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16-Day Tour of Iran: Deep into the Heart of Persia

Tehran, Hamedan, Kermanshah, Ahvaz, Shiraz, Yazd, Isfahan and Kashan

16-Day Tour of Iran: Deep into the Heart of Persia

If you are a culture lover, a history enthusiast and an admirer of Persian-Islamic art, join us on this in-depth exploration of Iran in 16 days. The UNESCO-recognized heritages (tangible and intangible) of the country are optimally packed together with its other outstanding magnets so that you have a genuine, comfortable and pleasant experience. On this 16-Day Tour of Iran, listen to your enthusiastic guide bring the ancient history into life and broaden your horizons with the adorable art and rich culture of the most attractive cities across Iran: Tehran, Hamedan, Kermanshah, Ahvaz, Shiraz, Yazd, Isfahan and Kashan.

  • Include
    Licensed and experienced guide
    Accommodation
    Transportation
    Entrance fees
    Domestic Flight Ticket (s)
    Visa application services
    Travel Insurance
16 Days
Classic
Cultural
Destinations
Escorted
Group
Heritage
Kermanshah
Private (Small Group)

FROM OUR GALLERY

various persian carpets in the Carpet Museum of Tehran, Iran
decoration and design of mirror of persian palace, Tehran, Iran
Ganjnameh (Treasure Book), a collection of Achaemenid inscriptions, Hamedan, Iran
1
Day 1: Tehran
Welcome to Persia! We’ll meet you at Imam Khomeini Airport of Tehran and accompany you to your accommodation.

Overnight: Tehran

2
Day 2: Tehran
Dedicate this day to Iran’s top museums and museum palaces in the capital. Visit the National Museum of Iran, the fancy Golestan Palace (UNESCO Heritage), and the beautiful glassware and ceramic in Abgineh Museum of Tehran. Also, check out the world-acclaimed Persian carpets in the Carpet Museum of Tehran.

Overnight: Tehran

3
Day 3: Tehran to Hamedan
Start the day with a road trip from Tehran to Hamedan (244km), a long-standing gallery of attractions. At the iconic Mausoleum of Avicenna, find out more about the father of modern medicine who was also one of the most outstanding astronomers, philosophers and writers of pre-modern era. Following that, get introduced to a great Sufi poet at his stylish burial place, Baba Tahir Mausoleum. Also, visit the hill under which lies the capital city of the ancient Median Dynasty, the fascinating Hegmataneh (UNESCO heritage). To top your historical discovery off, visit Ganjnameh, a collection of Achaemenid inscriptions that praise Ahura Mazda (Zoroastrian God) and glorify the kings in 3 different languages.

Overnight: Hamadan

4
Day 4: Hamedan to Kermanshah
Say goodbye to the historical city of Hamedan and make your way toward Kermanshah (around 189 km). On the way, discover the beauties of one of the world’s largest water caves: Alisadr Cave. From there, move on to see the fine carvings of the ancient relic of the well-known Darius the Great, the 2500-year old Behistun Inscription (UNESCO). In Kermanshah, check out the impressive look of the 1700-year-old rock relief of ancient kings at Taq-e Bostan (UNESCO).

Overnight: Kermanshah

5
Day 5: Kermanshah
Find the natural and cultural beauties of the mountains of western Iran in Kermanshah’s adored Hawraman Region. On your trip to Kermanshah’s terraced villages, discover the untouched Kurdish culture, rural lifestyle, and local clothes and dishes. Visit a Tanbur workshop and the master, enjoy the local prayers of Tanbur, and visit Baba Yadegar Tomb, a Yarsan (Ahl-e-Haq) Khaneqah, where pilgrims usually play Tanbur and sing spiritual poems. *Yarsan is a group of Sufis (mystics), Tanbur is their sacred instrument and Khaneqah is their sacred refuge.

Overnight: Kermanshah

6
Day 6: Kermanshah to Shush
Leave Kermanshah toward the charming remains of ancient Persia in Shush (around 405 km). In the evening, visit the distinctive cone-shaped tower of the resting place of the Biblical prophet at Tomb of Daniel.

Overnight: Shush

7
Day 7: Shush to Shushtar
Start the day with a walk through the remains of one of the most ancient civilizations in the world in Susa (UNESCO heritage), and listen to your guide bring more than 6000 years of history into life in its Apadana Palace and Museum. Then make your way toward the ruins of the religious center of Elam, Chogha Zanbil (UNESCO heritage), and wonder at the grand ziggurat that was dedicated to the Ancient Elamite gods. Top your historical adventure off with a ride to Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System, UNESCO’s ‘masterpiece of creative genius’.

Overnight: Shushtar

8
Day 8: Shushtar to Kazerun
Hit the road from Shushtar to Kazerun (around 475 km).

Overnight: Kazerun

9
Day 9: Kazerun- Shiraz
Check out the mixture of Persian and Roman art in the ruins of the impressive capital of Sassanid era, Bishapur (UNESCO heritage) and the fascinating rock reliefs of Tang-e Chogan (UNESCO) nearby. Then have a road trip to Shiraz (around 147 km).

Overnight: Shiraz

Optional 1: Like to check out an impressive historical cave near Tang-e Chogan? Then an hour of hiking will get you to Shapur Cave (UNESCO) and the giant statue of a Persian king inside.

Optional 2: Or, you can pick up the secrets of Persian cuisine with a Culinary Experience in Shiraz. Dig into the delicious layers of Persian culture by exploring Persian cuisine and enjoy the taste and aroma of unique dishes.

Duration: 3-5 hours
10
Day 10: Shiraz
Welcome to the city of love. Begin the day with the colorful dance of colors in the photogenic Nasir-ol-molk Mosque (also known as the Pink Mosque), then move on to check out the elegance of the historical house of aristocrats, Qavam House, and the historic Eram Garden (UNESCO-listed Persian Garden). After that, the impressive relics of Zand Dynasty will expect you at the historical Vakil Complex (including the Mosque, the Bath and the Bazaar). Also, enjoy the romantic atmosphere of the mausoleum of one of Iran’s top Sufi poets: Tomb of Hafez.

Overnight: Shiraz

Optional: In the evening, you can enjoy the rare experience of a Night Gathering with a Shirazi Family. Being guests to one of the world’s most hospitable nations, enjoying homemade meals cooked with love, and discovering Persian customs in the warmth of an Iranian family is just unforgettable!

Duration: 2-4 hours

11
Day 11: Shiraz to Yazd
First thing in the morning, have a road trip (around 60 km) to the 2500-year-old treasures of Achaemenid era: Persepolis (UNESCO heritage) and Naqsh-e Rostam. At lunchtime, enjoy unique dishes at a traditional ecolodge. Also, pay a visit to Cyrus the Great’s burial place at the remains of his Pasargadae (UNESCO-listed Persian Garden). Then, continue towards Yazd (around 320 km).

Overnight: Yazd

12
Day 12: Yazd
Welcome to the city of wind towers and Zoroastrian relics. The historic city of Yazd treats you to its unique desert architecture and Zoroastrian sites. Begin the day by exploring the beauties of the iconic Amir Chakhmaq Square, getting familiar with Persian heroic rituals (intangible UNESCO heritage) at a Zurkhaneh (ancient Iranian sport club), and discovering the hidden world of Persian waterways in one of Iran’s top water museums: Yazd Water Museum. Also, enjoy the peaceful Fire Temple of Yazd where a sacred flame has been burning for more than 1500 years. Plus, head to the Towers of Silence, and get introduced to Zoroastrians burial rituals. Finally, find the world’s tallest wind tower among the other charming spectacles of Dowlat Abad Garden (UNESCO-listed Persian Garden).

Overnight: Yazd

Optional: Or, you can explore Zoroastrian culture and lifestyle beside a Zoroastrian Family. This ancient Persian belief, which has influenced cultures beyond Iran’s borders, has its majority of followers in Yazd and its surrounding villages.

Duration: 2-3 hours

13
Day 13: Yazd to Isfahan
Your road trip to Isfahan will be brightened up with stops by the highlights of history and culture along the way. On your way there, stop by the historical charms of Meybod (around 56 km).  Your stop there will bring you to the rare architecture of its historical Pigeon Tower! Also visit Shah Abbasi Caravanserai and the historical Icehouse of Meybod. Then, continue your way towards Isfahan.

Overnight: Isfahan

Optional:On your way to Isfahan, explore the interesting secrets of Qanat system (Persian ancient water system) at the Qanat of Zarch.

Duration:1-2 Hours

14
Day 14: Isfahan
Discover the admired beauties of Isfahan. Visit the UNESCO-listed Naqshe-e Jahan Square (including Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, Shah Mosque, Ali Qapu Palace, Qeysarie Gate and the Grand Bazaar). Then check out the elegant architecture of Chehel Sotoun Palace (UNESCO heritage) and the 17th century Hasht Behesht edifice. Nearby, discover Persian music and instruments and enjoy a live performance of Iranian music at the Music Museum of Isfahan. Finally, enjoy the beauties of the nights and get familiar with the local lifestyle by a walk around the historic bridge of the city: Si-O-Se-Pol.

Overnight:Isfahan

15
Day 15: Isfahan to Kashan
Hit the road from Isfahan to find the historical town of Kashan (around 206 km). Find the finest examples of traditional Persian architecture at the highlights of Kashan. Start with the house of an aristocratic family: Tabatabaei House. Then check out another aristocratic house of the city: Borujerdi House. Also, find the intricate beauty of the historically significant Fin Garden (UNESCO-listed Persian Garden).

Overnight:Kashan

16
Day 16: Kashan to Tehran
Leave the beautiful Kashan behind and have a road trip back to Tehran (around 248 km) to catch a flight back home.

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  • Optional Tours

Visiting the historical attractions of Iran is truly rewarding. On the other hand peppering your tours with the depth of culture, customs and people will sure boost your experience. That’s why we’ve included Optional Experience-based tours in our packages. You will have to pay an additional surcharge for these tours.

  • Small Group Tours
Sticking to our first priority of offering you high-quality tours, we only run small group tours of 3 to 10 people.
  • Covid19 Policy
We operate tours with half of its standard capacity in order to keep you safe during the corona pandemic.
  • Accommodation

We only offer high quality hotels rated as 3-star and 4-star.  Star rating standards may be slightly different from international standards. The accommodations we provide are double or twin rooms. Couples will be provided with a private double room and single travelers must pay extra to have a single room.

  • Dates 

If the tour reaches a minimum of 3 travelers, the tour is guaranteed to run. If the minimum is not reached, you can choose to pay extra to experience the tour as planned, change the date of your tour, pick another tour, or get a full refund.

  • Booking

To book a place on this tour, please fill out the reservation form on this page. We’ll then contact you to complete your booking process. You’ll get all the details in your booking confirmation email. If you have any questions or need more information, feel free to contact us.