Iran Diamonds in 18 Days

After a hearty breakfast, we'll begin our discovery tour of Shiraz. We'll start with a visit to the Nasir-al mulk Mosque, also known as the Pink Mosque, and then head to the Narenjestan Ghavam orange garden. From there, we'll explore the old town and venture into the Vakil Bazaar and Saraye Moshir where you can try the famous Faludeh. In the middle of the bazaar, we'll visit the Vakil bathhouse, which is now a museum. Afterward, we'll hop on a bus and visit the mausoleum of the famous Persian poet, Hafez. In the evening, you can relax before having dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight: Shiraz

Today, we'll set out on an excursion to Persepolis and Necropolis. After a one-hour drive, we'll arrive at Persepolis, the former capital of the Achaemenid Empire. You'll marvel at the ancient pillars and learn about the history of this magnificent site. We'll also visit the nearby Necropolis before stopping for lunch at the hotel. Afterward, we'll visit the Shah Cheragh holy shrine, the mausoleum of Ahmad Ibne Musa. The evening is yours to explore at your leisure before dinner with a Persian family.

• Family dinner 

Tonight you will have the opportunity to dine with a local Iranian family. This gathering provides an authentic cultural experience and to give you a chance to learn more about Iranian customs and cuisine. During the dinner, the family will prepare and serve traditional Iranian dishes, including main courses, beverages, and sweets. This is a great chance to try new foods and flavors, learn about local customs and traditions, and connect with local people. The family dinner program is a unique and memorable way to experience Iranian culture and hospitality.

Overnight: Shiraz

Today is a long but varied journey to Kerman, which is definitely worth the trip. We'll pass by white, glistening salt lakes (Pink lake), endless desert landscapes, and fig plantations before stopping for a short walk and some photos. Our guide will keep you entertained with a selection of Persian music. In the evening, we'll arrive at our hotel in the desert town of Kerman, where you can relax and prepare for the adventures ahead.

Overnight: Kerman

After breakfast, we'll explore the historic trading town of Kerman on foot. We'll visit the desert architecture with wind towers and the long halls of the Ganjali Khan complex. We'll stroll through the bazaar, visit the bathhouse, school, and Caravanserai. Afterward, we'll enjoy a little refreshment in a traditional restaurant before switching to 4x4 vehicles and driving over the mountains to the famous Kalut Canyons. We'll hike through the spectacular landscape with a specially trained desert guide (approx. 1 hour, easy). We'll spend the night in a tent camp under the stars and enjoy dinner prepared on an open fire.

Overnight: Lut Desert

We'll wake up early to hike through the desert before it gets too hot. Our desert guide will lead us through one of the most magnificent landscapes in the world for around four hours. If you don't want to hike, you can enjoy the peace and quiet of the desert near the camp. We'll meet for lunch around noon before driving further into the desert and arriving at a comfortable Eco Camp in Shahdad in the evening.

Overnight: Shahdad

After breakfast in the desert, we bid farewell to our desert guide and drivers and continue our journey toward Yazd. We head to the Zein-o-din traditional caravanserai, which served as a shelter for Silk Road traders. We'll spend an hour exploring the caravanserai before we proceed to the historic trading town of Yazd.

Overnight: Yazd

Today, we start with a visit to the Tower of Silence, an ancient Zoroastrian graveyard. We then explore the city of Yazd, visiting the Zoroastrian fire temple and the Dowlatabad garden, which is famous for its impressive wind towers. After lunch, we head to the Café Honar, where we can enjoy the best view of the old mud brick city. We then make our way to Isfahan, which awaits us after a four-hour drive. Our guide will recommend a local restaurant near our traditional hotel.

Overnight: Isfahan

After a relaxed breakfast, we walk to Naqshe Jahan Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, we explore the Aliqapu Palace, the Shah Mosque, and the Sheiklotfollah Mosque, which are all flanked on three sides of the square. We then visit the Chehel Sotun Palace before enjoying some free time to explore the bazaar or have lunch in one of the restaurants. Later, we visit the Azagedan tea house and enjoy tea, coffee, and water pipes. In the evening, our guide takes us to marvel at the Sio se pol and Kajou bridges, which are beautifully illuminated at night.

Overnight: Isfahan

We leave the hotel early and drive to Natanz, a green oasis located in a high mountain valley. We explore the area before heading to Kashan, where we spend the afternoon in the Fin Garden, a national cultural heritage site. Later, we visit the former Tabatabaee merchant's house to see how ancient and rich Persians lived. We then reach our hotel in Kashan.

Overnight: Kashan

After breakfast, we head to Tehran, Iran's vibrant capital. We visit the Tehran bazaar and the nearby Golestan Palace, where a copy of the famous peacock throne is on display. Later, we visit the National Museum, where our guide explains the numerous artifacts from pre-Islamic and Islamic times. In the evening, we reach our hotel and enjoy a typical dinner.

Overnight: Tehran

Today, our driver takes us to the Jewel Museum, where we immerse ourselves in the world of diamonds. We then enjoy the view of Tehran from the Milad Tower, one of the highest television towers in the world. We walk over the Tabiat Bridge to Haghani Park before exploring the modern shops and chic café houses on Valiasr street. In the late afternoon, the driver brings us back to the hotel.

Overnight: Tehran

Today, we explore the northern part of Tehran. Our first stop is the Tajrish bazaar, a bustling marketplace with a vibrant atmosphere where we can find everything from spices to handicrafts. Next, we visit the Saad Abbad palace, a beautiful historical complex with stunning gardens, fountains, and pavilions. For lunch, we head to Darband, a popular mountain resort area known for its traditional restaurants and scenic views. In the afternoon, we visit the Niavaran palace, the former residence of the Iranian royal family, which features a collection of art, furniture, and other artifacts. This day is the perfect opportunity to experience the rich history and culture of Tehran, while also enjoying its beautiful scenery and delicious cuisine.

Overnight: Tehran

We depart from our hotel and hit the road toward Sari. The train journey to Sari is considered one of the most beautiful in the Middle East, passing through scenic landscapes of corn fields, orange groves, and orchards. Upon arrival in Sari, our tour guide takes us directly to the beach, where we can walk along the shore and observe the local fishermen at work in the village of Farah Abad. For dinner, we savor the regional specialty of "Akbar Joojeh," a stuffed chicken with pomegranate dressing.

Overnight: Sari

After breakfast, we depart from the coast and head towards Bandar e Turkman, where we visit the famous Turkman bazaar. Our next stop is the Kaboodall waterfall, the highest waterfall in Iran, which is reached by hiking through a gorge in the dense forest (1 hour, easy). After returning from the waterfall, we visit the Gonbad e Kavoos tower, the tallest and best-preserved tomb tower in northern Iran and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the early evening, we arrive at our hotel in Minudasht.

Overnight: Minudasht

In the early morning, we set out in 4-wheel drive vehicles to explore the green Golestan National Park. We visit Khaled Nabi, named after a pre-Islamic prophet who predicted the arrival of Jesus, and walk through the green landscape to a former cemetery with pre-Islamic phallic-shaped gravestones that give the place a mystical impression. After exploring extensively, we continue deeper into the Golestan National Park, enjoying a picnic lunch along the way. In the small village of Tutli Tamak, we walk to a well-located lookout point to spot leopards, wolves, wild boars, maral deer, or goiter gazelles. We have free time to explore on our own before returning to our hotel.

Overnight: Minudasht

After breakfast, we make our way to Mashhad, the center of the former Persian Empire, Khorassan, and now the most important pilgrimage city in Iran. We drive through forested regions, bush areas, and grass steppes, with our tour guide finding good places for photo stops along the way. In the afternoon, we arrive in Mashhad and visit the Ferdowsi Mausoleum, the tomb of the famous Persian poet. In the early evening, our driver takes us to our centrally located hotel, passing the constant streams of pilgrims on their way to the holy shrine.

Overnight: Mashhad

The morning is devoted to visiting the famous 15th century Goharshad mosque and the Imam Reza shrine. We join the pilgrimage to enter the inner courtyard, the Harram, which has separate entrances for men and women. Women are provided with a chador, a full-body cloak, and instructed on how to wear it. During a tour of the huge complex with its countless arcades and courtyards, our guide explains the peculiarities of Shiite Islam. The holy shrine inside the sanctuary can only be entered by Muslims. Afterward, we can explore the Imam Reza bazaar, where we can purchase the best saffron in the world from one of the stands. Numerous snacks and restaurants are available for lunch in the vicinity. The rest of the afternoon is free for our own discoveries. In the evening, we enjoy the national dish of Chelo Kebab as a farewell dinner.

We say goodbye to the holy city and are transferred to the airport for our return flight.