Iran Silk Road Tour

On the time of arrival at IKA Airport, our representative will welcome you with Logo show card and guiding you to exit the airport to the hotel. Leave pressure of flight under shower and relax before the tour of Tehran treasures. Tehran, as the most modern city and capital of Iran which clearly shows the classical and modern combination of Persian culture is located on the south of Alborz mountain range. Damavand, the highest Summit of Iran is a heroic symbol of Tehran, also the city embraces cultural & natural landscapes with brilliant glory of palaces and distinctive museums.

After Check-in and having a rest we take a walk through Laleh park to Carpet Museum, where shines for the collection of Persian carpets since 1500 years ago to now, then we reach Contemporary Art Museum to indulge ourselves to extent our knowledge about Persian Modern Arts and the most valuable collection of western art out of Europe and America by passing the park, after that gathering together with leaders and fellow travelers to have a brief about the tour.

Overnight Tehran, (D).

Persian Silk Road Heritage Tour begins with Golestan Palace as a royal complex with over 400 years old as a brilliant and historical monuments of Tehran, which is decorated with peculiar ornaments such as tiling, mirror-works and paintings, surpassed the four kings who crowned in its majesty and now distinguished itself as a Unesco World Heritage, then taking a walk to overlook Tehran Grand Bazaar, a roofed up building with old-time architecture of passages and pathways which leave you in a puzzle which is a cultural end economic center in downtown of Tehran, after that (Sat to Tue 14:30 to 16:30) walking to Treasury of National Museum, where shines for the beauty of the diamonds, jewels and brilliant royal heritages, to feel kingdom excellency, in the evening we keep going deep into Persia by visiting Iran National Museum as a cradle of Persia tale that holds archaeological collections in two separate structures; Ancient Iran Museum and Museum of Islamic Period to present you with culture, art and history of Iran.

Overnight Tehran, (B,L,D).

Today we visit Sa’ad Abad Complex which is located in Darband area at the footage of Alborz mountain range with green atmosphere and very pleasant weather, so proves itself as a royal resident for two dynasties from Qajar to Pahlavi in past two decades. Sa’ad Abad embraces palaces, museums and galleries which depicts Persia contemporary era in detail, after that we feel spirituality in Tehran holiest shrine in Tajrish (Imamzadeh Saleh), where is so close to the old Tajrish Bazaar, to have further knowledge about traditional style of Persian daily life, then we move to Mehr Abad Airport to fly to Mashhad.

Overnight Mashhad, (B,L,D).

capital depicting traditional kinds with a very attracting vegetable spot.

Mashhad, where is the hometown of the greatest turquoise mines in the world, shines as the capital of spirituality due to Imam Reza Holy Shrine in Silk Road. The city produces more than 90 present of the Saffron of the globe and is the birthplace of Afsharid Dynasty which was established by Nader Shah.

A pleasant morning-drive brings us to Tous county to visit Haruniyeh Monument, which was built in remembrance of Tabran old city, with beauty of a Azeri style structure, soon after we visit the mausoleum of the most influential poet in Persian lifestyle, who maintained Persian language from being destroyed, by writing further than 50000 epic poems in Shahnameh, Tomb of Ferdowsi is a unique imitation of Achaemenid architectural style with his poems engraved on, then we travel back to Mashhad to have a glimpse of Nader Shah Tomb, who reestablished Persia as a military superpower in recent history, next in order of time we experience the masterpiece of the holy shrine of the eighth Imam of Shi’a religion, where is deep in spirituality and architecture, to touch not only the beliefs of Shi’a followers, but also Sheikh Baha’i Tomb.

Overnight Mashhad, (B,L,D).

Our exploration continues with leaving Mashhad to Semnan by an expedition to Neyshabur, where is the city of turquoise and poems, to visit Khayam mausoleum, who was an astronomer, mathematician, philosopher and poets, worldly known for his unsurpassable couplets, soon after we travel to Attar mausoleum, one of the main Sufism theorists and a poet who is mentioned by Rumi as the spirit of Love and knowledge, then visiting Kamal-ol-Molk Tomb, who was the most famous painter in contemporary history of Persia. we take an expedition to Anthropology Museum of Sabzevar county in Semnan province, where used to be a Safavid Caravansary, to familiarize with the architecture and customs and traditions of local residents on the way to Shahrud county, next in order of time our today tour ends with Bayazid Bastami tomb who was one of the leaders of Sufism philosophy and Islamic mysticism.

Overnight Semnan, (B,L,D).

The Tour takes us to Semnan province with the longest path in Silk Road, where dated back to Median era, depict four seasons in one province and demonstrating extraordinary lifestyle adapted with desert, also a geopolitical area which connects north, south, east and west of Persia close to Alborz mountain range.

Our tour starts with Damghan county, which is one of the main cities of Silk Road, to visit Tarikhaneh Mosque displaying distinctive Sassanid architecture as the oldest mosque in Persia, where used to be a fire temple for Zoroastrians to worship God before Arab conquest, after that we will visit Chehel Dokhtar (40 Girls) Tower, a 15 meter brick tower constructed during Seljuks dynasty, then traveling to Jandagh village, where is built with a Sassanid architectural style as a prison during Sassanians, located at the innermost part of the desert on the way to Mesr village.

Overnight Mesr Desert, (B,L,D).

Today is devoted to surfing the tranquility which pleasurably exalts mind and spirit to reach the highest grade of freedom and imagination in the farthest area from urbanism in Kavir desert with its identifying sparse vegetation and climate in the central area of Persia. We travel over for touching local residents’ lifestyle and discovering the manner, which help people to acclimate themselves with the desertic situation, to intensify our knowledge about culinary art, architecture and customs of Mesr Desert, also experiencing leisure such as camel riding, off-roading and night gatherings.

Overnight Mesr Desert, (B,L,D).

Yazd is a city which clearly displays human adaptation to the hard nature by its unique architecture to use simple materials to build astonishing structures such as wind-catchers, Bath, mosque and houses to preserve the residents’ life in heart of desert, also Qanat construction is an ancient engineering  knowledge which convey water from natural sources to quench people and farms. The city is the home of Persian sweeties and a famous land in handicrafts specially for handwoven souvenirs, also religions diversity enlighten you about Zoroastrians, Jewish, Christians and Muslims in city center.

Our Tour to Yazd begins with an expedition to Ardakan Historical Village, where is one of the most important centers for Zoroastrians, to admire co-existence of fire temples and mosques, then we move to Maybod county to explore a region which was Mozaffarid dynasty capital and widely known in terms of architecture and handicrafts in north of Yazd. Our visits will include Abbasi Caravanserai where displays how travelers relaxed on the way of their tours, after that we take a walk to traditional water reservoir which plays a vital rule to provide safe and clean water in desert, soon after we have a glance of the Ice House which feed the county with sufficient ice reminded from winter to summer on the basis of an evaporation engineering masterpiece since 1000 B.C, then we visit Narin Castle, which used to be a fortress during existence, dated back to Achaemenid era.

Overnight Yazd, (B,L,D).

Today we begin our travel with Yazd Jameh Mosque, where brilliance of tilling dazzle eyes next to highest minarets in Iran, depicting harmonious craft between Islamic and Persian architecture, after that we walk to Fahadan area to explore brick and mud lifestyle with particular style of construction, where customs and traditions fed the area, to reach Alexander Prison that was used to be a school, then we visit Zoroastrians Fire Temple, which is continuously burning for around 2500 years. Then, our exploration continues to Amir Chakhmagh Complex with its gorgeous balanced submerged alcoves in the Tekyeh and historical mosque, soon after we experience traditional form for athletics which was used for training soldiers for warfare in ZoorKhaneh.

Our today tour ends with having a pleased night is calm atmosphere around the highest wind-catcher in the world with a peculiar architecture in Dowlat Abad Garden.

Overnight Yazd, (B,L,D).

Shiraz, the motherland of Persian Culture with all legendary Achaemenian’s and Sassanian’s glories is the city of prose & poem, gardens and flowers. Historical ornaments such as Persepolis and Pasargadae is spread through the tale of the province since Achaemenid empire to Zand dynasty, also spirituality always associates with story of the people, not only during Zoroastrianism, but also at the time of Islam to the present era.

Departing Yazd we travel to Shiraz by having an expedition to Abarkuh county to wander at the 4500 year old Cypress tree, after that we keep going to Naqsh-e Rustam, a Necropolis, where the emperors of Persian civilization are buried in rock cuts, with king’s engraved messages on rock reliefs, also the Zoroastrians sacred place “ Cube of Zoroaster ” as a spiritual monument is located next to the rock face, after that taking a short walk to Naqsh-e Rajab, an open air archaeological archive which displays Sassanid imperial impregnable power and triumph over Roman emperor on bas-relief inscriptions, then we will have a glance to Quran Gate, which is the entrance gate of Shiraz from north, built by Zand dynasty in reason of blessing passengers by the holiness of Quran, next to the gate is Tomb of Khwaju, who was the guru in literature, also a guide to Hafiz.

Overnight Shiraz, (B,L,D).

Today is devoted to Zand dynasty heritages which begins with Kolah Farngi Mansion to experience the ceremonial palace of Zand Dynasty, where is a Zand legacy museum at the present, to explore the kingdom much closer, after that our visits include Vakil Historic Bath, which is an architectural masterpiece in Vakil Complex, built from gypsum, stone and brick, then keep walking to Vakil Mosque to experience royal holy place, which derives its fame from the art of architecture, calligraphy and columns engravings, as an entrance door to Vakil Bazaar, where you will be mazed by the passageways, to experience Shirazi nomads and tribes clothings and purchasing handicrafts. By exploring Vakil Complex we reach Nasir-ol-Molk, a supreme intellectual and artistic sacred place which proves no comparison with typical mosque. Spirituality lies inside when sunshine passes through the colorful glasses of windows to Persian carpet orchards or on the firm columns inside, also you will be dazzled by the superb celling ceramic-work, then we visit Qavam House, a unique model of Persian architecture which depicts most of the artistic value of the culture, not only in the garden with fountains, planting flowers and palm trees, but also with gorgeous mirror-works and European style of paintings, finally we will dedicate our evening to Hafezieh, the mausoleum of a poet whose love stories, spiritual beliefs and sagacious poems left an untouched and legacy behind for readers to alleviate with.

Hafez Ghazal by the use of eloquence inspired Persians to fall in love, be honest and worship Allah.

Overnight Shiraz, (B,L,D).

We travel outside of Shiraz to explore Persepolis, one of the three Achaemenid Empire Capitals, which is dedicated to ceremonial events to demonstrate the imperial majesty and eminence, constructed by Darius the Great. The palace with the meaning of ‘city of Persians’ is a great example of Achaemenid architectural style, after that on the way back to downtown our exploration continues with Eram Garden, the original meaning of Paradise (Pardis in Persian Language) by displaying the Persia peculiar structure in magnificent buildings and botanical garden, then our evening tour includes Sa’diyeh, mausoleum of a poet who nourishes you with words and wisdom to enlighten your soul. Sa’adi with his global reputation for verses about human rights left us the most valuable heritage by writing books such as GOLESTAN & BOSTAN. Further to usual monuments, we travel to the oldest mosque of Shiraz, which is built in Saffarid Dynasty and renovated during Safavid Dynasty, Atiqe Mosque is called Adineh by Shirazi people too, include eight entrance gate and Khodakhaneh (God of House) with unique architecture to amaze you, soon after we experience Shahcheragh, the third holiest shrine in Iran, where provides you with a very sophisticated feeling of spirituality as a reason of its brown color face which takes you out of the worldly tensions.

Overnight Shiraz, (B,L,D).

We embark on a full day travel to Isfahan by having a deep expedition to Pasargadae, an ancient capital of Achaemenid, which was built under the order of Cyrus the Great with famous fourfold Persian model of garden, to explain the nobility of the emperor and his necropolis, then we will have an expedition to Izad Khast Complex, which is built as an adobe structure during the rein of Sassanid empire, including fortress, fire temple, caravansary, bathroom and the city of Izad Khast. The complex was renovated after Arab conquest of Persia by constructing a mosque over the fire temple, also during Safavid era by adding a caravansary and bridge to be livable till Qajar dynasty.

Overnight Isfahan, (B,L,D).

Isfahan, the city of glories and Perso-Islamic masterpieces devoted itself to craftsman’s dexterity to become center of art, not only in architecture or handicrafts, but also in urban structures and music. The city is a treasure of mosques, Cathedrals, mansions, bridges and gardens which amazed visitors in all aspects of skillful ingenuities.

Tour through Isfahan begins with a three floor building which is called Qeisarie Gate in remembrance of the king as the main entrance to Isfahan Grand Bazaar, which directs us to Naqsh-e Jahan Square (Meidan Emam) to visit the Masterwork of  chief architect Sheikh Bahaee, after that we walk to Sheikh Lotf Allah Mosque to be amazed with the genius interior and exterior decoration of the dome which used to be a royal Mosque dedicated to Shah Abbas Safavid, soon after we visit Shah Mosque, which depicts Persian architecture in Islamic era, by consisting of iwans, domes, tilling and supreme engineering of voice echoing, Then our trip to the square will end by Ali Qapu Palace which could be called as a gallery of art in terms of music, painting and decoration in an acoustic structure.

By nourishing our mind in the square we walk to Chehel Sotoon Palace, where relaxing atmosphere with gorgeous paintings are awaiting us with palace photo reflected into the front pond, then we travel to the white river to indulge ourselves to the beauty of worldly known Khaju and Si-o Se Pol Bridges.

Overnight Isfahan, (B,L,D).

Today Our tour includes Vank Cathedral with its fascinating paintings and mosque-like dome which is constructed by the Armenians who forced to move to Isfahan by Shah Abbas Safavid, then we walk to Armenian Genocide Museum to have a glance of the historic handwritten books, reminded artifacts of the cathedral and the first printed book in Persia, after that we travel to Isfahan Jameh Mosque (Masjed Jameh of Isfahan) to discover a unique practice of designing a holy place by renovation and reconstruction a mosque which is one of the oldest one in Persia.

Our exploration continues to Chahar Bagh Street which is a masterpiece of urbanism to Hasht Behesht Palace, where used to be a royal pavilion with glamorous paintings, woodwork, mirror-work and tilling.

Overnight Isfahan, (B,L,D).

Luristan, a province mostly surrounded by Zagros mountain range is validated to be one of the ancient habitat of humanity by discovering Lorestan Bronze in archaeological excavations. The city significance displays itself when it covers all four wings of Iran National Museum since Paleolithic and Ancient era to Islamic time and also seals and coins.

Today is devoted to exploring picturesque view of nature close to Zagros Mountain Range on the way to Lorestan. We will be fascinated with Gahr Lake by having great panorama of the natural landscapes of Oshtoran Kuh.

Overnight Lorestan, (B,L,D).

Our tour continues with visiting Falak-ol-aflak Castle as an emblem of Luristan province, which used to be a colossal defensive military structure on the top of a hill during Sassanid era, then became a prison and nowadays is used as an anthropological museum, soon after we visit Gerdab-e Sangi, a whirlpool constructed in Sassanid time with the aim of nourishing city with the fresh water since mid-winter to mid-summer. The spring beneath fills the whirlpool to the top, then waters pours in built channels to quench Khoramabad city, then we will explore Bisotun on the way to Kermanshah, an outdoor museum since Paleolithic time to contemporary era ,which depicts huge relation between nature and culture and registered as a Unesco World Heritage, indicates one of the most significant archaeological and historical inscription in the world. As a multicultural and monarchical remains, which demonstrate the Greek influence and Sassanid power in Persia, the inscription is a vital legacy to the humanity.

Overnight Kermanshah, (B,L,D).

Kermanshah, a mountainous region with moderate climate which is occupied with inhabitants of diverse nationality and religion is proud of being the second royal Sassanid empire accommodation. Kurds, the main residents of the area with disparate cultural character of music, folkloric dance and cuisine are known as the origin of Aryans with aristocratic customs and traditions.

Today we travel to Taq-e Bostan, a complex of Sassanid glories including rock relief with inscriptions about religious attitudes, music and rejoice and rock cut with artistic and historical values about emperor’s ceremonies and hunting, illustrate Sassanid empire majesty in northeast part of Kermanshah along Silk Road, then wander at Jameh Mosque of Shafi’i through its unique masterpiece of Peso-Islamic culture, not only in religious tendencies, but also in Structure, where Sunni Muslims gather together for social and cultural religious issues such as Friday Praying. The architecture is an excellent typical Islamic Mosque with combination of Turkish and Persian architecture, then moving to Hamedan by having an expedition to Anahita Temple in Kangavar, where is attributed to be god Anahita edifice, consists of temple, peristyle and courtyard, which dated to Achaemenid era with renovation during Parthian and Sassanid empire.

Overnight Hamedan , (B,L,D).

Hamedan is an iconic city in terms of ancient urbanism, religion diversity and handicrafts, where Ecbatana Ancient City absorbs your attention to 3000 years ago with mud & brick remains at the heart of Hegmataneh Antique City, also Hamedan has gained a prominent position in ceramic and pottery craftsmanship in the Middle East.

Today we visit Ecbatana Ancient City, where confirms that existence of urbanism dated back to pre-aryans mass migration era to Hamedan. The engineering pattern such as sewage system proves orderly structure of ancient time which caused the city to be registered in tentative list of Unesco World Heritage, then taking a walk to

Tomb of Esther and Mordechai, the most important Jewish shrine in Persia, which demonstrates Jewish persistence in Hamedan, also Jewish use surrounding area as a cemetery, after that visiting Avicenna Mausoleum to know a genius scientist with diversity of expertise in field of medicine, philosophy, music, mathematics and natural sciences who wrote more than 400 books such as ‘The Canon of Medicine’ and ‘The Healing Book’, which were taught in most well-known universities of the word.

Overnight Hamedan, (B,L,D).

A pleasant morning drive brings us to Ganjnameh, an Achaemenid inscription which means ‘treasure of letter’ that is a great depiction of grandeur of antiquity with nature, where Darius the Great advised his son by engraving on three columns in three languages in his remembrance, then we have an expedition to Dome of Soltaniyeh on the way to Qazvin, a well-known structure in terms of architecture and spirituality which is also Tomb of Oljeitu, built during Mongol Dynasty (Ilkhqnid) in Persia. It is the largest brick dome with 49 tons weight and the third one in its kind after Florence Cathedral and Hagia Sophia in the world.

Overnight Qazvin, (B,L,D).

Qazvin, a city with 9000 years of civilization, where is located on the way of Silk Road, proves its significance to be announced as the capital of the country in different periods. Alamut Castle is the prominent legacy of the city besides Sa’d al-Saltaneh Caravansary which is the biggest urban caravanserai in Iran.

We embark on a full day visits of Qazvin, Chehel Sotoon Pavilion is built during the rein of Shah Tahmasp Safavid as a royal palace at the centre of the city, when he announced Qazvin as the capital of Iran. The building was reconstructed during Qajar Dynasty and now is used as Calligraphy museum, then walking to

Safavid Garden & Complex as a historical area with edifices from Safavid, Afsharid and Qajar dynasties which was built during Shah Tahmasp as the center of the government, after that visiting Four Prophet Mausoleum, belonging to four Jewish prophet, who people believed to have a message of Jesus Christ birth to East, the structure is built during Safavid era with a decoration of stucco relief and Quranic inscription, soon after that we visit Cantor Church, a Russian Orthodox Church which is built by Russian engineers who came to Persia for road construction more than 100 years ago, also there is a pavement lead to Christian tombs in memorial, next in order of time we reach the majesty of Qajar Dynasty that is with no doubt the best preserved caravanserai in Persia, Sa’d al-Saltaneh Caravansary is the largest urban one in its kind. The architecture consists of Iwan, Hojre (Travelers room), Dome and courtyards to provide a relaxing atmosphere for travelers and traders.

Overnight Qazvin, (B,L,D).

Today we travel to Aminiha Hosseiniyeh, a sacred place with fabulous decoration of paintings, colorful windows and gorgeous plaster and mirror work in celling, built by a merchant, whose name was Amini, during Qajar era, soon after we visit Qajar Bathhouse, a famous kind of Persian bath which depicts the culture of gathering and bathing during Safavid Dynasty, which is renovated in Qatar era, then we drive to IKA Airport to depart Iran.

(B,L,D).