HIGHLIGHTS: TOUR INCLUDES: +44 (0)

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1 +44 (0) Home to some of the world s most spectacular Islamic treasures, Iran is a dazzling fusion of cultures and traditions, with the more remote areas of this vast country providing a rich haven for a significant Kurdish minority. Delve a little deeper into its ancient culture on this remarkable journey into the heart of one of the oldest civilisations on the planet. After a chance to explore some of the highlights of the Iranian capital, you ll fly on to Ahwaz and the southern province of Khuzestan, once the capital of the old Elamite Kingdom. Pay a visit to the once great Elamite city of Susa and explore the World Heritage site of Choga Zanbil, before following the road north, towards the Kurdish heartland of Kermanshah. Explore Achaemenid and Parthian ruins, take a boat ride through the underground caves of Ali Sadr and visit the holy city of Qom, before continuing across the desert to Yazd, one of the oldest cities in the world. Following the caravan routes of the old Silk Road you then continue to Kerman, from where you will fly on to Mashad, Iran s holiest city and the site of the revered shrine of Imam Reza. HIGHLIGHTS: Enjoy the Golestan Palace and the famed crown Jewel collection in Tehran Explore the stunning UNESCO ruins of Choga Zanbil Visit Sassanian ruins, Elamite cities and Kurdish villages Travel to the holy cities of Qom and Mashad Discover the centre of Zoroastrianism and travel the old Silk Road to Kerman TOUR INCLUDES: 3 domestic flights 13 nights three-star hotel accommodation (local grading) 13 breakfasts Accompanied by an experienced English-speaking local guide on a private basis Private driver and vehicle, normally a saloon car for one or two people Sightseeing programme including all entrance fees Private guided transfers to and from all airports *Please note the prices shown are per person and based on two persons sharing a twin or double room

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3 ITINERARY DAY 1: TEHRAN On arrival into Tehran, transfer to the hotel with your local guide. On your afternoon city tour today, visit Saad Abad palace and Tajrish Bazzar in north of Tehran. In the evening your guide will take you to Darband, where Tehranis go for an evening out. The mountainside is full of little restaurants and tea houses overlooking the stream and you can have something to eat or enjoy a cup of tea under the cool air of the plane trees. DAY 2: TEHRAN On your city tour today head to the bazaar to see the enormous market place with its shops and stalls, visit the 18th century Golestan Palace and the Archaeological museum. In the afternoon head for the crown jewels housed in the vaults of the Bank Melli, then visit the Reza Abassi Museum with its vast collection of Persian art and antiquities, the Iran Holy Defence Museum which is dedicated to the Iran- Iraq war or the Carpet Museum of Iran which houses more than 100 carpets from the 17th century onwards. (B) DAY 3: TEHRAN - AHWAZ - SHUSHTAR In the morning you will fly to Ahwaz, capital of the southern province of Khuzestan. This area was once the capital of the Elamite Kingdom and there are remains from both the Parthian and Sassanian periods. On arrival drive to Shushtar with its bridges built during the Sassanian period. (B) DAY 4: SHUSHTAR - CHOGA ZANBIL - DEZFUL Depart Shushtar and continue to the well-preserved Ziggurat of Choga Zanbil, now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Ziggurats are more closely associated with the Euphrates civilisations of Iraq and only a couple have been found in Iran. Your final stop before Dezful will be Susa, a site of immense importance in ancient times though today the area's many iconic statues and bas reliefs are now located in the Louvre in Paris. (B) DAY 5: DEZFUL - KERMANSHAH Following the road north, travel to Kermanshah in the west of the country, home to a large Kurdish minority. Visit nearby Taghe Bostan with its marvellous Sassanian bas reliefs dating from the 4th century AD. The Sassanid kings chose a beautiful setting for their rock reliefs at an historic Silk Road caravan route waypoint and campground next to a sacred spring that empties into a large reflecting pool at the base of the mountain cliff. (B)

4 DAY 6: KERMANSHAH - HAMEDAN Visit the archaeological site of Bisotun dating from the Achaemenid and Parthian times then continue to the village of Lalejin, famous for its pottery. Also take a boat ride through the enormous Ali Sadr underground caves, before arriving in Hamedan, one of the oldest centres of civilisation in Iran situated on a high plain with snow-capped Mount Alvand in the background. (B) DAY 7: HAMEDAN - QOM - KASHAN In Hamadan visit the Mausoleum of Avicenna and the tomb of Esther. Continue to the holy city of Qom, which is now a place of pilgrimage with some magnificent mosques and shrines (tourists cannot gain entry to the majority of the buildings). Continue to Kashan, a World Heritage Site oasis town, and visit the beautiful Fin Garden and Agha Bozorg Mosque. (B) DAY 8: KASHAN - YAZD Leaving Kashan, travel through the desert to Yazd, one of the oldest cities in the world and the centre of Zoroastrianism. Yazd is an architecturally unique city and it is also well known in Iran for the high quality handicrafts, especially silk weaving and its sweet shops. On your afternoon tour explore the old city with its labyrinthine alleyways and see the badgirs or wind towers which provide natural airconditioning during the summer heat. (B) DAY 9: YAZD A day for further exploration with your guide. Visits include the Zoroastrian Fire Temple or Ateshkadeh - where a sacred flame has burned nonstop since around 470 AD -, the Towers of Silence - traditional Zoroastrian burial grounds where the dead were left to be picked off by vultures-, Mir Chakhmagh Mosque, the Tomb of the 12 Emams and the Doulat Garden. The afternoon is left free for your own exploration. (B) DAY 10: YAZD - KERMAN Depart across the desert along the ancient caravan routes of the Silk Road, passing pistachio plantations and caravanserais, to Kerman. Stop off at the Zeyn Od Din Caravanserai. It is one of 999 such inns that were built during the reign of Shah Abbas I to provide facilities to travellers. After checking into your hotel in Kerman enjoy a city sightseeing tour including the blue-tiled Friday Mosque, the bazaar and Ganj-Ali bathhouse, built by Ganj Ali Khan, governor of Kerman, in the 19th century. (B)

5 DAY 11: KERMAN - MAHAN - RAYEN - KERMAN Today drive to Mahan, a lovely oasis village, home to the Mausoleum of Shah Nematollah Valli, founder of the Sufi order. Take a walk in the cool Shahzadeh Garden with its collection of pools, against their backdrop of snow-capped mountains. Continue to Rayen, a town through which Marco Polo passed during the Middle Ages and whose architecture he much admired. (B) DAY 12: KERMAN - MASHAD Leaving Kerman late morning fly to Mashad, Iran's most holy city and pilgrimage site. In the afternoon visit the holy shrine of Imam Reza and the surrounding buildings which are one of the marvels of the Islamic world. You will also visit the Koranic Museum. (B) DAY 13: MASHAD - TEHRAN This morning continue sightseeing in Mashad then visit the tomb of the famous Persian poet Omar Khayyam in nearby Neishabour. Enjoy some free time wandering around the Mashad Bazaar before catching the late evening flight back to Tehran. (B) DAY 14: TEHRAN Transfer to the airport where your tour ends. (B)

6 ACCOMMODATION KASHAN MANOUCHEHRI HOUSE A beautifully renovated historic house in the centre of Kashan in a peaceful network of alleyways. All aspects of the hotel show the original features in their restored stucco and stained glass features. The central courtyard is peaceful and faced by all rooms and the small restaurant. The 9 rooms are a good size given the age of the building and have been beautifully finished. Local handicrafts are produced in the workshop and are available for guests to buy, there is also a small cinema in the basement room for guests. KERMAN KERMAN PARS HOTEL The five star local grading Pars Hotel in Kerman is one of the major hotels in Kerman and is located very near to the centre of the city. The rooms are all smartly furnished and decorated and have a wide range of amenities.the hotel has four restaurants where you can enjoy different local and international cuisines. There is a comprehensive fitness and recreation area that includes a swimming pool where you can take a dip as well as a gymnasium and sauna. TEHRAN MASHAD HOTEL The 3* Mashad Hotel is located in the centre of Tehran, Iran's capital city and a major cultural and industrial centre. The hotel is close to the city's main shopping and tourist attractions. It offers 120 well equipped air conditioned en-suite rooms and suites. All rooms are equipped with Wi-Fi, air conditioning, mini-bar, hair dryer, complementary toiletries, slippers and flat screen TV. The hotel's traditional Iranian restaurant, situated on the roof top, looks out over the Alborz mountain range and serves as a great place to enjoy afternoon tea or a fresh fruit cocktail. There is also a spa where guests can take advantage of the well equipped gym, sauna, steam bath and Jacuzzi. YAZD DAD HOTEL In the centre of Yazd close to the old city, the four star Dad Hotel is an historic building with a large courtyard garden. The site was first created in 1928 by Haj Abdolkhalegh Dad and then renovated in 2007 with the efforts of his son. The 88 rooms are traditionally decorated with coloured tiles and Persian carpets and categories include Single, Double/Twin, Triple, Family, Suite and Royal Suite. Each room has an en suite bathroom with a shower, satellite television, a hairdryer and Wi-Fi. There is a large restaurant which has a terrace for dining with panoramic views of Yazd or in more private, stylish tents. An additional restaurant is on the ground floor. Guests may also enjoy the underground pool (women AM, men PM), Spa, sauna, Jacuzzi and massage services. Wild Frontiers Adventure Travel Ltd

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