Iran: Suggested Tours

Land at Tehran International Airport under your own arrangements (We recommend the flights offered by BMI from London Heathrow – please ask us for a quotation). On arrival you will be met by a Corinthian Travel representative then transferred to your hotel located in the centre of Tehran.

Accommodation: Stay for 2 nights at the Laleh International Hotel (Standard Room) / Laleh International Hotel (Junior Suite).

Today there will be a leisurely start. In the late morning you will be met by your full-time English speaking guide. Sightseeing will include a visit to the Carpet Museum (Closed Mondays) which houses many beautiful and well displayed examples from all over Iran; the State Jewels Museum (Closed Wednesday to Friday) which holds one of the most fabulous collections of treasures in the world; and the Archaeological Museum (Closed Monday) containing a fine collection of pre-Islamic artefacts.

This morning visit the Golestan Palace (Closed Thursdays and Sundays), built by the Qajar kings in the late 19th century. The Marble Throne Verandah, a ceremonial hall containing an enormous alabaster throne, sparkles like a diamond. Prior to lunch, time permitting, you will also visit the Tehran bazaar. In the afternoon fly to Shiraz.

Accommodation: Stay for 3 nights at the Homa Hotel (Standard Room) / Homa Hotel (Junior Suite).

After breakfast drive to Persepolis, one of the world’s most magnificent archaeological sites. Known as Parsa to the ancient Persians, this site was the ceremonial capital of Iran’s Achaemenian kings from the time of Darius the Great (reign 522 to 485) for more than 200 years until its destruction by Alexander the Great in 330 B.C. This afternoon visit Naghsh-e-Rajab, the site of four fine Sassanian rock reliefs, then continue to Naghsh-e-Rostam where four giant rock-cut tombs house the remains of Darius the Great and three of his successors.

Today explore Shiraz, a city that is renowned for its Persian lyrics, roses, cypresses and nightingales. Start your sightseeing at the peaceful tomb and pavilion of Hafez. Next, visit the Eram Gardens, a typically Persian garden complex named after one of the four gardens of Paradise described in the Koran: the 19th century Naranjestan Palace (Orangery), and the beautifully decorated Nasir-ol-Molk mosque. In the afternoon visit the Pars Museum (Closed on Mondays) , the Citadel of Karim Khan, and conclude the tour at Shiraz’s traditional market: the Bazaar-e-Vakil (Closed Friday) which still retains much of its 18th century character.

This morning depart from Shiraz for Pasargadae, the capital of Cyrus the Great founder of the Achaemenian empire. Most notable of the ruins at Pasargadae is the tomb of Cyrus - a simple stepped construction that recalls a Mesopotamian ziggurat. The tomb was richly furnished, and according to various classical writers once bore an inscription which read: ‘O man, I am Cyrus who founded the Empire of the Persians and was king of Asia. Grudge me not therefore this monument.’ Once you have completed your visit drive onto Yazd, stopping en route at the attractive village of Abarku.

Accommodation: Stay for 2 nights at the Moshir Al-Mamalek Garden Hotel (Standard Room) / Safaiyeh Hotel (Junior Suite).

Today there will be a full day tour Yazd. Sandwiched between two deserts, this isolated oasis town offers the visitor one of the best examples of traditional Iranian pisé desert architecture, and is an undoubted highlight of any visit to Iran. Yazd has been an important Zoroastrian centre since Sassanian times, and still contains a sizable Zoroastrian community. The day’s sightseeing will include the Zoroastrian cemetery with its abandoned ‘Towers of Silence’, the main Zoroastrian fire-temple (Atashkadeh), Chakhmagh Square, a traditional merchant’s house dating from the late 19th century, and several fine Islamic sites.

Depart Yazd for Isfahan, visiting the small desert towns of Maybod and Na’in en route. At Maybod visit the ancient ruined citadel and well preserved caravanserai, then continue to Na’in a town that is located in the geographic centre of Iran and is a famous carpet making centre. Na’in is also noted for its very old Masjid-e-Jame, which dates from the early Islamic period and contains some features from the 10th century. Opposite the mosque is a beautiful example of a Safavid residence—the Pirnia House (Closed on Mondays). Following lunch in Na’in you will drive on to Isfahan.

Accommodation: Stay for 3 nights at the Abbasi Hotel (Pardis Room) / Abbasi Hotel (Qajar Suite).

Today you will start your tour of Isfahan, a city with some of the world’s most beautiful Islamic monuments. Isfahan’s moment of glory came in the 17th century when the town was made the capital of the Safavid empire by Shah Abbas the Great. Few people are not astonished by what they see. Start at the Chehel Sotun Palace, then walk the short distance to the Maidan-e-Naghsh-e-Jahan, a stunning square framed by the Masjid-e-Imam (Shah Mosque), noted as the supreme perfection of Islamic architecture on one side, and the Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque with its colourful detailed tile work ranking among the best in the world on the other. Next visit the Ali Qapu Palace and Isfahan’s Qaisarrieh Bazaar - one of the most exotic in the Middle East, then complete the day’s sightseeing with a walk along the Zayandeh river enabling you to see some of Isfahan’s beautiful bridges.

This morning see the Vank Armenian Cathedral, an impressive 17th century building built in the curious Islamo-Christian style, then visit the Masjid-e-Jame (Friday Mosque), a building that has been described as being an encyclopaedia of Persian Islamic architecture. Following lunch, return to the Imam Square to enjoy some time at leisure. This will enable you to revisit some of the marvellous monuments and perhaps plunge once again into the Qaisarrieh Bazaar.

After breakfast drive to Natanz a quiet mountain town which was a favoured hunting spot for the Safavid kings; its Masjid-e-Jame mosque is one of the finest in Iran and has a particularly impressive 13th century portal decorated with beautiful blue tiles and Islamic calligraphy. Next, drive on to Kashan, a town that is considered to be the epitome of everything Persian. On arrival visit the Boroujerdi House, a fine example of a traditional residence, and the city’s lovely ‘Fin Gardens’. Late this afternoon arrive in Tehran.

Accommodation: Stay for 1 night at the Laleh International Hotel (Standard Room) / Laleh International Hotel (Junior Suite).

Transfer to Tehran Airport and check in for your onward flight.