Day 01: Arrive Tehran (IRAN)

On arrival, we are welcomed to Tehran, the pearl of Persia. After checking into our hotel, we enjoy a leisurely evening and rest up, before our formal itinerary of exploring this country rich in history and culture begins.
Overnight: Laleh or Espinas Hotel, Tehran (1 night)

Day 02: Tehran/Yazd (Flight)

A full day tour of Tehran starts with a visit of the lavish Golestan Palace*, a masterpiece of the Qajar era built around a beautiful garden, featuring pools with orange groves, palms, planes and cypress trees. Next we visit the famous Crown Jewels Museum, which displays the riches of the Persian imperial families from the 16th century Safavid era.  In the afternoon we are transferred to the airport for our short flight to Yazd, located in the heart of Iran, Yazd was a major stop on the Silk Road caravan routes to Central Asia and India. Yazd also features Iran’s most traditional mud-brick architecture and remarkable mosques that transport us back to the Middle Ages.
Overnight:Daad Hotel, Yazd (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 03: Yazd

With its winding lanes through the mud-brick buildings in the old town, Yazd is certainly one of the highlights of any trip to Iran. We start our exploration with a visit to the Bagh-e Dolat Abad Garden*, with its renowned pavilion and wind tower set within a walled compound. The garden contains a rectangular pool leading from the pavilion and is lined with cypress, pines and pomegranate, quince and grape groves.  On our next stop, we admire the Zoroastrian Towers of Silence, followed bya visit of the Zoroastrian Temple of Fire. Next we visit the Water Museum to gain an understanding of the all-important Qanat Irrigation System*, upon which Iran has depended since antiquity. We will wander through the old city of Yazd, known for its unique adobe buildings and quality handicrafts and visit the acclaimed 14th century Friday Mosque. (B, D)

Day 04: Yazd/Shiraz (Drive)

Morning depart for Shiraz via Pasargadae*, the capital of Cyrus the Great where we will also visit his tomb. Shiraz, traditionally known as the city of Roses and Nightingales, and rightly so, is the home of the finest Persian lyrics, as well as the cradle of the Persian Civilization.
Overnight: Pars or Homa Hotel, Shiraz (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 05: Shiraz/Persepolis/Shiraz

Persepolis* is the last and ultimate expression of the ancient Middle East. Nearly 2500 years ago, construction for its magnificent structure was begun by Darius the Great with the intent to make it the focus of the mighty Achemenian Empire. Our tour will also include Naqsh-e-Rustam, featuring the tombs of Darius I Darius II, Atraxerxes and Xerxes I, hewn out of a spectacular cliff. (B, D)

Day 06: Shiraz/Isfahan (Drive)

Our exploration of Shiraz begins with the Arg, or citadel of Karim Khan Zand. It was during his dynasty that Shiraz became Persia’s capital and the city thrived. With its imposing walls and watchtowers, the Arg resembles a medieval fortress. The residence within is approached through a garden with pools, flowing water and orchards of orange trees. Next stop is the Pars Museum, also known as the Nazar Garden with its octagonal pavilion, which was the former mausoleum of Karim Khan Zand. We then wind our way through the Vakil Bazaar with its courtyards, caravanserais and old shops. Later in the day we visit Bagh-e Eram Garden*, now the Shiraz University Botanical Garden and a popular public park. The Koran refers to Eram (Iram) as a paradise garden, hence, the name has been given to several royal gardens in Persia and Samarkand (Uzbekistan). The long axis of pools and waterfalls descends a series of terraces with orchards of oranges and pomegranates and avenues of majestic cypress trees. We then continue onto Isfahan. Legend has it that Isfahan was founded at the time of Tahmourass or Keykavous. During the Safavid Era (16th to 17th century A.D., Isfahan became a city of Gardens and Palaces and a major trade center.
Overnight: Kowsar or Abbasi Hotel, Isfahan (3 nights) (B, D)

Day 07: Isfahan

Esfahan is a city one can never forget. Our tour of this magnificent medina begins with a visit to Hacht Behesht Palace, a charming garden palace, built in 1680, with impressive mosaics and stalactite moldings. Then we are off to see the richly decorated and serene Armenian Vank Church followed by the glorious Friday Mosque. No trip to Esfahan is complete without visiting the famous old bridges that cross the Zayande River. We take some time here to stroll along the riverbanks, mingle with the friendly residents and join the local folks for the famous Esfahani tea. (B, D)

Day 08: Isfahan

Today we visit the Masjed-e Jameh* (Friday mosque), which dates to 841 A.D. With 476 separate domes, it is a stunning illustration of the evolution of mosque architecture over eight centuries. We then head to the Chehel Sotun Garden*, featuring a palace, famous for its soaring 20 wooden columns, which are  reflected on a grand rectangular pool. We visit the Hasht Behesht Palace (Palace of the Eight Paradises), which dates to 1660 A.D. The surrounding garden, now a public park, radiates from the pavilion with water rills and the avenues, which are lined with towering elm trees.  We end our day at the Khaju Bridge, considered the most beautiful bridge in Isfahan. (B, D)

Day 09: Isfahan/Tehran (Drive)

On our scenic drive back to Tehran, we stop at Kashan, an attractive oasis town. We visit Tabatabaie House and Khan-e Borujerdi, built as a private residence, now a charming museum featuring a lovely courtyard. We then visit the magnificent Fin Garden* and see its breathtaking pools, orchards and natural springs, alonmg with beautifully painted pavilions. Next we visit Agha Bozorg Mosque famous for its lovely portals and minarets and continue to Tehran.
Overnight: Laleh or Espinas Hotel, Tehran (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 10: Tehran

In the morning we visit the Carpet Museum, featuring an excellent collection of hand woven Persian carpets, followed by a visit to the Museum of Reza Abbasi, named after the most famous miniaturist of the Safavid era. Opened in 1977, the museum exhibits artifacts dating back to prehistoric, ancient and Islamic periods and is particularly rich in Islamic calligraphy.  We conclude our tour with a visit of the bazaar for some last minute souvenir shopping. (B, D)

Day 11: Depart Tehran

Morning transfer to the airport for the departure flight. (B)

Optional Extensions
CASPIAN SEA and MASULEH

Day 09: Tehran/Ramsar (Drive 195 kms/120 miles)

Morning depart for a picturesque drive to Ramsar. Evening tour of Ramsar.
Overnight: Ramsar Hotel, Ramsar (1 night) (B, D)

Day 10: Ramsar/Rashat (Drive 130 kms/80 miles)

Depart along the beautiful Caspian coastline to Rashat with a stop at Bandar-e-Anjil to visit a caviar factory.
Overnight: Kadoos Hotel, Rashat (1 night) (B, D)

Day 11: Rashat/Tehran (Drive 325 kms/201 miles)

This morning we visit the stunningly beautiful village of Masuleh. Afternoon return back to Tehran.
Overnight: Laleh Hotel, Tehran (1 night) (B, D)

Day 12: Depart Tehran

Morning transfer to the airport for the departure flight. (B)

MASHHAD

Day 09: Tehran/Mashhad (Flight)

This morning we are transferred to the airport for a flight to Mashhad. Afternoon tour of Mashhad.
Overnight: Ghasr Hotel, Mashhad (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 10: Mashhad

Day excursion to Neishapour, visit will also include the tomb of Amar Khayyam. (B, D)

Day 11: Mashhad/Tehran (Flight)

Morning we visit the famous pilgrim’s bazaar. Afternoon transfer back to the airport for a flight to Tehran.
Overnight: Laleh Hotel, Tehran (1 night) (B, D)

Day 12: Depart Tehran

Morning transfer to the airport for the departure flight. (B)

SUSA

Day 09: Tehran/Ahwaz (Flight)

This morning we are transferred to the airport for a flight to Ahwaz. Afternoon tour of Ahwaz.
Overnight: Pars Hotel, Ahwaz (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 10: Ahwaz

Day excursion to Susa, visit will also include Tchogha Zanbil. (B, D)

Day 11: Ahwaz/Tehran (Flight)

Morning transfer back to the airport for a flight to Tehran.
Overnight: Laleh Hotel, Tehran (1 night) (B, D)

Day 12: Depart Tehran

Morning transfer to the airport for the departure flight. (B)

KISH ISLAND

Day 09: Tehran/Kish Island (Flight)

This morning we are transferred to the airport for a flight to the Kish Island. Afternoon tour of the city.
Overnight: Maryam Hotel, Kish Island (3 nights) (B, D)

Day 10: Kish Island

Day free to enjoy this spectacular island. (B, D)

Day 11: Kish Island

Day free. (B, D)

Day 12: Kish Island/Tehran (Flight)

Morning transfer back to the airport for a flight to Tehran.
Overnight: Laleh Hotel, Tehran (1 night) (B, D)

Day 13: Depart Tehran

Morning transfer to the airport for the departure flight. (B)

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

Departure Dates & Prices

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Notes

Inclusions

Participants

This tour operates on a minimum of 02 and a maximum of 08 participants

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.

Contact Info
You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com or call 1-604-264-7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1-800-663-0844.

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