Explore Iran and the Persian Empire

Starting Point: Shiraz
End Point: Tehran
Maximum number of people: 10

Day 1:  Shiraz

We begin with a visit to the Karim Khan fortress and the Vakil public bath, walk through the Vakil bazaar and have lunch in a traditional restaurant in the old district.  We will taste Shirazi desserts and sweets like Faloodeh and Masqati . Here we can also explore the old parts of town as well as some beautiful old museum houses like the Zinatol moluk house, wander through the downtown area where most of the Shirazi people go shopping, and  also see the crowded districts of Shiraz at night as the temperature cools and people come out to socialise, shop and share meals.

Day 2: Shiraz

We visit the beautiful Nasir al molk mosque (the pink mosque) at the very best hours of the morning then the Shahe Cheragh where most Shirazi people go on a pilgrimage.  We will also visit the Eran garden, have lunch at the Haft Khan which is modern restaurant where young Shirazi boys and girls hang out hopefully to get a chance to chat with a few of their friends and some tourists.  We visit Shiraz University (if we are allowed as it is the first time we will attempt this) then visit the Saadi and Hafez tombs.  These were two of the most famous poets in Iran. We walk through the beautiful garden areas in the north of Shiraz and relax with a refreshing cup of tea in the evening.

Day 3: Persepolis, Necropolis, Pasargadae and Nomads

The first trip is to the magnificent site of Persepolis early in the morning including the Naghshe Rostam (necropolis) then go to Pasargadae on the way to the nomads. Pasargadae is the tomb of Cyrus the Great. We then head out to visit the nomads hopefully getting to them in the afternoon.  If they have already gone into the village, which they must do for the cold season, we will visit them in the village. These people are the kindest most hospitable people. They work very hard but are happy to share anything they have and talk about their fascinating lifestyle. We may get to milk the goats, help make the cheeses.  We will stay two nights in their black tents or outside under the stars if the weather is right.

Day 5:  Abarkuh – the sand desert.

We head off to the historical city of Abarkuh on the way to Yazd.  After breakfast we will visit the old ice house, see a 4,500 year old cypress tree and a 1000 year old tomb tower.  We will visit the Aqazadeh mansion and explore the incredible underground water canals.  We have arranged a wonderful cooking workshop where you will earn to make some of the most popular Iranian dishes and listen to the beautiful Iranian traditional music played by local artistes.   We then head to the sand desert near Abarkuh before sunset. We watch the sun set and we build a camp fire, eat, drink and stay the night in our sleeping bags under the beautiful desert sky.

Day 6 – 7: Trekking

We head off into the wilderness to watch the wild Asian zebras, Persian Ibex and mountain goats. We trek this wild area using binoculars to view the undisturbed ecosystem and after about 48 hours at the end of the trek, we will picked you up and return to camp.

Day 8: Yazd

Yazdh is the biggest inhabited adobe city in the world. On the way we will hopefully see the mountain eagle.  On arrival in Yazdh you will be taken to your hotel and later in the afternoon we will visit Jame’ Mosque, wander about and explore the old town and then watch the sunset on this beautiful old town from one of the roof tops.  After sunset we will visit Zoorkhaneh which is a traditional gymnasium and see the training sessions. We will meet for dinner and visit Amir Chaqmaq and enjoy traditional desserts and sweets.

Day 9: Yazd

On this day we will visit the Zorasterian’s towers of Silence and the Fire Temple.  This is the ancient Persian religion where they have kept the sacred fire burning for 1500 years. We will then visit the water museum then enjoy lunch in a delightful traditional restaurant.  We then head to the village of Kharanaq, an historic village 85 km away from Yazdh and stay the night there.

Day 10: Chak Chak and Isfahan

Chak Chak is the Zorasterian’s sacred place. We will visit in the morning – this is an amazing place you can not miss it. We will then head to Isfahan and arrive in the evening and go straight to the hotel.

Day 11: Isfahan

First we visit the Nagshe Jahan Square, the Sheik Lotfollah mosque and Ali Qapu – check out the magnificent architecture, then we will try Beryooni for lunch – a traditional Isfahan dish. After lunch we will walk along the Gheysarieh bazaar. Visit the Chehel Sotoon Palace and walk along three of the historical bridges over Zayandeh river.

Day 12: Isfahan

Our first venture is to the Vank Cathedral (or the church of the saintly sisters) in the Jolfa district, where you will see the magnificent frescos and gilded carvings. This is a building of the Armenian Apostolic Church. After this it is coffee and a walk around the old area then head to the Sofeh mountains where most young boys and girls in Isfahan gather in their spare time. We can take the telekabin up or down the mountain or go bowling and then enjoy dinner with the group for the evening.

Day 13: Kashan

On this last day we will visit the Atiq mosque of Isfahan and have enough time to buy souvenirs. We will also have time to try the delicious local sweets – gaz and ferni.  We will heads to Kashan in the evening and go straight to the hotel.

Day 14: Kashan

On this day we will visit the most important historical places in Kashan – beautiful houses, Fin garden, the Sialk prehistoric excavation area, a toy museum and then get to see the rosewater extraction process.

Day 15:   Tehran

Tehran is a huge, crowded city.  Depending on what you want to see and do in Tehran, there will be a choice of hotel locations.  On the last three days in Tehran we will visit the Golestan Palace, the Sa’d abad complex and Museum, the Milad Tower (which is modern) Azadi tower, the Tajrish Bazaar, Tochal (the roof of Tehran) where we can have a short morning hike and get to the young people gathering there. We will also see the Iranian Museum, the museum of contemporary art, a carpet museum, the natural history museum. There is a lot more to see depending on your interests –  tell us and we will arrange a visit.