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Tours & Groups
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The
Magic of Persia 18 day
Cities to be visited: Tehran
/ Rasht/ Bandare Anzali / Ardebil / Tabriz / Maragheh / Hamedan /
KermanShah / Isfahan / Shiraz
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Extensions &
Alternatives
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Extension #1
Extension #2 |
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Arrival to Tehran Airport early morning , meet an assist
at airport by your tour guide. transfer to Hotel
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Services: Meet and Assist, assistance
by Visa issuance and customs clearance , luggage
handling, refreshments, transfers and accommodation included. |
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 |
First Day of the tour.
after the breakfast your guide would
start the Day with give a concise
introduction about your travel itinerary
. you are welcomed to share your
question over any aspect of your travel
and stay with her. Your tour would start
at 8:30. however if you felt like to
start your tour in evening because of
any possible jet lag you are welcomed to
inform your guide of your plan.
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.
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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/ 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.
| AM |
TEHRAN - A full
Day visit to the old Shah's
residence - Sa'ad Abad Palace,
Reza Abbasi and National Jewelry
museums. Evening Transfer to the
airport and board flight to
Shiraz.
SA'AD ABAD PALACE
Set in lush , and
peaceful surroundings in the
southern foothills of the Alborz
Mountains , the Sa'ad Abad
Palace complex was originally
the summer residence of the
former Shah of Iran until the
Islamic Revolution of 1979.
ToDay it remains
an illustration of the grandeur
and opulence in which the Shah
and his family lived. Now , many
of these palace buildings house
fascinating exhibits including
some of Iran's greatest
treasures and finest works of
art
Reza Abbasi
Museum:
Our next museum
would be the Reza Abbasid's. a
unique collection of artifacts
dating 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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National Jewelry
Museum:
Host to the most
elegant and valuable treasury
jewelry and artworks .
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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/Rasht:
Breakfast Dinner
Hotel: Grand Gilan hotel 4 star/
Ordibehesht 2 star
Room: Double
Services: Full Day guided city tour,
meals , refreshments, entrance fees , transfers and
accommodation included.
| AM |
Drive to Rasht
via the beautiful Chalus Road
across the Alborz Mountains ,
overnight Rasht |
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Lunch |
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| PM |
Rasht |
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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: Rasht/ Bandare Anzali:
Breakfast Dinner
Hotel:
Sepid kenar hotel 4 star/
Kadusan 3 star
Room: Double
Services: Full Day guided city tour,
meals , refreshments, entrance fees , transfers and
accommodation included.
| AM |
Excursion
to the village of Masuleh and
Anzali Lagoon ,.ToDay
we depart Westwards on a scenic
route to the picturesque town of Masuleh ,
perched on a steep
mountainside and surrounded by
dense forest. After exploring
the town , continue along the
Sea to the coastal town of
Anzali .one
of the most important Iranian
port cities on the Caspian Sea |
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Lunch |
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| PM |
Bandare Anzali |
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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: Bandare Anzali / Tabriz:
Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Hotel:
Pars Ilgoli hotel 5 star/
International hotel 4 star/
Darya hotel 3 star/
Azarbaijan hotel 2 star.
Room: Double
Services: Full Day guided city tour,
meals , refreshments, entrance fees , transfers and
accommodation included.
| AM |
Drive to
Tabriz via Ardebil
. A
stop at Ardebil will include the
Mausoleum of Sheikh Safi Ardebil
, one of the finest historical
examples of Persian art.visit
Sheikh Safi- eddin Ardebil
Shrine . |
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Lunch |
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| PM |
Tabriz. |
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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: Tabriz:
Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Hotel:
Pars Ilgoli hotel 5 star/
International hotel 4 star/
Darya hotel 3 star/
Azarbaijan hotel 2 star.
Room: Double
Services: Full Day guided city tour,
meals , refreshments, entrance fees , transfers and
accommodation included.
| AM |
Tabriz is the center
of Azerbaijani culture in Iran ,
an oasis at the foothills of Mt. Sahand , a
silent volcano! Afternoon a
visit to the BlueMosque
known for its splendid tiles.
We explore the Azerbaijan
Museum with its ethnographical
, archeological and historical
sections. Following you will
visit Arg-e-Tabriz , the 14th
Century citadel. Time to
stroll the 15th-century
covered bazaar. Tabriz. |
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Lunch |
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| PM |
Tabriz Carpet
Market tour. |
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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: Tabriz:
Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Hotel:
Pars Ilgoli hotel 5 star/
International hotel 4 star/
Darya hotel 3 star/
Azarbaijan hotel 2 star.
Room: Double
Services: Full Day guided city tour,
meals , refreshments, entrance fees , transfers and
accommodation included.
| AM |
Excursion to St. Thaddeus
(Black) Church near Maku . |
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Lunch |
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| PM |
Tabriz |
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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: Tabriz/ Maragheh:
Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Hotel:
Maraghe Daray hotel 3 star
Room: Double
Services: Full Day guided city tour,
meals , refreshments, entrance fees , transfers and
accommodation included.
| AM |
Drive to
Maragheh to visit the three
Seljuk towers .. |
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Lunch |
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| PM |
Maragheh . |
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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: Maragheh/ Sanandaj:
Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Hotel:
Sanandaj Shadi hotel 4 star
Room: Double
Services: Full Day guided city tour,
meals , refreshments, entrance fees , transfers and
accommodation included.
| AM |
Drive to
Sanandaj , en-route visit
Takht-e-Soleiman to see
Sassanian fire temple. |
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Lunch |
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| PM |
Sanandaj |
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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: Sanandaj/ Hamedan:
Breakfast Dinner
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.
| AM |
Drive to
Hamedan undeway visit Sassanian
bas-reliefs at Tagh-e-Bostan ,
the Achaemenian inscriptions and
relief's at Bisotoun and the
Anahita Temple at Kangavar ,
we will get to see Bi-Sotoun, where
the famous bas relieves 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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Hamadan, one of the oldest
inhabited towns in the world. An
full Day 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. 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: 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.
| AM |
Drive to Isfahan via Kashan,
Abyane.
Visits:
On our scenic drive to Isfahan
we stop at Kashan and Abyane
villages, two attractive oasis
town villages , and take in its
attractive sights. We visit
Tabatabaie Houses and Khan-e
Boroujerdi , 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 |
Isfahan |
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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 |
Isfahan F/D city
tour
Background:
ESFAHAN-
Persian's most enchanting city!
The magnificent capital of
Safavid King Shah Abbas I
(1587-1629) on the banks of the
Zayandeh Rud River , was often
described by the words: "Esfahan
nesf-e Jahan" (Esfahan is half
the world) and has long
attracted travelers from all
over the world. It is here where
one can really appreciate the
true grace and beauty of Persian
heritage.
F/D City tour of
sightseeing in this amazing city
with afternoon dedicated to
shopping and free at leisure
walking tours : visit Imam
Historical Square & Sheikh
Lotfollah Mosques . Isfahan
Carpet Bazaar and Isfahan River
with its exquisite ancient
bridges and teahouses .
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 Esfahan '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.
No trip to
Esfahan is complete without
visiting the famous old bridges
that cross the Zayandeh River.
We take some time here to stroll
along the river banks , mingle
with the friendly residents and
join the local folks for the
famous Esfahan tea.
Birds garden:
Visiting an out
door garden next to Zayande rood
with a collection of Iran local
Birds.
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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Lunch |
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PM |
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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 - A Full
Day of sightseeing in this
amazing city with afternoon
dedicated to shopping and free
at leisure walking tours :
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 Esfahan '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 |
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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: Isfahan/Yazd:
Breakfast Lunch 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: Drive
to
Yazd
via Naeen.
Underway visiting Naeen Silk Carpet producing places,
ancient sites underway and
then H/D city tour in
Yazd
. A visit to the magnificent
Masjid-e Jame and
Amir-Chakhmaq Mosques. The
following Day we continue to
the
Zoroastrian
Towers
of Silence and the
Fire
Temple
(where fire worship is still
practiced) and then tour
Doulat
Abad
Garden
with its traditional
ventilation shaft (wind tower)
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Lunch |
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PM |
Optional:
**Camel
riding tour in Desert and
Overnight in Camping:** |
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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 / Dinner
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.
| AM |
Visits:
Drive to Shiraz , Underway excursion
to visit of Passargade, Persepolis, and Nagh - she rostam (Necropolis).
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.
PASSARGADE
In the vast
desert plain between Shiraz and
Esfahan , 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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Lunch |
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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/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.
| AM |
Shiraz
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.
Free time in
Shiraz can be spent exploring at
your own pace. Wander the maze
of narrow streets and alleyways
of the old city filled with
traditional handicraft workshops
and local markets. For the avid
sightseers the splendid mansion
of Ghavam Orangery , the
sumptuous Garden of Paradise ,
and the impressive intricately
decorated Karim Khan Citadel are
each worthy of a visit.
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Lunch |
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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: Mashad
Room: Double
Services: All included.
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Day 18: 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 19: Mashhad
Day excursion to Neishapour, visit
will also include the tomb of Amar
Khayyam. (B, D)
Day 20: 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 21: 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 18: 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 19: Kish Island
Day free to enjoy this spectacular
island. (B, D)
Day 20: Kish Island
Day free. (B, D)
Day 21: Kish Island / Tehran (Flight)
Morning transfer back to the airport
for a flight to Tehran.
Overnight: Laleh Hotel, Tehran (1 night)
(B, D)
Day 22: Depart Tehran
Morning transfer to the airport for
the departure flight. (B)
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