Accommodation
6 Nights at 2-3-4-Star Hotels, 3 Nights at the Local Home, and 4 Nights in the Tent
Tour Details
- Group Size: 2 – 20
- Distance: 2250 km
- Altitude: 1214 m – 4185 m above see level
- Physical Rate: 3 out of 5
- Date Available: April to Oct
- Range: 18 to 60 year old
- Theme: Cultural & Ecological
- Tour Code: STC104
In a Nutshell
Travelers will have lots of unique experiences on this tour. They are highly recommended to join us on tour to get to know the simple life of the nomads who are living in the heart of the mountains. On this package, you will be able to get familiar with different cultures and lifestyles. There is still a lot to discover about the Iranians. Just pick up this package and start the way.
Highlights
- Mule-back riding in Alborz
- Zagros hiking and meeting the Bakhtyari nomads
- Enjoy a variety of accommodations (homestay, bivouac, and hotels)
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Chehel Sotoun Palace, Naqsh-e Jahan Square, Persepolis, and Pasargadae
Itinerary
Day 1: Tehran - Qazvin - Alamout Valley
Upon arrival in Tehran, Shakiba’s representative awaits to welcome you. Immediately we move straight to Qazvin. Qazvin is well-known as the Calligraphy Center of Iran, and it has many attractions to explore. Qazvin was one of the capitals of the Safavid state and accordingly, some of its historical works have the same name with ones in Isfahan. We start our tour visiting with Chehel Souton which has impressive murals that dates back to the time of Shah Tahmasb I. Aminiha Hosseiniyeh is worth a stop to see. When you want to enter this large house, you don’t know what is waiting for you. Upon entering the main hall, you’ll encounter a vault spanned by stunning decoration and tinted windows. We consider visiting the Alamut castle (13th century AD). Alamut Castle is the site dedicated to fans of Hasan Sabbah known as the Assassins. The path leading to the castle is incredible and recommend you to save your memories by taking photos here. You’ll spend the night in the village of Gazorkhan. It’s better to sleep well at night. You will start tomorrow with mounting Sialan.
Overnight: Gazorkhan Village, Meals: B, L, D
Day 2: Alamout - Haniz - Sialan
For mounting Sialan, you should go to the Village of Haniz. The Sialan is the magical mountain. One side leads to Alamut Castle and its other side to Dohezar Forest. The height of this mountain is more than four meters. So we advise you to prepare yourself for perfect mountaineering. The Sialan is located between the provinces of Qazvin and Mazandaran. You‘ll sleep on the mountain at night. If you’re lucky to have a smooth sky, you’ll see many stars above your head.
Overnight: Tent, Meals: B, L, D
Day 3: Sialan
After serving breakfast, you’ll continue your way to Sialan and spend the night on the mountain.
Overnight: Tent, Meals: B, L, D
Day 4: Sialan - Tonekabon
When you go down Sialan Mountain, you reach to the Asal Mahaleh Village. This village is located in the woods. We’ll have lunch there. We drive to Tonekabon in the evening. The Caspian Sea is in front of you. This sea is the largest lake in the world, located among the countries of Iran, Azerbaijan, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan. You have time at night to stroll aside the sea and listen to the sound of marine birds.
Overnight: Tonekabon, Meals: B, L, D
ppppDay 5: Tonekabon - Tehran
Say farewell to Tonekabon and move to Tehran today. Tehran is the capital of Iran and considered as one of the most populated cities in the continent of Asia. We embark on a city tour of Tehran with the National Museum of Iran. This museum is the largest one in Iran that holds many antiquities. The oldest works of this museum belong to the Paleolithic period, which is astonishing. We recommend you take a photo when you encounter Persepolis pillar head. Our last stop in Tehran will be Abgineh Museum. This museum is located in a fantastic classical building that keeps glasses of all periods in Iran.
Overnight: Tehran, Meals: B, L, D
Day 6: Tehran - Abyneh
We make our way from Tehran to Abyaneh. The red colored stair-step shape Abyaneh Village spanned with willows will catch your eyes from afar. When you take a stroll in the village lanes, the local women’s clothing will admire you. These clothes are the kind of Zoroastrian ones that you can buy a scarf with local designs and patterns if you wish. When you take a look at the top of the houses, you notice most of them has a terrace in front of a wooden lattice terrace. As the sun sets, the red color of the village becomes dreamlike and immerse anyone with its attraction. So it’s better to sit in a high place to watch the beauty of this village at sunset. Make sure to enjoy it.
Overnight: Abyaneh, Meals: B, L, D
Day 7: Abyaneh - Isfahan
In the morning we drive to Isfahan, the jewel of ancient Persia. It is Iran’s largest desert city, which the Zayandehrud River crosses through it. After serving breakfast, Chehel Sotoun Palace (World Heritage Site) is the first attraction to explore. Naqsh-e Jahan Square (World Heritage Site) is the next place to visit. Upon arrival, you will see a vast space in front of your eyes, with magnificent works on each side of it. The Shah Mosque is located on the south side of the square, which is very mysterious. You must pass a corridor to reach the main courtyard. At that moment, its beauty will be astonished you. The Qeysarie Bazaar is located south of Naqsh-e Jahan Square. This bazaar is full of old-fashioned Isfahan businesses that are producing handcrafts with old methods. The rest day is for exploring historic bridges, Si-o-se pol and Khaju. Si-O-se pol (33 arches) is the longest bridge on the Zayandehrud River, built at the time of Shah Abbas I. There you will find adolescents who come near you to speak English. You can ask questions about the customs of Isfahan people.
Overnight: Isfahan, Meals: B, L, D
Day 8: Isfahan
Continue our journey to visit Jolfa Quarter today. This quarter has been dedicated to Christians since Safavid times, and there are numerous churches there. Vank Cathedral is the largest one in Isfahan. The impressive paintings of this church will catch your attention and remind you of the Bible’s stories. You can also visit the Armenian History Museum in Esfahan, which is located in the courtyard of the church. The Music Museum would be our last attraction to discover in Isfahan. In this museum, you can get familiar with Persian musical instruments and listen to live music for a few minutes. Definitely, you’ll enjoy it. Our tour visiting ends with serving exceptional food of Isfahan as a dinner. Iranian cuisine is unique. You can judge honestly.
Overnight: Isfahan, Meals: B, L, D
Day 9: Isfahan - Kouhrang
Maybe you’ve never lived in a nomadic tent. Today you’ll have this opportunity to get familiar with the lifestyle of the nomadic tribes of Iran. Nomads are said to people who have no stable home and vamoose to cooler places in the summer and to warmer areas in the winter. The nomads of the Zagros spend the summer at the foot of the Zagros Mountains. So it’s the best time to see them.
Overnight: Kougrang (Tent), Meals: B, L, D
Day 10: Kouhrang
Zayandehrud is the largest river in the center of Iran, which originates from the Zard-Kuh Bakhtiari Mountain. Our first stop is Koohrang Fountain, the source of Zayandehrud. Later consider visiting Sheikh Alikhan Waterfall and Choma Ice Cave. Sheikh Alikhan is a tall waterfall, and if you travel there in late March and early April, you’ll probably encounter the overturned tulips. The weather in the summer is very mild. Chama Cave is one of the unique caves in Iran, which is formed by the accumulation of a few years old snows. The roof of the cave consists of snow that not disappear in the summer. Be sure to go inside and feel the cold weather there. You’ll back to Kuhrang in the evening and stay overnight in the tent.
Overnight: Kougrang (Tent), Meals: B, L, D
Overnight: Tent
Day 11: Kouhrang - Izad Khast – Abadeh
We make our way from Koohrang to Abadeh. Izadkhast is an ancient city whose fortress is mentioned in most Oriental travel logs. Upon entering, you’ll encounter the great monuments that are the remains of the castle, which is located at the height of six to fifteen meters above the ground. Izadkhast Caravanserai and Safavi Bridge are other attractions to visit. You’ll spend the night at Abadeh.
Overnight: Abadeh, Meals: B, L, D
Day 12: Abadeh - Shiraz
Necropolis (World Heritage Site) is worth stopping at on the way to Shiraz. It is the burial place of the Achaemenid and Sasanian kings who have been carved in the heart of the mountains. The tomb of Darius I is here. Persepolis (World Heritage Site) is must see site that you’ll never forget. Alexander, after arriving in Iran and entering this palace, faced with magnificent Imperial Iran. We move toward Pasargadae (World Heritage Site). The tomb of the great Cyrus is located here. After being killed in the Massagetae war in northeastern Iran in 529 BC, Cyrus was taken to this place and buried here. In the evening, you move to Shiraz and spend the night there.
Overnight: Shiraz, Meals: B, L, D
Day 13: Shiraz
We should know the value of time not to miss anything today. We embark on visiting with Nasir-al-Mulk Mosques known as a pink mosque. Its pink color due to the colored glasses that gives you a strange feeling when you stand in front. You will be taken to Khan’s school, one of the oldest Iranian schools which has educated renowned scholars, especially in the field of philosophy. After that, Narenjestan Qavam is waiting for us. It’s the former and magnificent Shiraz house, which will leave traces in your mind. A little further away, you will enter the Shiraz Bazaar. Recommend you to buy handicrafts with the suitable price here. In the evening, your guide will lead you through the Tomb of Hafez who is a poet of love as only lovers perceive his words. If you are in love, tell the guide to read one of Hafez’s poems for you!
Overnight: Shiraz, Meals: B, L, D
Day 14: Shiraz
Departure
Destinations
What’s Included
Transport
Private Car (2 Pax), Van (3-9 pax), Middle-bus (10-20 pax)
Transfer
Airport – Hotel – Airport Transfer
Meals
14 Breakfast, 14 Lunch, 14 Dinner (Local Restaurants, Sometimes Fresh Local Products)
Visa
Iran Visa (Reference Code)
Entrance
All Entrance Fees Are Included
Guide
Professional Tour Guide
Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi
SIM
Iranian SIM Card
Personal Insurance
Not Covered in the Tour Price
Flight
International Flights Are Not Included
Other Fees
Visa Stamp Fee, Tips & Portages Are Not Included
Trip Notes
- It may sometimes happen to face official holidays during your trip. On such occasions, some of the monuments may be closed. Your guide will replace some other attractions or activities to fill your time. If the time of your itinerary allows you will visit the missed sites on other remaining days.
- Your private minibus is equipped with an air conditioning system.
- In this package, travelers will have some long walking’s. Please be prepared for this activity and take your sneakers with you.
Activities
Trekking
Do not follow where the path may lead.
Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.
“Ralph Waldo Emerson”
Experiencing Nomad Life
Let’s go on an adventure! Spend the memorable nights with a nomad family while encountering their lifestyle and doing what they do every day like milking sheep and goats, shepherding, eating local foods and other fascinating activities of their life.
Caving
Worth visiting and stunning caves and waterways make Iran’s nature mature. Iran caving & adventure tour would be a perfect suggestion for adventurous tourists.
Handicraft Workshop
It’s the time to get familiar with Isfahan handicraft. Minakari is a miniature painting with azure color that has been suited to the brand of Isfahan “turquoise domes city.” Join us to see the art of locals.
Dates & Prices
Price is on request
Please call or email us
Check Availability
Direct Reservation
