Day 01: Arrive Tehran

Once you clear Customs & Immigration, you will be met at the exit gate by our local representative for your transfer to the hotel. Check in time starts from 1400 hrs. The afternoon city tour includes the Crown Jewels and the Archaeological museums.
Overnight: Laleh or Homa or Espinas Hotel, Tehran (2 nights)

Day 02: Tehran

Today’s tour includes Golestan Palace*, a masterpiece of the Qajar era, embodying the successful integration of earlier Persian crafts and architecture with Western influences. The walled Palace, one of the oldest groups of buildings in Teheran, became the seat of government of the Qajar family, which came into power in 1779 and made Teheran the capital of the country. Built around a garden featuring pools as well as planted areas, the Palace’s most characteristic features and rich ornaments date from the 19th century. It became a centre of Qajari arts and architecture of which it is an outstanding example and has remained a source of inspiration for Iranian artists and architects to this day. It represents a new style incorporating traditional Persian arts and crafts and elements of 18th century architecture and technology.  We also visit the Glass & Ceramic museum, the Carpet Museum and Saadabad Palace. (B, D)

Day 03: Tehran/Tabriz (Flight)

A morning flight will get us to Tabriz and its Bazaar, which were already prosperous and famous in the 13th century, when the town, in the province of Eastern Azerbaijan, became the capital city of the Safavid Kingdom. The city lost its status as capital in the 16th century, but remained important as a commercial hub until the end of the 18th century, with the expansion of Ottoman power.  We are transferred, checked in our hotel and enjoy a city tour, which will include the Blue Mosque, Argh-e-Tabriz, the Municipal Hall, the House of Constitution and the Historical Bazaar Complex* that consists of a series of interconnected, covered, brick structures, buildings, and enclosed spaces for different functions. It is one of the most complete examples of the traditional commercial and cultural system of Iran.  Our next stop is an excursion to the ancient village of Kandovan, the Cappadocia of Iran (legend has it that the hanging gardens of Babylonia were erected somewhere near this village). We return to Tabriz in the evening.
Overnight: Pars Hotel, Tabriz (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 04: Tabriz/Maku/Tabriz

We take a full day excursion to explore some of the Armenian Monastic Ensembles of Iran*. These edifices - the oldest of which, St Thaddeus, dates back to the 7th century, are examples of outstanding universal value of the Armenian architectural and decorative traditions. They bear testimony to very important interchanges with the other regional cultures, in particular the Byzantine, Orthodox and Persian. Situated on the south-eastern fringe of the main zone of the Armenian cultural space, the monasteries constituted a major centre for the dissemination of that culture in the region. They are the last regional remains of this culture that are still in a satisfactory state of integrity and authenticity. Furthermore, as places of pilgrimage, the monastic ensembles are living witnesses of Armenian religious traditions through the centuries. (B, D)

Day 05: Tabriz/Zanjan/Hamadan (Drive)

We drive to Hamedan via Zanjan to visit Soltanieh*. The mausoleum of Oljaytu was constructed in 1302–12 in the city of Soltaniyeh, the capital of the Ilkhanid dynasty, which was founded by the Mongols. Situated in the province of Zanjan, Soltaniyeh is one of the outstanding examples of the achievements of Persian architecture and a key monument in the development of its Islamic architecture. The octagonal building is crowned with a 50 m tall dome covered in turquoise-blue faience and surrounded by eight slender minarets. It is the earliest existing example of the double-shelled dome in Iran. The mausoleum’s interior decoration is also outstanding and scholars such as A.U. Pope have described the building as ‘anticipating the Taj Mahal’.  After our visit we continue to Hamadan.
Overnight: Bouali or Azadi Hotel, Hamadan (1 night) (B, D)

Day 06: Hamadan/Kermanshah (Drive)

We explore the charming waterfall of Ganjnameh where we will see Achamenian Rock Inscriptions; 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); visit the tomb of Baba Taher (a famous Persian Poet), the tomb of Esther & Murducai, most important Jewish pilgrimage sight in Iran and the famous ancient Stone Lion. In the afternoon we drive to Kermanshah, visiting en route the temple of Anahita and the Achamenian rock carvings of Bisotun*, that are located along the ancient trade route linking the Iranian high plateau with Mesopotamia and feature remains from the prehistoric times to the Median, Achaemenid, Sassanian, and Ilkhanid periods. The principal monument of this archaeological site is the bas-relief and cuneiform inscription ordered by Darius I. This is the only known monumental text of the Achaemenids to document the re-establishment of the Empire by Darius I. It also bears witness to the interchange of influences in the development of monumental art and writing in the region of the Persian Empire.
Overnight: Azadegan Hotel, Kermanshah (1 night) (B, D)

Day 07: Kermanshah/Susa/Ahwaz (Drive)

After breakfast we visit Taq-e-Bostan with its Sassanid Reliefs dating back to 4th century AD and drive to Ahwaz stopping in Susa* to see a group of archaeological mounds rising on the eastern side of the Shavur River. The excavated architectural monuments include administrative, residential and palatial structures. Susa contains several layers of superimposed urban settlements in a continuous succession from the late 5th millennium BCE until the 13th century CE. The site bears exceptional testimony to the Elamite, Persian and Parthian cultural traditions, which have largely disappeared.  Next stop is a visit of Tchogha Zanbil*, ruins of the holy city of the Kingdom of Elam contain the best preserved and the largest of all the ziggurats of Mesopotamia. We then visit the historical Irrigation System of Shushtar*, a masterpiece of creative genius that can be traced back to Darius the Great in the 5th century B.C. It involved the creation of two main diversion canals on the river Karun one of which, Gargar canal, is still in use providing water to the city of Shushtar via a series of tunnels that supply water to mills.
Overnight: Pars Hotel, Ahwaz (1 night) (B, D)

Day 08: Ahwaz/Bishapore/Shiraz (Drive)

Full day drive to Shiraz, with a visit of the Sasanian remnants of Bishapore en route.
Overnight: Pars or Homa Hotel, Shiraz (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 09: Shiraz

Full day sightseeing with visits to Eram, a Persian Garden*, the tombs of the prominent Persian Poets Hafiz & Saadi, Nassirolmolk Mosque and the old bazaar of Vakil as well as its unique mosque. (B, D)

Day 10: Shiraz/Persepolis/Pasargadae/Yazd (Drive)

Today we visit majestic Naqsh-e-Rostam and Naqsh-e-Rajab and Persepolis*. Founded by Darius I in 518 B.C., Persepolis was the capital of the Achaemenid Empire. It was built on an immense half-artificial, half-natural terrace, where the king of kings created an impressive palace complex inspired by Mesopotamian models. The importance and quality of the monumental ruins make it a unique archaeological site. We continue our journey and visit the tomb of Cyrus the Great, founder of Achamenian Empire in Pasargadae*, the first dynastic capital of the Achaemenid Empire and exceptional testimony of Persian civilization. We continue our journey visiting 4000-year old Cypress tree in the city of Abarquo, and explore the Zoroastrian village of Cham before our arrival in Yazd.
Overnight: Daad Hotel, Yazd (1 night) (B, D)

Day 11: Yazd/Isfahan (Drive)

We explore Yazd visiting the Zoroastrian Silence Towers and Fire Temple, the mosques of Jameh & Mirchakhmaque, Doulatabad, a Persian Garden* with a beautiful mansion embracing the world's highest ventilation tower. After the tour we drive to Isfahan.
Overnight: Kowsar or Azadi or Abbasi Hotel, Isfahan (3 nights) (B, D)

Day 12: Isfahan

Our full day city tour includes the old bridges of Khajou and Sio-se-Pol, the Armenian Vank Cathedral as well as its museum, Hasht Behesht Palace, Chehel Sotoun Palace and Meidan Emam*, known as Imam Square. The square is an impressive testimony to the level of social and cultural life in Persia during the Safavid era, built by Shah Abbas I the Great at the beginning of the 17th century, and bordered on all sides by monumental buildings linked by a series of two-storied arcades. (B, D)

Day 13: Isfahan

Morning visit to Jameh Mosque*, then return to Meidan Emam to visit the Imam Mosque, Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque and Ali Qapu Palace. The afternoon is free for exploring and shopping in the old bazaar. (B, D)

Day 14: Isfahan/Abyaneh/Kashan/Tehran (Drive)

We drive to the ancient village of Abyaneh to see visit people that still use traditional dress, continue to to Kashan to visit Fin, a Persian Garden*, the mosque of Agha Bozorg and the rich merchant houses of Tabatabaeiha and Broujerdiha. Before our arrival in Tehran we visit the tomb of Ayatollah Khomeini.
Overnight: Laleh or Homa or Espinas Hotel, Tehran (1 night) (B, D)

Day 15: Depart Tehran

Check out by 1100 hrs. After our incredible journey of marveling at Iran's cultural and natural heritage, we are transferred to the airport. (B)

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

Departure Dates & Prices

We accept payments in US$, CA$ as well as in other convertible currencies like EUR, AUD and GBP. Tour prices have been costed in US$. CA$ price shown below is an indicative amount reached at by using the conversion rate at the time of web posting and will be applicable if there is no change in the conversion rate. Should the currency conversion rate change, the US$ pricing will prevail. Bestway Tours & Safaris offers a 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 click here

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.

Inquire About this Trip

Tour Application Form