Classic Iran Tour

Meeting at the international departures terminal of Istanbul Airport. After completing ticket, baggage, and customs procedures, depart for Tehran on a scheduled Mahan Air flight. Upon arrival, meet with our guide and vehicle. Arrival in Tehran city center after an approximately one-hour drive. The name Tehran means "Warm Place" in Persian. The city's founding dates back to the Neolithic era. Spread over a vast area at the foot of Mount Elbrus, this city, in keeping with the traditional structure of other Iranian cities, is composed of two or at most three-story brick buildings. On our city tour of Tehran, we will visit Azadi Square, the Imam Khomeini Mausoleum, and Tehran's wide streets, followed by dinner and overnight accommodation.

After breakfast at our hotel, we continue our panoramic city tour of Tehran. During our city tour, we'll learn about Iran's history and see the Golestan Palace, built by the Qajar Dynasty, influenced by European architecture, and the Tughrul Beg Tower (Burj-i Tugrul) in the ruins of the city of Rey. We'll visit the Archaeological Museum of Iran in Tehran. Afterward, we'll take a domestic flight to Shiraz. Upon arrival, we'll visit the tomb of Saadi Shirazi, the renowned philosopher and author of Bostan and Golestan, followed by dinner and overnight stay.

Before breakfast, depart for Nasir al-Mulk Mosque to greet the sunrise. Nasir al-Mulk Mosque is nicknamed the Pink Mosque in popular culture due to the use of pink tiles in its interior. The mosque takes on a magnificent riot of color with the first light of day. Then, we will see the Karim Khan Citadel of Narenjistan from the outside. Built for defensive purposes, the walls of this fortress are approximately 14 meters high and are remarkably well preserved to this day. Following this, we will take a panoramic tour of Shiraz, where Karim Khan Citadel and Vakil Bazaar will be among the sights to be seen. Although the mosque was built in 1773, many of the floral tilework, especially, were done later, during the Qajar period. The mosque has survived two major earthquakes and remains a sturdy structure in the city. After a shopping and lunch break, depart for the ancient city of Persepolis, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and the Naqsh-e Rostam (Naghsh-i Rostam) tour. The ancient city of Persepolis was first founded by the Persian King Darius I towards the end of the 6th century BC. It served as the capital of the Persian Empire for an extended period. Darius' successors, Xerxes and Artaxerxes, expanded Persepolis and left numerous monuments that remain today. Naqsh-e Rustam (Rock Tombs) is an archaeological site located 12 km northwest of Persepolis in Fars province, Iran. Naqsh-e Rustam is called "The Image of Rustam" because of the Sassanid carvings beneath the tombs, thought to depict the hero of Persian mythology, Rustam. Naqsh-e Rustam contains seven tombs belonging to Achaemenid kings. The inscriptions clearly indicate that one belongs to Darius I. Besides Darius I, three are believed to belong to Xerses I, Artaxerses I, and Darius II. Two completed tombs found behind Persepolis likely belong to Artaxerses II and Artaxerses III. The unfinished one belongs to Arses, who reigned for the longest two years, but more likely to Darius III, the last Achaemenid ruler overthrown by Alexander the Great. In addition to the tombs at Naqsh-e Rustam, seven massive rock carvings belonging to Sassanid kings are located beneath them. After our tour, we return to Shiraz, have dinner, visit the Shahchiragh Tomb, and stay at the hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, we'll drive for approximately six hours to arrive in Yazd, a 5,000-year-old city on the UNESCO World Heritage list with its desert paths, wind towers, and surreal architecture. Among the attractions on our itinerary are the Friday Mosque, the Amir Chakhmaq Mosque Complex, the city center, and the Ateshkedah Temple, a significant center of faith for Zoroastrians, believed to have been burning since 470 BC. We'll then visit the Towers of Silence, another important sacred site for Zoroastrians, the City of the Dead (Necropolis). Afterward, we'll have dinner and overnight stay.

After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for Isfahan. We begin our exploration of Isfahan, known as "half the world." Isfahan was conquered by the Muslims in 640. This city, made capital by the Seljuk ruler Tughrul Bey and developed by his grandson Malik Shah, offers a panoramic view of its historic bridges. Our panoramic city tour includes Naqsh-e Jahan Square, Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, Ali Ghapu Palace, the Grand Bazaar, and the Forty Columns Palace. This square, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is said to be one of the largest in the world. Its former name was Meydan-i Shah. Many of Isfahan's must-see destinations are through this square. The building surrounding the square houses the covered bazaar. The six-story Ali Ghapu Palace dominates the square. Behind Ali Ghapu Palace lies a large park and a building. This structure has 20 columns, and the reflection of these 20 columns in the pool in front of it. This creates a total of 40 columns, giving it the name "Forty Column Palace." However, since the pool is now empty, we cannot see this view today. After the tour, we will take a break for tea and coffee before transferring to our hotel. Dinner and overnight stay.

After breakfast, after leaving our rooms, we'll explore part of the Isfahan city tour today. We'll visit the Atiq Grand Mosque, a grand Seljuk treasure. Following the tour, we'll depart for Kashan in the afternoon. Along the way, we'll visit the city of Kashan, a city with a long history and a formerly important caravan route. Among the places to visit are the Fin Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site surrounded by water channels and home to the bathhouse where Amir Kabir was killed; Sialk Hill, a significant archaeological site; and the Boroujerdi House, belonging to the Borjedi family, one of Kashan's prominent families. After the tour, dinner and overnight stay.

After breakfast, we'll check out of our rooms and head to QOM, the city of QOM, renowned for its madrasahs and considered Iran's religious center. After visiting the Masumeh Mosque and tomb in Qom, we'll head to Rayy, the Seljuk capital. We'll conclude our tour with a visit to the tomb of Tugrul Bey, the Seljuk ruler. We'll gather at a time determined by our guide and transfer to Tehran Airport. We'll depart for Istanbul on a scheduled Mahan Air flight.

Please remember to bring slippers and a prayer rug for each tour. Depending on the region you're traveling to, we may not always have access to a mosque or prayer room. Our guide will guide you to a suitable place to pray.

Our guide reserves the right to make changes to the itinerary with the approval of our agency and to cancel certain tours due to weather conditions and/or force majeure. All guests participating in our tour agree to this.