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Iran: Persian Culture & History Tour
October 8 - 22, 2010
$3725 per person, double occupancy

Please note: When traveling with a Caravan-Serai Tours group or private tour to Iran, you are required to stay with the group/guide at all times. As a condition of issuing visas for foreigners, the Iranian government requires the guide and the tour operator to be responsible for you and your actions while you are in Iran. Transfers by our coordinator in Iran to and from the airport are required - no taxis are allowed. The transfers are included in the tour price. At this time early arrivals and post trip extensions are not allowed. If you have any questions about this please call us. Thank you for your understanding.

Fri Oct 8: Upon our early morning arrival in Tehran, we will be met and transferred to the Laleh Hotel to get some sleep. After a late breakfast, we will depart for a city tour of Tehran, Iran's capital. Tehran has numerous museums as well as monuments and depending on our schedule we may see the Carpet Museum, Glass Museum, or Golestan Palace Museum Complex. Overnight in Tehran at the Laleh Hotel.

Sat Oct 9: After breakfast, we will have further visits in Tehran, then in the evening transfer to the airport for our flight to Kerman. Overnight in Kerman at the Pars Hotel.

Sun Oct 10: Today we will have a full day excursion to the village of Rayen to visit the Arg, or Citadel, of Rayen, a miniature version of the Arg-e-Bam, with all the architectural features of a desert citadel. Arg e Rayen is now gaining prominence as a result of the tragic earthquake in Bam which destroyed the town and its magnificent citadel. On the return journey we will stop at Mahan to visit the blue-tiled Mausoleum of Shah Nematollah-e-Vali, the great 14th century Sufi Leader; and the Shahzadeh Garden (late 19th century Qajar-period garden/house). We will return to Kerman to have a city tour. We will see the Ganj-Ali-Khan Complex that is comprised of a 17th century Safavid period bathhouse, caravanserai, and bazaar, plus the Friday Mosque. Overnight in Kerman at the Pars Hotel.

Mon Oct 11: We will depart early this morning to drive to Shiraz, visiting the ruins of the Sassanian period Palace of Sarvestan along the way. This monument dates back to the time of Bahram-Gour (420-438 AD). Mehrnevsi, his well-known minister, ordered the construction of this palace. Beginning in 1956, renovations have been ongoing on this site. Continue on to Shiraz for overnight at the Homa Hotel.

Tue Oct 12: After breakfast depart for a full day excursion to Persepolis, the extensive remains of the palaces of the Achaemenid kings Darius I, Xerxes and Artaxerxes, and with magnificent bas-reliefs. After that 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 overnight at the Homa Hotel.

Wed Oct 13: Today we have a choice of visiting either to Firuzabad or Bishapur. Firuzabad is a modern city in southern Iran, about 200 kilometers south of Shiraz in Fars province. It was the capital of Ardashir I (AD 224-241), the founder of the Sassanian Empire of ancient Persia, the last Persian Empire before the arrival of the Arabs. Archaeological remains of the ancient city of Firuzabad (called Gur) include Ardashir's palace called Qalah-e Dokhtar, a fortress, rock reliefs, a ziggurat, and a walled city. The old part of the city was abandoned in the 12th century. Bishapur is an ancient city situated south of modern Faliyan, Iran on the ancient road between Persis and Elam. The road linked the Sassanid capitals Istakhr (very close to Persepolis) and Ctesiphon. Bishapur was built near a river crossing and at the same site there is also a fort with rock-cut reservoirs and a river valley with six Sassanid rock reliefs. Return to Shiraz for overnight at the Homa Hotel.

Thurs Oct 14: Enjoy a full day city tour of Shiraz to visit some of the famous gardens of this city of "roses and nightingales", including the Eram Garden, the tomb of Iran's greatest lyric poets, Hafez and Sa'adi; the pink tiled 19th-century Nasir-ol-Molk Mosque, the Arg-e-Karim Khan (18th-century citadel), the Madrassa Khan (Theological School), to have interaction with teachers and students, the Qajar-period Narenjestan Garden/House, the Vakil Bazaar of Shiraz, and drive by the Holy Shrine of Shah-e-Cheragh (not open to non-Moslems and can only be seen from outside). Dinner and overnight at the Homa Hotel.

Fri Oct 15: This morning we will drive to Yazd, and en route visit Pasargadae, pre-dating Persepolis. It is the site of the simple but impressive tomb of Cyrus the Great, the Founder of the Persian Empire, and remains of his several palaces, all located in the beautiful plain of Dasht-e-Morghab. Continue on to Abarkuh, a charming desert town, for a tea-break under the shade of a 4000-year old Cyprus tree. Continue to Yazd for dinner and overnight at the Moshir Garden Hotel.

Sat Oct 16: After breakfast depart for a full day of sightseeing in Yazd, the center for Iran's small Zoroastrian community. Seeking refuge from the invading Arabs the Zoroastrians found a safe haven within Yazd's fortified walls. We will see the active Zoroastrian Fire Temple, the fire of which has been burning for about 1500 years. Among Yazd's Islamic sites is the Friday Mosque (1324 A.D.), with the highest portal and minarets in Iran. Other notable Islamic monuments in Yazd are the Seljuk shrine dedicated to the Twelve Shi'ite Imams, and the Ziaieyeh Theological School known as Zendan-e-Eskander, or Alexander's Prison. There are also many beautiful old houses in Yazd, among them the Dowlat-Abad Garden, with an 18th century hexagonal house. Dinner and overnight at the Moshir Garden Hotel.

Sun Oct 17: Check out after breakfast and drive to Isfahan via Na'in. Na'in, another charming desert town, lays half way between Yazd and Isfahan. Here we will visit the 10th century Friday Mosque and the 17th century Pirnia House/Ethnographic Museum, with a walk through the old part of town. Continue on to Isfahan for dinner and overnight at the Abbasi Hotel.

Mon Oct 18: Today we will have a full day city tour of the beautiful city of Isfahan, the 17th century capital of the Safavids. It is referred to as Nesf-e-Jahan (Half of the World) in Safavid sources. Our tour will include a visit to the famous bridges of Shahrestan/Khajou/Sio-se-pol, and the Armenian Quarter with several churches including the important Cathedral of Vank. In the afternoon visit one of the world's grandest squares, the Maidan-e-Naghsh-e-Jahan complex. Within this grand square are several sites including the Ali-Qapu Palace with its enchanting music rooms and balcony overlooking the Maidan, from where the Safavid Kings watched polo games, and two of Islamic world's greatest mosques - the Sheikh Lotfollah and the Shah - with magnificent architecture and tile work. Finish the day with a visit to the handicraft shops around the 'Maidan'. Dinner and overnight at the Abbasi Hotel.

Tue Oct 19: Enjoy another full day of sightseeing in Isfahan, including the magnificent Friday Mosque with the famous Uljaitu Mihrab (Prayer Niche) of the Il-Khanid period. The Friday Mosque is considered a museum of a thousand years of Persian religious architecture and is truly one of the world's greatest mosques. Also visit the Harun-e-Velayat Shrine and the Ali Minaret. From here drive to the Chehel Sotun Palace, built by Shah Abbas II in the 17th century. Its wooden columns reflected in the surface of the pool give rise to its name 'The Palace of Forty Columns. Also visit the Hasht Behesht pavilion built in 1670 by Shah Solayman and known as the Pavilion of Eight Paradises or the Palace of Nightingales. The small but intricate building is set among tree-lined alleys, a reflecting pool and water rills. Also visit the Qeisarieh Bazaar with hundreds of shops displaying the arts and handicrafts for which Isfahan is world-famous. Dinner and overnight at the Abbasi Hotel.

Wed Oct 20: This morning we will drive to Tehran with a sightseeing along the way, including the city of Kashan. In Kashan we will 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. Continue on to Tehran for overnight at the Laleh Hotel.

Thurs Oct 21: We will have one last day of sightseeing in Tehran to visit museums not visited at the beginning of the tour. We may visit the former residence of the last Shah of Iran at Sa'ad-Abad Palace and Museum Complex, and the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art, Niavaran Palace, and the Tehran Bazaar. Complete your visit of Tehran with a visit to the National Jewels Museum. On display is an impressive collection of some of the most famous and spectacular jewels in the world including many priceless pieces. Many pieces have disappeared over the years but the remaining collection of gemstones, jewelry, royal emblems, ornamental guns and jewel-encrusted furniture is still impressive. The majority of the items on display were given to Safavid kings as gifts but many pieces taken by Nader Shah on his conquest of India are also exhibited. These include the Darya-e Nur diamond, The Peacock Throne and the Jeweled Globe. Other pieces include the crowns of the Qajar and Pahlavi Kings. (Please note that the order of museum visits may vary due to different hours of operation and other scheduling issues) Dinner and overnight at the Laleh Hotel.

Fri Oct 22: In the morning transfer to the airport for departure flight.

End of services.

Included:

• Visa Authority
• Full-board accommodation in 4-5 star hotels, breakfast at hotels, lunch and dinner at best available local restaurants, or hotels
• All land transportation in air conditioned motor coach
• Internal flight from Tehran to Kerman
• Group transfers to/from airport, from/to hotels
• All portages and entrance fees for main sites and excursions
• Highly-qualified English-speaking national guide throughout and local guides in Shiraz and Isfahan

Not Included:

• International air
• Personal expenses such as room service, telephone/fax calls, laundry, dry cleaning, etc.
• Visa fee: $150
• Expedite fee of $150 if registration received after September 1, 2010
• 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 ($7 - $10), driver ($4 or so), and driver's assistant ($2 or so) - all are per person, per day
• Fuel surcharges, if any
• Single supplement: $720

*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.