From Tabriz, Iran – 15 Days Silk Road Tour

Day 1: Tabriz

Right on your arrival, we pick you up at Tabriz International Airport and transfer you to the hotel
One night in a Hotel in Tabriz.

Day 2: Tabriz

A full day Sightseeing in Tabriz including Azerbaijan Museum which is the major archaeological and historical museum in Tabriz. It was established in April 1958. The museum consists of three major halls, a side yard, office rooms and a library. It mostly contains objects discovered from excavations in Iranian Azerbaijan, also some artworks and sculptures of artists. Its library contains more than 2,500 books, both handwritten and printed, about history, archaeology, art and Iranian culture. Apart from the National Museum of Iran in Tehran, Azerbaijan Museum has the largest collection belonging to different periods of Iran’s history. Our next visit will be the Blue Mosque built in 1465 by Shah Jahan. The mosque was severely damaged in an earthquake in 1779, leaving only the entrance iwan. Reconstruction began in 1973. However, the tiling is still incomplete. Our next stop will be the Iron Age Museum situated under the several sediments and geological strata from the floor of the existing mosque. Among the 38 graves of Iron Age, mummies of two couples and their belongings were found and those have been kept at the Azerbaijan Museum. Then we will visit Arg-e Ali Shah a huge brick edifice, a landmark and it is remnants of a big unfinished 14th-century mausoleum and a 19th century military compound at the city center of Tabriz. Our last stop will be El Goli Safavid site and park with a beautifully renovated old building surrounded by a large pool.
One night in a Hotel in Tabriz.

Day 3: Tabriz – Zanjan (298 km Road Trip)

In the morning we visit the famous Constitution House of Tabriz which is a historical edifice located during the years which led to the Constitutional Revolution and afterward the house was used as a gathering place of the leaders, activists, and sympathizers of the movement. Among them, the most famous people were Sattar Khan, Bagher Khan. The two-story building was constructed in 1868. It has numerous rooms and halls. The most beautiful part of the house is a skylight and corridor decorated with colorful glasses and mirrors. Our guide will lead us through the wonderfully constructed Bazaar of Tabriz. It is one of the oldest bazaars in the Middle East, the second oldest in the world (after the one in Aleppo, Syria) the largest covered bazaar in the world and one of Iran’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Afterward, we drive to Zanjan.
One night in a Hotel in Zanjan.

Day 4: Zanjan – Tehran (334 km Road Trip)

Today we visit the unique Rakhtshooy-khaneh (old public laundry now turned into an ethnographic museum) and the old Public Bath House which is a traditional Qajar Era laundry house and is today the Zanjan Museum of Anthropology. This place was used for washing clothes by women around the city. At present, this historic building is being used as Zanjan anthropological Museum. En-route to Tehran, we visit the magnificent XIV Century Gonbad-e-Soltaniyeh, the tomb/tower of Uljaytu, the last Mongol/Il-Khanid Ruler of Iran (1304-1330). The monument is remarkable in many different architectural aspects, including its huge dome which is about 167 feet high and ranks amongst the largest domes in the world. Gonbad-e-Soltaniyeh is one of 13 UNESCO World Heritage sites in Iran. Next, we drive to Tehran.
One night in a hotel in Tehran.

Day 5: Tehran

After you enjoy a great buffet breakfast and leave the hotel, enjoy a full day Sightseeing in Tehran including the Archaeological Museum: A must-see in Tehran. The collection includes pottery, ceramics, stone figures and carvings from IV & V Millennium B.C. Four tablets inscribed in cuneiform, Darius I inscription, carved staircase, tiles from Apadana Palace, and salt man are some of the highlights. Later, we will explore The National Jewels Museum: The treasury of Iranian national royal jewels accommodates the world’s most precious jewelry collection. The Treasury has an interesting history, going back centuries. The Glassware and Ceramic museum would be our last stop before lunch. The premises have been turned into a museum where glass and clay works are on display and were built about 90 years ago. In the afternoon, we will visit a UNESCO World Heritage Site: Golestan Palace. The lavish Golestan Palace is a masterpiece of the Qajar Era, embodying the successful integration of earlier Persian crafts and architecture with Western influences
One night in a hotel in Tehran.

Day 6: Tehran – Shiraz (1 Hour Flight)

We will start our day by visiting Saad Abbad Palace is a great way to become more familiar with various historical, cultural and artistic aspects of Iran. At the foot of the Alborz ranges, north of Tehran lays Sa’ad Abad Palace. The glorious structure was first erected as summer residence of Qajar kings and now is turned into a majestic museum to represent the finest works of art from Iranian and non-Iranian artists to a large number of visitors, then we will have a visit of one the famous museum in Tehran Reza Abbasi Museum, then we will visit Tajrish Bazaar one of the oldest areas of Tehran. This center of commerce is decorated with well-designed arches. The bazaar has many passageways leading to different sections where you can purchase a variety of goods and products.in the next we will transfer to Airport to have a flight to where the Capital of ancient Persia located in, Shiraz.
One night in a Hotel in Shiraz.

Day 7: Shiraz

In the morning you will open your eyes to a majestic city; Shiraz, the home to numerous internationally-recognized Poets and Rose is waiting to welcome you right outside your hotel room. After being served with a tasteful and delicious breakfast, your exiting tour will begin; we will visit Nasir-ol-Molk Mosque, a master piece of innovation and creation. Sun rays will paint the floor and the columns with various and vibrant colors by passing through the colorful window glasses. Afterward, we are taken to see the colorful paradise that named Eram Garden (WHS), in the next, we will move to Karim Khan Citadel, a well-built fort, and a most see monument. Then we move on to enjoy the fabulous architecture of Vakil Mosque and admire the beauty of carpets, rugs, and woven handicrafts found in Vakil Bazaar, then we get to Moshir Saray a traditional Bazaar, we will call it a day by Hafez Tomb, one of the most prominent poets of Iran.
One night in a Hotel in Shiraz.

Day 8: Shiraz – Persepolis – Shiraz (61 km Road Trip)

We start the day by driving to Isfahan, En-route we will move to the history of ancient Persia by visiting Persepolis (WHS), a complex accommodating a cluster of palaces. Afterward, we visit Naghsh-e Rostam which is an ancient Necropolis, a large ancient cemetery with elaborate tomb monuments. Here you can see a group of ancient Iranian rock reliefs cut into the cliff, from the Sassanid periods.
One night in a Hotel in Shiraz.

Day 9: Shiraz – Pasargadae – Yazd (448 km Road Trip)

Today we say goodbye to Shiraz and embark on our journey to Yazd, stopping en route to Pasargadae – another UNESCO World Heritage site. Pasargadae was the first dynastic capital of the Achaemenid Empire, founded by Cyrus all the Great in the VI Century B.C. Pasargadae was the capital of the first great multicultural empire in Western Asia. Spanning the Eastern Mediterranean and Egypt to the Indus River, it is considered to be the first empire that respected the cultural diversity of its different peoples. This was reflected in Achaemenid architecture, a synthetic representation of different cultures. After a leisurely visit to Pasargadae, you continue on through the desert to the city of Yazd. Upon arrival, we have an evening stroll through the Zoroastrian Fire Temple and adjoining museum, to learn about the Zoroastrian faith, their holy book – the Avesta, four divine elements – air, water, earth and fire, and motto – good thoughts, good words, and good deeds!
One night in a Hotel in Yazd.

Day 10: Yazd

In the morning, we explore the city of Yazd. Visit the Towers of Silence, Fahadan Historical Neighborhood and Amir Chakhmagh Square. Next, at the Yazd Water Museum, we learn about the construction of Qanats which are underground tunnels or subterranean aqueducts carrying life-giving water from the mountains to the homes, Persian gardens, fields, orchards, pomegranate groves. You admire their courageous builders using techniques developed from the fourth century B.C. and explore a house with its own Qanat system in place. There are enough Qanats in Iran the distance from which to go the moon and back four times! Walkthrough the Jame Mosque and learn about the famous “Badgirs” or wind-catchers water towers that efficiently cool a home in a desert setting. We’ll have a look at the area’s famed handicrafts – carpets, ceramics, and textiles. You’ll find silk Ikats and Termeh – a traditional hand-made cloth woven with precious threads and metals. The textile design spread from Persia to Moghul, India.
One night in a Hotel in Yazd.

Day 11: Yazd – Nain – Meybod – Isfahan (323 Km Drive)

In the morning drive to Isfahan, En-route to Isfahan, we will have a short stop in Meybod. The city receives great credit for minting-coins workshops which we also will visit. On the way to Isfahan we stop to visit Narin Castle Remains located in the middle of the historical texture of Meybod. Another must-see monument in Meybod is Shah-Abbasi Caravanserai built in Safavid era. Just like travelers in the past who could rest and recover from the day’s journey, we also stop here on our way to Isfahan to enjoy the architecture of the structure having rooms all around it traditionally used as shops and stores. Now it is time to visit Mud-Brick Ice house which has a shape of an up-side-down cone which has a subterranean storage space; it was often used to store ice, but sometimes was used to store food as well. We should leave Meybod to visit Nain Jame Mosque situated in the old texture of the city. The Mosque was built after the Mohamad’s Mosque in Medina.
One night in a Hotel in Isfahan.

Day 12: Isfahan

Get ready to visit half of the world; Isfahan was once the capital of Persia and one of the largest cities in the world. We begin our journey through Isfahan by visiting Chehel-Sotun Palace. This architectural masterpiece is a pavilion in the midst of a park at the far end of a long pool which is a typical design of all Persian Gardens. We will continue our tour to Meidane Emam (Naghsh-e-Jahan) (WHS) Square which is an oblong-shaped square built in Safavid era. The square with its lively atmosphere has always been a perennial tourist attraction; it is bordered on all sides by aesthetically remarkable monumental buildings linked by a series of two-storied arcades of shops. The monuments surrounding the square are named Shah Mosque, The Pavilion of Ali-Qapu Palace, Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, we visit Imam Mosque situated on the south side of the Shah square. The mosque was built during Safavid period by the order of the first Shah Abbas of Persia. And last but not least Isfahan Grand Bazaar.
One night in a Hotel in Isfahan.

Day 13: Isfahan

In the morning we will visit Jame Mosque; the Great Mosque of Isfahan in Iran is unique in this regard and thus enjoys a special place in the history of Islamic architecture. Not miss Vank Cathedral which is one of the most celebrated examples of the colorful architecture to mirror Christians’ religious and spiritual concept. Then we go to visit Hasht Behesht Palace Once the most luxuriously decorated palace in Isfahan. Afterward, we’ll begin with a walk across the historic bridge of Khaju, constructed by Shah Abbas II in 1650. It is essentially a bridge superimposed upon a dam, 436 feet long and supported by twenty-four stone arches.
One night in a Hotel in Isfahan.

Day 14: Isfahan – Kashan (215 km Road Trip)

In the morning before driving to Kashan, we will visit Abyaneh. The village has a brilliant architecture; houses are constructed using peculiar reddish hue mud. The other attractive feature of the place is the women’s clothes which have colorful and happy patterns and an under-knee skirt. Abyunaki people have persistently maintained this traditional costume, afterward, in Kashan we visit Fin Garden (WHS) a lush garden renowned as being the very epitome of the Persian garden. In the garden you can enjoy a delightful atmosphere as water from a natural spring flows through a series of turquoise-colored pools and fountains. Then we will visit Tabatabaei Traditional House, where is a perfect place to gain an insight as to how great taste of art and exquisite workmanship can come together to build a splendid house about 2 centuries ago.
One night in a Hotel in Kashan.

Day 15: Kashan – IKA airport – Departure

Today is the last day you are in Iran, There are no activities planned for the final day and you are free to depart at any time. Please note you must check out of the hotel by 12 pm. We directly drive to the airport for departure.