9-Day Must-Know Classic Iran Tour: History, Culture & Desert Journey (8 Nights).

Are you rushed but want to experience the heart of Persia? This Classic Iran Tour will offer you an overview, over 9 days and 8 nights, to see the history, culture and natural beauty of most of Iran in a short amount of time. This itinerary is designed for first time visitors and will connect the most iconic Iranian destinations, to provide a breadth of knowledge of Ancient Persian history, impressive Islamic architecture, and interesting local traditions.

What makes this Iran tour different?

• Classic Route: Visit the classic cities of Tehran, Isfahan, Shiraz, & Yazd.
• Desert Experience: Stay overnight in a local house in Garmeh Desert Village! Experience something truly different and enjoyable, living the genuine desert life, along with the amazing local Iranian food.

Historical backdrop. Comprehensively understand the rich history of Iran from the Achaemenid Empire to the Qajar era.

Featured UNESCO World Heritage Sights and Sites to Experience

Respect and marvel at the glorious historical and cultural objects of Iran:

• Golestan Palace: Historic Qajar complex in Tehran designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Iran National Museum: Home to 300,000 pieces of historical and ancient artifacts.
• Isfahan Main Square (Naqsh-e Jahan) – UNESCO World Heritage Site; The square is a gigantic space and very beautiful compared to other squares of the world.
• Pasargadae – UNESCO World Heritage Site; Tomb of Cyrus the Great.
• Persepolis (Takht-e Jamshid) – UNESCO World Heritage Site; Ceremonial capital of the First Persian Empire.
• Fin Garden – UNESCO World Heritage Site; The perfect historical Persian garden of Kashan.
• Abyaneh Village: It is famous for its red buildings.
• Garmeh Desert Village: Enjoy traditional local desert life while staying in a desert village.
• Historic Houses of Kashan: Great examples of traditional Persian architecture.

Book this 9-day Iran trip now to enjoy the best of Persia; mixing some of the must-see historical sites, besides a desert adventure.

Day 1: Tehran

Upon your arrival at Tehran international airport, your guide will meet you, and then you’ll be taken by car to your hotel. After resting, you will visit the extravagant Golestan Palace, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list.

Golestan Palace was the first royal Qajar complex in Iran’s capital city and is the oldest historic monument in Tehran. You will also walk in the Bazaar, which is adjacent to the palace. The Grand Bazaar is called literally Tehran’s Grand Bazaar, and they will visit Imam Mosque.

You will also see the Iran National Museum, which is the oldest museum in Iran. The National Museum of Iran has 70 years of history and has collections of the most interesting 300,000 ancient items. You will also visit Azadi Square, where the Azadi Tower, known as the symbol of Tehran is located.

Overnight in Tehran

Day 2: From Tehran to Isfahan

After breakfast today, we will drive you to Isfahan. On route, you will see Abyaneh, known for its famous huge red soil, which is 2500 years old. You will continue onward to Isfahan to walk on the banks of the famous Zayanderoud river, and also see the beautiful old bridge called Siosepol.

Overnight in Isfahan

Day 3: Isfahan

Iranians call Isfahan, the capital of the Safavid Dynasty from the 16th century on, “half the world.” We will see two of its other tremendous mosques amidst countless remarkable sights. In the middle of town is Naqsh-e Jahan (UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE), one of the world’s largest squares, built in the 17th century.

The massive open square is surrounded with a wall of arches and enclosed by the two mosques, Masjed-e Sheikh Lotfollah and the Masjed-e Emam. We will admire their spectacular design and tile-work. We will also walk through the Ali Qapu Palace with its glorious music room, and balcony above the Maidan from which the Safavid kings sat to watch the polo tournaments.

We will walk across the Meydan and into the bazaar which was, and still is, an important aspect of every Persian and Iranian city, located at the nexus of the neighborhood and social consciousness. The Isfahan Bazaar is one of the most famous in the country. To name just a few, there are the stalls of the textile and carpet merchants, the jewelry and handicraft makers, vendors of spices, and many more.

Overnight in Isfahan

Day 4: Isfahan to Shiraz

Upon departure from the hotel, we will be boarding a vehicle to start our way toward Shiraz. On the way, we will stop at Pasargadae (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) to visit the bare tomb of Cyrus the Great (c. 600-530 BCE) and then continue on to Shiraz.

Overnight Shiraz

Day 5: Shiraz

After breakfast, we will visit Eram Garden, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where the building and garden were both built in the mid-thirteenth century. Nasir ol Mulk Mosque from the Qajar era has a lot of colored glass in its visage.

It is also called the Pink Mosque because they used significant amounts of pink color tiles for the inner design. We will walk in Vakil Bazaar and mosque. This mosque was built between 1751 – 1773, during the Zand period. Vakil means regent which was the title of Karim Khan, founder of the Zand Dynasty.

We will visit the Shrine of Shah Cheragh (a funerary monument and mosque in Shiraz) from the outside then we will take you to Hafezieh (the Tomb of one of our famous Poets).

Overnight in Shiraz

Day 6: Shiraz To Yazd

Today, we will be driving to Yazd and will make a stop at our first destination Persepolis (Takht-é Jamshid) (UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE). Persepolis, once the capital of the Achaemenid First Persian Empire, lays at the foot of Kuh-e Rahmat.

It was founded by Darius the Great, who decided it would be his capital in 518 BCE. A treasure city and also one of the richest cities in the world, it was turned into ashes, as a result of being burned down by Alexander’s army. our second stop would be in Abarkooh to see the oldest creature (and organism) in the planet which is 4500 years old.

Overnight in Yazd

Day 7: Yazd To Garmeh Village

In the morning, after breakfast, we drive to Yazd. Yazd was one of the main strongholds of the religion of Zoroastrianism. Zoroastrians honor fire as a holy entity which speeds forth from supreme god Ahura Mazda, and, ignores truth into believers’ hearts and minds.

We call their places of worship fire temples, in which sacred flames, were to be kept burning continuously. We visit the most significant remaining Fire temple in Iran, Atashkadeh in Yazd, and also see the old part of Yazd called Fahadan then travel continue onto Garmeh Village.

Overnight in Garmeh village

Day 8: Garmeh Village to Kashan

We will tour the Village and take in the gorgeous lake there and walk around the village and after lunch, we will drive to Kashan and visit Fin Garden (UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE). This is a historical Persian garden and contains Kashan’s Fin Bath where Amir Kabir was murdered by an assassin sent by King Nasereddin Shah in 1852. The Fin Garden was completed in 1590 and is the oldest extant garden in Iran.

Overnight in Kashan

Day 9: Kashan To Tehran Airport

We will visit one of the famous historical houses of Iran which is called Bourujerdiha House and then we will drive for 2 hours to Tehran airport depending on your flight time.

  Customize Tour

Please pay attention to these notes:

• You can book a private tour (minimum 1 person and maximum 2).
• You can change your dates and forward them to the next month.
• Book another tour which is very close to your dates with 1 or 2 days more or less.
• Cancel your tour and get a full refund.

Can I have another date besides the arranged date?

Yes, of course, you always can change dates, cities, and sights according to your interest and have your tailor-made tour for more information CLICK HERE.

What type of vehicle do we use?

We use 2 types of vehicles:

• For private tour (maximum 2 people)

All our cars are A.C cars and usually are a sedan with 5 seats (1 driver + 4 passengers) which we use for 2 people to be more relaxed.

• For small group tours

We usually use A.C Hiace, van, middle bus, or bus according to the size of the group.

Where do we stay?

We will book 3 or 4 stars hotels, depending on the cities sometimes traditional hotels also can be booked.

Note: we have 2 types of rooms Single/Double rooms which the prices are clear and pay attention the couple or friends can stay in the same room but for the other single traveler who is traveling to Iran they should be of the same sex to stay in the same room otherwise they can book a single room.

You can see our trusted partner website to see all hotels in Iran.

OkayBooking.com

How much and how should I pay?

You will pay 10% of the whole contract as a deposit and pay the rest in cash on the first day of your arrival in Iran, about the money transfer our experts will contact you and guide you on how to pay.

How to get my visa?

Just prepare your personal photo and scan of your passport and fill up the FORM HERE.

• How much does it cost?

The Visa Code is free for people who book tours and use our service but for the visa labels, you will be charged at the embassy or arrival (According to your nationality it will be different).

Recommendation

we highly recommend you to use our hospitality tour which is a unique experience in Iran and you can’t find such a service anywhere in the world

for more information, CLICK HERE.

Still, do you have any other questions?

Don’t hesitate to CONTACT US.