Visiting Mosques, Caravanserais and Deserts of Iran in 12 days

Upon arrival in Shiraz, you will be picked up by your guide and driven to your hotel. After a late breakfast you will start your city tour with a visit to the Karim Khan Citadel. The Vakil Mosque and the Nasir-ol-Molk Mosque are also on the program. In the afternoon, stroll through the Eram Garden (Paradise Garden, UNESCO). Of course, a visit to the grave of Hafiz, the country's most popular poet to this day, should not be missed. In the evening you will get unique insights into the everyday life of an Iranian family while cooking together and can enjoy a typical Persian meal. O/N Shiraz

A short drive takes you to Persepolis (UNESCO), one of the most fascinating ruins in the world. The residential city founded by Darius the Great impresses the visitor above all with the huge palace buildings. Anyone who has seen the reliefs of Apadana or stood in the Hall of Hundred Columns will never forget this moment. Continue to Naqsh-e Rostam. There you will see the rock tombs of the Achaemenids, the Zoroastrian fire sanctuary and Sasanian rock carvings. On the way you stop in the settlement area of ​​the Bavanat nomads. Explore the area on a short hike. In the evening you reach Maymand (UNESCO), where you spend the night in a cave dwelling (shared room) carved into the soft stone - a very special experience. O/N Maymand

In the morning you will explore the cave village of Meymand (UNESCO) on a short hike and then continue to Kerman, the most important city in south-eastern Iran. You will visit the Ganj Ali Khan complex, which consists of various architecturally interesting buildings. A trip to the busy bazaar. O/N Kerman

Before entering the Lut desert (UNESCO), you will visit one of the last classic Persian paradise gardens and the mud-brick fortified town of Rayen. Drive via Shahdad to one of the hottest deserts on earth. You will also visit Shah's Mausoleum and Nematollah Vali Shrine en route. The most well-known motif of the Lut are the Kaluts. These are the parallel, meter-high chain of hills made of sedimentary rock, so-called wind humps. Wind and weather have created impressive formations over thousands of years. Explore this fascinating world on a short hike. O/N Bam

You leave the Sea of ​​Sand and drive back to Kerman, where you visit the Fire Temple in the old Zoroastrian Quarter. Afterwards you drive until just before Mehriz, where 60 km south of Yazd along the old Silk Road lies the beautifully renovated Zeinoddin caravanserai. Here you can watch Baloch people perform traditional dances. O/N Mehriz

After a short drive you will reach Yazd. The city is considered the center of the Zoroastrian religion. You will visit the Fire Temple with the Eternal Flame and the Towers of Silence - traditional air burial grounds which were still in use until the mid 1960s. The old town made of mud bricks (UNESCO) and the Friday mosque are also on the program today. In the evening drive to a zurkhaneh - literally "House of Power" - a traditional sports venue. O/N Yazd

The Dasht-e Kavir is the second major desert of Iran and your next destination. On the way stop at Chak Chak. The village, perched on a mountainside, is an important Zoroastrian pilgrimage site. You will also explore the alleys of the abandoned village of Kharanaq during another break. O/N Meser Village

Early in the morning you drive to the starting point of your hike. It goes into the desert until you reach the last settlement, the oasis of Farahzad. The village, made up of adobe farmsteads, is the last outpost on the southern edge of a deserted desert region and is surrounded by sand dunes. From there you start into the seemingly endless sea of ​​dunes. O/N Mesr Village

They leave the desert heading west. En route, stop in Naeen to see one of Iran's oldest religious buildings, a charming mosque that dates back to 960. Then we will visit the historical complex of the city of Naeen. Afterwards we will visit a caravanserai, a carpet weaving workshop (Zilo), pigeon tower, WaterReservoir, a historical refrigerator of the city of Meybod as well. After arriving in Isfahan For today's lunch, we have considered one of the most delicious dishes of Isfahan, which has an unparalleled reputation. Biryani is a taste you will never forget. Then we will continue visiting the amazing attractions of this historical city. In the evening we will visit The Khajoo Bridge, Chaharbagh Abbasi historical street and try one of Isfahanian sweets , GAZ beside the taste of Iranian tea will surprise you. At night we will visit Jolfa neighborhood of Isfahan and Vank church. O/N Isfahan

Undoubtedly, Isfahan is considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world. You will start your sightseeing program on the stunning Meidān-e Emām (UNESCO). Under Shah Abbas I, this square got its current appearance. It is lined by the Imam Mosque, completely decorated with turquoise faience, by the Safavid Palace Ali-Qapu and the small Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque with its unique asymmetrical facade. Continue to the garden palace Chehel Sotun (UNESCO): 20 wooden columns are reflected in the palace's water basin. In the late afternoon, take a stroll through the historic bazaar, located in the arcades surrounding the square. O/N Isfahan

In the morning, after breakfast, we head towards Kashan. At first we will visit Fin Garden. Then we will go to the House of Tabatabai. This house is considered as the bride of Iran's historic houses. After that, we will see the Borujerdi House. This house is known as one of the most delightful buildings left over from the Qajar era. We will visit the historical house of Ameriha as well. On our way to Tehran, we will have a short visit to the red village of Abyaneh and enjoy the combination of the pristine view of the desert and mountains. After arriving in Tehran you will be transferred to the IKA airport and you will fly back to your home ( At the airport, you can stay at Remis Hotel until your flight).