Classic Iran Tour 6N/7D

Day 1: TEHRAN

Meeting at Istanbul Airport, international departures terminal. After ticket, baggage, and customs procedures, departure to Tehran with Mahan Air scheduled flight. Upon arrival, meet with our guide and vehicle. After approximately 1 hour of driving, arrival in Tehran city center. The name Tehran means “Hot Place” in Persian. The city’s origins date back to the Neolithic era. Spread over a wide area at the foothills of Mount Elburz, the city traditionally consisted of two- or three-story brick buildings, similar to other Iranian cities. During our Tehran city tour, we will see Azadi Square, the Mausoleum of Imam Khomeini, and the city’s wide boulevards. Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 2: TEHRAN

After breakfast at the hotel, we continue our panoramic Tehran city tour. Today we visit Golestan Palace, constructed under the Qajar Dynasty with inspiration from European architecture, and the Tower of Tugrul (Burj-e Tugrul), one of the remnants of the ancient city of Ray. Then we visit the Iran Archaeology Museum. Afterwards, we take a domestic flight to Shiraz. Upon arrival, we visit the mausoleum of the renowned poet and thinker Saadi Shirazi, author of Bostan and Gulistan. Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 3: SHIRAZ

Before breakfast, we depart for Nasir al-Mulk Mosque to witness the sunrise. The mosque is popularly known as the “Pink Mosque” due to its pink-tiled interior. With the first light of day, a magnificent interplay of colors fills the mosque. Next, we will see Karīm Khān Castle (Arg of Karim Khan) from the outside. Built for defense purposes, its walls reach approximately 14 meters and have been well preserved.

During our panoramic Shiraz tour, Karim Khan Castle and Vakil Bazaar are among the places to be seen. Although the mosque was built in 1773, many of the floral tile decorations were added later during the Qajar period. The mosque has survived two major earthquakes and remains a solid structure in the city.

After free time for lunch and shopping, we depart for the UNESCO World Heritage Site Persepolis and for Naqsh-e Rostam (the Necropolis). Persepolis was founded in the late 6th century BC by Persian King Darius I and served as the capital of the Persian Empire for many years. His successors Xerxes and Artaxerxes expanded it significantly.

Naqsh-e Rostam, located 12 km northwest of Persepolis, is an archaeological site famous for its rock-cut tombs believed to belong to heroes of Persian mythology and Achaemenid kings. The site contains seven tombs, including those attributed to Darius I, Xerxes I, Artaxerxes I, and Darius II. Additional Sassanid rock reliefs are carved beneath the tombs.

After the tour, return to Shiraz. Dinner and visit to the Shah Cheragh Shrine. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 4: SHIRAZ – YAZD

After breakfast, we drive approximately 6 hours to the ancient desert city of Yazd, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and known for its windcatchers, winding alleys, and unique architecture. Our sightseeing includes Friday Mosque (Masjid-e Jame), Amir Chakhmaq Mosque Complex, the city center, and the Zoroastrian Fire Temple (Atashkadeh), believed to preserve a sacred flame burning since 470 BC. We then visit the Towers of Silence (Nekropolis), an important sacred site for Zoroastrians. Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 5: YAZD – ISFAHAN

After breakfast, departure for Isfahan. Known as “Half of the World,” Isfahan was conquered by Muslims in 640 and later made the capital by Seljuk ruler Tugrul Beg, further developed under his grandson Melik Shah. During our panoramic city tour, we will see Naqsh-e Jahan Square, Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, Ali Qapu Palace, the Grand Bazaar, and the Forty Columns Palace (Chehel Sotoun). The square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is considered one of the largest in the world. Many of Isfahan’s key attractions are accessed from this square.

Ali Qapu Palace overlooks the square with its six floors. Behind it lies a large park and a structure with 20 wooden columns; with their reflection in the pool, they create the image of 40 columns—hence the name Chehel Sotoun (“Forty Columns”). Although the pool is now empty, the palace remains an iconic site. After a tea/coffee break, transfer to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 6: ISFAHAN – KASHAN

After breakfast and check-out, we complete the remaining part of the Isfahan tour, including the historic Atiq Grand Mosque (Atiq Ulu Cami), one of the most important Seljuk monuments. Then we drive to Kashan. On the way, we visit the historic city of Kashan, once a major stop along the caravan route. Our tour includes Fin Gardens (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), known for their water channels and the historic bath where Amir Kabir was assassinated; the Sialk Mound archaeological site; and the Boroujerdi House, belonging to one of Kashan’s prominent families. Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 7: KASHAN – QOM – TEHRAN

After breakfast and check-out, we drive to the holy city of Qom, considered Iran’s religious center and famous for its madrasas. We visit the Shrine of Hazrat Masumeh. Then we continue to Rey, the former Seljuk capital located 32 km away, to visit the Tomb of Tugrul Beg. After completing our tour, we meet at the time determined by our guide and transfer to Tehran Airport. Departure for Istanbul with Mahan Air scheduled flight.

Day 2: TEHRAN

After breakfast at the hotel, we continue our panoramic Tehran city tour. Today we visit Golestan Palace, constructed under the Qajar Dynasty with inspiration from European architecture, and the Tower of Tugrul (Burj-e Tugrul), one of the remnants of the ancient city of Ray. Then we visit the Iran Archaeology Museum. Afterwards, we take a domestic flight to Shiraz. Upon arrival, we visit the mausoleum of the renowned poet and thinker Saadi Shirazi, author of Bostan and Gulistan. Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 3: SHIRAZ

Before breakfast, we depart for Nasir al-Mulk Mosque to witness the sunrise. The mosque is popularly known as the “Pink Mosque” due to its pink-tiled interior. With the first light of day, a magnificent interplay of colors fills the mosque. Next, we will see Karīm Khān Castle (Arg of Karim Khan) from the outside. Built for defense purposes, its walls reach approximately 14 meters and have been well preserved.

During our panoramic Shiraz tour, Karim Khan Castle and Vakil Bazaar are among the places to be seen. Although the mosque was built in 1773, many of the floral tile decorations were added later during the Qajar period. The mosque has survived two major earthquakes and remains a solid structure in the city.

After free time for lunch and shopping, we depart for the UNESCO World Heritage Site Persepolis and for Naqsh-e Rostam (the Necropolis). Persepolis was founded in the late 6th century BC by Persian King Darius I and served as the capital of the Persian Empire for many years. His successors Xerxes and Artaxerxes expanded it significantly.

Naqsh-e Rostam, located 12 km northwest of Persepolis, is an archaeological site famous for its rock-cut tombs believed to belong to heroes of Persian mythology and Achaemenid kings. The site contains seven tombs, including those attributed to Darius I, Xerxes I, Artaxerxes I, and Darius II. Additional Sassanid rock reliefs are carved beneath the tombs.

After the tour, return to Shiraz. Dinner and visit to the Shah Cheragh Shrine. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 4: SHIRAZ – YAZD

After breakfast, we drive approximately 6 hours to the ancient desert city of Yazd, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and known for its windcatchers, winding alleys, and unique architecture. Our sightseeing includes Friday Mosque (Masjid-e Jame), Amir Chakhmaq Mosque Complex, the city center, and the Zoroastrian Fire Temple (Atashkadeh), believed to preserve a sacred flame burning since 470 BC. We then visit the Towers of Silence (Nekropolis), an important sacred site for Zoroastrians. Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 5: YAZD – ISFAHAN

After breakfast, departure for Isfahan. Known as “Half of the World,” Isfahan was conquered by Muslims in 640 and later made the capital by Seljuk ruler Tugrul Beg, further developed under his grandson Melik Shah. During our panoramic city tour, we will see Naqsh-e Jahan Square, Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, Ali Qapu Palace, the Grand Bazaar, and the Forty Columns Palace (Chehel Sotoun). The square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is considered one of the largest in the world. Many of Isfahan’s key attractions are accessed from this square.

Ali Qapu Palace overlooks the square with its six floors. Behind it lies a large park and a structure with 20 wooden columns; with their reflection in the pool, they create the image of 40 columns—hence the name Chehel Sotoun (“Forty Columns”). Although the pool is now empty, the palace remains an iconic site. After a tea/coffee break, transfer to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 6: ISFAHAN – KASHAN

After breakfast and check-out, we complete the remaining part of the Isfahan tour, including the historic Atiq Grand Mosque (Atiq Ulu Cami), one of the most important Seljuk monuments. Then we drive to Kashan. On the way, we visit the historic city of Kashan, once a major stop along the caravan route. Our tour includes Fin Gardens (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), known for their water channels and the historic bath where Amir Kabir was assassinated; the Sialk Mound archaeological site; and the Boroujerdi House, belonging to one of Kashan’s prominent families. Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 7: KASHAN – QOM – TEHRAN

After breakfast and check-out, we drive to the holy city of Qom, considered Iran’s religious center and famous for its madrasas. We visit the Shrine of Hazrat Masumeh. Then we continue to Rey, the former Seljuk capital located 32 km away, to visit the Tomb of Tugrul Beg. After completing our tour, we meet at the time determined by our guide and transfer to Tehran Airport. Departure for Istanbul with Mahan Air scheduled flight.