Iranian Holiday Package: Omar Khayyam

This tour takes you to Mashad (Iran's holiest city), Persepolise, Isfahan, Shiraz, and Yazd to visit the most astonishing ancient and Islamic architecture.

ITINERARY Day 1, TEHRAN Depart London Heathrow on direct flight to Tehran. Day 2, TEHRAN Upon early-morning arrival in Tehran, you are met at the airport and transfer to the hotel. After a short rest at the hotel, we spend all day visiting the capital's Archaeological, Golestan Palace and Carpet Museums. Overnight Tehran. Day 3, TEHRAN/MASHAD Flight to Mashad Visit the glory of Islamic world Holy Shrine of Imam Reza, , the Timurid Gohar shad Mosque, the Bagh e Khajeh Rabi decorated with beautiful tiles and painting. Overnight Mashad. Day 4, MASHAD Excursion to Naishabour, the home town of Omar Khayyam world famous Persian poet, to visit his tomb, the mausoleum of Shiekh Attar, the 13th century mystic Sufi poet, the mausoleum of Kamal-ol-Molk, the 20th century poet and artist. Return to Mashad. Overnight Mashad. Day 5, MASHAD/TEHRAN Excursion to Tus to visit mausoleum of Ferdowsi the great poet and the author of Persian National epic Shahnameh (books of the kings), return to Mashad for the flight to Tehran. Overnight Tehran. Day 6, TEHRAN/KASHAN We drive to Kashan (285km 3-4 hours) and visit the Royal Gardens of Fin, with its historical bathing-house Agha Bozorg Mosque, Sialk Mounds, a settlement belong to approximately 4,500 BC. Overnight Kashan. Day 7, KASHAN/YAZD Our day consists of a leisurely drive on to Yazd, (371km 4-5 hours), on the way visit village of Abyaneh known by UNESCO as a historical village. Overnight in Yazd. Day 8, YAZD/SHIRAZ We visit the Towers of Silence, , (Zoroastrian's commentary) – where the dead were left to be picked clean by the vultures the Friday Mosque, dates back to the 14th century with tallest minarets in Iran and the Fire Temple, the fire has supposedly been burning since 470 AD. Amir Chakhmagh mosque, one of the most valuable artistic historical heritages. Drive to Shiraz. Overnight Shiraz. Day 9, SHIRAZ Sightseeing in Shiraz, visiting the Eram Garden, a typical Persian garden with a 19th century palace. Hafez and Saadi Tombs, Shiraz is closely linked to the great poets Hafez and Saadi. and the then colourful Vakil Bazaar. Overnight Shiraz. Day 10, SHIRAZ Excursion, this time to Persepolis, "Ancient Capital of the Achaemenian Kings"Naghesh-e-Rajab a site of four limestone rockface inscriptions and bas-reliefs that date to the early Sassanid era. and Naghesh-e-Rostam, the tombs of four Achaemenid kings, these are two archaeological sites candidate for UNESCO World Heritage. Back to Shiraz. Overnight Shiraz. Day 11, SHIRAZ/ISFAHAN We continue to drive to Isfahan, (484km 6-7hours) en-route stop at Pasaragde to visit the tomb of Cyrus the Great, founder of Persian Empire. Overnight Isfahan. Day 12, ISFAHAN A full day sightseeing, visiting Imam Mosques with its most stunning architecture, Sheikh Lotfollah, a 16th century ladies' mosque the Aliqapou Palace, the 18th century as a functioning seat of government Vanak Church, 17th century Armenian church , the Shaking Minarets, these minarets have the unusual feature of moving from side to side when shaken vigorously, and the Fire Temple. Overnight Isfahan Day 13, ISFAHAN Sightseeing in this fascinating city continues with the Friday Mosque, a treasure architecture, Chehel Sotoun, which was built as a reception hall by Shah Abbas II in 1647 Hasht Behesht Palace with fine murals and spectacular roofs, Khajou Bridge ,built by Shah Abbas II in 1650, it is 123 metres long with 24 arches. Overnight Isfahan. Day 14, ISFAHAN/TEHRAN Drive to Tehran, (435km 6-7 hours), en-route visiting the pilgrim city of Qom. Overnight in Tehran. Day 15, TEHRAN Transfer to the airport for the flight to London.

OMAR KHAYYAM REF:OK DURATION: 14 DAYS Dates 2011 20 Dec - 03 Jan 2012 TOUR COST: £2350 Single supplement: £380 Dates 2012 31 Mar - 14 Apr 28 Apr - 12 May 26 May - 09 Jun 04 Aug - 18 Aug 29 Sep - 13 Oct 03 Nov - 17 Nov 22 Dec - 05 Jan 2013 TOUR COST: £2450 per person Single supplement: £390 What is included in the tour prices: International flight accommodation at 3*,4*,5* hotels sharing a twin room airport transfers breakfast, lunch land transports all excursions and sightseeing, entrance fees porterage English speaking guide What is not included: Iranian Consulate visa fee £95.(British),dinner Travel insurance, which we can be obtain through Persian Voyages. Persian Voyages acts as agents of Facts Travel Ltd ATOL 4109 for the international flight.