshir Mamalek garden 4 star/
Mehr 3 star/
Tehrani 2 star
Room: Double
Services: Full Day guided city
tour, meals , refreshments, entrance fees ,
transfers and accommodation included.
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AM |
Yazd
: full Day city tour:
Back ground:
YAZD
- Visit the
Fire
Temple
, Towers of Silence and the
Wind Towers. In the afternoon
there is time to explore the
old city at your leisure. (BD)
YAZD
The ancient desert city of
Yazd
is unique for its intriguing
architecture , which has been
perfectly adapted to the harsh
weather conditions of the
desert. The famous
WIND
TOWERS
of
Yazd
, a feature of most buildings
in the old city , are designed
to trap even the smallest of
draughts and direct it into
the dwellings below for
cooling.
Yazd
is also
Iran
's centre of Zoroastrianism -
one of the world's oldest
religions , and the state
religion in
Persia
until the advent of Islam.
Often mistakenly referred to
as "fire
worshippers" ,
Zoroastrians use fire as a
symbol for their omnipotent
God.
Artashkadeh , the
FIRE
TEMPLE
of the Zoroastrian community
is where the sacred flame has
been burning for over 1 ,500
years.
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Lunch |
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PM |
A 15 km drive to the outskirts of
Yazd
brings us to the TOWERS OF
SILENCE. This fascinating site
was once a Zoroastrian burial
ground where the dead bodies
of the believers were left to
be devoured by vultures before
burying the remaining bones.
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Dinner |
Our daily visits would be included
special Iranian
dinner at a local traditional
restaurant or outdoor area. |
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Locations: Yazd / Esfahan (Drive 195miles /
316kms)
Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Hotel:
Abbasid Hotel in 5 star package/
Aliqapu in 4 star/
Suite in 3 star/
Jolfa in 2 star
Room: Double
Services: Full Day guided city
tour, meals , refreshments, entrance fees ,
transfers and accommodation included.
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AM |
In
the morning we depart on a
beautiful drive to Esfahan,
which was a vibrant trade
center, and its glorious Islamic
architecture and beautiful
gardens captured the hearts of
many with the saying: "Esfahan
is half the World".
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Lunch |
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PM |
Afternoon tour includes a visit
to the 6 stories Ali Qapu Palace
followed by a tour of the most
impressive pavilion and garden,
Chehel Sutoon Palace (40 pillars
palace - in reality there are 20
pillars with 20 water
reflections) built with 40
pillars by Shah Abbas. We finish
off this Day of exploration with
a trip to the most famous bazaar
in Iran.
ALI
QAPU
PALACE
:
Literally called "the sublime gate" in Farsi ,
this seven storey palace ,
situated on the western sided
of
Imam Square
, was principally the centre
of government during the
Safavid Period.
The interior is wonderfully decorated with fine carvings ,
murals and mosaics and the
main balcony gave the Shah and
his family a commanding view
of the polo matches held in
the square and daily life in
the city.
FORTY
COLUMN
PALACE
:
There are only twenty elegant columns at the front of Shah
Abbas' royal reception hall
actually , but their
reflection in the pool gives
the inspiration for the name.
Inside the visitor is treated to a superb display of
frescoes and paintings , which
cover the walls and depict
scenes from the 16 & 17th
centuries.
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Dinner |
Our daily visits would be included
special Iranian
dinner at a local traditional
restaurant or outdoor area. |
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Locations: Esfahan
Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Hotel:
Abbasid Hotel in 5 star package/
Aliqapu in 4 star/
Suite in 3 star/
Jolfa in 2 star
Room: Double
Services: Full Day guided city
tour, meals , refreshments, entrance fees ,
transfers and accommodation included.
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AM |
Esfahan is a city one can never
forget. ToDay's tour of this
magnificent medina begins with
Hacht Behesht Palace, a charming
garden palace, built in 1680,
with impressive mosaics and
stalactite moldings. Then we are
off to see the richly decorated
and serene Armenian Vank Church
followed by the glorious FriDay
Mosque. No trip to Esfahan is
complete without visiting the
famous old bridges that cross
the Zayande River. We take some
time here to stroll along the
riverbanks, mingle with the
friendly residents and join the
local folks for the famous
Esfahani tea.
Hasht
Behest
Garden
:
Afternoon Free at leisure walking tour in * Behesht garden .
ARMENIAN QUARTER:
While
Iran
is , for all intents and
purposes , and Islamic nation
, there are various other
religious minorities free to
practice their faith.
VANK CATHEDRAL:
in
Isfahan
's Armenian Quarter is a
testament to the fact that
Muslims and Christians have
lived together peacefully here
for centuries.
While the exterior of the cathedral observes traditional
Christian designs , the
interior decorations are a
curious combination of time
honored Christian images and
ancient Persian art.
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Lunch |
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PM |
IMAM SQUARE:
Built in 1612 as a royal polo ground , and situated in the
heart of the Safavid Capital ,
Imam Square
is one of the largest and
finest public spaces in the
world.
Historically a hive of activity - filled with entertainers ,
story tellers , preachers and
silk route caravans , it has
entranced travelers throughout
the generations.
THE BAZAAR:
The atmospheric bazaar captures the ambiance of ancient
Persia
. It's easy to spend many
hours strolling here. The
pungent scent of exotic spices
, clang of coppersmiths at
work , cries of merchants
selling gold , carpets and
handicrafts , all fill the
series of long alleys
radiating from
Imam Square
- fantastic!
IMAM MOSQUE & SHEIKLOTFOLLAH MOSQUE:
Built between 1612 and 1638 these majestic structures
lavishly adorned with
exquisite tile work in hues of
blue , turquoise and green ,
represent the culmination of
over 1 ,000 years of Islamic
art and architecture.
The former was built as
Isfahan
's central place of worship
and Islamic learning. The
latter , named in honor of the
great Lebanese Sheik Lotfollah
, was the private place of
prayer and meditation for Shah
Abbas.
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Dinner |
Our daily visits would be included special
Iranian dinner at a local
traditional restaurant or
outdoor area. |
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Locations: Esfahan / Tehran (Drive 256m / 414
Km)
Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Hotel:
Laleh in 5 star package /
Kowsar in 4 star /
New Naderi in 3 star /
Khayyam in 2 star
Room: Double
Services: Full Day guided city
tour, meals , refreshments, entrance fees ,
transfers and accommodation included.
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AM |
On our scenic drive to Tehran we
stop at Kashan, an attractive
oasis town, and take in its
attractive sights. We visit
Tabatabaie Houses and Khan-e
Borujerdi, built as a private
residence, now a charming museum
with a lovely courtyard. We then
take in the famous Fin Garden
and witness its breathtaking
pools, orchards and natural
springs. Next we visit Agha
Bozorg Mosque famous for its
lovely portals and minarets.
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Lunch |
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PM |
After lunch, we visit the
exquisite Shrine of Fatima in
Qum and later we view the Tomb
of Ayatollah Khomeini. |
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Dinner |
Our daily visits would be included special
Iranian dinner at a local
traditional restaurant or
outdoor area. |
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Locations: Tehran
Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Hotel:
Laleh in 5 star package /
Kowsar in 4 star /
New Naderi in 3 star /
Khayyam in 2 star
Room: Double
Services: Full Day guided city
tour, meals , refreshments, entrance fees ,
transfers and accommodation included.
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AM |
Our
culminating tour of Tehran
begins with the impressive Glass
and Ceramic Museum, continues in
the Sa'dabad Garden Museum (with
its 18 opulent Palaces) and the
world-renowned Carpet Museum
that houses a spectacular
collection of Iranian hand woven
carpets. Our next museum is the
Reza Abbasi's. Its artifacts
date back to the 14th century
and the museum exhibits stunning
examples of Islamic calligraphy
and exquisite jewelry from
several dynasties.
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Lunch |
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PM |
The
Day ends with a visit to the
bazaar to pick up some last
minute gifts and souvenirs
followed by a special Iranian
farewell dinner at a traditional
local restaurant. |
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Dinner |
Our daily visits would be included special
Iranian dinner at a local
traditional restaurant or
outdoor area. |
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Locations: Tehran
Hotel:
Laleh in 5 star package /
Kowsar in 4 star /
New Naderi in 3 star /
Khayyam in 2 star
Room: Double
Services: Transfer to Airport,
luggage handling, assistance by the costumes
clearance included.
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AM |
ToDay early morning we depart to
Airport for the departure flight
. we exchange addresses with our
new friends and bid farewell to
ancient Persia. |
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Lunch |
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PM |
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Dinner |
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Extension and alternative endings : |
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Locations: Caspian sea region. Azerbaijan,
Kurdistan
Room: Double
Services: All included.
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Day 16:
Tehran/Rasht:
Drive to RASHT via the beautiful Chalus
Road across the Alborz Mountains ,
overnight RASHT.
Day
17:
Rasht/Bandaranzali:
Excursion to the village of Masuleh and
Anzali Lagoon , overnight Anzali.
Day
18:
Bandaranzali/Tabriz:
Drive to Tabriz via Ardebil to visit
Sheikh Safi- eddin Ardebil Shrine ,
overnight Tabriz.
Day
19:
Tabriz:
Full Day city tour of Tabriz to visit
the Blue Mosque , Azerbaijan Museum ,
Shah-Goli Pavilion , and bazaar ,
overnight Tabriz.
Day
20 : Tabriz:
Full Day excursion to St. Thaddeus
(Black) Church near Maku , overnight
Tabriz.
Day
21:
Tabriz/Maragheh:
Drive to MARAGHE to visit the three
Seljuk towers , overnight MARAGHE.
Day
22 :Maragheh/ Sanandaj:
Drive to SANANDAJ , en-route visit
Takht-e-Soleiman to see Sassanian fire
temple , overnight SANANDAJ.
Day
23:
Sanandaj/ flight to
Tehran:
free
at leisure Day before departure
Day 23:
Departure
early morning |
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Locations: Mashad
Room: Double
Services: All included.
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Day 16: Tehran / Mashhad (Flight)
This morning we are transferred to
the airport for a flight to Mashhad.
Afternoon tour of Mashhad.
Overnight: Homa Hotel, Mashhad (2
nights) (B, D)
Day 17: Mashhad
Day excursion to Neishapour, visit
will also include the tomb of Amar
Khayyam. (B, D)
Day 18: Mashhad / Tehran (Flight)
Morning we visit the famous
pilgrim's bazaar. Afternoon transfer
back to the airport for a flight to
Tehran.
Overnight: Laleh Hotel, Tehran (1 night)
(B, D)
Day 19: Depart Tehran
Morning transfer to the airport for
the departure flight. (B)
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Locations: Kish
Room: Double
Services: All included.
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Day 16: Tehran / Kish Island (Flight)
This morning we are transferred to
the airport for a flight to the Kish
Island. Afternoon tour of the city.
Overnight: Shayan Hotel, Kish Island (3
nights) (B, D)
Day 17: Kish Island
Day free to enjoy this spectacular
island. (B, D)
Day 18: Kish Island
Day free. (B, D)
Day 19: Kish Island / Tehran (Flight)
Morning transfer back to the airport
for a flight to Tehran.
Overnight: Laleh Hotel, Tehran (1 night)
(B, D)
Day 20: Depart Tehran
Morning transfer to the airport for
the departure flight. (B)
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