Persian Kingdom 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 the 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 expand our knowledge about Persian Modern Arts and the most valuable collection of western art out of Europe and America bypassing the park, after that gathering together with leaders and fellow travellers to have a brief about the tour.

Overnight Tehran, (D).

Today we visit Niavaran Complex which is located in Sahebgharani district in Shemiran area of northeast part of Tehran, where sahebgharaniyeh mansion was built during Qajar dynasty as a summer palace for the imperial families, also another modern monument was architected during the last king of Pahlavi dynasty to host their guest and being used as a family residence, then 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 the traditional style of Persian daily life, also we explore the bazaar to experience old shops filled with herbs and flavourings and deepen our knowledge of how Persian take fresh ingredients to help their cooking techniques flourish better, then we get ready to join the cookery workshop in a historical mansion of Shemiran area to taste delicious Persian food in the north part of Tehran, then we will have the opportunity to walk along Nature Bridge which connects two parks on a highway as symbol of modern architecture in Tehran.

Overnight Tehran, (B,L,D).

Kingdom Route 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 (National Jewelry Museum), where shines for the beauty of the diamonds, jewels and royal heritages, to feel kingdom lifestyle better, in the evening we keep going deep into Persia by visiting Iran National Museum as the cradle of Persia story 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).

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 Caravanserai which is the biggest urban caravanserai in Iran.

We embark on a full-day visits of Qazvin, Chehel Sotun Pavillion is built during the reign 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, 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 Caravanserai 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 travellers and traders, then we will have a unique experience as Qazvin is a city close to the rice cultivation regions in the north part of Persia and the capital, where Safavid kings started governing the country with their especial royal gastronomy that mostly included rice and beef, so Qazvin is not only known as the Persian Culinary Capital but also famous for the cooking art of jewelled rice meals such as Morasa Polow. Being amazed with such colourful garnished rice dish energised us to join the culinary workshop to see how local cook flavour and colour these eats with herbs, fruits and flavourings such as Saffron in one of the most traditional houses of Qazvin.

Overnight Qazvin. (B,L,D)

Ardabil is the motherland of Safi-ad-din Ardabili, who is the founder of Safavieh order that shaped the root of Safavid Ideology in their dynasty, also the city is rich in cultural and spiritual evidences. Ardabil established its brand for hot springs and natural landscapes, also for handicrafts especially silk carpets and rugs.

Today we travel to Zanjan on the way to Ardabil to have an expedition to Dome of Soltaniyeh, 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 Florance Cathedral and Hagia Sophia in the world, then we drive to Khalkhal county to discover a kind of Azerbaijan nomadic hand-weave carpet called Jajim which is a type of Persian Kilim. Jajim is a model of colourful Persian rug made out of wool or silk to wrap beddings with more than two and a half meters length and twenty mm width. Besides, as we are close to the Sabalan preserving area, where
is famous for the natural products, Honey Qotab as a local snack tastes very different with what tourists expect, then we find more about food sustainability in Sabalan area beehives farms by touching the hard work of locals who produce honey.
Overnight Ardabil , (B,L,D).

Sarein county is located alongside Zagros mountain range with picturesque landscapes and fruitful gardens in Ardabil province. Sarein is the land of natural hot springs with a relaxing and calm atmosphere to have massage and spa baths where brings you wellness and immersive experiences with health and well-being at high agenda. Traditional and modern pools with diverse treatments including private changing room cabins confirm the privacy, also aromatherapy massage could be asked in some spots
Today is devoted to Safavid Dynasty Foundation by visiting Safi-ad-din Ardabili Tomb, who is Murshid of Sufism and his beliefs and ideology created Safaviyya credence in Persia. The Complex includes Khanghah, Mosque and courtyard which shoes different aspects of Sufism.

Overnight Tabriz, (B,L,D).

Tabriz is the most significant region in historic Azerbaijan area in terms of culture, industry, modernity and handicrafts, also agriculture plays an important rule in the development of the city. Tabriz history gained a huge impression from Safavid and Qajar dynasties as a centre of Turkish tribes, so most of the monuments and attractions prove cultural, architectural and customs and traditions of the mentioned royal families also are known as the world Carpet Weaving City.

Today our visits will include Blue Mosque, a witness to the history of the city since pre-Safavid to Pahlavi dynasty, where blue tiles at the grand entrance Iwan caused the name of the monument. Most parts of the building destroyed in a late earthquake, but famous architects reconstructed the majesty of the mosque during Pahlavi dynasty, soon after that walking to Azerbaijan Museum which takes you to a tour through history by visiting archaeological finds dated back to 5000 B.C to Sassanid era, then Islamic seals and coins and after that Iron Museum which demonstrates astonishing sculptures by a contemporary Artist Mr Ahad Hosseini, then wander at Tabriz Grand Bazaar (Tabriz HistoricBazaar) with its spectacular structure that includes many sub-Bazaars as the largest roofed Bazaar in the world, which confirmed itself as a cultural, economical and political centre of the city since Safavid Dynasty to present era.
Overnight Tabriz, (B,L,D).

Our exploration continues with Kandovan village, where people built their cone-shaped home in volcanic rocks to verify human integration with wild nature in the hillside of Sahand mountain. The unbelievable village lifestyle in cave-like houses amazes visitors with identifying architecture that shows how locals have been living with ancient customs in the modern era. Purchase handicrafts in local settlements to experience alive Kandovan lifestyle, walk through the rocky pathways to enjoy the mesmerizing environment of the Kandovan Village, after that tasting Azeri Ashe Doogh gourmet cooking in a local class immersed in rural lifestyle in Kandovan atmosphere to sync ourselves better with the way people live, also experiencing homemade confectionary as Nogha which provides us with a better understanding of Azeri coronary arts in the north-west part of Persia, after that we drive back to the city to enjoy El Goli Garden which is decorated with a large artificial pond and a mansion in the middle.

Overnight Tabriz, (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 a story of the people, not only during Zoroastrianism but also at the time of Islam to the present era.

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, 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 a 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 amazed by the passageways, to experience Shirazi nomads and tribes clothing and purchasing handicrafts.
By exploring Vakil Complex we reach Zinat Al-Molk House, where is a Persian style of home, to fascinate visitors by the mirror and woodwork, then enjoying the relaxing atmosphere of 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, then visiting 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 triumphs over Roman emperor on bas-relief inscriptions, then on the way back to downtown we have a glance to Quran Gate, which is the entrance gate of Shiraz from the 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, after that, we go to Sa’diyeh, the 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.

Overnight Shiraz, (B,L,D).

Today is devoted to the beauty of Shiraz, at first we visit Nasir-ol-Molk, a supreme intellectual and artistic sacred place which proves no comparison with a 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 walk to 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, after a break for lunch 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, 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, which is called Adineh by Shirazi people, include eight entrance gate and Khodakhand (God of House) with unique architecture to amaze you, soon after we experience Shahcheragh, the third holiest shrine in Persia, which 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).

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

Departing Shiraz we travel to Yazd by having an Expedition to Pasargadae, the ancient capital of Achaemenid, which was built under the order of Cyrus the Great with famous fourfold Persian model of the garden, to explain the nobility of the emperor and his necropolis, after that our exploration takes us to the Global City of Wood-carvings to discover a very skilful art which is called Monabatkari or Moghaarkari by professionals who replete woods with religious design or flower motifs in their workplace, soon after we drive to Abarkooh county to wander at the 4500-year-old Cypress tree, then we keep going to the city of wind-catchers.

Overnight Yazd, (B,L,D).

Today we begin our travel with Yazd Jameh Mosque, where the brilliance of tilling dazzle eyes next to highest minarets in Persia, depicting harmonious craft between Islamic and Persian architecture, after that we walk to Fahadan area to explore brick and mud lifestyle with a 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 Zourkhaneh (Pahlavani Rituals).
Our tour ends today with having a pleasing 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).

We embark on full day travel into the heart of the desert on the way from Yazd to Isfahan with an expedition to Meybod county to explore a region which was Mozaffarid dynasty capital and widely known in terms of architecture and handicrafts in the north of Yazd. Our visits will include Abbasi Caravanserai where displays how travellers took rest 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 the desert, soon after we have a glance of the Ice House which feed the county with Sufficient Ice reminded from winter to summer based on 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.
Our exploration continues to Naein county, where is an ancient region famous for the qanats, handicrafts and castles, in the south of Isfahan. We visit Naein Jameh Mosque which is one of the four mosques built soon after the Arab conquest of Persia, after that we learn better about desert citizens lifestyle by surfing Desert Anthropology Museum, then we travel to Rigareh Qanat-based Water Mill to investigate how people quench their thirst by constructing qanat underground since 1000 B.C in Persia.

Overnight Isfahan, (B,L,D)

Isfahan, the city of glories and Perso-Islamic masterpieces devoted itself to craftsman’s dexterity to become centre 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 skilful 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, also having a workshop for the art of Minakari demonstrates us how ancient Persians enameled objects to place heaven into them by decorating metal(mostly Silver and Copper) or tile by patterns and paintings derived from the taste of the artist, soon after 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, after that 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 Sotun Palace (Bagh-e Chehel Sotun), where a relaxing atmosphere with gorgeous paintings are awaiting us with palace pillar 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, after that we travel to Isfahan Jameh Mosque (Masjed-e Jame of Isfahan) to discover a unique practice of designing a holy place by renovation and reconstruction a mosque which is one of the oldest kinds in Persia, then we learn how masters do Ghalamzani to create outstanding works with a superb design on silver, copper, brass and gold to place visionary engravings on objects.
Our exploration continues to Chahar Bagh Street where is a masterpiece of urbanism to Hasht Behesht Palace were used to be a royal pavilion with glamorous paintings, woodwork, mirror-work and tilling.

Overnight Isfahan, (B,L,D)

On the way from Isfahan to Kashan, we have an expedition to Abyaneh village to experience one of the ancient rural area in Persia, which shows us historical traditions and customs along with distinctive habitable buildings, also we will be amazed by a very traditional kind of shoe that is called Giveh and is made out of cotton and wool with wild-bull leather with high comfort, then we travel to Kashan where is one of the homelands of Persian civilization to perfect our knowledge about the country at the last night of the tour.
We visit Aminodole Caravanserai at the centre of Kashan bazaar where the coherent form of the structure reflects hospitality sensibility, soon after we smell Persian coffee as Kashan is one of the centres for such hot drink, then we visit Agha Bozorg Mosque which is the only one in its model as a mosque with sunken courtyard.
Overnight Kashan, (B,L,D)

Today is devoted to Kashan legacies that begin with Boroujerdi House which combines the desert style of wind-catchers with Persian traditional models of an iwan with superb plaster-work in interior and exterior decoration, soon after we visit Sultan Amir Ahmad Bathhouse to feel Persian gatherings meanwhile bathing, next in order of time we walk to Tabatabaee House which includes peculiar difference with the previous one in terms of stone reliefs, stucco and coloured glasses, then we travel to Fin Garden, which depicts a genuine Persian garden, telling us stories about the contemporary era from murdering Amir Kabir to present.
We finally drive to the IKA Airport to Depart Iran.

(B,L,D)