A fifteen day tour led by Feraidoon Ansari.
A fabulous treasure trove of gardens, exquisite architecture and magnificent scenery embody this diverse tour of Iran, along with a delicious cuisine, fine hospitality and warm weather.
Upon arrival in Tehran you will be transferred to the centrally located hotel which will be our home for three nights. This evening we gather for our Welcome Dinner at which you will meet your fellow travellers. We will take a walking tour of Laleh Park and take dinner in one of the restaurants at Keshavarz Boulevard, which has the Chaharbagh street garden from the 17th Century Safavid dynasty. Overnight Tehran Grand Hotel.
We begin our Iranian adventure with a full day exploring the capital city commencing with a scene-setting tour of The National Museum of Iran. From here we walk through the Shahr Park to the Golestan Palace, a beautiful former Qajar royal complex of 17 palaces, halls and museums set within stunning gardens. A short walk takes us to the Grand Bazaar, which with over 10 km of corridors offers ample opportunity for soaking up the local culture as well as serious shopping. Overnight Tehran Grand Hotel.
This morning we visit Tabiat Bridge, and Milad Tower for a panoramic view of Tehran. After lunch we travel to north Tehran and explore the Bagh-e Ferdows, a historical palace which since 2002 has been home to the Film Museum of Iran. Our last visit of the day will be to the contemporary and contrasting Jamshidieh Stone Garden. Overnight Tehran Grand Hotel.
Today we drive to Kashan with a stop in Qom to visit the Fatima Masoumah Shrine. Upon arrival in Kashan we check in to the Saraye Darbe Bagh Hotel, a restored historic house with lovely courtyard garden. In the afternoon we will visit another example of 19th century domestic architecture, the Tabātabāei Historic House with its four courtyards. Overnight Saraye Darbe Bagh Hotel.
Before departing for Isfahan we visit the Agha Bozorg Mosque. With its sunken courtyard and dating to the late 18th century it is one of the finest in Iran. Our next stop is the world-famous Bagh-e Fin. Completed in 1590 and Iran’s oldest extant garden this stunningly beautiful example of Islamic garden art is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. En route for Isfahan we stop in Qamsar (Ghamsar), the centre of rosewater production, and after lunch we visit the Rose Gardens. Overnight Keryas Hotel.
On this, the first of two full days in the garden city of Isfahan we stroll the Chahar Bagh Boulevard, a historical avenue constructed in the Safavid era and along which we visit the Hasht Behesht (Eight Heavens garden) and the Bagh-e Chehel Sotun. The afternoon is at leisure and affords you an opportunity to explore gardens of the nearby Art University of Isfahan, of the Contemporary Arts Museum and the Masjed-e Jameh (Friday mosque). Overnight Keryas Hotel.
Today we visit the 48-metre tall grand palace of Ālī Qāpū, home to the Safavid rulers and located on the western side of the Naqsh-e Jahan Square (Meidan Emam) - which we will also explore. Constructed between 1598 and 1629 this large public square is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On a smaller scale is our third destination, the delightful and tranquil gardens of the Chahar Bagh Theological School and we finish our day with the sensory overload of the Qeysarriyeh Bazaar. Overnight Keryas Hotel.
This morning we drive through Semirom Yasuj road and enjoy the Zagros mountains sceneries and check in to the Zandiyeh Hotel, our home for the next three nights.
Today we travel out of Shiraz to visit the Persepolis UNESCO World Heritage Site. The former ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire and dating to 515 BCE it was built by Darius I. After lunch we will make a photo-stop outside the Arg-e Karim Khan citadel before visiting the famous tomb gardens of Hafez (Aramgah-e Hafez) and Sa’di (Aramgah-e Sa’di). From the latter we will walk through the nearby Delgosha Garden before returning to the hotel. Overnight Zandieh Hotel.
On our second full day in Shiraz we remain in the city and in the morning visit the Bagh-e Eram. Located within the Shiraz Botanical Garden and dating originally to the 11th century the garden is another UNESCO World Heritage Site and fronts the lovely 19th century Qajar era pavilion. After lunch we move on to the Khan-e Zinat ol-Molk, a historic house complex built by a wealthy merchant between 1879 and 1886 and which boasts both private quarters with courtyards and a public reception area: the verdant Bagh-e Naranjestan with its Qavam pavilion. From here we will walk to the architecturally stunning Nasīr al-Mulk or Pink Mosque. Overnight Zandieh Hotel
Today we drive from Shiraz to Yazd visiting Pasargadae another UNESCO site that dates from 559 BCE and was built by Cyrus the Great. Here you will see both Cyrus’ tomb and the remains of the quadripartite garden built for his palace. This is significant as the prototype of the Islamic chahar bagh garden form. and Sarve Abarkuh en route. Arriving in Yazd Dad Hotel and visit the remarkable adobe Old Town and Jāmeh Mosque. Overnight Dad Hotel Yazd
Today we visit Zoroastrian Towers of Silence (Dakhmeh-ye Zartoshtiyun) and the Zoroastrian Temple of Fire (Ateshkadeh). The afternoon is at leisure with the opportunity to visit Bagh-e Dolat Abad or the Khan-e Lari Historic House. After a full day we relax at a local restaurant. Overnight Dad Hotel Yazd
This morning we drive from Yazd south to Kerman, en route we stop in Mehriz to see Pahlavanpour Garden. After checking in and lunch we venture out into the city to explore Jame mosque and the historical square of Ganj-ali-khan which is a heritage of Safavid era. This evening drive north a short way to enjoy the beautifully-illuminated Fath Abad Garden at dusk. We will have the farewell dinner at a local restaurant this night. Overnight Pars Hotel.
Driving to Mahan we visit the cascading, watered paradise of Shahzadeh Garden. After lunch we head to Kerman airport to take the first afternoon flight to Tehran Mehrabad where we are transfered to IKA. IBIS hotel
Early morning departure flight home.
23 April - 7 May 2024
Per person: 4500 USD
Deposit: 675 USD
Single supplement: 600 USD
Included:
Minimum number of participants 4; maximum 14.
For more information on our tours
Turkey: +90 535 4125286 | UK: +44 (0)795 854 6807
