Day 2: Upon your arrival in Tehran's airport you will be met, assisted and transferred to the Laleh Hotel for a rest. After a late breakfast, you will visit the Saad-Abad Palace/Museum Complex and the Jewels Museum. Overnight at the Laleh Hotel in Tehran.

Day 3: After breakfast transfer to the airport for your flight to Kerman. Overnight at the Pars Hotel in Kerman.

Day 4: In the morning depart for a visit to Rahan, a smaller version of Bam. The fortress of Bam was destroyed in an earthquake in 2004, however this mud brick fortress was recently discovered. Stop for lunch at a local restaurant, and on the return journey stop over 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). In the evening return to the Pars Hotel in Kerman for overnight.

Day 5: In the morning your sightseeing will include visits in Kerman to the Ganj-Ali-Khan Complex (17th century Safavid period bathhouse/caravanserai and bazaar) and the Friday Mosque. Afterward you will drive to Yazd. Upon your arrival in Yazd, the center for Iran's small Zoroastrian community, you will visit the abandoned Tower of Silence (Dakhma), dating back to the 17th century, where until some 40-50 years ago the dead were carried there and left to decompose and be devoured by birds. You will also visit the active Fire Temple of Yazd, the fire of which has been burning for more than a thousand years. Overnight in Yazd.

Day 6: After breakfast enjoy sightseeing in Yazd, visiting the Friday Mosque (1324 A.D.) with the highest portal and minarets in Iran, and the Dowlat-Abad Garden, with an 18th century feudal hexagonal house. Afterward drive to Shiraz, stopping at Abarkuh, a charming desert town, and have tea under the shade of a 4000-year old Cypress tree. Then continue on to Pasargadae, the site of the impressive tomb and remains of the palaces of Cyrus the Great (founder of the Persian Empire). Continue on to Shiraz for dinner and overnight.

Day 7: After breakfast depart for a full day excursion to Persepolis, one of the most important sites of the Ancient World. The ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid kings has remains of the palaces of Darius the Great, Xerxes and Artaxerxes, with its famous bas-reliefs, depicting kings and courtiers and gift-bearing representatives of tributary nations of the Persian Empire. Also visit Naghsh-e-Rostam to see Ka'be-Zardosht (fire temple/sanctuary), and the Royal Tombs (also Achaemenid); plus seven magnificent Sassanian rock-reliefs (including Shapur the First's famous victory over Roman Emperor Valerian). Return to Shiraz for overnight.

Day 8: Today you will have a full day city tour of Shiraz to visit some of the famous gardens of this city of "Roses and Nightingales." You will see the Eram Garden, the tomb of Iran's greatest lyric poet, Hafez; the pink tiled 19th-century mosque of Nasir-ol-Molk, the Qajar period Narenjestan Garden/House, and the bazaar of Shiraz. In the evening fly to Isfahan. Overnight in Isfahan.

Day 9: After breakfast depart for a full day tour of the beautiful city of Isfahan, the 17th century capital of the Safavids. The city has been referred to as Nesf-e-Jahan (Half of the World) in Persian sources. Visit 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 biggest squares: the Maidan-e-Naghsh-e-Jahan with several sites (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 Qeisarieh Bazaar with hundreds of shops displaying the art and handicrafts for which Isfahan is world famous. Overnight in Isfahan.

Day 10: Today you have another full day of sightseeing in and around Isfahan. Visit the magnificent Friday Mosque (with the famous Uljaitu Mihrab of the Il-Khanid period), the Harun-e-Velayat Shrine, and the Ali Minaret. Also visit the Chehel-Sotun (Forty Columns) Palace set in beautiful garden park. Take a second visit to the Maidan and shops. Overnight in Isfahan.

Day 11: After an early breakfast depart for Tehran. Along the way stop and visit the charming town of Natanz to see the Friday Mosque, Monastery, Tomb, the Fin Garden, a very beautiful example of a walled Persian Garden with running water from the Soleimanieh Qanat feeding the garden, and lovely pavilions. Also visit the Taba-Tabai, a late 19th century house. Continue on to Tehran for overnight.

Day 12: Transfer to the airport and departure from Tehran.