Essences of Iran: From the Caspian Sea to Persepolis

Free time; we will drop you off in the Grand Bazaar area, with its many covered streets, alleys and hundreds of shops.

We are in one of the oldest cities in Iran known as "Little Isfahan" because of the similar Safavid constructions of both cities. During our visit, we will explore the Atiq Mosque , one of the oldest mosques in Iran, the Aminiha House , a luxurious 19th century dwelling, the Chehel Sotoun Palace (where the calligraphy museum is located), with its beautiful gardens, the monumental Ali Qapu Gate, the Mausoleum of Hamdollah Mostofi, a 14th-century geographer and historian, and the magnificently restored ancient caravanserai. Lunch included.

Stop in this Iranian city of Azeri culture very close to the border with Azerbaijan where we will visit the Mausoleum of Sheikh Safi al-Din, a historical complex that houses the tomb of the religious leader and Sufi poet, Sheikh Safi al-Din. This mausoleum is an important pilgrimage site and an impressive example of Islamic architecture, a World Heritage Site. We will also visit the Museum of Anthropology , with its traditional bath. Later, we will have free time to wander around its beautiful covered bazaar and the city center. Lunch included.

Given its location, Tabriz has historically been an important crossroads of cultures and has been inhabited by people from all over the Middle East (Armenians, Azerbaijanis, Georgians, Kurds, Persians, Turks, Arabs, etc.). Today, its population is mostly Azeri-speaking. In the evening, we will walk through El-Goli Park, a pleasant park with a large lagoon in the center surrounded by small restaurants. Dinner included.

We will visit the blue mosque , built in the 15th century but badly damaged in an earthquake; we will visit the Azerbaijan museum where we will learn about its collections from different periods. We will also pass in front of the mausoleum of the poets, where we learn about the rich cultural heritage in poetry that Iran and Arg-e-Alishah have - remains of the great fortress and walls that the city had. At the end of the morning we will leave the city, a little less than an hour away KANDOVAN , a very picturesque mountain town, for more than 800 years its inhabitants have resided in troglodyte homes, it reminds us of the Cappadocia region in Turkey. Lunch included. In the afternoon we return to TABRIZ, you will have plenty of free time to visit the BAZAAR , declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the largest covered bazaar in the world , important for centuries because it is located on the Silk Road (cited by Marco Polo and Ibn Batuta), the carpet area stands out.

We will visit the SAINT STEPANOS MONASTERY, an Armenian monastery declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, built in the 9th century (rebuilt after an earthquake in the 17th century). We also visit the Choopan chapel, walled under ocher mountains, and also a world heritage site, the Khaje Nazar Caravanserai, lunch included. A time for a walk next to the very pleasant Ruined Mill waterfalls. Free time.

This city inhabited over 4000 years ago, legend says that Zoroaster was born here and that one of the wise men was buried here. The city located near the largest lake in Iran, with salt water and presenting vivid contrasts in its colors. We visit Urmia, a city known for its religious and ethnic diversity, home to a significant population of Christians, Orthodox, Chaldeans and the Assyrian community. We will visit some of its churches: Naneh Maryam Church was built in the 3rd century, being the oldest Christian temple in Asia. We also visit Maserkis church and Seh Gombad , a cylindrical tower from the 12th century and the Friday mosque.

The remains of this ancient citadel date back to 7000 BC. The fabulous gold vase with reliefs of chariots and soldiers, dating back almost 3000 years, which is in a museum in Tehran, comes from this town.

With a climate, usually cooler than in other regions, we start our visit in GANJNAMEH , a historical place five kilometers from Hamadan, at the foot of a large mountain, in a beautiful landscape between trees where we can see the ancient cuneiform inscriptions of the fifth century BC engraved in the rock. Time for a walk next to the waterfall. We include (sometimes closed due to weather conditions or other reasons) the cable car that takes us up the mountain, where we have a magnificent view, in winter, it is often snowy. Lunch included. After lunch, we visit the museum of the war with Iraq , a monumental and magnificent museum that exhibits the Iranian vision of the war with Iraq that took place in the 80s and that makes us reflect and wish for peace on our planet. After that, we visit the archaeological site of Hegmataneh, and the museum about the city that existed at this point 2800 years ago. In the center of the city, we visit the Mausoleum-Museum of Avicenna, Persian genius, doctor, philosopher, astronomer and scientist who wrote almost 300 books. We will also pass by the place where the tomb of Baba Taher (poet of the 11th century) is located and the garden square where there is a large statue of a lion made in the time of Alexander the Great. During the visit, if possible, we will visit one of the places where Pahlevani/zoorkhaneh rituals are celebrated, a tradition of martial arts and athletics with which Persian warriors trained physically and spiritually. These rituals have been declared intangible world heritage, many of the instruments that appear are similar to those existing in today´s gymnasiums. Free time to stroll around the bazaar.

Tens of thousands of pilgrims visit Qom every year. Qom is known for being a major center of Shia Islamic studies and is home to numerous religious schools and seminaries, as well as Al-Mustafa Islamic University, which attracts students from all over the world. Accompanied by an Islamic scholar we will visit the sacred mausoleum (courtyards and outdoor areas) and he will introduce us to Islam in its Shiite branch, enveloping us in the atmosphere of this holy place. After that, we´ll visit Imam Khomeini´s house . Free time in the city´s bazaar, with its many shops specializing in prayer and religious objects. Lunch included.

We´ll stroll through the gardens, the palace and the baths.

Its cool climate, red clay houses, its own cultural traditions (including an ancient dialect and traditional dress) and its mausoleum will leave us with indelible memories.

Arrival at the end of the day. We are in a city with an impressive architectural and cultural heritage: mosques, palaces, bridges and bazaars with delicious handicrafts. This city, inhabited for over 5000 years, was the capital of the Persian Empire. Upon arrival, we´ll walk across the historic Si-O-Se Pol Bridge, "the bridge of thirty-three arches" illuminated.

We are at the center of Persian culture, inhabited for more than 4000 years. A city of nightingales and poets, it was the capital of Persia for a period in the 18th century. In the afternoon we will visit 2 of the mausoleums of the great names of Persian literature born in Shiraz, the gardens and the mausoleum of Hafez of Shiraz , a Sufi poet and mystic of the 14th century and who today remains one of the most beloved figures by the Iranian people, who memorize his verses or seek advice in his texts and the gardens and mausoleum of Saadi , another great Persian poet of medieval times with a deep sensitivity. popular in this city.

This World Heritage Site was built 2700 years ago to be the capital of the Achaemenid empire. Its stone palaces, its carvings showing historical and ritual scenes, as well as details about the kings and the court, show us one of the first great cultures of humanity.

Nearby we will visit Naghsh Rostam, the cemetery of the emperors with their tombs in the stone. After the visit, we´ll return to Shiraz, where we´ll visit the Nasir Almolk Mosque (Pink Mosque) to admire the light filtering through the colorful stained glass windows, the Naranjestan Qavam Garden, and the Zandyeh compound , which includes the Vakil Bazaar, Saray-e Moshir, Vakil Mosque, Vakil Bath, and Karim Khan Citadel. We will return to the hotel for a short break and before heading out for dinner with a local family in their home (Note: if there is a case this is not possible, a dinner in a restaurant with live music will be included).