Duration: 15 days (may vary)
Tour types: History - Culture - Nomad

Description

In April, when the desert heat begins to fire up, they will make the reverse trip to the cool, mountainous regions more than 100 miles to the north, crossing flood-swollen rivers and mountain passes to better grazing lands for their goats and sheep.

Vacation tour itinerary

Day 1, TEHRAN:

Arrival Tehran. Greetings at airport andtransfer to hotel.

Day 2, TEHRAN - SEFID AB:

Drive via Qasre Bahram caravanserai to impressive flat expanses of Great Salt Lake which we follow alongside, also passing waterholes and Siah Kuh mountains where we might watch the elusive wild antilopes, to the ruins of 400 years old royal Sefidabad hunting castle and from there to lonely Sefid Ab park ranger station. Overnight in Tent.

Day 3, SEFID AB - QAMSAR:

Drive across edge of Great Salk Lake passing scenery with huge sand dunes stopping at Marenjab oasis/caravanserai and further through Aran town with sanctuary of Helal ebn Ali to Kashan where we visit the Bazar with Timche or AgheBozorg Medresse, from there we drive to the Qamsar, a village in the rosewater production area at the heart of Karkas mountain. O/N in Golestan Hotel, Qamsar

Day 4, QAMSAR - KUH RANG RIVER - DIMEH:

Drive to via Feridunshahr and through settlements of Bakhtiari Nomads like Maydanak to Chelgerd with water tunnel feeding Zayandehrud River, from there we make a trekking excursion to spring of Kuhe Rang river, after return we drive a few kilometers to the well at Dimeh in nomad country. Overnight in Dimeh.

Day 5, DIMEH - SHAHRE KORD:

The full Day we spend visiting Bakhtiari nomads in settlements and black tents in the breathtaking scenery of Kuhe Rang and Kuhe Zard mountain regions passing Shahryari, Samsami and Juneqan where we visit the Sardar Asad Bakhtiari castle, in the evening arriving at Shahr-e Kord.

Day 6, SHAHRE KORD - YASUJ:

Drive via Shalamzar to beautiful Choghkor Lake, from there through lovely mountain scenery with nomads, shepherds and small settlements via Gandoman, Javanmardi, to Sendegan spring and continue through impressive Zagros mauntains to Yasouj, Overnight in tent by the Yasouj waterfall.

Day 7, YASUJ - PARISHAN:

Drive through area with Mamasani nomad settlements to Sasanid city of Bishapour, rock reliefs in Tang-e Chowgan and hiking up to Shapour Cave with monumental statue, then continue to Parishan, one of the few sweet water lakes in central Iran. This belongs to the area of Qashqai nomads. Overnight in Tent.

Day 8, PARISHAN - SHIRAZ:

Drive through Qashqai nomad area to Firouzabad where we visit the Sasanid Palace, after excursion on tribal migration trails to Konar Siah fire temple we return to Firuzabad where we can visit the Sasanid round city and walk up to Sasanid Castle, continue to Shiraz.

Day 9, SHIRAZ:

In the morning visit Hafez and Saadi Tomb, Vakil Bazaar and the Holy Shrine of Shah Cheragh, drive to former Achaemenid residence of Persepolis (UNESCO World Heritage) and Naghsh-e Rostam rock tombs. Overnight in Apadana Persepolis hotel.

Day 10, SHIRAZ - ISFAHAN:

Drive to Isfahan, en route visit Pasargade with Cyrus tomb, Izadkhast (from graveyard view the ruined village and caravansarai), Aminabad Caravansarai.

Day 11, ISFAHAN:

Full Day city tour in Isfahan; visit Imam Square (UNESCO World Heritage) with Imam & Sheikh Lotfollah Mosques, Ali Qapou Palace, Bazaar & the old bridges in Isfahan.

Day 12, ISFAHAN - YAGHMISH:

In the morning visit Jame Mosque & the Fruit Market. At noon drive via picturesque small mosques of Dashti and Barsian to pigeon towers in Ezhyeh, from there to the lonely fortresslike caravanserai of Yaghmish.

Day 13, YAGHMISH - ABYANEH:

Drive via Aqda, Nain where we visit carpet weaving place and Pirnia House with ethnological museum (FriDay mosque optional), Natanz where we visit the FriDay mosque and ceramics maker, continue to picturesque mountain village of Abyaneh. O/N in Local Houses .

Day 14, ABYANEH - TEHRAN:

Drive to Tehran via Qom and visit Qom Sanctuary (only possible from outside), continue to Tehran, in Tehran late afternoon free at leisure or Mellat Park resp. Jamshidieh Park, in the evening Farewell Dinner at traditional restaurant, O/N Hotel.

Day 15, TEHRAN:

Transfer to the International Airport.