Ancient Persia - Modern Iran
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"Our guide was exceptionally good. His lectures were above and beyond what we had anticipated. He was kind and courteous... He answered our questions, which were sometimes quite difficult."
J. Chamberlain
Salem, SC
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Persia, the exotic land that is home to one of the world's oldest civilizations, has been known in the west as Iran since 1935, and is a modern country of almost 69 million people. Explore Iran's fabulous bazaars, admire its splendid architecture and complex ornamentation, discover its formidable archaeological sites and converse with the people who call it home.
Days 1-4: Tehran, Bandar-e Anzali, Masuleh
Begin in Tehran, sampling a few excellent museums before a foray into the Caspian Sea region. Wind along the coast from Bandar-e Anzali to the mountain village of Masuleh, built into the side of a steep hill, with the rooftops of one tier of houses serving as the street for the houses above.
Days 5-9: Yazd, Kerman, Rayen, Mahan, Jupar
Fly to the desert town of Yazd, famous for its wind towers and silk textiles. Drive to Kerman and the ancient citadel of Rayen. In Jupar and Mahan, visit textile-weaving centers, carpet workshops and local bazaars.
Days 10-14: Shiraz, Persepolis, Firuzabad, Kazerun, Yasuj
Journey on to Shiraz, an important medieval city that reigned as the capital of several Islamic dynasties. Spend a day at one of Iran’s most famous archaeological sites, the astonishing
ruins of Persepolis. Darius I initiated the building of Persepolis in the 5th century BC, a huge undertaking of art and architecture. Visit Firuzabad, winter quarters of the Qashqai tribe, and tour the weaving workshops of this nomadic settlement. Continue along a mountainous road to Kazerun to see the remains of the old city of Shapur and its imposing palace.
Days 15-16: Isfahan
In Isfahan, admire the magnificent Islamic buildings of Imam Square, decorated with pale blue tiles. Shah Abbas the Great built the graceful
ensemble in the early 17th century. Lose yourself at the covered Grand Bazaar, overflowing with jewelry, enamelware, carpets, beaten copper, spices, silks and block-printed textiles.
Days 17-18: Tehran
Return to Tehran and enjoy a farewell dinner.
Trip Details
| Length of Trip: |
18 days |
| Departures: |
2 |
| Dates: |
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April 3-20, 2012 |
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April 10-27, 2012 |
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September 11-28, 2012 |
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| Land Tour Cost: |
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5-16 travelers
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$5,895
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Plus internal air
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$150 (economy class, subject to change)
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| Single Supplement |
$1,195 |
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| No Hidden Costs! |
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MIR Signature Experiences
- Wonder at the fine bas-reliefs of humans and animals at Persepolis, 25 centuries old
- Walk the ancient mud-brick citadel of Rayen
- Learn about the nomadic clans of the Qashqai tribe in Firuzabad
Map - Click to Enlarge
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| Days 1-2: |
Tehran |
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| Day 3: |
drive to Bandar-e Anzali |
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| Day 4: |
Bandar-e Anzali, day trip to Masuleh Village |
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| Day 5: |
drive to Tehran/td>
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| Day 6: |
Tehran,fly to Yazd |
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| Day 7: |
Yazd |
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| Day 8: |
Yazd, drive to Kerman |
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| Day 9: |
Kerman, day trip to Rayen and Mahan |
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| Day 10: |
Kerman, Sarvestan, drive to Shiraz |
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| Days 11-12: |
Shiraz, with day trips to Persepolis, Firuzabad |
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| Day 13: |
Shiraz, drive to Yasuj |
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| Day 14: |
Yasuj, drive to Isfahan via Kazerun and Bishapur |
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| Days 15-16: |
Isfahan |
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| Day 17: |
fly to Tehran |
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| Day 18: |
Depart Tehran |
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| Tehran |
Abgineh Museum of Glass and Ceramics, National Museum, Sa'ad Abad Palace, Gulestan Palace, Crown Jewels at Central Bank, Carpet Museum |
Qazvin |
Friday Mosque |
| Bandar-e Anzali |
Caspian Sea |
| Masuleh Village |
Iranian Cultural Heritage Site |
| Alborz Mountains |
Mt. Darnavand, 18,000 feet above sea level, Chalus Road |
| Yazd |
Towers of Silence, Zoroastrian Fire Temple, Friday Mosque, old town, Dowlat-Abad Garden, Alexander Prison |
| Kerman |
Old Hamom (bathhouse), Hamom Museum, Friday Mosque, Kerman Bazaar |
| Rayen |
Arg-e Rayen ancient citadel |
| Mahan |
Shrine of Shah Nimatullah-e-Vali, Shahzadeh Gardens, carpet workshop |
| Sarvestan |
Sassanian ruins |
| Shiraz |
“City of Roses and Nightingales," Tomb of Hafez, Tomb of Sa’di, Narenjestan Garden, Nasir-ol-Molk Mosquem, local baazar |
| Perspolis |
UNESCO World Heritage Site, Naghsh-e Rostam, burial sites of Da-rius the Great, Xerxes and Artaxerxes, Kabe-Zardosht fire temple and sanctuary, Sassanian rock-reliefs |
| Firuzabad |
Ardeshir I Palace, Qashqai nomads |
| Bishapur |
Kazerun, rock reliefs at Shapur river at Tang-e-Chogan, remains of Circular City |
| Yasuj |
Outstanding Zagros Mountains |
| Isfahan |
Imam Square (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Ali-Qapu Palace, Sheikh Lotfollah and Imam mosques, bridges of Shahrestan, Khajur and Sio-se-pol, Armenian Quarter, Cathedral of Vank, Bridges of the Zayande River, Friday Mosque, Ali Minaret, Jewish Quarter, Royal Qeisarieh, Bazaar, Zoorkhaneh (house of strength), Abbasi Hotel |
Suggested Extensions
Combine this tour with the Essential Central Asia Private Trip. Contact us for details.
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