Iran

Overview

Tehran, Kerman, Yazd, Shiraz, Isfahan

Journey to Iran to experience ancient cities, glorious mosques and fabulous archaeological sites. Begin at the capital, Tehran, to view fascinating museums and the Iranian crown jewels. Along with UCLA chair and professor of Near Eastern Archaeology, Elizabeth Carter, fly to Kerman and explore the old city. Drive to Yazd, the country’s center of Zoroastrianism and enjoy a walking tour through the bazaar and the covered streets of the old quarter of Yazd. En route to Shiraz, stop at the site of Pasargadae. Explore Shiraz, an important city in the medieval Islamic world, synonymous with learning and poetry. Spend a day admiring the magnificent ruins of Persepolis. Drive to Isfahan, a town of unsurpassed beauty where brilliant blue-tiled buildings and majestic bridges still display the pinnacle of Islamic architecture.

Cost: $5,895
Distant Horizons

Activity Level: Moderate Activity

Itinerary

DAY 1 | April 16. Depart for Tehran

DAY 2 | April 17. Tehran
Arrive in Istanbul in the early evening and connect with a flight to Tehran. Arrive in Tehran in the late evening and transfer to the Laleh Hotel, formerly the Intercontinental Hotel.

DAY 3 | April 18. Tehran
Morning visit to the Archaeological Museum with its fine collection including a stone capital of a winged lion from Susa and a 6th-century B.C. audience hall relief of Darius the Great from the Treasury at Persepolis. After a briefing with a local journalist, view the Iranian crown jewels. This spectacular collection is stored in the basement vault of the Bank Milli Iran, which includes the world’s largest uncut diamond as well as the Peacock Throne. End the day at the lavish Golestan Palace – a masterpiece of the Qajar era. (B, L, D)

DAY 4 | April 19. Tehran
Travel to northern Tehran to visit the modest home of the Ayatollah Khomeini in Jamaran. Continue on to the the Zahir ol Dowleh Cemetery, the resting spot for many of Iran’s writers and artists. After lunch in a local restaurant visit the Niavaran Palace and Museum, the last home of Mohammad-Reza Shah and his family. Stop at the Aaran Gallery and meet with owner Nazila Noebashari for a lively discussion on contemporary art. (B, L, D)

DAY 5 | April 20. Kerman
Morning visit to the Reza Abbasi Museum which houses a collection belonging to a period from the 2nd millennium B.C. to the early 20th century. Depart on an afternoon flight to Kerman. (B, L, D)

DAY 6 | April 21. Kerman
Drive to Rayento Rayen, a preserved medieval city molded from the red clay of the surrounding desert. Deserted city streets, houses of rich merchants, communal baths and shops still stand clearly visible. Enjoy lunch at the delightful Bagh-e Tarikhi Gardens, which were designed as traditional Persian gardens. Drive to the beautiful town of Mahan well-known as the final home of the Sufi saint and poet, Shah Nematollah Vali. Shah Nematollah Vali, who died in 1431, was the founder of a Dervish order, centered in Mahan, which continues to be an active spiritual force in Iran today. (B, L, D)

DAY 7 | April 22. Yazd
This morning explore historical Kerman which includes an attractive ensemble of three buildings inside the Kerman Bazaar and a lovely madrassa built around a garden courtyard. Drive to Yazd passing through many acres of pistachios. Transfer to Moshir Garden Hotel. (B, L, D)

DAY 8 | April 23. Yazd
Visit the town's principal mosque, the Friday Mosque, where the tiled portal is crowned by twin minarets, the tallest in the country. After lunch spend the afternoon concentrating on the  Zoroastrian religion which at one time was the state creed. There are about 400,000 Zoroastrians left in the world, of which about 60,000 live in and around Yazd. Drive just outside of Yazd to a small village called Taft. Walk through this medieval town along narrow streets to their main fire temple – a simple building where a flame is always lit. From here return to Yazd and visit the Ateshkade. It is said that the sacred flame here has been burning since about 470 A.D. The final stop for the day at sunset will be at two "towers of silence" where, historically, Zoroastrians were laid to rest. (B, L, D)

DAY 9 | April 24. Shiraz
Morning drive to Shiraz stopping en route at the archaeological site of Pasargad. The town was built by Cyrus the Great who defeated Astyages the Mede in 550 B.C. and, built the first Achaemenian capital on the site of his victory. The white limestone tomb of Cyrus stands apart from the scattered remains of gardens, palaces and temples. (B, L, D)

DAY 10 | April 25. Shiraz
Morning excursion to Persepolis the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenian Empire and perhaps one of the most beautiful and spectacular archaeological sites surviving today. Visit Naghsh-E Rostam which contains the carved tombs of four Achaemenian rulers. After a truly wonderful day return to Shiraz and visit the bazaar, considered by many to be the finest in Iran and, here, discover the heart of the city. (B, L, D)

DAY 11 | April 26. Isfahan
Drive six hours to Isfahan, perhaps the most beautiful of all Iranian cities and transfer to Abbasi Hotel. After consolidating his control, Shah Abbas I initiated one of the world’s grandest experiments in city planning. Mosques, palaces, bazaars and public parks were built under the monarch’s personal supervision over the next thirty years. The result is glorious. (B, L, D)

DAY 12 | April 27. Isfahan
Spend the morning at the immense Maydan-e Shah, or Royal Square. The square is the central focus of this fascinating city and never failed to inspire and awe European merchants and ambassadors to the Safavid court. The afternoon is spent exploring the Bazaar of Isfahan and learning more about traditional crafts in Iran. See carpets, meet a well-known painter of miniatures, wander through aisles of old copper and brass ware, gold jewelry, lacquered boxes and many other wonderful items. (B, L, D)

DAY 13 | April 28. Isfahan
This morning admire some of the five bridges crossing the Zayendehrud River at Isfahan. After seeing the Bridge of 33 Arches, drive to the Armenian quarter of Isfahan. This dates from the time of Shah Abbas who set up this colony of Christians from the town of Jolfa and named it New Jolfa. In the afternoon visit the Friday Mosque, which is like a museum with its tiled ivans, vaulted ceilings and lofty domes. Farewell dinner at the hotel. (B, L, D)

DAY 14 | April 29. Depart for Istanbul