Desert Path to Ancient Persia

Welcome to Desert Path To Ancient Persia

Almost ¼ of Iran’s area are deserts and wildernesses. Therefore, many of the tourists who have interest in deserts choose Iran for traveling, especially in fall and winter.

Also, Iran is one of the ancient origins of civilization. You can find proofs of this civilization in every place of it. From lush Hirakani jungles in the north to the mountains and deserts in the center of Iran, have traces of it. Also, the particular unique Iranian architecture in desert areas such as qanats and the texture of desert houses show that.

We will begin our Iran tour with Tehran. Tehran, the capital of Tehran, has attracted the attention of rulers in the past 400 years. You can find most of the buildings from the last 400 years in Tehran. Then, we will go to Kashan, which is also famous as the capital of Iranian civilization. Kashan is one of the cities of Isfahan and has so many touristic attractions. There, we will stay at a traditional residence and visit the historical sites of this city.

After that, we will go to Isfahan, the second touristic city of Iran. UNESCO has registered many of the historical buildings in Isfahan. Naqsh-e Jahan square is one of the examples of these historical buildings. After visiting Isfahan, we will exclusively assign some days of our trip to surfing in the desert. Also, we will visit some desert attractions such as villages, lakes and salt hills.

Continuing our tour, we will go for visiting Yazd and its Windwards. UNESCO has registered many of the buildings in this city due to its valuable and distinctive architecture. Also, Yazd is the center of Zorastorians community. Therefore, it has fire temples with burning fires as well.

In the end, we will visit Shiraz, which is a city aligned with great Iranian poets. Shiraz has historical gardens such as Eram Garden and Narenjestan as well as the tombs of poets. Also, Vakil complex (including a bazaar, a mosque, and a bath) is just part of the touristic attractions in Shiraz.

Desert Path To Ancient Persia At a Glance

Day 1: Arriving at Tehran.

Day 2: Visiting Tehran

Day 3: Driving to Kashan, Visiting Kashan

Day 4: Visiting Kashan, Visiting Abyaneh, Driving to Isfahan

Day 5: Visiting Isfahan

Day 6: Visiting Isfahan

Day 7: Ring-e Jenn Desert

Day 8: Mesr Desert

Day 9: Driving to Garmeh

Day 10: Driving to Yazd, Visiting Kharanaq village, and Chak Chak village

Day 11: Visiting Yazd

Day 12: Visiting Yazd

Day 13: Driving to Shiraz, Visiting Pasargad, Naqsh-e Rostam, and Persepolis

Day 14: Visiting Shiraz

Place you visit in Desert Path To Ancient Persia

TEHRAN

• Golestan Palace
• Bazaar
• Abgineh Museum
• Tabiat Bridge

Kashan

• Traditional Houses (Abasian House, Tabatabaei House)
• Fin Garden
• Fin Bath
• Sialk

Isfahan

• Naqsh-e Jahan Square
• Sheikh Lotf Allah Mosque
• Imam Mosque
• Chehel Sotoon
• Si-o-se-pol Bridge
• Khaju Bridge
• Isfahan Grand Bazaar or Qeysarieh Bazaar
• Vank Cathedral

Central Deserts of Iran

• Rig-e Jenn Desert
• Mesr Desert
• Garmeh Village
• Kharanaq village
• Chak Chak Village
• Jandaq Village
• Chupanan Village
• Farahzad Village

Yazd

• Fahaadaan
• Zoorkhaneh
• The Jame Mosque of Yazd
• Zoroastrian Fire Temple
• Amir Chaghmagh Complex
• Water Museum
• Yazd Fire Temple
• Alexander’s Prison
• Dowlat Abad Garden
• Lariha House Museum

Shiraz

• Pasargad
• Persepolis (Takht-e Jamshid)
• Naqsh-e Rostam
• Nasirolmolk Mosque
• Qavam Garden
• Vakil Complex
• Karim Khan Citadel
• Tomb of Sa’di
• Tomb of Hafez

Desert Path To Ancient Persia Itinerary

Day 1          Arriving At Tehran

Welcome to Iran! On this day, the Alibabatrek’s agents will welcome you in the Imam Khomeini international airport. Then, they will transfer you to your hotel in Tehran for having a rest.

Attention: There might be changes in the schedule of this day, depending on the time of your flight.

• Accommodation: Hotel (4-star) in Tehran
• Meals included: Welcoming Dinner

Day 2          Visiting Tehran

After having breakfast in the hotel, your tour guide will be waiting for you in the hotel lobby. We will start our Iran journey by visiting Golestan Palace, which dates back to the Qajar era. Also, UNESCO has registered this palace as a world heritage in 2013. This complex includes a beautiful garden and unique walls dating back to 450 years ago.

Then, we will go to the Grand Bazaar of Tehran, which is close to the Golestan Palace. We will pass through the corridors of this amazing bazaar and watch the people coming and going. It’s been years now that this bazaar has turned into the beating heart of Tehran.

At almost 1:30 P.M we will have lunch at an Iranian restaurant inside the bazaar which has exciting Iranian meals. After having lunch, we will go to Abgineh museum. Abgineh museum dates back to the Qajar era and has potteries and glasses from different ages in it.

After visiting the museum, we will go to the Tabi’at Bridge, which is a symbol of modern Tehran. This new bridge turned into one of the ten symbols of Tehran. After taking some photos and watching the view, we will go to a restaurant for having dinner. In the end, we will overnight Tehran in the hotel.

• Accommodation: Hotel (4-star) in Tehran
• Meals included: Breakfast

Day 3          Driving to Kashan, Visiting Kashan

We will leave Tehran at 8:00 A.M and go to Kashan on this day of our Iran tour. We will have breakfast in a restaurant on our way. There are many impressive traditional and historical houses in Kashan, which are the masterpieces of Iranian architecture.

After arriving at Kashan, we will visit Fin Garden first. Fin Garden and its buildings are from the Safavid era. Also, Fin bath is a part of this garden where Naser al-Din Shah ordered the murder of his prime minister, Amirkabir.

Then, we will go for visiting the Abbasian House. This house is one of the most beautiful historic houses in Iranian, and we will have lunch there. After resting a bit, we will continue visiting the historical houses.

First, we will visit the Tabatabaei House, which is an amazing mixture of Iranian art and architecture. This house dates back to the 19^th century A.D. and is also famous as the bride of the Iranian houses. Then, we will go for visiting Sultan Amir Ahmad Bathhouse. This bathhouse is a symbol of the architecture and decorations of the Iranian baths. The roof of this bathhouse is the symbol of Kashan and a popular location for taking pictures.

In the end, we will have dinner in a restaurant and overnight Kashan in a cozy traditional residence.

• Accommodation: Rural House in Kashan
• Meals included: Breakfast

Day 4          Visiting Kashan, Visiting Abyaneh, Driving to Isfahan

This day is one of the most exciting days of your Iran journey! First, we will go for visiting the ancient Sialk hills. Sialk is the name of the first civilization in the center of Iran from 5500 B.C. The Sialk used to be a temple out of clay and potter. There is a fascinating history behind this archeology complex, which your guide will explain for you.

Then, we will go to Abyaneh village. Its local architecture and buildings attract numerous tourists to this village. This village in almost 1500 years old and its houses have a stepped structure. Another special feature of this village is the red color of its houses. The houses are red because they are out of red hue, which is the natural soil of this village.

We will have lunch in a traditional restaurant in Abyaneh. Then, we will walk around the allies of Abyaneh a bit.

Finally, we will drive to the city of Isfahan, which is also famous as “ Nesf-e Jahan” (half of the world)! We will have dinner at a restaurant and then overnight Isfahan in the hotel.

• Accommodation: Hotel (4-star) in Isfahan
• Meals included: Breakfast

Day 5          Visiting Isfahan

Welcome to Isfahan! After having breakfast in the hotel, you will start sightseeing in Isfahan with your tour guide at 8 A.M.

First, we will go to visit Naqshe Jahan square. This complex is a mixture of historical buildings with a long history. This complex includes the Shah Mosque, Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, Ali Qapu Palace, Qeysarieh Bazaar and many other beautiful bazaars.

We will start visiting the sites we mentioned above. Around 1 P.M we will go to a traditional restaurant to have traditional Iranian food. You can taste Biryani for lunch, which is one of the traditional and delicious food from Isfahan. You should particularly have this food for lunch because it’s fatty food.

After that, we will go for visiting Chehel Sotoon complex near Naqsh-e Jahan. One of the remarkable features of this complex are the paintings on the ceiling of Bist Sotoon Hall. Also, the mirror arts in Ayineh hall and Jolus hall are magnificent. Then, we will go to Si-o-se-pol, which is one of the masterpieces of the architecture in Isfahan. This bridge is from the Safavid era and is one the Zayanderud bridge. Finally, we will go for visiting Khaju Bridge on the east of Si-o-se-pol.

After finishing the sightseeing, we will go to a restaurant for having dinner and overnight Isfahan in the hotel.

• Accommodation: Hotel (4-star) in Isfahan
• Meals included: Breakfast

Day 6          Visiting Isfahan

• We will begin sightseeing in Isfahan at 9 A.M. First; we will go to Jolfa street where most of the residents are Christian. There, we will pay a visit to Vank Cathedral. This cathedral is one of the historical Armenian churches from the time of Shah Abbas the Second. Vank means Monastery in Armenian.

  After having lunch, we will go for visiting Hasht Behesht Palace. After that, we will go back to Naqsh-e Jahan Square. There, you can have some free time for shopping and seeing the handcrafts or watch the view of this fantastic square.

  We will have dinner in Isfahan and overnight in our hotel in Isfahan.

• Accommodation: Hotel (4-star) in Isfahan
• Meals included: Breakfast

Day 7          Rig-e Jenn Desert

Today you will get on a 4WD car with your guide. Then, you will go to the Rig-e Jenn desert to have an exciting safari in the central desert of Iran. From this day on, you will get to know the beauties of the desert. First, we will drive to Naein and then Anarak to get close to the road which enters the desert. We will pass by colorful hills and mountains in our breathtaking journey. In the middle of our way, we will stand and camp for having lunch and having a walk in the desert.

After that, we will head to Chupanan village and overnight there. We will go inside the village to watch how its residents are living. We will have traditional food for dinner and overnight in a local house.

• Accommodation: Rural House in Rig-e Jenn Desert
• Meals included: Breakfast

Day 8          Mesr Desert

Today, we are going to another desert in the center of Iran. Mesr means Eqypt in Farsi. We will have lunch at Mesr Village and have a short rest. Also, you can enjoy the entertainment facilities in there. Then, we will go to the heart of the desert to see its attractions. Finally, we will go to Farahzad village and have dinner there. We will overnight in Farahzad village as well.

• Accommodation: Rural House in Farahzad village
• Meals included: Breakfast

Day 9          Driving to Garmeh

We will continue our Iran tour after having breakfast. You can enjoy the colorful sandy hills when we are passing by them. We will arrive at Garmeh for having lunch. There, you can enjoy the beauties of Garmeh. The architecture of the houses, palm trees and the nature of the village are the attractions of Garmeh. We will overnight in a local residence, and if you are lucky enough, you can watch a concert there as well.

• Accommodation: Rural House in Garmeh
• Meals included: Breakfast

Day 10          Driving to Yazd, Visiting Kharanaq village, and Chak Chak village

On this day of our Iran journey, we will drive to Yazd after having breakfast in Garmeh. On our way, we will visit two villages. First, we will visit Kharanaq village. Iron ore, uranium, barite, zinc, and granite are part of the attractions of this village. Also, Dareh Anjir protected area with goats, rams, ewes, wild cats, and cheetahs is another attraction of this village.

There, we will have walk in the historical texture of this village and pay a visit to Kharanegh castle, caravanserai and the bath.

After having lunch, we will go to Chak Chak pantheon. Chak Chak is one of the holy places for Zoroastrians. Also, it is the most important pantheon for them in this town and is very valuable and sacred.  After visiting Chak Chak, we will drive to Yazd. There, we will go to a traditional house and have dinner.

• Accommodation: Traditional house in Yazd
• Meals included: Breakfast

Day 11          Visiting Yazd

After having breakfast at 9 A.M, we will start our sightseeing in Yazd. We will begin with Amir Chakhmaq complex. This complex includes historical sites such as mosque, reservoir, and bazaar dating back to the Timurid era. We will continue our walking through the narrow paths inside the bazaar and enter Fahaadaan neighborhood. Yazd is the first city in the world made of clay and is the second historical city in the world. Also, UNESCO has registered this city as a world heritage. The architecture of the houses in Yazd is an example of the architecture in dry and hot regions.

Continuing our tour, we will go to the Jame Mosque of Yazd. After walking through the narrow paths between clay houses, we will visit a historic house with especial Iranian architecture. Lariha house museum is one of the attractions of Yazd and is almost 150 years old.

Then, we will go to a traditional restaurant for having lunch.

After that, we will go for visiting the longest Qanat in the world which has a water mill on it. Qanat is a channel in the ground for transferring water. The longest and oldest Qanats in the world are in Iran. Finally, we will pay a visit to Alexander’s prison. It dates back to more than ten centuries ago and is in Fahaadaan neighborhood. There are myths about this building, saying that it belongs to the time when Alexander attacked Iran. At that time, this building was a prison, but later it turned into Ziyaeeyeh school.

We will go to the Art café for having a cup of coffee and enjoying the friendly atmosphere there. While having a short rest, we will watch the sunset.

Then, we will go to a traditional gym called Zoorkhaneh and watch the moves of the athletes. Ancient Wrestling is a sport with a long history in Iran. Then, we will have dinner in a restaurant and overnight Yazd in the hotel.

• Accommodation: Hotel (4-star) in Yazd
• Meals included: Breakfast

Day 12        Visiting Yazd

We will continue visiting Yazd at 9 A.M after having breakfast.

First, we will drive to the Zoroastrian crypt. Crypt or the tower of silence is a place where Zoroastrians put their corpses. They did this because they thought dead bodies are foul. So, they put the dead bodies there for wild animals and birds. Then, they stored the bones in the well in the middle of the crypt. According to the Zoroastrians beliefs, burying the dead makes the holy element of soil polluted.

After that, we will go to the Zoroastrian Fire Temple, which is a place for protecting the fire. A fire temple is a holy place of Zoroastrians, and you should adhere to the rituals of it. Your guide will explain more about it.

At almost 1 P.M we will go to a restaurant for lunch.

After lunch, we will go to Dowlat Abad Garden. UNESCO has registered this garden, and it’s one of the oldest gardens in Yazd. With almost 70000 meters area, this garden also includes buildings, pools, and fountains.

Then, we will go to Yazd Water Museum. This place is named Kolahdoozha House initially. The underground floor of this house is where two qanats meet, which is more than 2000 years old. Also, it’s still active.

Finally, we will go to the place of our residence, and you can have some free time. We will have dinner in a traditional restaurant and overnight Yazd in the hotel.

• Accommodation: Hotel (4-star) in Yazd
• Meals included: Breakfast

Day 13          Driving to Shiraz, Visiting Pasargad, Naqsh-e Rostam, and Persepolis

After having breakfast in the hotel, we will start driving to Shiraz at 8 A.M. About three hours later we will arrive at Pasargad, Cyrus the Great’s tomb. After visiting this site, we will go to visit Naqsh-e Rostam. In Naqsh-e Rostam we will visit Ka’ba-ye Zartosht. Naqsh-e Rostam has antiques from Elam, Achaemenids, and Sassanids. Also, it has been a center of attention from almost 1200 B.C to 625 A.D. This site has the tomb of four of the Achaemenids emperors as well as reliefs from the Sassanids and Elam.

We will have lunch in a local restaurant.

Then, we will go to Persepolis or Takht-e Jamshid. There, we will start visiting the palaces of this complex. This ancient city dates back to the time of great emperors such as Darius, Xerxes, and Artaxerxes. Also, this city was habitable for more than 200 years. In 1979, UNESCO registered this complex as a world heritage.

Finally, we will drive to Shiraz. There, we will have dinner at a traditional restaurant and overnight in the hotel.

• Accommodation: Hotel (4-star) in Shiraz
• Meals included: Breakfast

Day 14          Visiting Shiraz

Welcome to Shiraz! Your guide will be waiting for you at 9 A.M in the hotel lobby.

First, we will visit Nasirolmolk Mosque. The tiles and colorful glasses in this mosque make it one of the most valuable buildings in Iran. When sunshine passes through the colorful glasses of this mosque, it makes the mosque picturesque. The other name of this mosque is Pink Mosque because of its pink tiles.

Then, we will go to Qavam House dating back to the Qajar era. Furthermore, this complex includes numerous buildings and a beautiful garden.

After that, we will pay a visit to Vakil complex, which includes Vakil bazaar, mosque, and bath. You can find handmade carpets and handicrafts in Vakil bazaar.

At about 1 P.M we will have our lunch at this complex and then continue our visiting of the Vakil complex. Then, we will go to Karim Khan Citadel, where Karim Khan used to live. The structure of this building is both residential and military.

Finally, we will pay a visit tomb of Sa’di and the tomb of Hafez who were the most famous Iranian poets. We will end our visit to Shiraz at this point. Then, we will go to the airport and go back to Tehran.

Attention: There might be changes in the schedule of this day, depending on the time of your flight.

• Accommodation: –
• Meals included: Breakfast

Desert Path To Ancient Persia Trip Services

• All transfers by private Air-co Cars
• Domestic flight from Shiraz to Tehran
• All accommodations, 8 nights at 4-star hotels, 5 nights in Rural House
• Breakfast included
• Welcoming Dinner
• Entrance fees for the monuments
• An expert English-speaking tour guide
• Travel insurance

Desert Path To Ancient Persia Trip Map