Passage Through Persia
14 Day Tour of Iran

May 7 - 21, 2009

$3185
per person, double occupancy, land only

$100 Early registration discount if registered by September 1, 2008

**Please note that due to the length of time it can take to secure the visa authorization for our Iran tour participants, we must receive your registration prior to March 20, 2009. If your registration is received after this date then a $150 Late Registration/Expedite fee will be charged.**

May 7: Depart London's Heathrow Airport in the late afternoon for Tehran.

May 8: Arrival Tehran Early morning arrival at Tehran's IKIA Airport via Iran Air's flight from London's Heathrow on May 7th. We will be met and assisted and transferred to the Laleh Hotel. Get some rest, and after a late breakfast we will have a half day tour of Tehran. Overnight at the Laleh Hotel in Tehran.

May 9: 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 and delicate collection of ancient and Islamic glass and pottery. Lunch will be at the Ferdowsi Hotel in the vicinity of the museums, and in the afternoon we will visit the Carpet Museum, displaying a beautiful collection of old and new Persian carpets and rugs. Dinner and overnight at the Laleh Hotel.

May 10: Tehran-Kerman This morning we will fly to Kerman. Upon our arrival we will have a half day visit in Kerman to see the Ganj-Ali-Khan Complex that is comprised of a 17th century Safavid period bathhouse, caravanserai, and bazaar, plus the Friday Mosque. We will check into the Pars Hotel for overnight.

May 11: Kerman/Excursion to Mahan and Rayen 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). Return to Kerman for overnight.

May 12: Kerman-Yazd We will do a bit more sightseeing in Kerman then leave for Yazd. En-route we will visit Zein-ed-Din Caravanserai, dating from the Safavid period. Continue on the drive to Yazd for overnight at the Moshir Garden Hotel.

May 13: Yazd Today we will have a full day of sightseeing in Yazd, the center for Iran's small Zoroastrian community, who seeking refuge from the invading Arabs found a safe haven within its fortified walls. We will visit one of the two Zoroastrian abandoned Towers 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. We will also visit 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 Ziaieyeh Theological School, known as Zendan-e-Eskander or Alexandar's Prison. There are also many beautiful old houses in Yazd, among them the Dowlat-Abad Garden, with an 18th century feudal house. Overnight at the Moshir Garden Hotel.

May 14: Yazd-Shiraz In the morning we will leave for Shiraz, stopping at Abarkuh, a charming desert town, and have tea under the shade of a 4000-year old Cypress tree. Afterwards continue to Pasargadae for a visit. 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. After visiting the site continue on to Shiraz with dinner and overnight stay at the Homa Hotel.

May 15: Shiraz/Excursion to Persepolis and Naghsh-E-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, and with magnificent bas-reliefs. 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. Lunch will be at a nearby restaurant then we return to Shiraz and visit the Vakil Bazar. Overnight in Sheraz at the Homa Hotel.

May 16: Shiraz-Isfahan Today we will have a full day city tour of Shiraz, the city of "roses and nightingales". Out 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. In the evening transfer to the airport for our flight to Isfahan. Upon our arrival we will transfer to the Abbasi Hotel.

May 17: 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 Shahrestan, Khajou, and Sio-se-pol, and the Armenian Quarter with several churches including the important Cathedral of Vank. In the afternoon 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 at the Abbasi Hotel.

May 18: Isfahan We will have another full day of sightseeing in Isfahan, including a visit to the magnificent Friday Mosque, with the famous Uljaitu Mihrab (Prayer Niche) of the Il-Khanid period, the Harun-e-Velayat Shrine and the Ali Minaret. We will also visit Chehel-Sotun (Forty Columns) Palace and Hasht-Behesht (Eight Paradise) Palace (from outside), both set in beautiful gardens/parks. Afterwards we will return to the Maidan and shops for another visit and shopping before returning to the Abbasi Hotel for overnight.

May 19: Isfahan-Tehran 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, and drive by the Mausoleum of Imam Khomeini then check in to the Laleh Hotel for overnight in Tehran.

May 20: Tehran Today we will visit the Golestan Palace and Museum Complex, dating from the 18th to the early 20th century, to include the Ethnological Museum (closed on Sundays and Thursdays). We will also visit the former residence of the last Shah of Iran at Sa'ad-Abad Palace and Museum Complex. In the afternoon we visit the fabulous State's Jewels Museum, housed in the vaults of the Central Bank of Iran displaying the most dazzling and priceless collection of jewels and gems in the world. Return to the Laleh Hotel for overnight.

May 21: Departure Transfer to the airport for departure flight to London's Heathrow Airport.

Included:
Accommodations at 5 star or best available hotels in each city, sharing a double room
All meals (no caviar)
Transportation in a deluxe motor coach
All applicable entrance fees for tours and sites on the itinerary
Professional English-speaking guide throughout the tour
Baggage handling
Visa Authority

Not Included:
International air
Internal flights in Iran: Tehran - Kerman $65 and Shiraz- Isfahan $45
Personal expenses such as room service, telephone/fax calls, laundry, dry cleaning, etc.
Visa fee: $150
Optional tours or entrance fees not shown on the itinerary
Refreshments, snacks, etc., en route or during meals, caviar at any meals, tips
Fuel surcharges, if any

Single Supplement: $600

PLEASE NOTE: All prices and itineraries are subject to change without notice. The US State Dept. has a travel advisory for Iran. Travelers with a valid passport and visa should not encounter difficulties as long as they respect the form of government, the Islamic rules and regulations particularly for apparel, the culture and people. Be advised: 1. Obey all laws, rules and regulations. 2. Women cover hair, wear long and loose dresses or covers at all times. 3. Men should wear long pants at all times. 4. NO alcoholic beverages, illicit drugs, or pornography. The operator does not assume any liability, and expressly disclaims any responsibility for any loss, expense, error, damage, delay, inconvenience, irregularity, accident, injury or death to any person or property that results directly or indirectly from a willful or negligent act, or omission, of any person connected, associated or affiliated with the government of Iran, or who supports, or sympathizes with, its form of government and/or policies, or who disagrees with the government of US and/or its policies, including, but not limited to, acts of terrorism and/or fanaticism. Please consult our general terms and conditions.