Persia Autumn 2015

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Day 1 Iceland to Shiraz

• Early morning flight from Iceland to Istanbul via Amsterdam or London

• Evening flight from Istanbul to Shiraz with Turkish Air

• Arrival (Saturday) just after midnight local time

• Pick up at the airport by the local tour operator and transfer to the 5 star Grand hotel of Shiraz

Day 2 Shiraz

• All day city tour of Shiraz visiting Karim khan citadel

• Then to visit the Vakil Bazaar and the Nasir ol Mulk Mosque

• Then after lunch a visit to Baqe Eram, the historical botanical gardens of Shiraz

• Then to Hafez & Saadi Mausoleums (Iranian poets)

• Overnight at the 5 star Grand Hotel of Shiraz

Day 2 Shiraz – The botanical Eram Garden

Day 2 Shiraz – The Sadee Musoleum

Day 3 Shiraz

• Full day excursion to Persepolis visiting glorious ruins of Achamenian palaces

• Visit valley of the kings (Naqshe-Rostam and Rajab).

• Late Lunch in Persepolis

• Return to Shiraz and evening visit to Holy shrine of Mohamad’s grandson (Shahe cheraq)

• Overnight at Grand Hotel

Day 3 Shiraz – The Palace of Dariush the Great

Day 4 Shiraz to Mehriz

Caravansara• Early morning drive to Yazd

• En route visit Pasargadae (Cyrus the Great palaces and tomb)

• Then visit the village of Abarqu to see the oldest living tree in Iran (4500 years old)

• Finally drive to one of the

caravansera on the Silk route

• Fantastic panoramic view of the stars in the middle of desert.

Day 4 Abarque – The oldest living tree (3000 years old)

Day 5 Yazd

• Early morning drive to the ancient city of Yazd

• Visit Dakhmeh (Zoroastrian old cemetery mound)

• Then to Zoroastrian fire temple, Jameh mosque, and Alexander prison

• Lunch at an old public bath and scenic walk in the alleys of the ancient city of Yazd

• Overnight at the 4 star Moshier Garden Hotel

Day 5 Yazd – The wind towers of Yazd

Day 6 Yazd to Garmeh Village

• Early morning drive to the remote desert

• Stop for a traditional desert lunch at Bayazieh village

• Visit to 3000 years old Bayazieh castle

• Then drive to Garmeh, an oasis village in the heart of the desert

• Overnight in Garmeh village in a special guest house made out of the shells of the local mud-brick village buildings, located amongst palms and sand dunes

Day 6 Garmeh – The Garmeh Citadel

Day 7 Garmeh, Salt desert

& Farahzad• Morning drive to visit salt

Desert an outstanding landscape of salt

• Then drive to village of Farahzad right in a sandy desert, in the middle of nowhere, right at the center of Iran

• Possibility of camel ride and watching amazing sun set in the desert

• Once again we stay a night in a very special guest house

• Evening around fire and watching the Milky Way in desert is unforgettable event

Day 7 Farahzad – Camel ride in the desert

Day 7 – The Salt desert

Day 8 Desert to Isfahan

• Early morning drive to Isfahan

• Stopover in the village of Anarak on the way to city of Naeen, famous for its carpets

• Visit to a local carpet house

• Then drive to visit the old Friday mosque of Naeen and its museum and then onwards to Isfahan

• Arrival early evening in Isfahan and transfer to the 5 star Abbasi Hotel

Day 8 – Lunch at Naeen village

Day 9 Isfahan (Nesfe jahan)

• Full day city tour of Isfahan

• Visit to Naqsh-e Jahan Square, the second largest square in the world

• Then visit to the Shah & Sheik Lotfollah mosques

• Then the palaces of Aliqapou

• Walk around the biggest Bazaar in Iran and later visit to the famous Chahar baq shopping area

• Later visit to the famous bridges and parks along the Zaiandeh rood river

• Overnight in Abbasi hotel

Day 9 Isfahan – Nagshe jahan square

Day 10 Isfahan

• Full day city tour of Isfahan

• Early visit to Friday Mosque and the old city

• Walk through the old Bazaar and remaining historical sites of Isfahan

• Overnight in Abbasi hotel

Day 10 Isfahan – The Abbasi Hotel

Day 11Isfahan - Abyaneh

• Early morning visit to Vank Church in the Armenian section of Isfahan

• Then strolling around alleys and coffee houses of Jolfa in the Armenian quarters of Isfahan

• Afternoon drive to the beautiful village of Abyaneh, with its outstanding architecture it is among the most beautiful villages in Iran

• Overnight in Abyaneh

Day 11 Abyaneh – The local costume

Day 12Abyaneh, Kashan,

Tehran• Early morning drive to the

city of Kashan

• Kashan is a famous old desert city in Iran similar to Yazd

• Visit to famous Fin Gardens and number of historical houses in Kashan

• Lunch in the old city of Kashan

• Then drive to Tehran (we may have enough time on route to visit the Holy City of Qom)

• Overnight at the 5 star Spinas Hotel

Day 12 – The Fin Garden in Kashan

Day 13 Tehran

• Tehran city tour including the National Museum of Iran

• Then visit to the Golestan Places

• Then visit to the Nivaran Palaces

• If time allows, a visit to the Royal Jewelry Museum of Iran

• Overnight at Spinas Hotel

Day 13 Tehran – Golestan Palace

Day 14 Tehran, Istanbul,

Iceland• Flight is around 3 am with

Turkish air to Istanbul and then to Amsterdam or London

• Arrival in European hub is before noon and then straight flight to Keflavik

• Arrival around 3 pm