A SPECIAL TOUR OF IRAN
A cultural tour of Iran

With the history going back to where it all began, Iran offers many interesting historical and cutural sites. This 15-day journeys covers in detail the western part of the country like Kermanshah, Hamadan Zanjan and Tabriz before going south to eqaully enchanting cultural meccas like Yazd. Passargard, Shiraz and Isfahan. This is the real Persia.

Day 01: Arrive Tehran
Today you are schedyled to arrive Tehran. Once clearing through Customs & Immigration, you will be met and transferred to the hotel. Check in time starts from 1400 hrs. If time permitting then a brief city tour of Tehran will be included.
Overnight: Enghelab Hotel or similar (1 night) (D)

Day 02: Tehran-Kermanshah (Flight) – Hamadan (Drive)
Morning flight to Kermanshah, arrive and immediate visit to Taq-e-Bostan with its Sassanid Reliefs dating back to 4th century AD. Then drive to Hamadan (or the so-called Ekbatana, one the oldest towns after Damascus), en route visit Anahita Temple in the city of Kangavar, the Rock carvings of Bisotoun (5th century BC and world heritage site), continue to Hamadan, transfer to the hotel.
Overnight: Parsian Eram Hotel or similar (2 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 03: Hamadan
Full day city tour including the charming waterfall of Ganjnameh where we will see the Achamenian Rock Inscriptions. Then comes the dominating memorials of Avecina (the greatest physician and philosopher of Persia whose medical treatments and philosophical ideas are presently practiced and observed by the world’s scholars). Next follows a visit to the tomb of Baba Taher (a famous Persian Poet) and the tomb of Esther & Murducai-the most important Jewish pilgrimage sight in Iran. And before we lose ourselves in the maze of the colorful Oriental bazaar, we pay visits to the very ancient ruins of Hekmatane (old Hamadan), Gonbade (tomb) Alavian and the famous Stone Lion. (B, L, D)

Day 04: Hamedan–Zanjan (Drive)
Drive to Zanjan, en route visit the world-renowned water cave of Ali Sadr or (Ali Sard). The cave is one of nature’s most beautiful and mysterious masterpiece. Upon entering the cave, the visitors stand in awe of the breathtaking stalagmites and stalactites and a calm lake with its clear water. The deposits formed in this cave are unique in the entire world. The reflection of light in some of the stalagmites and stalactites shows that the deposits in Ali Sadr have a strange florescent quality. Like glow worms, these deposits continue to glow long after they have been exposed to light. Up to this moment, only 60% of the cave’s 14-kilometer length has been unveiled and 4km have been lit and prepared for the visitors. Continue to Zanjan and visit the splendid Gonbad-e-Soltanieh before arrival
Overnight: Grand Hotel or similar (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 05: Zanjan-Takab-Tabriz (Drive)
Drive to Tabriz, en route visit the ruins of Takht-e-Solaiman (World Heritage Site) in Takab, arrive Tabriz.
Overnight: Gostaresh Hotel or similar (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 06: Tabriz-Kandovan (Drive)
Morning city tour including the Blue Mosque, the House of Constitution and the traditional bazaar. Later excursion to the ancient village of Kandovan-Cappadocia of Iran. Legend has it that the hanging gardens of Babylonia were erected somewhere near this village.
Overnight: Laleh Hotel or similar (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 07: Kandovan-Maku-Tabriz (Drive) - Tehran (Flight) – Yazd (Flight)
Excursion to Maku to visit the ancient Cathederal of Qara Kelisa (Black Church) where the Armenians from all over the world gather at certain time of each year in honor of its patron St. Taddeus, return to Tabriz, to catch a flight to Yazd with connecting in Tehran. Meet & transfer to the hotel.
Overnight: Dad Hotel or similar (2 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 08: Yazd
Full day city tour including the Zoroastrian Silence Towers and Fire Temple, the mosques of Jame & Mirchakhmaque, Doulatabad garden with its beautiful mansion embracing the world's highest ventilation tower and water museum as well as the old covered bazaar (the bazaar is very famous for its gold).
(B, L, D)

Day 09: Yazd-Passargad-Shiraz (Drive)
Drive to Shiraz, en route visit the Zoroastrian village of Cham, then visit the 4000 - year – old Cypress tree in the city of Abarquo, and finally visit the glorious tomb of Cyrus the Great (the founder of Achamenian Empire - World Heritage Site). Arrive and transfer to the hotel.
Overnight: Parke Saadi Hotel or similar (2 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 10: Shiraz
Full day sightseeing including Eram and Narenjistan gardens, the tombs of Hafiz & Saadi (the most prominent Parsian Poets), Nassirolmolk mosque and the old bazaar of Vakil as well as its unique mosque. (B, L, D)

Day 11: Shiraz-Perspolis-Shiraz (Drive) – Isfahan (Flight)
Excursion to the majestic Persepolis (World Heritage Site), Naqsh-e-Rostam and Naqsh-e-Rajab. Back to Shiraz, immediate visit to Afif Abad garden to relax in its peaceful Tea House, evening flight to Isfahan, arrive and transfer to the hotel.
Overnight: Alighapou Hotel or similar (3 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 12: Isfahan
Fullday city tour including the old bridges, the palaces of Hasht Behesht & Chehel Sotoun, the Armenian Vank Cathedral as well as its museum and the Shaking Minarets. (B, L, D)

Day 13: Isfahan
Morning visit to Jame mosque (in this splendid mosque, which depicts monuments of different era, an interesting spot belonging to the early time of Zoroaster bewilders the eyes of beholders), then continue visiting the magnificent Naqsh-e- Jahan square (World Heritage Site) with its breathtaking mosques of Imam and Sheikh Lotfollah as well as Ali Qapu palace, Afternoon free for shopping in the old bazaar. (B, L, D)

Day 14: Isfahan-Abyaneh-Kashan-Tehran (Drive)
Drive back to the ancient village of Abyaneh to see its old fashioned people with lovely traditional dresses in a unique setting. Drive to Kashan to visit Fin garden, the houses of Tabatabaeiha and Broujerdiha and the mosque of Agha Bozorg. Continue to Tehran, visit the tomb of Ayatollah Khomeini before arrival in Tehran.
Overnight: Enghelab Hotel or similar (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 15: Depart Tehran
This morning you will be transferred to the airport for your departure flight. Check out time is by 1100 hrs. (B)

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Departure Dates
2010 English Speaking Departures Daily 2011 English Speaking Departures Daily
Inclusions
Tour Price Includes Tour Price Does Not Include Accommodation as mentioned or similar, including hotel taxes International Airfare Meals as mentioned (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner) Departure Taxes Domestic air tickets required Insurance / Visa Fees All Sightseeing and Transfers Tips/Gratuities to Drivers & Guides Entrance Fees to Museums and Sites Drinks/Beverages with meals Services of local English speaking guide   Visa Support as required
Tour Price
We accept payment in US $ (US Dollars), CA $ (Canadian Dollars) or equivalent EURO (for clients outside North America). Bestway Tours & Safaris offers conversion rate protection. Once full payment has been received, and no modification has been made to the tour itinerary, we will honour that rate. For complete payment procedures, please download Bestway_Payment_Info.pdf Note: to read this file you must have Adobe Acrobat.
Departure Double Occupancy Single Room Supplement 2010 US $ 4995 US $ 495 2011 US $ 5350 US $ 595
Estimated International Airfare - International airfare is NOT included in this tour
Canada - West Coast N/A USA - West Coast US $ 1600 Canada - East Coast N/A USA - East Coast US $ 1400
Participants
This tour operates on a minimum of 02 and a maximum of 10 participants.
Notes
Customised Itinerary If you would like to have a tour on dates other than the above ones or with a customised itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy to work out an exclusive program for you. Foreign Language Departures Please contact us for information on French, German, Italian and Spanish speaking departures. You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com or call us at 604.264.7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1.800.663.0844.