Best of Iran

Upon arrival at IKA with Qatar Airway from Doha (4:30 A.M.), meet your guide and transfer to your hotel and rest for half a day until noon. Begin your half day tour at The National Jewelry Treasury, (open from Saturday to Tuesday) the priceless and most unique jewelry collection in the world. Then visit Carpet Museum of Iran to see the best collection of Persian carpets from 16th century to present. Transfer to hotel and rest. O/N in Tehran 5-star Hotel: Lelah Hotel or similar 4-star Hotel: Grand 2 Hotel or similar

This morning, after a short leisure walk at National Garden, Tehran, the only remaining Tehran gate, venture into the history of Persia from Paleolithic Time to early settlement in the villages and from Elamite Empire to Sassanid Empire at National Museum of Iran. After having a Persian cuisine for lunch, spend the afternoon exploring labyrinthine alleys of Tehran Grand Bazaar, economic heart of Iran. Stop at Haj Ali Darvish Tea House smallest tea house in the world to taste traditional Saffron and mint tea. Then take a guided walk in extraordinary Golestan Palace (World Heritage Site) dating back to 16th century. Hear the story of Tehran settlement from a small village to a metropolis while visiting the main stunning palaces merging Persian art with European architecture. Transfer to hotel and rest. O/N in Tehran 5-star Hotel: Lelah Hotel or similar 4-star Hotel: Grand 2 Hotel or similar

Early morning, you will be transferred to Tehran railway station to set off to an exciting train tour. Tehran- Savadkuh railroad trip takes you across the flatlands, hills, mountains and jungles of Alborz area. This full-board trip allows you to admire the landscape stress-free and gain knowledge of Iran Railway History and its vital role in winning the World War II. The train stops at different stations to namely the famous Veresk Bridge, aka the Victory Bridge. Return to Tehran at 10:30 P.M. Transfer to your hotel and rest. O/N in Tehran 5-star Hotel: Lelah Hotel or similar 4-star Hotel: Grand 2 Hotel or similar

This morning, drive south to Kashan. En route to Kashan, stop at the second most religious city of Iran, Qom, to visit Fatima Masumeh Shrine and the museum next to it. Continue your trip to Kashan. Stop at Aran o Bidgol County to explore Underground City of Nushabad, an elaborate network built in the 2nd century. After lunch, get to know the Traditional Persian residential architecture of Borujerdi, Tabatabaei Houses. Next to them, visit Sultan Amir Ahmad Bathhouse to discover the philosophy of Persian Hammam. If time permits visit Pottery workshop in Kashan. Last but not least, visit Agha Bozorg Mosque and the theological school known as Madrasa which is still running. O/N in Kashan 5-star Hotel: Saraye Ameriha Boutique Hotel or similar 4-star Hotel: Mahinestan Raheb Hotel or similar

After breakfast, drive toward Abyaneh Village. Enjoy a leisure walk through the red-mud walls and houses and take pictures with the lovely Abyanaki women wearing traditional costume. Continue your trip toward Matin Abad Eco- Resort & Organic Farm, have lunch and camel riding. Resume your trip to stop in Natanz to delve into a Ceramic Workshop. Watch demonstration of Persian’s handicrafts and try your hand creating a piece. Continue to Isfahan visit Si-o-se-pol Bridge and the nearby area. O/N in Isfahan 5-star Hotel: Abbasi Hotel or similar 4-star Hotel: Khaju Hotel or similar

Enjoy the full day exploring Isfahan, the capital of Safavid Dynasty in 16th century. Explore Naqsh-e Jahan Square (World Heritage Site), the second largest historical square in the World registered on World Heritage Site. The sightseeing includes Ali Qapu, Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, Shah Mosque and Gheysarieh Bazaar. The next visiting place is Chehel Sotoun Palace (World Heritage Site), with its magnificent exterior golden muqarnas and the interior fresco paintings. In the afternoon, drive to Jolfa, the Armenian district in south of Zayanderud River to visit Vank Cathedral, the most stunning cathedral in Iran. Finish your day by taking a musical tour at Isfahan Music Museum that includes a mini-concert performed on Persian musical instruments (Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity). O/N in Isfahan 5-star Hotel: Abbasi Hotel or similar 4-star Hotel: Khaju Hotel or similar

Drive to Nain where you can visit artisans weaving abaya or cloak in underground rocky workshops (optional visit: Carpet weaving workshop). Continue the drive to Chak Chak, the mecca of Zoroastrians and the most sacred place of the first monotheistic religion in the world. After that, resume your trip to Meybod. Visit Meybod Complex including Shah Abbasi Caravanserai, Ice House Building and Water Reservoir. Our last visiting place is the mud-brick pre-Islamic Narin Castle. Drive toward Yazd, transfer to hotel and rest. O/N in Yazd. 5-star Hotel: Not available 4-star Hotel: Safaieh Hotel or similar

Today you will delve into the world of Zoroastrianism. Visit Zoroastrian Towers of Silence, the necropolis on the top of the hill. Then visit the holy fire in Zoroastrian Fire Temple burning for more than 2000 years. Stop for a short time at Markar Square. Drive toward the Amir Chaghmagh Complex, a large monument with fine numerous vaults. Step into Saheb Al-Zaman Zurkhaneh to listen to the story of a traditional system of athletics used to train warriors in Iran known as Pahlevani and zoorkhaneh rituals (Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity). After that, immerse into the traditional communal water management system known as Qanat in Yazd Water Museum. Spend the night at the rooftop café overlooking Jameh Mosque of Yazd (World Heritage Site). O/N in Yazd 5-star Hotel: Not available 4-star Hotel: Safaieh Hotel or similar

Drive toward Shiraz. Discover the exotic desert village of Abarkooh en route and visit the 4000-year-old holy tree of Cypress, another important symbol in Zoroastrian religion. Continue your trip to Pasargadae (World Heritage Site), the tomb of Cyrus, the Great, the liberator of Jews, Master of the world and Father of Persians. Next, visit Naqsh-e Rostam, the Achaemenid royal necropolis and Sasanian Rock Reliefs. At the ancient Persepolis (World Heritage Site), once frequented by Cyrus, Xerxes, and Darius, explore the origins of the greatest empire in the world. Continue to Shiraz and take part in Persian Cooking Class. O/N in Shiraz 5-star Hotel: Grand Hotel or similar 4-star Hotel: Park Saadi Hotel or similar

In the morning, take a rainbow shower in Nasir-ol-molk Mosque. Stroll in two magnificent Persian gardens of Naranjestan Qavam and Eram Garden (World Heritage Site) filled with amorous smell of orange blossoms. Next visit the tomb of Hafez, one of the greatest poets of Persia. On the walking tour in the evening see Vakil Hammam, Vakil Bazaar and Karim Khan Citadel dating back to 18th century. Last but not least, visit Shah Cheragh. Transfer to the airport for your flight home with Qatar Airway to Doha. Shiraz Airport