 |
| Tours & Groups
::
Day by Day Itinerary |
 |
|
|
| |
|
|
| The
Iraq and Iran Tour package in 20 to 25 day. |
|
 |
| |
|
|
Sumer
In the southernmost part of Mesopotamia, at the dawn of
the historical era, we find a collection of small city
states possessing a well-established level of
civilization that has been using writing for commercial
and administrative purposes for at least the previous
700 years. The Sumerians had first settled in the
vicinity of the lower Tigress and Euphrates around 5,000
BC. By 3,500 they had created the first urban society
and had invented writing. Between 3,500 and 3,000 they
develop the first wheeled vehicles and the first
craftsmen, masons and smiths, appear. The first direct
democracy is slowly evolving into benevolent despotism.
Their culture and technology will persist long after
they are gone as their conquerors adopt their ways and
it passes on through the ages to eventually become an
essential component of European culture. The words
"alcohol" and "myrrh," for example, are originally from
the Sumerian language, and they gave us 60 seconds, 60
minutes, and 360 degrees.
Arrive Amman, JORDAN
Our journey to the land between two rivers start with
our arrival at Queen Alia International Airport in
Amman, the capital of Jordan. After immigration and
Custom formalities, we are met, welcomed and transferred
to our hotel. The drive to the hotel gives a good
opportunity to see the city.
Overnight Jerusalem International Hotel, Amman (2
nights)
|
|
|
Locations: Amman
Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Hotel: Jerusalem International Hotel,
Amman
Room: Double
Services:
| AM |
We have elected to keep this Day free in
Amman to work on our Iraqi visas. If our
presence is not required at the Embassy
we will throw in a tour of Amman. Amman
the capital offers both the old and new.
Our half-Day tour starts with a visit
first to see the Roman Amphitheater
followed by the Citadel, the
Archeological Museum and the beautiful
King Abdullah Mosque. (B, D)
|
| Lunch |
|
| PM |
Amman |
| Dinner |
|
|
|
|
|
Locations: Amman / Baghdad, IRAQ
Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Hotel: TBA, Baghdad (1 night)
(B, L, D)
Room: Double
Services:
| AM |
The excitement kicks in toDay as
we prepare for our journey to
Iraq. We take an early morning
desert drive to Baghdad where at
the international frontier we
prepare first with the exit
formalities of Jordan which will
be followed by the Iraqi border
formalities. Once that is done
we continue with our journey to
Baghdad - the majestic world
center during medieval times.
Time permitting, we will go
around the city to see the "post
war Baghdad", the capital city
of the country.
|
|
Lunch |
|
| PM |
|
|
Dinner |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Locations: Baghdad / Mosul (Drive)
Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Hotel: Nineveh Oberoi Hotel,
Mosul (2 nights) (B, L, D)
Room: Double
Services:
| AM |
Our first exposure to
Mesopotamia is as we drive
northwards to the city of Mosul.
En route we visit the ancient
city of Samarra famous for the
spiral Minaret and the beautiful
shrine of Imam Ali El Hadi and
the Great Mosque. Close to
Samarra is the place where the
last Imam of Shiite Islam
disappeared. The countryside
drive gives us an interesting
understanding of the rural set
up of Iraq.
|
|
Lunch |
|
| PM |
|
|
Dinner |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Locations: Mosul
Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Hotel: Nineveh Oberoi Hotel,
Mosul
Room: Double
Services:
| AM |
Our Day begins with a visit to
Nimrud, the second Assyrian
capital, where we visit the
well-stocked museum. This is
followed by a visit to the
Palace of Assurnasirpal II.
Afternoon, we continue our tour
of Nineveh, the third Assyrian
capital followed by a visit to
the Biblical Jonah's tomb. The
tomb is a beautiful piece of
architecture and offers a
beautiful aerial view of the
city. We also visit the shrine
of Imam Yahya bin el Qasim, Bash
Tapia castle, the Attahira
Church and the Qara Serai - the
Black Palace.
|
|
Lunch |
|
| PM |
En route to our
hotel, a stop will also be made
at the 52meter bent Minaret of
the Great Nurid Mosque. We then
continue to see the post war
Kurdish area of Iraq. (B, L, D) |
|
Dinner |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Locations: Mosul / Baghdad (Drive)
Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Hotel: TBA, Baghdad (1 night)
(B, L, D)
Room: Double
Services:
| AM |
Morning we take a tour of Mosul
city which is the third largest
city in Iraq. It is mostly
inhabited by Iraqi Christians
and has some interesting
churches including the Clock &
Latin Church. Mosul was once a
walled city and has some
interesting bazaars too. We then
head southwards to Baghdad. En
route we stop at villages and
get an idea of the rural life in
Iraq.
|
|
Lunch |
|
| PM |
|
|
Dinner |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Locations: Baghdad / Babylon / Hilla (Drive)
Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Hotel: Babylon Hotel, Hilla (1
night) (B, L, D)
Room: Double
Services:
| AM |
An exciting Day ahead as we
start with a visit to the
incredible and magnificent
Ukhaider castle followed by the
holy city of Kerbala where the
Shiite Imam Hussein fought a
tragic battle. It is toDay the
most important pilgrimage site
in Iraq and is always full of
pilgrims from different parts of
the world. Afternoon we continue
our drive to Babylon - the
ancient city of Mesopotamia that
flourished between 2000 and 323
BC. It was the capital of
Hummurabi (1792-1750 BC) and
later restored from the
destruction done by Assyrians It
became noted for its hanging
gardens - one of the seven
wonders of world. We visit this
huge site where a lot of it is
still preserved including seeing
the famous Lion of Babylon.
|
|
Lunch |
|
| PM |
Babylon |
|
Dinner |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Locations: Hilla / / Ur / Basra (Drive)
Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Hotel: TBA, Basra (1 night) (B,
L, D)
Room: Double
Services:
| AM |
ToDay we proceed southwards to
Basra visiting first Borsippa
ziggurat with its dark green
lumps of molten bricks and the
holy cities of Kufa and Najaf.
Next, we visit the Summerian
city of Ur with its wind swept
ziggurat. Sumerian civilization
dates back from 4000 to 2000 BC.
with a highly developed
civilisation known for its
agriculture and canal systems.
We then visit ancient Babylonian
city of Ur - the birthplace of
Prophet Abraham. We also visit
the restored house where Prophet
Abraham resided.
|
|
Lunch |
|
| PM |
|
|
Dinner |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Locations: Basra / Qurna / Baghdad (Drive)
Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Hotel: TBA, Baghdad (2 nights)
(B, L, D)
Room: Double
Services:
| AM |
This morning we take a brief
tour of the second largest city
in Iraq. Founded in 637 AD,
Basra is located in the south at
the mouth of the Persian Gulf
and is in close proximity to
Kuwait. Basra's Bazaar in the
Ashar district is full of old
houses with balconies leaning
into the narrow streets and
beautiful wooden facades in the
style of old Arabian
architecture. Our next stop is
to Qurna where we visit the
actual place that housed the
legendary Garden of Eden. This
is where the Euphrates and
Tigris meet. The village near
the town of Qurna depicts bygone
day by even Iraqi standards. We
visit the villages before
heading back to the capital city
of Baghdad.
|
|
Lunch |
|
| PM |
|
|
Dinner |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Locations: Baghdad
Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Hotel: TBA, Baghdad (2 nights)
(B, L, D)
Room: Double
Services:
| AM |
Our Day tour of Baghdad starts
with the Ctesiphon - the widest
single span vault of brickwork
in the world and the Kassite
ziggurat of Agagourf. We then
visit the National Museum
followed by a tour of the city
with its many elegant mosques,
well laid out streets and souqs.
Baghdad has several beautiful
bridges linking the different
parts of the cities across the
Tigris river. It was established
in 762 AD as the Abbasid capital
and grew up to be the financial
and more importantly the
cultural center especially
during the reign of Haroon Al
Rashid. We will also visit the
war torn areas of Baghdad (B, L,
D)
|
|
Lunch |
|
| PM |
Baghdad |
|
Dinner |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Locations: Baghdad / Tehran (flight)
Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Hotel: Azadi International
Hotel, Tehran (1 night) (B, L, D)
Room: Double
Services:
| AM |
Morning we head off for Tehran
by first flight,
where upon arrival we are
transferred to our hotel.
|
|
Lunch |
|
| PM |
|
|
Dinner |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Extension # 1
Quintessence
of Persia in 9 day
Cities to be visited: Tehran / Shiraz/ Isfahan/ Kashan.
| |
Quintessence of Persia in 9 day is a specially designed
program for those who would like to see the best of Iran
in as little a time as possible. This 9-Day journey
covers the three main centers of Tehran, Shiraz and
Esfahan. This tour program can be combined with the many
other programs we are offering in the region .
|
|
Arrive Tehran (IRAN)
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.
Overnight: Tehran (2 nights)
|
|
|
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: All included.
|
AM |
Full Day tour starts
off with a visit to the Carpet Museum
which has an excellent collection of
Iranian hand woven carpets, followed by
the Museum of Reza Abbasi. This museum
named after the most famous miniaturist
in the Safavid era, was opened in 1977.
It exhibits artifacts dating back to
prehistoric, ancient and Islamic periods
and is particularly rich in Islamic
calligraphy |
|
Lunch |
best nearby
restaurant |
|
PM |
we visit the Fine
Arts and the Archaeological Museums with
its fine collection including a stone
capital of a winged lion from Susa and a
6th century B.C. audience hall relief of
Darius the Great from the Treasury at
Persepolis. The museum has items dating
back from the Sumerian Period (4500
B.C.) to contemporary times. (B, D) |
|
Dinner |
best nearby
restaurant |
|
|
|
|
Locations: Tehran / Shiraz (Flight)
Breakfast / Dinner
Hotel:
Homa in 5 star package/
Parseh in 4 star /
Parsian in 3 star /
Apadana in 2 star
Room: Double
Services: All included.
|
AM |
Morning
visit the Glass and Ceramic
Museum and Sa'dabad Palace.
|
|
Lunch |
|
|
PM |
National
treasury museum with its unique
collection of jewelryis going to
be our next destination before
heading to Tehran Jamshidieh
park for a stroll and get to see
the more of Tehran in a
leisurely place and get to talk
to people . Late afternoon
transfer to the airport for our
flight to Shiraz, traditionally
known as the city of Roses and
Nightingales.
Overnight: Shiraz (2 nights) |
|
Dinner |
Included |
|
|
|
|
|
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: All included.
|
AM |
Shiraz is
the capital of the cultural
capital of Iran. Our visit toDay
will include the Eram Garden,
the tombs of Saadi and Hafiz -
two of the most well known
Persian poets, Nasirol-Molk
Mosque and the Shiraz famous
Bazaar with it s exotic
collection of handicrafts and
carpets.
|
|
Lunch |
|
|
PM |
visit
to Afif-Abad Garden, the Church
of Saint Simmon the Zealot, the
Shrine of Shah-Cheragh. (B, D) |
|
Dinner |
Included |
|
|
|
|
|
Locations: Shiraz / Esfahan (Flight)
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: All included.
|
AM |
Morning
excursion to Persepolis, which
in Greek literally means the
capital of Persia, lies 60 kms /
37 miles north of Shiraz.
Persepolis is the last and final
ultimate expression of the
ancient Middle East.
Construction began by Darius the
Great (521 - 468 B.C.) as the
focus of the mighty Achemenian
Empire nearly 2500 years ago.
Our next stop is Naqsh-e-Rustam
- tomb of the famous Rustam.
|
|
Lunch |
|
|
PM |
Late evening
transfer to the airport for our
flight to Esfahan, another
highlight city. Legend has it
that Esfahan was founded at the
time of Tahmourass or Keykavous.
During the Safavid Era (16th and
17th Century A.D.), Esfahan was
a city of Gardens and Palaces, a
trade centre recognised by the
saying, "Esfahan is half of the
world".
Overnight: Abbasi Hotel, Esfahan
(3 nights) |
|
Dinner |
Included. |
|
|
|
|
|
Locations: Isfahan
Breakfast / Dinner
Hotel:
Abbasid Hotel in 5 star package/
Aliqapu in 4 star/
Suite in 3 star/
Jolfa in 2 star
Room: Double
Services: All incuded.
|
AM |
Full Day
tour of this magnificent
includes the Madressah Chahrbagh
- which was the pride of the
last Safavid King, Shah Sultan
Hussein, a devout Muslim ruler,
Hasht Behesht Palace (built in
1680 A.D. during the rule of
Suleiman II. |
|
Lunch |
|
|
PM |
the Armenian
Vank Church, FriDay Mosque and
the famous bridges. |
|
Dinner |
Included. |
|
|
|
|
|
Locations: Isfahan
Breakfast / Dinner
Hotel:
Abbasid Hotel in 5 star package/
Aliqapu in 4 star/
Suite in 3 star/
Jolfa in 2 star
Room: Double
Services: All included.
|
AM |
ToDay visit
includes Imam Square (Naqsh-e-
Jahan) with its Sheikh Lotfollah
and Imam Mosques, Aliqapu
Palace.
|
|
Lunch |
|
|
PM |
Visit to
Chehel Sutoon Palace (40
pillars) built by Shah Abbas as
a hall of audience and visit
what definitely a most famous
bazaar in Iran. Birds garden
will be next destination of
toDay . |
|
Dinner |
Included. |
|
|
|
|
|
Locations: Esfahan / Tehran (Drive)
Breakfast / Dinner
Hotel:
Abbasid Hotel in 5 star package/
Aliqapu in 4 star/
Suite in 3 star/
Jolfa in 2 star
Room: Double
Services: All included.
|
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.
|
|
Lunch |
|
|
PM |
Next
is a visit to the exquisite
Shrine of Fatima in Qum and
later we view the Tomb of
Ayatollah Khomeini.
Overnight: Tehran (1 night) |
|
Dinner |
Included. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Locations: Caspian Sea region/ Ramsar& Masuleh.
Room: Double
Services: All included.
|
Day 21: Tehran / Ramsar (Drive 195 kms / 120 miles)
Morning depart for a picturesque drive
to Ramsar. Evening tour of Ramsar.
Overnight: Ramsar Hotel, Ramsar (1
night) (B, D)
Day 22: Ramsar / Rashat (Drive 130
kms / 80 miles)
Depart along the beautiful Caspian
coastline to Rashat with a stop at
Bandar-e-Anjil to visit a caviar
factory.
Overnight: Kadoos Hotel, Rashat (1
night) (B, D)
Day 23: Rashat / Tehran (Drive 325
kms / 201 miles)
This morning we visit the stunningly
beautiful village of Masuleh. Afternoon
return back to Tehran.
Overnight: Laleh Hotel, Tehran (1 night)
(B, D)
Day 24: Depart Tehran
Morning transfer to the airport for
the departure flight. (B)
|
|
|
|
|
Locations: Mashad
Room: Double
Services: All included.
|
Day 21: 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 22: Mashhad
Day excursion to Neishapour, visit
will also include the tomb of Amar
Khayyam. (B, D)
Day 23: 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 24: Depart Tehran
Morning transfer to the airport for
the departure flight. (B)
|
|
|
|
|
Locations: Susa
Room: Double
Services: All included.
|
Day 21: Tehran / Ahwaz (Flight)
This morning we are transferred to
the airport for a flight to Ahwaz.
Afternoon tour of Ahwaz.
Overnight: Fadjr Hotel, Ahwaz (2 nights)
(B, D)
Day 22: Ahwaz
Day excursion to Susa, visit will
also include Tchogha Zanbil. (B, D)
Day 23: Ahwaz / Tehran (Flight)
Morning transfer back to the airport
for a flight to Tehran.
Overnight: Laleh Hotel, Tehran (1 night)
(B, D)
Day 24: Depart Tehran
Morning transfer to the airport for
the departure flight. (B)
|
|
|
|
|
Locations: Kish
Room: Double
Services: All included.
|
Day 21: 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 22: Kish Island
Day free to enjoy this spectacular
island. (B, D)
Day 23: Kish Island
Day free. (B, D)
Day 24: Kish Island / Tehran (Flight)
Morning transfer back to the airport
for a flight to Tehran.
Overnight: Laleh Hotel, Tehran (1 night)
(B, D)
Day 25: Depart Tehran
Morning transfer to the airport for
the departure flight. (B)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
