Start and end in Tehran! With the Crossing the Country: History & Adventure Tour, you have a 16-day tour package taking you through Tehran, and 7 other destinations in central, northern, and southern Iran. Crossing the Country Tour includes accommodation as well as an expert guide, meals, transport and more.
Tehran
Tehran
4* Hotel
Local English-speaking guide
On this trip, we step into the colorful nature of Iran with surprising contrasts. We will experience forest trekking in the north, mountain trekking in the southwest, and desert trekking in the center of Iran. To these, we should add cultural and historic cities of Shiraz, Isfahan, and Kashan as well as their wonderful attractions. Also, this trip is an opportunity to experience direct contact with local culture and people.
Arrival in TEHRAN. Our tour guide will be waiting for us at Tehran IKIA airport to greet and welcome us. Then, we will be transferred to hotel.
Overnight in Tehran.
Full day city tour of Tehran. Today, we visit Tehran downtown and its highlights. The Grand Bazaar of Tehran with its crowd and numerous shops is a great place to experience local lifestyle. Golestan Palace, a world heritage site, mirroring last four century history of Iran is our next stop. Then, we visit Iran National Museum and its archaeological section showcasing thousands of years of culture and civilization.
Overnight in Tehran
Today, we have an exciting excursion to Tehran outskirt. Tehran is located in southern wing of Alborz Mountains with moderate and pleasant climate. We walk through green villages at the foot of Alborz Mountains and cover off the beaten trails and enjoy the high mountain peaks, spectacular scenery and beautiful springs and waterfalls.
Overnight in Camp
Today, we drive to KELARDASHT via twisting scenic road of Chalous. The dense forests of Caspian Coast on the background of Alborz Mountains make an awesome landscape. Kelardasht attractions consist of its natural beauty including Alam Kouh Mountain, the second tallest peak in Iran (4850m), Abbas abad Road, Valasht Lake and cooler climate.
Overnight in Kerlardasht.
After half an hour drive with 4WD vehicles we reach Vandarbon Village, a rural area famous for its reinvigorating and astonishing nature. There are great peaks over 4000m, with breathtaking views. In the afternoon, we drive to RASHT CITY, the capital city of GILAN Province, through Abbas Abad Forest.
Overnight in Rasht
Today, we have forest trekking before reaching Roudkhan Castle, a brick and stone medieval castle 25km southwest of FOOMAN City. In the evening, we enjoy boating in Anzali Lagoon. The lagoon is a known site for watching rare species of birds.
Overnight in Anzali.
We drive to Tehran to fly to SHIRAZ, the city of love, poetry, and gardens where the first Persian Empire in almost 550 BCE was born and two most admired Persian poets, Hafez and Sa’di, are buried.
Overnight in Shiraz
Full day city tour of Shiraz to see its highlights including Arg-e Karim Khan, a large rectangular castle , Vakil Bazaar, Vakil Hammam (bath) and Vakil Mosque. These sites were built in 18th century when Shiraz was Zand dynasty capital. Then, we visit the Eram Garden, a world heritage site, praised for its beautiful flowers, refreshing air, tall cypresses, fragrant myrtles, flowing watercourses, and numerous cascades. Tomb of Hafez, famous 14th century poet, with its romantic aura is the last sight for today.
Overnight in Shiraz
Today, we drive to visit the world heritage sites of Persepolis and Pasargadae. Persepolis, the crown jewel of Persian heritage, is 57km from Shiraz. It represents the glory and splendor of the first Persian Empire, the Achaemenids. Pasargadae, once a great city and now a pilgrimage center for Iranians, hosts the tomb of Cyrus the Great, the founder of Achaemenid dynasty.
Overnight in Shiraz.
In the morning, we drive to YASUJ, the capital city of KOHGILUYEH AND BOYER-AHMAD Province located South West of Iran. On the way to Yasuj we drive through the city of NOURABAD. Here, while climbing we trek through old oak trees and watch a beautiful hidden waterfall. Drive on to Yasuj.
Overnight in Yasuj.
Yasuj is surrounded by Zagros Mountains. Today, we visit Dena Protected Area with 40 summits over 4000m. Dena is rich in terms of flora and fauna; trees such as Kikom, Wild Palm and Oak and wildlife like brown bears, eagles, leopards, wolves, wild cats, falcons and etc. can be found in this area.
Overnight in Camp
In Isfahan we experience the acme of Islamic art and architecture reflected in its mosques, bridges, churches, gardens and palaces. In the evening, when arriving in Isfahan we visit 17th century bridges of Si-o Se Pol and Khaju.
Overnight in Isfahan
Today, we have full day city tour of Isfahan to visit its wondrous attractions, i.e. Naqsh-e Jahan Square with its marvelous mosques, palaces and bazaar. Naqsh-e Jahan is a vast square surrounded by Abbasi and Sheikh Lotfolla mosques and Ali Qapu Palace Pavilion all chained together with a row of two-story arcade shops. Close to the square there is Chehel Sotoun Palace located inside an amazing Persian Garden, a world heritage site.
Overnight in Isfahan
Drive to KASHAN. En route we visit ABYANEH, a village characterized by a peculiar reddish hue. Abyaneh is one of the oldest villages in Iran, drawing lots of domestic and foreign tourists year-round. The different physical landscape, culture and costume have made this village a unique destination in Iran. We Drive on to Kashan, an old city on the edge of desert with pleasant gardens and old houses with astounding architecture. In Kashan we visit Fin Garden, a world heritage site.
Overnight in Kashan
Today, we enjoy awe-inspiring Maranjab Desert. To get to desert we drive through dense tamarisk trees. We engage in activities such as walking on sand hills and salty polygons on the edge of Namak Lake (salt lake). Then, we rest in Abbasi Caravanserai, a 17th century monument. Drive on to Tehran.
Overnight in Tehran
Today is the final day of our tour. You will be transferred to the airport to catch your flight back home!
