Step into the soul of Persia for 9 days on this private tour through Iran. Imperial palaces, timeless deserts, radiant mosques, and cities that feel straight out of a poem await you. It’ll be a fascinating journey!
Activity Details
Day 1: Tehran – Kashan
At the scheduled time, we’ll pick you up from your hotel in Tehran or from Imam Khomeini International Airport to begin our journey south toward the charming city of Kashan. We’ll arrive after around 3 hours on the road.
We’ll start by exploring the magnificent Fin Garden, a UNESCO World Heritage Site oasis filled with cypress trees, pools, and underground water channels. We’ll then continue with a visit to the Agha Bozorg Mosque, an architectural gem of perfect symmetry, notable for its sunken courtyard.
Next, we’ll head inside the Sultan Amir Ahmad Hammam, decorated with turquoise tiles and celestial domes. To end the day, we’ll visit 2 of the most emblematic constructions from the Qajar era: the Tabatabaei and Borujerdi houses, where stained glass, frescoes, and ornate courtyards will transport you to another time.
Finally, we’ll arrive at the hotel, where you’ll spend the night and can have dinner on your own there or at a local restaurant.
Day 2: Kashan – Meybod – Chak Chak – Kharanaq – Yazd
After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll leave Kashan behind and continue our adventure toward the desert city of Yazd. Along the way, on a journey of around 8 hours, we’ll make several surprising stops.
First, we’ll visit the Meybod Yakhchal, an ancient adobe ice house that showcases the ingenuity of Persian engineering. We’ll then stop at the Narin Castle, an imposing mud-brick fortress with spectacular views over the surrounding arid landscape.
Later, we’ll head into the mountains to discover Chak Chak, the most important Zoroastrian pilgrimage site in Iran, where a sacred spring flows inside a cave. Our final stop will be the abandoned village of Kharanaq, a maze of alleys and semi-ruined towers that still echoes with the past.
At sunset, we’ll arrive in Yazd, where we’ll stay overnight in a traditional hotel. You’ll have the afternoon and evening free to have dinner on your own and rest.
Day 3: Yazd
After breakfast, we’ll dedicate the day to discovering Yazd in depth, a city that’s adapted to the desert with ingenuity and spirituality. We’ll begin at the Jameh Mosque, recognizable by its towering minarets and spectacular tilework.
We’ll then stroll through the Amir Chakhmaq complex, a monumental square surrounded by a stepped façade that impresses with its symmetry. We’ll continue with a visit to the so-called Prison of Alexander, a building steeped in legends.
Later, we’ll visit the Zoroastrian Fire Temple, where a sacred flame has been burning continuously for over 1500 years. To better understand desert water management, we’ll head to the Water Museum, which explains how qanats, underground irrigation channels, work. We’ll end the day at the Towers of Silence, where spirituality blends with the stillness of the desert.
In the evening, we’ll return to the accommodation in Yazd so you can rest and have dinner on your own.
Day 4: Yazd – Pasargadae – Naqsh-e Rostam – Shiraz
After breakfast, we’ll set off toward Shiraz, the city of poets. Before reaching our destination, we’ll make 2 essential stops to understand the greatness of the ancient Persian Empire.
The first will be Pasargadae, home to the tomb of Cyrus the Great, founder of the Achaemenid Empire and a symbol of tolerance. We’ll then visit Naqsh-e Rostam, a necropolis carved into a cliff that houses the tombs of 4 Persian kings alongside impressive rock reliefs.
By nightfall, we’ll arrive in Shiraz, where you’ll enjoy a comforting dinner and rest in a traditional hotel.
Day 5: Shiraz
After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll begin the day by visiting one of Iran’s most iconic sites: the Nasir al-Mulk Mosque, also known as the Pink Mosque. Its play of light and color at dawn is truly dazzling. It’s a feast for the senses!
We’ll then explore the Vakil Complex, built during the Zand dynasty. We’ll walk through the mosque, the hammam, and the bazaar, where you can soak in the scent of saffron and rosewater. We’ll also visit the Karim Khan Citadel, which served as a royal residence in the 18th century.
In the afternoon, we’ll pay tribute to the great poet Hafez with a visit to his mausoleum, surrounded by gardens, orange trees, and verses floating in the air.
We’ll end the day with dinner on your own and overnight accommodation at the hotel in Shiraz.
Day 6: Shiraz – Persepolis – Isfahan
After breakfast, we’ll head to one of the most important archaeological sites on the planet: Persepolis. We’ll tour this ancient ceremonial capital of the Persian Empire, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and admire its reliefs, columns, and stairways that tell the story of an empire that amazed the world.
After this immersion in antiquity, we’ll continue to Isfahan, the city of bridges and turquoise domes. On arrival, we’ll take an evening walk to see the illuminated Naqsh-e Jahan Square. Did you know it’s one of the largest squares in the world and a true masterpiece of Islamic urban planning?
At the end of the day, you’ll be able to have dinner on your own at a restaurant and then return to the hotel for the night.
Day 7: Isfahan
We’ll have breakfast and begin exploring Isfahan, traditionally nicknamed “half of the world.” Our first stop will be Naqsh-e Jahan Square to see it in daylight.
We’ll visit the Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, famous for its dome that changes color with the light, and the monumental Shah Mosque, a masterpiece of Persian architecture. We’ll also go up to the Ali Qapu Palace to enjoy unbeatable views over the square.
We’ll then walk through the Qeysarieh Bazaar, where you can watch artisans working with metal, miniatures, and carpets. We’ll end the day with a visit to the Chehel Sotoun Palace, with its spectacular mirrors and frescoes that transport us back to the splendor of the Safavid era.
You’ll finish the day with free time for dinner and overnight accommodation in Isfahan.
Day 8: Isfahan
After breakfast, the day will begin with a visit to the Jameh Mosque of Isfahan, a testament to the evolution of Islamic art over more than 1000 years.
We’ll then head to the Armenian quarter to visit the Vank Cathedral, with its striking frescoes blending European and Eastern styles. We’ll also visit its museum to better understand the history of this community in Iran.
We’ll stroll across the Si-o-se-pol and Khaju bridges, two true architectural gems spanning the Zayandeh River, before ending the day at the Music Museum, where you can see traditional instruments and even attend a live performance.
You’ll end the day with dinner on your own and overnight accommodation at the hotel in Isfahan.
Day 9: Isfahan – Tehran
After breakfast, you’ll have free time in the morning for a final stroll through the Isfahan bazaar and to buy souvenirs such as carpets, miniatures, or Persian ceramics. At the agreed time, we’ll begin in Tehran. Arrival time will depend on your flight schedule.
Accommodation Info
This circuit includes 8 nights of accommodation with breakfast in double rooms at the following 3-star hotels:
- Kashan (1 night): Ashkoob Traditional Hotel or a similar option
- Yazd (2 nights): Shahre Jahan Traditional Hotel or a similar option
- Shiraz (2 nights): Forough Hotel or a similar option
- Isfahan (3 nights): Isfahan Traditional Hotel or a similar option
Price Note
- If anyone in the group wants to stay in a single room, you’ll need to contact the local team after booking and pay a supplement.
- Children under 2 years old can join this circuit free of charge as long as they share a room with 2 adults. In this case, they don’t need to be included in the total group size. Please note that only 1 child is allowed per double room.
Airport Pickup
As this is a private tour, on the first day we can pick you up at Imam Khomeini International Airport at the time you indicate. On the last day, we’ll depart from Isfahan at a time that depends on your flight departure from Tehran.
6-Day Tour
If you don’t have as many days in Iran, you can also choose to book the 6-day private tour.