Iran – Classic Iran May Tour

Itinerary

Sunday 12 May – Shiraz

• Arrive at your own convenience in Shiraz. A city that is well connected to other parts of the world.
• Meet your other group members at the hotel with an introduction from our local guide.
• Overnight stay in Shiraz.

 Monday 13 May – Shiraz

• Visit the Arg of Karim Khan (Zand Castle); this old fort is right in the middle of Shiraz.
• Walking tour of the souk in Shiraz.
• Highlight: We visit the tombs of Sa’adi and Hafez. Especially the poems of Hafez are still very popular in Iran.
• Eram Garden, a place where many locals come to relax.
• Overnight stay in Shiraz.

Tuesday 14 May – Shiraz – Persepolis

• We depart Shiraz for Persepolis and Necropolis.
• Highlight: Wander around the ruins of the UNESCO-heritage site. This was the main capital of the Achaemenid Empire.
• Return to Shiraz.
• Overnight stay in Shiraz.

Wednesday 15 May – Shiraz

• Highlight: See the well-known Nasir al-Mulk Mosque, famously known as the Pink Mosque. Here you’ll see stained glass, which gives the mosque a special color.
• Visit the Madrasah-ye Khan.
• See the impressive Shahcheragh Holy Shrine, with its many mirrors, one of the best shrines in the country.
• Jame Old Mosque, with its impressive mosaics.
• See the Narenjanstan Garden.
• Overnight stay in Shiraz.

Thursday 16 May – Shiraz – Lut Desert – Kerman

• We leave Shiraz head to the stunning Lut Desert.
• Highlight: Along the way we encounter various desert tribes and nomads living in the area.
• Admire the unique rock formations formed due to the constant warm weather in Kerman.
• After arrival in Kerman we’ll visit the incredible bazaar of Kerman in the old town.
• Overnight stay in Kerman.

Friday 17 May – Kerman – Yazd

• We leave Kerman and go westwards towards the city of Yazd.
• Highlight: We visit Sar Yazd and explore the famous Sar Castle.
• We continue our drive to Yazd.
• Highlight: Arrival in Yazd. The beautiful desert town of Yazd is a world apart from the other cities. Especially the old town has a magical feeling with its forest of wind towers. 
• Learn about the wind and water towers, at the Water Museum.
• Visit the historical Dolatabaad Garden.
• Overnight stay in Yazd.

Saturday 18 May – Yazd

• Highlight: We go to the Amir Chakhmaq Complex, which is located in Yazd’s central square.
• See the Tower of Silence, the Zoroastrians believed that dead bodies should not be buried, so they left them here for vultures.
• Fire Temple, the place where Zoroastrians practiced their religion.
• Stroll around the local market to get a real feeling of the city.
• Overnight stay in Yazd.

Sunday 19 May – Yazd – Meybod – Isfahan

• Today we have a long drive to Isfahan.
• A quick stop at an old caravanserai.
• Highlight: See the Meybod Water Reservoir in the city of Meybod.
• Visit the Narenj Castle in Nain. One of the oldest villages in Iran.
• Arrival in Isfahan.
• Overnight stay in Isfahan.

Monday 20 May – Isfahan

• For many visitors, Isfahan is one of the highlights of Iran, one of the culturally richest cities in Iran.
• Highlight: We visit the world-famous Imam Square; it’s the biggest closed-off square in the world.
• See the Ali Qapu Palace and Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, located at the square.
• We visit the Chehel Sotun Palace, a UNESCO site located in the center.
• Overnight stay in Isfahan.

Tuesday 21 May – Isfahan

• Today you’ll have a free day in Isfahan. Of course, we’ll be here to advise you on your plans.
• In the afternoon it’s possible to join a cooking class. First we’ll buy the ingredients at the local market, before we start cooking.
• Overnight stay in Isfahan.

Wednesday 22 May – Isfahan

• Today we have another day to explore Isfahan.
• In the morning we’ll visit the Jame Mosque and the Vank Cathedral, two famous sights that are not to be missed in Isfahan.
• Highlight: Cross the Khaju and Siosepol bridges, where locals congregate for tea and good conversation.
• Overnight stay in Isfahan.

Thursday 23 May – Isfahan – Abiyaneh – Kashan

• We leave Isfahan and head to the north.
• Highlight: We drive to Abiyaneh, also known as the red village. It’s very touristy with locals, but still an impressive sight. 
• We continue our drive to Kashan.
• Highlight: Upon arrival, we visit Birujedi House, an incredible house from 1857.
• Agha Bozorg Mosque, is a famous historical mosque.
• Walk around the old bazaar.
• Overnight stay in Kashan.

Friday 24 May – Kashan – Qom – Teheran

• Visit to the famous Fin Garden.
• We continue to Qom, which is the religious center of Iran and a special stop, as the Ayatollah resides in Qom.
• Visit to the Tomb of Fatimeh.
• Drive towards Teheran.
• Just before Teheran, we visit the mausoleum of Ayatollah Khomeini. This mega-complex is a memorial for the Ayatollah and is intended as a place for Iranians to gather.
• Overnight stay in the capital of Iran: Teheran.

Saturday 25 May – Tehran

• Highlight: We visit Golestan Palace. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the formal royal Qajar complex.
• In the afternoon we’ll make a museum tour in Tehran, visiting the Archeological, Islamic and Jewelry Museum.
• Overnight stay in Teheran.

Sunday 26 May – Tehran

• Highlight: We head to the north of Teheran, towards the area known as Darband. A popular area for the younger generation to rest and relax.
• We visit the Sa’dabad Complex, which includes multiple palaces and buildings, including the white palace where Shah Reza Pahlavi and Farah Diba lived before they left the country.
• We take a short hike on Mount Darband, before we return to Tehran.
• Visit to the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Carpet Museum.
• Airport drop off.
• End of the tour.