PERSIAN ROUTE
A cultural tour of Iran
We travel through history and art, as we explore Persepolis,the 2500 year-old capital of the Persian Empire. We see Islamic architecture at its best in Esfahan, Shiraz, and Yazd with their elegant mosques and labyrinthine like bazaars. Iran is a fascinating country, where you will also be surprised by the warm hospitality of its people.
This tour was one of the first from North America to Iran, and has received considerable coverage in the North American press (New York Times, International Travel News, etc.). After over six years, it still remains one of our most popular programs to Persia.
Day
01: Arrive Tehran
On arrival, we are welcomed to Tehran, the pearl of Persia.
After checking into our hotel, we enjoy a leisurely evening
and rest up, before our formal itinerary of exploring
this country rich in history and culture begins.
Overnight: Laleh Hotel, Tehran (2
nights)
Day 02: Tehran
Our half-day tour of the capital starts off with the visit
to the Archeological Museums. Its massive collections
include a stone capital of the winged lion from Susa and
a 6th century B.C. audience hall relief of Darius the
Great from the Treasury at Persepolis. The museum’s
exhibits date from 4500 B.C. to contemporary times. (B,
D)
 Day
03: Tehran/Hamadan (Drive 215miles / 343kms)
An early start takes us on a scenic drive to Hamadan,
one of the oldest inhabited towns in the world. An afternoon
tour of Hamadan will include a stop at the charming waterfall
Ganjnameh before proceeding to the magnificent and dominating
Avecinna Memorial and Baba Taher Tombs. Next follows a
visit to Ester and Murducai the most important Jewish
pilgrimage sight in Iran. Before we lose ourselves in
the maze that is the colorful oriental Bazaar of Hamadan,
we pay a visit to the famous 14th century Stone Lion.
Overnight: Parisan Eram Hotel, Hamadan (1 night)
(B, D)
Day 04: Hamadan/Kermanshah (Drive 118miles / 189kms)
We depart in the morning for Kermanshah via Bi-Sotoun,
where the famous bas reliefs are carved out of a dramatic
mountain. This region hosts the most interesting and famous
archeological sites in Iran. We view many Achaemenian
inscriptions including one of about 1200 lines where we
get insight into the hard fought battle of Darius, defeating
the governors who tried to dismantle the Empire. Leaving
the famous Tablets of Darius we visit the Temple of Anahita,
the goddess of abundance and the guardian of water in
ancient Iran. In the evening we visit the traditional
bazaar in Kermanshah where we’ll have the opportunity
to sharpen our bargaining skills.
Overnight: Parsian Azadi Hotel, Kermanshah (1 night)
(B, D)
Day 05: Kermanshah/Susa/Ahwaz (Drive 314miles
/ 509kms)
We travel south on a scenic countryside drive to Ahwaz.
En route, we stop at Susa, one of the oldest archaeological
sites in Iran. This prehistoric settlement (from at least
4000 B.C. and an important Elamite city) reached peak
under the reign of Untash Gal, who built Susa as his administrative
capital and founded Tchogha Zanbil as his religious center.
Tchogba Zanbil remains the best surviving example of Elamite
architecture.
Overnight: Pars Hotel, Ahwaz (1 night) (B, D)
Day 06: Ahwaz/Shiraz (Drive 351miles / 568kms)
After breakfast and a cup of “chai”, we depart
for Shiraz visiting also the famous Sassanid Reliefs and
Palace of Bishapour. Shiraz is traditionally known as
city of Roses and Nightingales.
Overnight: Pars Hotel, Shiraz (3 nights)
(B, D)
 Day
07: Persepolis
Persepolis is the last and ultimate expression of the
ancient Middle East. Nearly 2500 years ago, construction
for its magnificent structure was begun by Darius the
Great with the intent to make it the focus of the mighty
Achemenian Empire. Our tour will also include the Naqsh-e-Rustam
where hewn out of a cliff rest the tombs believed to be
of Darius I and II, Atraxerxes and Xerxes I. (B,
D)
Day 08: Shiraz
Our day is spent exploring Shiraz where we start with
a visit to the picturesque Eram Garden, famous for its
cypress trees. Next we visit the tombs of Persia’s
best-known poets: Saadi and Hafiz. While there, why not
enjoy a cup of chai at the wonderful atmospheric teahouse
where one sit on a floor of cushions and mingle with the
locals. Our next stop takes us to the “modern”
Nasirol-Molk mosque and the pretty Afif-Abad Garden followed
by a visit to the Church of Saint Simmon the Zealot with
the famed stained glass windows. This wonderful day culminates
with a trip to a labyrinthine bazaar.
(B, D)
Day 09: Shiraz/Yazd (Drive255miles / 409kms)
This morning depart for Yazd with stop at Pasargadae,
where we view the six-tiered tomb of Cyrus the Great.
Overnight: Daad Hotel, Yazd (2 nights) (B, D)
Day 10: Yazd
As Yazd is home of the more traditional Persian architecture,
we begin our day with a visit to the Zoroastrian Towers
of Silence and Fire Temple (where a fire is still kept
burning from 5 century AD). We continue to the magnificent
Masjed-e Jameh and Amir-Chakhmaq Mosques and then tour
Doulat Abad Garden with its traditional ventilation shaft
(wind tower). (B, D)
Day 11: Yazd/Esfahan (Drive 195miles / 316kms)
In the morning we depart on a beautiful drive to Esfahan,
which was a vibrant trade center, and its glorious Islamic
architecture and beautiful gardens captured the hearts
of many with the saying: “Esfahan is half the World”.
Overnight: Abbasi Hotel, Esfahan (4 nights)
(B, D)
Day 12: Esfahan
Our morning tour begins with a visit to the Emam Khomeini
Square. This majestic square, built in 1612, is constantly
bustling with activity. Then, we take in the beautifully
proportioned and decorated 17th century Masjed-e Sheikh
Lotfollah and then off to see the magnificent Emam Mosque
– one of the most stunning buildings in Iran. We
will try to include a visit to a local school. (B,
D)
 Day
13: Esfahan
Morning tour includes a visit to the 6 stories Ali
Qapu Palace followed by a tour of the most impressive
pavilion and garden, Chehel Sutoon Palace (40 pillars
palace - in reality there are 20 pillars with 20 water
reflections) built with 40 pillars by Shah Abbas. We finish
off this day of exploration with a trip to the most famous
bazaar in Iran. (B, D)
Day 14: Esfahan
Esfahan is a city one can never forget. Today’s
tour of this magnificent medina begins with Hacht Behesht
Palace, a charming garden palace, built in 1680, with
impressive mosaics and stalactite moldings. Then we are
off to see the richly decorated and serene Armenian Vank
Church followed by the glorious Friday Mosque. No trip
to Esfahan is complete without visiting the famous old
bridges that cross the Zayande River. We take some time
here to stroll along the riverbanks, mingle with the friendly
residents and join the local folks for the famous Esfahani
tea. (B, D)
Day 15: Esfahan/Tehran (Drive 256m / 414 Km)
On our scenic drive to Tehran we stop at Kashan, an
attractive oasis town, and take in its attractive sights.
We visit Tabatabaie Houses and Khan-e Borujerdi, built
as a private residence, now a charming museum with a lovely
courtyard. We then take in the famous Fin Garden and witness
its breathtaking pools, orchards and natural springs.
Next we visit Agha Bozorg Mosque famous for its lovely
portals and minarets. After lunch, we visit the exquisite
Shrine of Fatima in Qum and later we view the Tomb of
Ayatollah Khomeini.
Overnight: Laleh Hotel, Tehran (2 nights) (B, D)
Day 16: Tehran
Our culminating tour of Tehran begins with the impressive
Glass and Ceramic Museum, continues in the Sa’dabad
Garden Museum (with its 18 opulent Palaces) and the world-renowned
Carpet Museum that houses a spectacular collection of
Iranian hand woven carpets. Our next museum is the Reza
Abbasi’s. Its artifacts date back to the 14th century
and the museum exhibits stunning examples of Islamic calligraphy
and exquisite jewelry from several dynasties. The day
ends with a visit to the bazaar to pick up some last minute
gifts and souvenirs followed by a special Iranian farewell
dinner at a traditional local restaurant.
(B, D)
Day 17: Depart Tehran
Today we exchange addresses with our new friends and
bid farewell to ancient Persia. Check out time is by 1100
hrs. (B)
Departure
Dates |
| 2012
English Speaking Departures
Daily |
Inclusions |
| Tour
Price Includes |
Tour
Price Does Not Include |
| Accommodation
as mentioned or similar, including hotel
taxes |
International
Airfare |
|
Meals as mentioned (B=Breakfast,
D=Dinner) |
Departure
Taxes |
|
All sightseeing and transfers |
Insurance
/ Visa Fees |
|
Services of local English speaking guide |
Tips/Gratuities
to Drivers & Guides |
|
Entrance fees to museums and sites included
in the itinerary |
Drinks/Beverages
with meals |
| Visa
Support as required |
|
|
Tour
Price |
|
| We
accept payment in US $ (US Dollars),
CA $ (Canadian Dollars) or equivalent
EURO (for clients outside North America).
Bestway
Tours & Safaris offers conversion rate protection.
Once full payment has been received, and no
modification has been made to the tour itinerary,
we will honour that rate.
For
complete payment procedures, please download
 Bestway_Payment_Info.pdf
Note: to read this file you must have Adobe
Acrobat. |
|
Departure |
Double
Occupancy |
Single
Room Supplement |
| 2012 |
US
$ 5620 |
US
$ 895 |
|
Estimated
International Airfare - International
airfare is NOT included in this tour |
| Canada
- West Coast |
US
$ 1300 |
USA
- West Coast |
US
$ 1100 |
| Canada
- East Coast |
US
$ 1100 |
USA
- East Coast |
US
$ 900 |
|
Participants |
| This
tour operates on a minimum of 02 and a maximum
of 10 participants. |
Notes
|
Customised
Itinerary
If you would like to have a tour on dates
other than the above ones or with a customised
itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy
to work out an exclusive program for you.
Foreign Language Departures
Please contact us for information on French,
German,
Italian and Spanish
speaking departures.
You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com
or call us at 604.264.7378. Residents of
U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1.800.663.0844. |
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