Ancient Persia

You will arrive at Tehran’s international airport (ika). Our guide will meet you upon arrival and take you to your hotel. The guide is there to help you to change money and get you a sim card if you want. So don’t hesitate to ask for help, or any questions about Iran and Tehran.

O/N Tehran

Tehran is the most populous city in Iran and Western Asia, and the 32nd capital city of Iran through its 5000 year old history.

Today we will visit the magnificent Golestan Palace, a world heritage site located in the south of Tehran right next to the bazar. Agha Mohammad Khan of the Qajar dynasty chose Tehran as his capital. The Golestan palace became the official residence of the Qajar dynasty. Almost this entire complex was built during the 131 years rule of the Qajar kings. These palaces were used for many different occasions such as coronations and other important celebrations.

Then we will visit Tehran Grand Bazar. Tehran Grand Bazar, which is the old economy heart of the city, is full of shops, mosques and banks. You can find anything you can think of besides fresh product. Despite relying heavily on this historical legacy, much of the bazaar itself was constructed much later. The walls and passages in the bazaar, rarely exceed 400 years, with many being constructed or rebuilt within the last 200 years. The bazaar grew as a “city within a city” for much of the 19th century, and was able to expand largely and without much outside interference

Finally, we will visit the National Museum of Iran which was opened in 1937. The building was designed by a French architect, André Godard and even today is one of the most attractive modern buildings in Tehran.

O/N Tehran

Today we will take you to Isfahan and we will visit Kashan in our way.

In Kashan, we will visit the Fin garden which ranks among the finest traditional gardens in Iran. Tracing its history at least to the 5th millennium B.C, the fin garden was kept alive with never ending water from the Soleimaniyeh spring perhaps as old as history itself. The garden contains numerous cypress trees and combines architectural features of the Safavid, Zandiyeh and Qajar periods.

Then we will visit Borujerdi house, the most spectacular sight in Kashan. Built by a famous merchant of Kashan known as Brujeddi . Constructed in the 19th century the house was built because of love. When Mr.Borujerdi wanted to marry the daughter of tabatabaie (one of the rich and famous merchants of Kashan) he said he wanted a house worthy of his daughter. The house is decorated with stucco, glass work, and mirror work, and it took 17 years to be built.

Finally, we drive to Isfahan.

O/N Isfahan

In Isfahan, we will start with the Chehel Sotun Palace, translated to Farsi means the 40-pillar palace. The palace itself only has 20 pillars, but because of the reflection of the pillars on the water it turns in to 40. Built by the order of shah Abbas II it is one of the 9 Persian gardens which is listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Naqsh-e Jahan Square (Image of the World Square) is the most magnificent sight of Isfahan. A huge arena 510m long and 163m wide. Its the second largest historical square in the world and Housing some of the most majestic structures of the Islamic world, it’s designated by UNESCO as a universal heritage site.

Sheikh Lotfollah Mosqu, Located in the eastern side of the square and built during the safavid empire. It is one of the architectural masterpieces of Iranian architecture. The purpose of this mosque was for it to be private for the royal family for this reason the mosque does not have any minarets and is small.

The Ali Qapu Palace is located on the western side of the Square, opposite to Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque. It is forty-eight meters high and has six floors. The Ali Qapu generally is the entrance or supreme gate to the complex of palaces and public buildings of the Safavi Government.

The Shah Mosque is in the south side of the Square and is the largest and the most magnificent monument of the savavid reign. It was built by the order of shah abbas. Unlike most buildings of importance in the Islamic period, this square did not lie in alignment with Mecca, so beside the entrance the rest of the mosque is built on an angle facing the house of God (Mecca).

O/N Isfahan

Today we will take you to Shiraz and you will visit:

Persepolis which was the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire. Darius the great ordered the construction of Persepolis in around 518 B.C. It was a fabulous repository of the most spectacular architectural and artistic achievements anywhere in the ancient world, and was the holy center at that time just as Mecca, Jerusalem and the Vatican are today.

Then we will visit Naqsh-e-Rustam. The mountain provides a remarkable natural screen with the tomb chambers of the Achaemenid kings carved into the rock and the Sassanid carvings exhibits combat scenes of Iran’s most legendary kings and heroes.

O/N Shiraz

Today in Shiraz we will visit:

The Nasir al-Mulk Mosque also known as the pink mosque which was built under Qajar rule. Nasir al mulk is considered to be one the most beautiful mosques in Iran. It’s better to be visited in the early morning when the light streams inside through seven stained glass doors.

Narenjestan Ghavam house or mansion was built originally by the Qavams a rich and powerful family which ruled semi independently over Fars and the Persian Gulf coast; they were rich to the extent of the Qajar period. The construction of the mansion took almost ten years.

Vakil Bazaar is the main bazar of Shiraz located in the historical center of the city. Built in 1766 with the best traditions of Iranian urban architecture. The bazaar has beautiful courtyards, caravanserais, bath houses, and old shops it is among the best places in Shiraz to buy all kinds of Persian rugs, spices, copper handicrafts and antiques.

The Karim Khan Castle was built as part of a complex during the Zand dynasty it served as Karim khans quarters the shape from the outside resembles a medieval fortress and it was named after Karim Khan the founder of the Zand dynasty.

Mausoleum of Hafez is a memorial garden created in the memory of the celebrated Persian poet Hafez. His collected works are regarded as a pinnacle of Persian literature and are often found in the homes of people in the Persian speaking world.

In the afternoon, we will fly to Tehran.

O/N Shiraz

Today we will take you to the international airport (IKIA).