Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival in Tehran, Iran

Today you will make your own way to your selected gateway Airport for your international flight to Tehran, Iran. Embark on an inspirational journey through Persia and discover this country's deep and rich history and its archeological wonders. Upon arrival at Tehran International Airport, meet and greet by an Be Persia Travel local guide and be transferred to your hotel in the heart of Tehran. You will have time to refresh before embarking on an enthralling tour of this city brimming with Persian literature, culture, and history on the following day.

Overnight: Tehran

Day 02: Tehran sightseeing

Welcome to the Iranian capital city, Tehran. A megacity which generously replete with history and standing as one of the largest cityscapes in the Middle East, where there is much to be discovered. Enjoy your first taste of Iran's capital with a visit to the sumptuous The Golestan Palace Complex (UNESCO World Heritage Site), where you will enjoy visiting some wonderful buildings of the Qajar era. After that, enjoy visiting the Nature Bridge, the most beautiful one in the capital city, for lunch, you will head to the famous Moslem Restaurant, which serves various types of Persian cuisine. Enjoy your choice of kebabs at this restaurant in the heart of Tehran Grand Bazaar. It serves as a place to socialize and do business as much as it is a place to eat. Over lunch, you will see many bazaaris and locals gather here to chat and eat. After your delicious meal, spend the afternoon taking a stroll around the Tehran Grand Bazaar, which is one of the largest covered ones in the world. Next is a pleasant break for tea, coffee and some sweets in one of the most famous Iranian coffee houses, Naderi Café. It is a coffee house, which is known worldwide as a hangout for Persian authors and poets and nostalgic elderly in the 1940s and 50s. In the evening, you will wrap up your food tour with one lively night in the heart of the capital city. At the crossroads of Persian culture, religion, and food, 30 Tir Street, you can enjoy wandering through the most delicious street food night market in Tehran. The street is surrounded by delectable smells wafting from family-owned food stalls and carts. Your guide will introduce the best regional dishes to you. Here you can find everything from traditional Iranian dishes to western favorites, freshly squeezed fruit juices to coffee and tea. After this wonderful evening, you will return to your hotel with a full stomach and vivid memories.

Overnight: Tehran

Meals: Breakfast Lunch

Day 03: Tehran to Isfahan

This morning commences on a breathtaking drive south to Isfahan. On the scenic route along the salt desert before the holy city of Qom, first, you will visit a Sweet Factory to explore how this traditional Persian Brittle candy made. Sohan, as the Qom's most famous confection, is a saffron brittle made with wheat sprout, eggs, rosewater, sugar, butter, and cardamom. After that, you move to Kashan, a fantastic oasis city to visit the Fin Garden (UNESCO World Heritage Site), which is one of the most beautiful Persian Gardens date back to the 17th century. Then continue visiting a Rosewater Extraction and production center since Kashan is the most crucial hub for the distillation of the highest quality rose water and herbs in Iran. In the afternoon, you reach Isfahan.

Overnight: Isfahan

Meals: Breakfast , Dinner

Day 04: Isfahan sightseeing

This morning, as soon as we have had our breakfast, we start to devote our day to the exploration of the most glorious cities of Iran, Isfahan. Following breakfast, your guide leads you for a fascinating sightseeing tour around the most brilliant attractions of Isfahan historical sites. Immerse in Isfahan sophisticated charms and discover the UNESCO heritage-listed Naghsh-e-Jahan Square, the world's second-largest one with three amazing landmarks at different sides; the iconic Shah Mosque, the exquisite Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, Ali Qapu Palace. After that, you can head out to wander around two the Zayande roud River Bridges (Si-o-Se Pol and Khaju Bridges) that are the ideal meeting points for the locals. In the late afternoon, you learn about the products, spices, and herbs sourced from nearby towns and villages that are offered in the market. Your local guide will give you his best tips to pick spices and ingredients for Persian dishes as you visit the Grand Bazaar, get ready for a highlight of this Persian culinary tour. Your Iranian tour guide leads you to the venue of your Persian hands-on cooking class. The chef will first explain the techniques of preparing and cooking two or three authentic Persian specialties, loaded with different spices, fresh meats, and vegetables. Then, you will learn through hands-on instruction on how to cook some favorite Persian cuisine. For dinner, you can dine on your freshly prepared dishes with the rest of the group. After this exciting cooking class, which marks the end of today's tour, you will be driven safely back to the hotel.

Overnight: Isfahan

Meals: Breakfast , Dinner

Day 05: Isfahan sightseeing

After breakfast, you meet your tour guide at the hotel lobby and go on a guided city tour of the magnificent Isfahan located in the lush plain of the Zayande Rud River. This beautiful city was the 17th-century capital of the Safavid Dynasty. Today you start your exploration of the city with visiting Chehel Sotoun Palace (UNESCO World Heritage Site), a graceful pavilion that Shah Abbas II built for court receptions. After a short break for tea and some sweets in the most beautiful Traditional Teahouse of Isfahan, you take a relaxing walk through the Isfahan Grand Bazaar and explore elaborate conventional Persian handicrafts, artworks, and lovely souvenirs of the city. From here, you will continue the culinary adventure with a visit to a Gaz Sweet Workshop; Gaz is Isfahan's specialty sweet - chewy nougat filled with almond and pistachio. This visit is designed to give an insight into local culture through one of its most traditional confections.  For dinner tonight, you dine at Shahrzad that is an award-winning restaurant and one of the most popular ones in the city. It is a perfect setting for ordering one of the most favorite Iranian dishes, Fesenjan, Persian chicken stew made with chicken breasts or thighs, slowly cooked with walnuts and pomegranate molasses. After this delightful evening well spent, either return to your accommodation or continue to explore the city independently.

Overnight: Isfahan

Meals: Breakfast , Dinner

Day 6: Isfahan to Yazd

We start the day early and head out from Isfahan on a five-hour drive east to the desert city of Yazd.  You are stopping off at the fascinating ancient city of Naien along the way. This city also offers several fascinating historical sites to visit, including its ancient Friday Mosque and old town. Then continue your trip to Yazd, one of the most alluring cities in Persia. The ancient desert city of Yazd is well known for its unique desert architecture, regarded by UNESCO as one of the old towns on Earth, perfectly adapted to the harsh weather conditions of the surrounding desert. The Zoroastrian religion also survives in here where you visit the Temple of Eternal Fire. Next, you set out for the old Towers of Silence on the edge of the city, where in the past centuries, the bodies of deceased Zoroastrians were placed and exposed to scavenger birds, which as per their beliefs, is the most sacred method of dealing with the dead. Next up is the Amir Chakhmaq Complex, where you will admire an awe-inspiring and prominent landmark comprising of a large square, a caravanserai, a mosque, a water reservoir, several wind catchers and a portal for Shia religious gatherings and ceremonies. Yazd is also renowned for its sweets and pastries. All Iranian and foreign visitors to this desert city must visit the local treasure of Haj Khalifa Confectionery in the Amir Chakhmaq Square. Here, you can try the famous Iranian Baklava Pastries, Ghotab (Doughnut hole-shaped cookies), Lozenârgil (coconut diamonds), and Pashmak (cotton candy). Then in the old historical Fahadan District, you have the chance for a stroll through the winding alley of the Fahadan Old Town. After meeting the tour highlights, you will spend your overnight at Yazd. At the end of your today's adventuring, you will be transferred to the hotel to enjoy an evening at your leisure.

Overnight: Yazd

Meals: Breakfast , Dinner

Day 7: Yazd to Shiraz

You will leave the city of Yazd behind this morning as you head out of the city on a seven-hour drive to Shiraz. This memorable day takes you first to one of the oldest Persian highlights; Pasargadae (UNESCO World Heritage Site) was once the capital city of the Achaemenid Empire and Cyrus, the Great King of the Achaemenes, built this palatial complex in the 6th century BC. After admiring highlight today, you will continue driving to Shiraz and stay at your hotel for two nights.

Overnight: Shiraz

Meals: Breakfast , Dinner

Day 8: Shiraz sightseeing

This memorable day takes you first to three incredible Persian highlights. Your guide will explain the history of Persia through the various styles of Persian architecture across the centuries from the Achaemenian to the selukids dynasties. You will wander through 2500 years of Persian history of Persepolis (UNESCO World Heritage Site) that was once the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire. Darius the Great founded this palatial complex in the 6th century BC. Persepolis embodies all the glory as well as the fall of the Persian Empire. It was here that the Achaemenid kings received their subjects and celebrated the Persian New Year. You can explore all palaces there in Persepolis and immerse yourself in Persian civilization. Then you will proceed to Naghsh-e-Rostam, the ancient Achaemenid Necropolis where you will visit four gigantic royal tombs and some Sassanian Rock Reliefs. In the afternoon, back to Shiraz and in this most elegant city, you will visit the Quran Gate. Next, enjoy a relaxing afternoon back at your hotel.

Overnight: Shiraz

Meals: Breakfast , Dinner

Day 9: Shiraz Sightseeing

You will take a full day of sightseeing to explore both the past and present of Shiraz today. In this charming city with iconic sites to visit, you will first visit the Tomb of the Persian mystic Poet Hafez with its beautiful gardens. Next, you will have time to explore and shop in the bustling the Vakil Grand Bazaar. Before leaving the Bazaar, sample the local Saffron ice cream and the Shirazi Faloodeh. It is a delicious combination of rice noodles, iced rosewater, and sugar, then mixed with a touch of lemon juice. The afternoon will be devoted to discovering the colorfully decorated Nasir-ol-Molk Mosque (the Pink Mosque), where sunlight streaming through its large colored glasses and windows. Next up is a beautiful visit to the Naranjestan Garden, an architectural marvel from the Qajar era and a shining gem among all the typical Persian Gardens in Shiraz with its sour orange and palm trees. Time permitting; the rest of the afternoon, you will visit Hamzeh Shrine, a revered Shia shrine noted for the glittering mirror work adorning its central dome. This evening, enjoy a well-earned dinner in a top restaurant arranged by your guide. After admiring the landmarks of Shiraz, you will be transferred to the airport for your return flight home.

Overnight: No Accommodation

Meals: Breakfast , Dinner

Day 10: Depart for Home

It is time to leave this beautiful and diverse country behind today, hopefully with plenty of memories!