Iran Eco culture and Central Desert Tour

#Arrival (O/N: Hotel, Marlik)/(-,-,-) #
Arrival in Tehran IKA International Airport, transfer to hotel. Check in and rest.

#Tehran city tour, visiting Golestan Palace (UNESCO World Heritage), National Museum/National Jewelry Museum and Grand Bazaar(O/N Hotel, Marlik)(B, L, -)#
National Museum
Today is a day to go through history from 5th millennium BC to 648 AD the pre-Islam archaeological museum covers Persia’s history to a view of Islamic works of art. We can walk to get into an old traditional café to have lunch. Afternoon visit of National Jewelry Museum
Golestan Palace
The Golestan Palace from the Qajar period is listed on the UNESCO heritage list. Build on the left-overs of a citadel is it one of the oldest buildings in Tehran. The complex has several palaces a lovely garden. The Qajar family was ruling Iran from 1785 to 1925.
National Jewelry Museum
The national Jewelry museum is housed in the Central Bank of Iran. Heavily guarded this impressive collection of jewelry is unique. One of the highlights is the Crown Jewel, last used by the Sjah of Iran.
Note: National Jewelry Museum is open only on Saturdays-Tuesdays at 14-16
The Grand Bazaar in Tehran is less than 200 years old, but for a much longer time on this spot trading as been going on. In total there is more than 10 kilometer of lanes full of stores. Each part of the bazaar as is own specialty, for example copper, paper, gold, spices, and of course carpets.

#Drive to Damqan, en-route visit Caravanserai, visit Cheshmeh Ali and Tarikhaneh at Damqan, (O/N Traditional House) (B, L, D)#
Drive via Silk Road to Damqan, en-route we will visit old Caravanserai, visiting the oldest mosque of Iran, Tarikhaneh, and then visiting the summer residency of Qajar kings. Evening check in and rest in Damqan.

#Damqan to Farahzad about 5 hours, en-route visit Jandaq Castle (O/N Lodge) (B, L, D)#
Drive from Damqan to Jandaq through the only route that connects the northern part of Central Desert to south part and used by caravans for centuries, en-route visit Jandaq Castel, we will continue the route to reach Farahzad Oasis.

#Desert (O/N Lodge) (B, L, D)#
Full day hiking on sand dunesfrom Farahzad toward Aroosan Oasis; get back to Farahzad Barandaz Lodge by 4WD.

#Drive Farahzad to Yazd, visit Anarak, Nain, Meybod and Amir Chakhmaq Sq. in Yazd (O/N Hotel) (B, L, -)#
Drive from Farahzad to Yazd, en-route we will visit Anarak an ancient city by the desert, and then we will go to visit Pirnia house and desert anthropology museum in Nain, continue the route to Meybod, visit functional pottery workshop, check in and rest in Yazd. “Amir Chakhmagh” historical zone is our evening plan in Yazd.

#City tour in Yazd, Visit Fahadan, Fire Temple, Wind Tower, Jame Mosque, Silk weaving workshop and Zoorkhane. (O/N Hotel) (B, L, -)#
According to UNESCO, Yazd is one of the oldest cities in the world; it is like a living museum. We visit the old Historical part of the city “Fahadan” in the morning, there would be possible to go on the roof of Fahadan hotel and see the panoramic view of Yazd and the silk weaving workshop where exquisite brocades are still made on traditional looms. Visiting the oldest fire in the world at “Bahram-e-Yazd” fire temple, where sacred fire has been kept alive for hundreds of years and is now a Zoroastrian pilgrim center. This is an opportunity to learn about Zoroastrianism which had been the Persian religion until Arabs brought Islam to Iran. We will visit “Jame mosque” from 14th century, visiting “Zoorkhane”, literally the "house of strength", the place for traditional Iranian exercise is our last plan in Yazd.

#Drive from Yazd to Pasargadae, (O/N Lodge) (B, L, D)#
Next day of our journey will start with driving to Shiraz, en-route we will visit Pasargadae Archeology Site and tomb of Cyrus the Great, the first Achaemenide king.

#Nomad day (O/N Lodge) (B, L, D)#
Today we bring a visit to the Qashqai nomads. The traditional nomads travel twice a year with their flocks from the summer highlands north of Shiraz, to the lower lands near the Persian Gulf, where they stay at wintertime.
Nowadays, most of them have permanently residents.

#Drive from Pasargadae to Persepolis, visit Persepolis and Achaemenide Necropolis (Naqsh-e Rostam) (O/N Hotel) (B, L, -)#
It is time to travel through history. It's about one hour to the highlight of our journey, Persepolis the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenide at the height of their domination.
Note: No backpack and tripod allowed at Persepolis.
Necropolis called Naqsh-e Rustam in Farsi. Here are four tombs, cut high into the cliff face. The tombs are from the former kings of the Achaemenid dynasty. Also several reliefs can be found here of the Sassanid period.

#City tour in Shiraz, visiting Nasir-ol-molk Mosque, Qavam Garden and Vakil historical complex. (O/N Hotel) (B, L, -)#
Shiraz is the city of sophistication that has been celebrated as the heartland of Persian culture for more than 2000 years; the city is well known for poems and tall cypress trees. In the morning we visit the astonishing colorful Nasir-ol-Molk Mosque or Pink Mosque that make our day. Walking through one of the oldest streets in Shiraz we arrive in Qavam Naranjestan Garden. Then we will continue to visit Karim Khan Citadel, Vakil Mosque, Vakil Bath and ending our day by walking in old Bazaar of Shiraz.

#Shiraz to Yasuj, hiking in Zagros Mountains (O/N Hotel) (B, L,-)#
After breakfast we will leave Shiraz to Yasuj, hiking in Zagros Mountains about 4-5 hours alongside the river and enjoying view of unique scenery of Persian oak forest special to Zagros Mountains.

#Yasuj to Isfahan, en route Kerik village, evening visit of Sio se pol and Khajoo Bridge (O/N Hotel) (B, L, -)#
Drive from Yasuj to Isfahan, en-route we will visit Kerik village, in the evening, relax in one of the traditional teahouses under “Khajoo” bridge and drink tea.

#Full day city tour in Isfahan, Visit Imam Sq. (Naqsh-e Jahan) & surrounding masterpieces and Chehel Sotoun Palace. Afternoon time to discover the bazaar. (O/N Hotel) (B, L, -)#
Today we visit Imam Square , the huge open square in the center of Isfahan with it's artistic monuments at four sides including Imam Mosque with intricate turquoise tiles, Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque with some of the best mosaics from 17th century, Ali Ghapoo Palace which was the first skyscraper in Iran and the old Bazaar. Walking through one of the largest squares in the world and visiting history, culture, architecture and handicrafts as well, is an experience you have never had before. Then we walk to the Chehel Sotoun Palace and after visiting this beautiful royal pavilion of Safavid and one of the Persian Gardens registered as UNESCO World Heritage list it's time to explore more of Isfahan at leisure time in the old Bazaar with hundreds of shops displaying the art of handicraft.
Note: Imam Mosque in Isfahan is closed on Fridays and religious ceremonies.

#Half day city tour in Isfahan then drives to Kashan, en-route visit of Abyaneh Village. (O/N Hotel) (B, L, -)#
Continuing our journey in Isfahan, we visit the Armenian quarter of Isfahan named Jolfa. There we bring a visit to Vank cathedral then drive to Kashan. En-route we visit Abyaneh village with the colorfully dressed inhabitants and the red mud-brick houses with lattice windows and fragile wooden balconies. Where the elderly residents speak Middle Persian, that disappeared centuries ago from other parts of Iran. Continue the road to Kashan.

#Departure(B, -, -)#
Transfer to Tehran IKA International Airport, departure and fly back home.