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15-Day Tour of Iran
Including Tabriz and the Caspian Sea
$3525
Per person, double occupancy, land only
May 6 - 20, 2010
May 6: Arrival - Tehran
Welcome to Iran. Late evening arrival in Tehran. We will be met and assisted,
then transferred to our hotel for overnight.
May 7: Tehran
Today we will visit to some of Tehran's museums. Iran's National Museum,
including the Archaeological and Islamic Museums, display an authenticated
collection of pre-historic, ancient and Islamic artifacts with pottery
dating back to 6 or 7 millennia B.C. The Abguineh (Glass and Ceramics)
Museum has a wonderful collection of ancient and Islamic glass and pottery.
In the afternoon we will visit the Carpet Museum, displaying a beautiful
collection of old and new Persian carpets and rugs. Dinner and overnight
in Tehran.
May 8: Tehran - Shiraz
This morning we will visit the former residence of the last Shah of Iran
at Sa'ad-Abad Palace and Museum Complex. Afterwards we will take an afternoon
flight to Shiraz. Upon our arrival we will transfer to our hotel for dinner
and overnight.
May 9: Shiraz (Exc. Persepolis
and Naghsh-é-Rostam)
After breakfast we depart for a full day excursion to Persepolis, the
extensive remains of the palaces of the Achaemenid kings Darius I, Xerxes
and Artaxerxes. After that we visit Naghsh-e-Rostam, site of an Achaemenid-period
fire-temple and sanctuary, four Royal Tombs and eight Sassanian rock-reliefs
including the impressive victory scene of Shapur I over Roman Emperor
Valerian. Return to Shiraz for dinner and overnight in Sheraz.
May 10: Shiraz
Today we will have a full day city tour of Shiraz, the city of "roses
and nightingales". Our tour will include the Tomb of Iran's greatest lyric
poet, Hafez, followed by Narenjestan (a reception/residential house/garden),
the pink-tiled Nasir-ol-Molk Mosque, the Eram Garden, and the very interesting
nomads' bazaar of Shiraz. Overnight in Shiraz.
May 11: Shiraz - Yazd
This morning we will check out
and drive to Yazd. En-route we will visit the historical site of Pasargadae.
Pasargadae is the site of the simple, but impressive, tomb of Cyrus the
Great (founder of the Persian Empire), and the remains of his palaces.
Afterwards we will visit a 4000 year old cypress tree in Abarkouh, and
take time to have tea, then visit a 1200 year old mosque. Continue on
to Yazd along beautiful picturesque roads. Overnight in Yazd.
May 12: Yazd - Isfahan
Today we will have half day tour of Yazd to see the Zoroastrian fire Temple
and the silent towers as well as the Old Friday mosque and the Alexander
prison. After lunch we will leave Yazd for Isfahan with a stop in lovely
the desert town of Naein to see an ethnological museum as well as an old
mosque and remains of a Sassanian castle. Continue to Isfahan for overnight.
May 13: Isfahan
After breakfast we depart for a tour of the beautiful city of Isfahan,
the 17th century capital of the Safavids, referred to as Nesf-e-Jahan
(Half of the World). Our tour will include a visit to the famous bridges
of Khajou and Sio-se-pol, and the Armenian Quarter with several churches
including the important Cathedral of Vank. We will also visit Chehel-Sotun
(Forty Columns) Palace. End out day in the bazaar for some shopping or
relax with a glass of tea. Overnight in Isfahan.
May 14: Isfahan
Today we visit one of the world's grandest squares - the Maidan-e-Naghsh-e-Jahan.
The Maidan is the location of the Ali-Qapu Palace with its magnificent
architecture and tile-work. The palace has enchanting music rooms and
a balcony overlooking the Maidan, from where the Safavid Kings watched
polo games. Also on the square are two of the Islamic world's greatest
mosques: the Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque and the Shah Mosque. Finish with
a visit to the Qeisarieh Bazaar with hundreds of shops displaying the
art and handicrafts for which Isfahan is world-famous. Dinner and overnight
in Isfahan.
May 15: Tehran (Via Natanz
& Kashan)
This morning we will drive to Tehran. En-route we will stop over at the
charming town of Natanz to visit a beautiful Islamic Complex including
the Friday Mosque, Monastery, and Tomb of Sheikh Abdol Samad Isfahani.
Continue on to Kashan for lunch and to visit to one of the most important
and ancient archaeological sites in Iran known as Teppe Sialk. The site
was excavated in the 1930's and dates back to 4000 B.C. The artifacts
found at this site adorn many major museums around the world. We will
also visit the historical garden of Fin which was first planted during
the Safavid period and kept alive with water from the nearby Sulaimanieh
Spring. This beautiful garden was expanded by the Zand and Qajar monarchs,
with many open pavilions added. A museum on the site displays artifacts
from nearby Teppe Sialk (optional visit). We will also visit a fine example
of a 19th century merchant residence known as Taba-Tabai House with its
beautiful stucco dome and inlaid mirror work, with some of the best examples
of existing "badgirs" (wind-catchers). Continue on to Tehran for overnight
in Tehran.
May 16: Tehran - Tabriz
This morning we fly to Tabriz. Once there we will have a full-day city
tour of Tabriz which will include a visit to the Blue Mosque, completed
in 1465 by Nimatullah ibn Mohammad Bavvab, architect of Prince Jahan Shah
Torkman Salimi (of the Qara Qoyunlu rulers) even today its Timurid tilework
(main entrance) with a blue-on-white inscription band of mosaic tile in
Riqa calligraphy is of a magnificence rivaling that of the Sanctuary of
Mashhad. Also visit the Azarbaijan Museum and the Shah-Goli Pavilion -
located in a pleasant hillside garden and park around an artificial lake.
End our day at the bazaar. Overnight in Tabriz.
May 17: Tabriz
Today after breakfast we will have a full day excursion to the volcanic
city of Kandovan. Kandovan village is located 50 km to the south of Tabriz,
Osku, on the northern slopes of a valley at the foothills of Mount Sahand.
The landscape is similar to Cappadocia in Turkey. The rock cones created
by thousands of years or erosion have been carved out and made into dwellings.
Return to Tabriz for overnight.
May 18: Tabriz - Bandar-é-Anzali
This morning we will drive to Bandar-é-Anzali via Ardabil to visit the
Sheikh Safi-eddin Ardabili Mausoleum and Museum. Ardabil is best known
as the birthplace of the eminent religious leader Sheik Safi-eddin (1251-1334)
from whom the Safavid dynasty was descended. Sheikh Safi was the founder
of a sufi order and monastery in Ardabil, the prime mover of Iranian culture
during the 15-16th century and the center of the theocratic community
of Dervish Brotherhood. Continue to Bandar-é-Anzali for overnight.
May 19: Bandar-é-Anzali
- Tehran
This morning we will drive to Tehran, with a stop at the village of Masulé.
This is picturesque mountain village where the homes and buildings seem
to cling to the side of the mountain. Homes are built practically on top
of one another. Enjoy sightseeing the village then continue on to Tehran
for overnight.
May 20: Departure
Transfer to airport for departure flight.
END OF SERVICES
Included:
Not Included:
- International air (call us for international air tickets on KLM) *
- Domestic flights (Tehran-Shiraz $63.00 and Tehran - Tabriz $50.00)
- Personal expenses such as room service, telephone/fax calls, laundry, dry cleaning, etc.
- Expedite fee of $150 if registration received after March 1, 2010, or in case of re-issuance of visa authorization due to lost passport, change in place of issuance, or any other reason the visa authorization must be re-issued
- Optional tours or entrance fees not shown on the itinerary
- Refreshments, snacks, etc., en route or during meals, caviar at any meals,
- Tips for guides, driver and driver's assistant
- Fuel surcharges, if any
Single supplement: $650.00
*Please note that due to new
visa regulations for Iran, all group members must arrive in Tehran at
the same time. Please call us for flight information.
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