Iranian Holiday Package: Pearl of Persia

A journey to the north west and central Iran.

ITINERARY Day 1, TEHRAN Depart London Heathrow 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 and Carpet Museums. Overnight Tehran Day 3, ZANJAN Drive to Qazvin to vist Friday mosque and continue to drive to Zanjan to visit UNESCO designated Mongolian site of Soltanieh Dome (319 km 4-5 hrs) Overnight Zanjan Day 4, RASHT Drive to Rasht (348km 4-5 hrs) visiting pretty village of Masouleh Overnight Masouleh Day 5, ARDBIL Drive to Ardbil (266km 3-4 hrs)Visiting 16th century Sheikh Safi-od-din Mausoleum Overnight Ardbil Day 6, TABRIZ Drive to Tabriz (219km 3-4 hrs) via Sarein (with many natural spring water at the foot of Sabalan mountain), Visiting blue mosque and bazaar. Overnight Tabriz Day 7, TAKAB Drive to Takab (300km 4-5 hrs),visiting Takht-e-Solyman (the Throne of Soleiman) probably dated back to 3rd century Overnight Takab Day 8, HAMADAN Drive to Hamadan(280km, 4-5 hrs)To visit Ganjnemah Two inscriptions carved on the face of Alvand mountain, belonging to Darius and Xerxes. Tombs of Avicenna the great Persian Mathematician, Mausoleum of Esther the Achaemenian Queen Overnight Hamadan Day 9, HAMADAN Excursion to Kermanshah to visit Anahita Temple, Bistoun and Sassanid Rock Reielf at Tagh-e- Bostan. Return to Hamadan . Overnight Hamadan Day 10, KASHAN We drive to Kashan (403km 5-6 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 11, 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 12, YAZD 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 Overnight Yazd Day 13, KERMAN We drive onward to Kerman, (362km 5-6 hours) to visit the Ganj-Ali Khan Complex, with unique work of architecture with beautiful tile work, painting, stuccos and archesOvernight Kerman Day 14, RAYANMAHAN KERMAN We make an excursion to Mahan, visiting the Shah Nematollah Shrine, the highly great Sufi leader and the Shahzadeh Garden with a collection of pools leading to a palace. Our drive continues to the ruins of the Citadel of Rayan, remaining a symbol of the residential fortresses during the ancient times return to Kerman where we overnight at the Hotel. Day 15, SHIRAZ Drive to Shiraz, ,(667km 9-10 hours). Overnight Shiraz Day 16, 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 17, 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 18, 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 19, 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 20, 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 21, TEHRAN Drive to Tehran, (435km 6-7 hours), en-route visiting the pilgrim city of Qom. Overnight in Tehran Day 22, TEHRAN-LONDON Transfer to the airport for the flight to London

PEARL OF PERSIA REF:PEARL DURATION: 21 DAYS TOUR COST 2010: £2950 per person Single supplement: £480 Dates 2010 25 Mar - 15 Apr 08 Apr - 29 Apr 13 May - 03 Jun 16 Sep - 07 Oct TOUR COST 2011 : £2950 per person Single supplement: £490 Dates 2011 16 Apr – 07 May 12 May – 02 Jun 24 Jul - 14 Aug 15 Sep - 06 Oct What is included in the tour prices: International flight accommodation at 3*,4*,5* hotels sharing a twin room airport transfers breakfast dinner land transports all excursions and sightseeing, entrance fees porterage English speaking guide What is not included: Iranian Consulate visa fee £95.(British), 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.