Day 1Tehrān
Arrive at any time.
There are no activities planned until an evening welcome meeting.
Flights often arrive very late at night or early in the morning in Tehran. Keep in mind the evening welcome meeting when booking your travel.
Arrival Day and Welcome Meeting
1h18:00
The adventure begins tonight. Feel free to explore, but make sure you're back in time to meet the group. After introductions, your CEO will review the details of your tour.
Day 2Tehrān/Yazd
Explore Tehran with a local guide, visiting the Sa’d Abad Palace and National Jewel Museum before boarding an evening train to Yazd.
Tehran City Tour
Tehrān3h
Visit some highlights of this delightful Persian city with your expert local guide. Depending on timing, the sights may vary but are likely to include the main museums and palaces.
Sa’d Abad Palace Visit
Tehrān2h
Visit some highlights of the city that may include entrance and guided tours to the Sa’d Abad Palace, the National Jewel Museum, the Carpet Museum, the National Museum, and the Golestan Palace. Depending on the schedule, these highlights may be spread out over the entire time in Tehran, making some visits at the beginning of the trip and some at the end.
National Jewels Museum
Tehrān1h
The National Jewels of Iran date back to Safavid era, in which it was decided that national jewels belong to the National Treasury of government. The valuable collection in this museum includes the pink diamond of Darya-ye-Noor (a mere 182 carats!) and the ornate Peacock Throne (Takhte Tavous), built during the reign of Fathali Shah; it consists of 12 different pieces joined together, with a total of 26,733 jewels and is stunning.
Local train
Tehrān – Yazd5h30m-6hEvening
Climb aboard, take your seat, and get around like the locals do.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 3Yazd
Tour the old town of Yazd, marvelling at the unique towers that scatter the city. Visit the Jameh Mosque, Amir Chakhmaq Complex, Zoroastrian Fire Temple, and the Towers of Silence burial grounds.
The desert city of Yazd is known as the centre of the Zoroastrian religion. Learn more about the fascinating customs of these fire-worshippers and take in the unique architecture of this city.
With some free time, opt to rent a bike, relax in a teahouse, or wander the bazaars.
Yazd City Tour
Yazd4h
Enjoy a tour of this fascinating city, heart of the Zoroastrian religion. Check out its wonderful preserved mud brick old towns, the Amir Chakhmag Complex, Jameh Mosque, Zoroastrian fire temple, and the 'Towers of Silence', among other things.
Optional Activities
Bike Rental
Rent a bike from a local shop and head out to explore.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 4Yazd/Kermān
Travel to the Kerman region, home to the villages of Rayen and Mahan, both steeped in history.
Travel to one of Iran's oldest cities. Kerman was founded in the early third century and the city has historically played an important role on the Trans-Asian trade routes.
Private Vehicle
Yazd – Kermān4h-5h
Stretch out and scan the scenery from the comfort of a private vehicle.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 5Kermān
Spend the day visiting highlights of the area. Visit the Shah Nematollah Vali Shrine and Shahzadeh Garden. Later, visit the Bathhouse Museum and the Rayen Citadel.
Shah Nematollah Vali Shrine Visit
Māhān1h
The Nematollah Vali historical complex contains the mausoleum of Shah Mentollah Vali, on of Iran's revered mystics and poets. The shrine was built in 1436 and has since become a pilgrimmage site.
Shazdeh Garden Visit
Māhān
In a country known for its beautiful gardens, the Prince's Garden is a particular delight. It is a walled garden encompassing 5.5 hectares, and the residential building at one end looks out over fountains and manicured flora.
Rayen Citadel Visit
Rāyen1h30m
The Kerman region is known for its fantastic mudbrick cities. One of the finest, Bam, was completely destroyed in the 2003 earthquake. Rayen is similar in style and boasts the same architectural elements. Enjoy a fascinating look into what is believed to be an over 1,000-yr-old city; its structures are all extremely well-preserved and it was inhabited until about 150 yrs ago.
Ganjali Bathhouse Museum Visit
Kermān1h
Located in a Safavid-era complex, complete with school, caravanserai, and a mosque, the Bathhouse Museum is worth a visit. Now converted into an anthropology museum, its interior is meticulously and beautifully decorated, with different rooms for changing and offering different temperatures, all with intricate domed ceilings.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 6Kermān/Shiraz
Explore the city and visit the Karim Khan Citadel, Vakil Mosque, and the tombs of Hafez and Sa’adi.
There is free time to explore the city's beautiful Regents mosque, Nasiralmolk mosque, Khan madrasa, Bagh-e Eram gardens, and perhaps even listen to some poetry being recited at the Hafez tomb.
This vibrant student city is buzzing with life and is a great place to interact with some Iran's youth.
Private Vehicle
Kermān – Shiraz6h30m-7h
Stretch out and scan the scenery from the comfort of a private vehicle.
City Tour
Shiraz3h
Known as Iran's cultural capital, this city was home to two of Persia's most famous poets in the 13th and 14th centuries, Hafez and Saadi, whose mausoleums are found here. Enjoy a tour of the city's highlights, with visits to the Karim Khan Citadel and the Bazar-e Vakil to visit the mosque, see an impressive traditional teahouse, and check out the converted bathhouse of Hamman-e Vakil.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 7Shiraz
Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Persepolis, the ceremonial palace of Darius, and admire its amazingly well-preserved carvings. Later, wander the streets and mingle with the students in laid-back Shiraz.
Travel to Persepolis to explore this fascinating sight. On the way back to Shiraz, visit the rock cut tombs at Naqsh-e-Rostam, the burial place of Darius the Great and his successors.
With free time, enjoy the vibe of Shiraz.
Private Vehicle
Shiraz – Persepolis1h
Visit Persepolis and Nasqt-e Rostam before returning to Shiraz.
Persepolis Tour
Persepolis4h
Visit the country's premier attraction, Persepolis. In Greek, Persepolis literally means the 'capital of Persia'. It was built in 518 BC by Darius the Great as the capital of the mighty Achaemenid Empire. Alexander the Great burnt the city to the ground in 330 BC, but many remnants of its former glory remain and Persopolis lives on as one of the greatest wonders of the ancient world.
Learn the history of this amazing ancient place and marvel at the stunningly preserved bas-relief carvings.
Naqsh-e-Rostam Visit
Fārs1h30m
Visit the rock cut tombs at Naqsh-e-Rostam, the burial place of Darius the Great and his successors.
Free Time
ShirazEvening
Explore this vibrant university town.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 8Shiraz/Isfahan
Stop at the Koran Gate and the UNESCO-listed Pasargadae complex en route to Isfahan, one of the finest Islamic cities in the world.
Embark on an included visit to Pasargadae and explore the capital and burial site of Cyrus the Great.
Private Vehicle
Shiraz – Isfahan485km
Stop en route to explore Pasargadae.
Pasargadae Visit
Pasargadae1h
Visit Pasargadae, the capital and burial site of Cyrus the Great. it's a UNESCO World Heritage Site and also an important archaeological site.
Free Time
IsfahanEvening
Start exploring this gorgeous city.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 9Isfahan
Tour the beautiful city of Isfahan, enjoying the famous square, mosques, and bartering at the bazaar. Hang out on the many bridges that make Isfahan unique, or shop for an authentic Persian rug.
Wander the tree-lined boulevards of Isfahan, the jewel of ancient Persia. On a city tour, visit Imam Square and mosque, Sheikh Lotfallah Mosque, and the Ali Qapu Palace. Wander the bazaar and learn the history of Isfahan's bridges.
Stop in a miniatures shop and learn about this intricate art form before sampling some delicious gaz, a candy famous in Isfahan.
Isfahan City Tour
Isfahan4h
Enjoy a tour of this fascinating city, with its beautiful tree-lined boulevards and an atmospheric bazaar. Start in the world's second largest public square — Imam Square. Learn about life under Persia's greatest ruler, Shah Abbas, and visit the Imam Mosque, Sheikh Lotfallah Mosque, and the Ali Qapu Palace. Imam Square, actually built as a royal polo ground, was once home to entertainers, storytellers, preachers, and Silk Road caravans. Explore the bazaar with its wonderful scents and spices, and watch the locals as they engage in masterful bargaining. You might pick up a tip or two!
Free Time
IsfahanAfternoon
Spend time shopping or exploring.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 10Isfahan
Spend a full day exploring this gorgeous city.
Free Time
IsfahanFull Day
The perfect place to shop or relax, explore to your heart's content.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 11Isfahan/Abyāneh
Take a scenic drive through Natanz to the mountain village of Abyaneh, known for having retained its ancient charm. Enjoy a village walk to learn more.
This beautiful mountain village has preserved its traditions, language and dress. Wander the quiet lanes, sample dried fruit, and relax in the hotel overlooking the green fields below.
Private Vehicle
Isfahan – Abyāneh2h-3h175km
Stretch out and scan the scenery from the comfort of a private vehicle.
Abyaneh Guided Walk
Abyāneh2h30m 3km
Wander the narrow lanes of this mountain village. Observe locals in traditional dress and learn more about the simple way of life in this scenic spot.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 12Abyāneh/Tehrān
Visit sights en route to Tehran including Kashan and Qom. Back in Tehran, visit Imam Khomeini's shrine.
In Kashan, opt to visit Fin Garden, Khan-e Borujerdi house, and Agha Bozorg Mosque.
In Qom, visit the Qom Shrines en route to Tehran.
Private Vehicle
Abyāneh – Tehrān320km
Stop at highlights en route to Tehran.
Kashan Visit
Kāshān3h
Visit Kashan, a beautiful city known for its gardens. Fin Garden is one of the finest examples of these ancient Persian gardens. Check out the historic Persian style house here, Borujerdi, to learn more about the lifestyle of wealthy Persians in the mid-1800s. Opt to visit an 18th-century mosque, Agha Bozorg.
Qom Shrines Visit
Qom1h
Qom is the most strictly religious city in Iran and a huge pilgrimage site. Non-Muslims will not be able to enter religious buildings.
Tomb of Imam Khomeini Visit
Tehrān1h30m
Visit the tomb of Ayatollah Khomeini, under construction since 1989. The complex engulfs 20sq km (12.4 sq mi) and includes a cultural centre, Islamic university and seminary, and a mall.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 13Tehrān
Enjoy a final day of sightseeing in the busy capital of Tehran. Visit Golestan Palace, National Museum, and the Carpet Museum.
Ramble through the enormous bazaar and visit the Imam Khomeini Mosque. View the many political murals that surround the former US Embassy then relax like the locals do by drinking chai and chewing on dates in a traditional chaikhuneh (teahouse).
Try some more of the fine Iranian cuisine like dizi (stew you crumble bits of bread into and mash up with a mortar and pestle right at the table!) while enjoying traditional music at a local restaurant.
Golestan Palace Visit
Tehrān1h
Visit the gorgeous Qajar complex. One of the oldest monuments in Tehran, the palace is part of a group of royal buildings once contained within the city's citadel. Originally built in the 1500s, there have been many changes, both additions and destruction, to the complex throughout the years.
Carpet Museum Visit
Tehrān1h
Persian carpets are famous the world over for good reason. Learn more about them and enjoy displays of different types of these beautiful rugs from all over Iran at the Carpet Museum. Built in 1976, this museum holds carpets from as far back as the 18th century.
Tehran City Tour
Tehrān3h
Visit some highlights of this delightful Persian city with your expert local guide. Depending on timing, the sights may vary but are likely to include the main museums and palaces.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 14Tehrān
Depart at any time.
