Discover Persia FAM

Dec 3-10, 2016

Caravan-Serai Tours has been leading tours to Iran for over 15 years. We know the country and our clients always return home wondering why the waited so long to see this amazing country. Experience it for yourself, meet locals, try the amazing Persian cuisine, and learn about the history of this fascinating country. Caravan-Serai Tours has scheduled group departures and can do private custom tours to Iran for your clients. Join us in December, you will be amazed at the hospitality, beauty, and diversity of the country and its people. 

Day 1 / Dec 3: Upon your arrival in Tehran in the evening, you will be met and assisted then transferred to your hotel for a short rest.

Day 2 / Dec 4: After breakfast you will visit Tehran’s museums including the Archaeological museum, followed by visits to the Glass and Carpet museums. Both of these museums showcase Islamic arts in glass, pottery, and carpet making. In the evening transfer to the domestic airport for your flight to Shiraz. Transfer to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 3 / Dec 5: After breakfast you will visit the tombs of the poets Saadi and Hafez, and the beautiful Eram Garden. Continue to visit the famous Vakil Complex, which includes an extensive bazaar, a bath, and mosque. It extends from near the Isfahan Gate to where the Bazaars of the old city of Shiraz begin, and it comprises arched alcoves with wide platforms in between, and seventy-four high and well-proportioned arches sustaining the roof, and there is a high domed crossing, where the east and west bazaars diverge from the main bazaar. Several of the main arches, and a number of intervening alcoves of the Vakil Bazaar, which were used as shops, were demolished when the Zand Avenue was extended eastwards. Dinner and overnight in Shiraz.

 

Day 4 / Dec 6: Today after an early morning breakfast we check out of our hotel and drive towards Isfahan, with stops at Persepolis, site of the several palaces of Iran’s great Achaemenid kings, Darius the Great, Xerxes and Artaxerxes. We will also visit Naghsh-e-Rostam to visit the Kabe-e-Zardosht (fire temple/sanctuary), and Royal Tombs of Achaemenid kings, plus seven magnificent Sassanian rock-reliefs. Continue to Isfahan, arriving late in the afternoon, and we see the city by night and then go to our hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 5 / Dec 7: Today enjoy a city tour of the beautiful city of Isfahan. Visit the Armenian Quarter and the important Cathedral of Vank. Afterwards you will visit one of the world’s biggest squares – the Maidan-e-Naghsh-e-Jahan. The complex has several sites to visit including the A’li-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. We will finish with a visit to the Qeisarieh Bazaar with hundreds of shops displaying the arts and handicrafts for which Isfahan is world famous. Overnight in Isfahan.

Day 6 / Dec 8: Continue sightseeing Isfahan, with visits to the Chehel Sotoon, or Palace of 40 Columns, and some of Isfahan’s famous historical bridges. End the day with another visit to the Maidan for some free time. Overnight in Isfahan.

Day 7 / Dec 9: After an early breakfast drive to Tehran via Kashan. Here you will visit the beautiful and historic Fin Garden and the city of Kashan. Continue on to Tehran for overnight at the Novotel Hotel at IKA International Airport. Your guide will bid you farewell after getting you to the hotel.

Day 8 / Dec 10: Proceed on foot to the departure hall at IKA (Imam Khomeini Airport) for your departure flight (about a 7 minute walk).

End of Services

 

Prices per person, based on double occupancy, land only:

• 4 – 5 Pax Travel by van $2340
• 6 – 7 Pax Travel by minibus $2025
• Single Supplement: $455

Included:

• Visa authorization
• Full-board accommodation in 5 star hotels, breakfast at hotels, lunch and dinner at best available local restaurants, or hotels
• All land transportation via air conditioned sedan/bus/minivan
• Flight from Tehran to Shiraz (2016 bookings only)
• All transfers to/from airport, from/to hotel
• All portages and entrance fees for main sites and excursions
• Highly-qualified English-speaking guide and local guides in Shiraz and Isfahan (if applicable)

Not Included:

• International air
• Domestic air in Iran $105 (subject to change until booked and issued)
• Visa and processing fee ($200)
• Personal expenses such as room service, telephone/fax calls, laundry, dry cleaning, etc.
• Optional tours or entrance fees not shown on the itinerary
• Refreshments, snacks, etc., en route or during meals, caviar at any meals
• Fuel surcharges, if any
• Tips for guides ($20), drivers ($10), and drivers’ assistant ($5) – amounts are only suggestions and are per person, per day
• Trip insurance

 

Check with us about FAMs to other destinations such as Oman, Jordan, Tunisia, Israel!