15 Day Incredible Persia
This tour is categorised as 4 out of 5
Packed itinerary with maximum exploration: Embark on a whirlwind sightseeing tour with minimal downtime. This tour maximises your exploration, keeping you on the move and ticking off must-see locations. A good fitness level and mobility are required to keep pace with this action-packed adventure!
As a general requirement across all of our trips, you may be required to walk up and down stairs, get on and off transportation, handle your own luggage, and participate in all scheduled sightseeing that may be conducted on uneven ground and terrain. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability and where required, supporting documentation may be requested to ensure that we are comfortable that you will enjoy your trip.
This tour is fully escorted by a dedicated tour leader who will accompany you throughout the tour. If your tour includes multiple countries, you will be met by a new tour leader in each country and any internal flights included will be unescorted.
Experience a superior level of comfort. Our Small Group tours have been crafted for Inspiring Vacations travellers exclusively, with personal and unique experiences in mind. Travel with no more than 26 people, allowing for a more personalised and immersive experience. Please see the Important Information on your selected tour for the exact group size.
Good quality properties chosen for their modern facilities and amenities, typically ideally located, offering easy access to the city centre.
Hotel stars are based on local ratings provided and the expected standard may differ depending on the destination. Hotels listed within the itinerary are indicative of the typical hotel we intend to use for that package but is subject to change.
✓ Intimate group experience, with no more than 16 people
✓ Return international airfares with a full-service airline
✓ Return internal airfares from Shiraz to Tabriz
✓ Return airport transfers
✓ 12 nights in comfortable four-star accommodation
✓ 1 night in an incredible restored Caravanserai on the Old Silk Road
✓ Most meals included, with daily breakfasts, 9 lunches and 6 dinners
✓ Fully escorted tour with an English-speaking guide throughout
✓ Incredible sightseeing with entry fees included – See stunning mosques, palaces, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Persepolis, traditional villages and desert towns
✓ Comfortable, dedicated private transportation throughout
✓ 24/7 customer service and your own Dedicated Support Agent
Travel with the experts for a carefully curated, value-packed discovery of the world's most iconic destinations. Our tours are bursting with must-see sights, rich experiences and quality inclusions, all at an unbeatable price. Bucket list dreams are ticked off on these all-encompassing journeys.
Welcome to Iran! Today your incredible adventure begins as you arrive into Tehran International Airport where you will be greeted by our representative and transferred to your hotel. After checking in, the remainder of the day is yours to rest after your flight or to begin exploring Iran’s magnificent capital city.
Please note: Some flights may depart the day before.
Check in: Passengers will be arriving at various times throughout the day from as early as 6am through to late evening. If arriving prior to standard check-in time, which is generally 3pm local time, you are welcome to leave your luggage with hotel reception and explore your surroundings until check-in becomes available, as there are generally no scheduled activities on Day 1 of the itinerary. The hotel may grant early check-in, however this is strictly subject to availability and at the hotels discretion.
Following a lovely breakfast at the hotel this morning we will set out on a sightseeing tour of Tehran. With a population of around 8.7 million in the city and 15 million in the larger metropolitan area of Greater Tehran, Tehran is the most populous city in Iran and Western Asia. We’ll begin our tour with a visit to the Niavaran and Saad Abad Palaces. Niavaran Palace is a historical and cultural complex which is situated in the northern part of Tehran, called Shemiranat. It consists of several palace buildings and monuments dating back to the Qajar and Pahlavi eras and is surrounded by the beautiful Niavaran Garden. Saad Abad Palace Complex is located in the west of Golab Darreh, a small state in the north of Tehran. It was first inhabited by the Qajar monarch and shows a historic Pahlavi era trend. The complex contain 21 museums which are opened to visitors and the official residence of the President of Iran is located adjacent to the complex. After our visit here, you may spend the rest of the day at leisure or participate in our bonus Inspiring Sight in order to enhance your experience.
You may choose to include 2 optional Inspiring Sights throughout your tour, free as part of your package.
Experience the exciting nightlife of Tehran with your guide, strolling around the city and soaking up a different local perspective. You’ll wander across the stunning, ultra-modern Tabiat Bridge, a 270-metre bridge connecting two public parks, Taleghani Park and Abo-Atash Park. Both of the parks contain beautiful views, courtyards, great restaurants and modern cafes.
This morning we will depart from Tehran to begin our drive to Isfahan. En route we will be stopping to visit Tabatabaei House and Fin Garden in Kashan. As an outstanding epitome of Persian gardens, this lush garden lies south of Kashan, in the vicinity of Fin village. Rising in a desert landscape and soothing the soul with its beauty, this enchanting garden is lined with cedar trees and numerous fountains and was designed for Shah Abbas. Spread over 5,000 square meters, Tabatabaei House is a famous historical house which was built by the affluent Tabatabaei family with luxurious decorations, originality of architecture and the appropriate design for climatic conditions of the region. As a masterpiece of Iranian residential mansions, this impressive building consists of four beautiful courtyards, delightful wall paintings and elegant stained glass windows. After our tour here, we will continue on our drive towards Isfahan where we will arrive in the evening.
Today we will be setting out in the morning to join our guide on a lovely walking tour of Isfahan. We will begin by walking from the hotel for about 10 minutes to reach Naqsh-e Jahan Square, situated in the centre of the city. Constructed between 1598 and 1629, it is now an important historical site, and one of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites. Here we will visit Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, one of the architectural masterpieces of Iranian architecture built during the Safavid Empire. It stands on the eastern side of the square and is located opposite the Ali Qapu building. The Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque features no minarets, an exquisite dome, fascinating tile works and brilliant calligraphy - one of the major Islamic art forms. Next we will tour the neighbouring Ali Qapu Palace, originally built in the Teimoorian period but repeatedly repaired and improved during the Safavid era in the 17th century. It’s name means “Lofty Gate”, as it was originally designed as the entrance to the Safavid Palace. It stands 48 meters high, with 7 floors and special decorations on the west side of Naqsh-e Jahan Square. After our tour here we will visit the Royal Mosque (also known as the Shah Mosque or Imam Mosque) which presents the rich history, art and culture of Isfahan city with elaborate architecture typical of Persian Mosques. Its construction began in 1611, and its splendour is mainly due to the beauty of its seven-colour mosaic tiles and calligraphic inscriptions. The reflection of sound and acoustic effect in the southern part of the dome is an interesting point. Upon completion of our tour here, the rest of the day will be free for you to relax or continue exploring.
After breakfast this morning we will set out for more city touring. First we will visit the jaw-dropping Jameh Mosque (also known as the Friday Mosque), the Grand Mosque of Isfahan. It was built by the Seljuk ruler, Malik Shah in 1072 and is the most excellent example of the four-iwan court mosque design. It has been described as a stunning example of mosque architecture evolution over 12 centuries and is the oldest edifice of its type in Iran. Next we will visit Vank Church (The Church of the Saintly Sisters), which is placed in one of the oldest parts of Isfahan called Jolfa and constructed in a barberry garden. The church has a great dome, high ceilings and beautiful arches and is currently a vicarage for Armenians in Iran and India. The creation story of Adam and Eve, depicted by Armenian artists, can be seen around the central dome. Later this evening we will depart Isfahan and begin our drive to the city of Yazd, where we will check into our hotel for the night.
This morning we will begin a guided tour of the beautiful desert town of Yazd. Because of generations of adaptations to its desert surroundings, Yazd contains very unique Persian architecture. It is nicknamed the "City of Windcatchers" from its many examples. Yazd is also known as the City of Bicycles, because of its old history of bike riders. We will begin our tour at the Tower of Silence, a circular, raised structure used by the Zoroastrian for exposure of the dead. The tower, also known as a Dakhme, originally denoted any place for the dead. Next we will be visiting the Zoroastrian Fire Temple. This is the most important of the fire temples, built in 1934 and the only fire temple in Iran that houses the Atash Varham, meaning ‘victorious fire’. It is believed that the secret flame behind the glass here has been burning for about 1500 years. After our tour here we will head to the grand congregational Jameh Mosque of Yazd, dating back to the 12th century and regarded as a truly outstanding building. It is believed that the mosque was built on the ruins of the Sassanid fire temple by Ala'oddoleh Garshasb during the Al-e-Bouyeh dynasty and was largely rebuilt in the 14th century. Following this we will visit the Water Museum, one the most valuable architectural monuments of the city, situated in the Kolahdouz-Ha house in the north of Chakhmagh Square. The museum showcases the region's ancient aqueduct construction, featuring tools and technology exhibits. This building was inaugurated in Yazd city in 1379. After this final stop on our tour today, the rest of the afternoon is yours to spend at leisure or to participate in our bonus Inspiring Sight in order to enhance your experience.
You may choose to include 2 optional Inspiring Sights throughout your tour, free as part of your package.
Award your tastebuds with a fabulous tasting of some of Iran’s most treasured delicacies. Your guide will take you to the confectionery where you will experience a delectable tasting of the traditional sweets of Yazd.
Today you may spend the morning at leisure, relaxing or future exploring this stunning town. In the afternoon, we will check out of the hotel and drive a short distance from Yazd to the Zeinodin desert. Here we will arrive at the Zeinodin Caravanserai, where we will be spending the evening. The caravanserai dates to the 16th century and is situated on the ancient Silk Road. It is one of 999 such inns that were built during the reign of Shah Abbas I to provide facilities to travelers. In earlier centuries, it was reached after a two-day camel ride from south of Yazd. The caravanserai's exterior view appears rather plain, but its interior is very well furnished in its original form making it an atmospheric and fascinating place to stay. Here we will relax and ponder life in Zeinodin, enjoying its scenic surroundings. This evening you will have the opportunity to participate in another one of our bonus Inspiring Sights in order to enhance your experience.
You may choose to include 2 optional Inspiring Sights throughout your tour, free as part of your package.
Zoorkhaneh is form of martial arts originally used to train warriors in Iran and adjacent lands. It is a symbol of strength, reinforcing the virtues of sportsmanship, modesty, humbleness and avoidance of arrogance. It’s a must see attraction to learn more about local culture.
Today we depart Zeinodin and drive towards the city of Shiraz in south-central Iran. Upon arrival, the remainder of the day is yours to spend at leisure, relaxing at the hotel or exploring the local area. Shiraz is known for its literary history and many gardens and there is no end to the lovely places available to explore.
This morning we will take a short drive out of Shiraz to visit Persepolis, a magnificent pre-Islamic Persian ruins site from the Achaemenid dynasty, 530 BC. Persepolis is registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site and historically was the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire. The earliest remains of Persepolis date back to 515 BCE. After a guided tour through these magnificent ruins, we will drive onwards to Naqsh-e Rustam, the Ancient Necropolis of Powerful Persian Kings and one of the greatest cultural attractions of Iran. It is also a registered World Heritage site and hosts Achaemenid, Sassanian, Elamite and Qajar tombs, bass reliefs and inscriptions. Following our visit here we will drive back to Shiraz, where you may spend the evening at leisure.
Today we will be enjoying a full day guided tour of Shiraz. We will begin bright and early with a visit to Nasir Ol Molk Mosque (also known as Pink Mosque), which comes to life with the sunrise. You can witness gorgeous colours dancing on the mosque throughout the day like whirling dervishes, but this phenomenon is the most pronounced in the early morning. The light reflects on the ground, walls, arches and towering spires. Built in late 19th century, it is a celebration of both classic and modern times embedded in Islamic heritage. After our visit here we will enjoy a tour at Hafez tomb and the Eram Garden (also aptly known as the Garden of Paradise). The establishment of the Eram Garden dates back to the Seljuk dynasty in the 16th century. The refreshing air of this beautiful historic garden is due both to its many old trees, in particular the famous 100 year old cypresses and to the high plant diversity it contains. It is used as a flower exhibition every year. The carvings, tiling and other architectural remnants contained within the Eram Garden have made a masterpiece for the Qajar period. Finally, we will visit the bustling Vakil Bazaar, where we’ll have the opportunity to enjoy many examples of Iranian art. The bazaar was originally built by Karim Khan Zand as part of his plan to turn Shiraz into a busy trading center. The well-planned bazaar consists of various branches with a main axis including five entrances with two rows of shops perpendicular to each other. The white welted brick avenues are prime examples of Zand architecture. Following our tour you may choose to spend the rest of the day at leisure or to participate in another one of our bonus Inspiring Sights in order to enhance your experience.
You may choose to include 2 optional Inspiring Sights throughout your tour, free as part of your package.
This tour will add some magnificent sights that were not apart of our city tour today. We will visit the incredible Shiraz Zandiyeh complex, located in the centre of Shiraz, situated among some of the oldest streets in the city. Here we will visit the Karimkhani Citadel, Pars Museum, Nazar Gardens, water cistern and Vakil mosque.
This morning we’ll be catching an early domestic flight from Shiraz to Tabriz in northwestern Iran. Upon arrival we will join our guide on a sightseeing tour of the city. Our first stop will be a visit to Kabud Mosque, also known as Blue Mosque or Jahan Shah’s Mosque. It is a very unique structure with an eyeful of breathtaking architecture in a vibrant, sky-blue colour. According to the Kabud Mosque Inscription, the monument’s construction goes back to the ninth century. Following this we will then visit the Azarbayjan Museum, one of the most significant museums in Iran. It is located in Tabriz, near Kabud Mosque and was established in 1958. This museum is considered the second greatest museum of Iran after the Tehran National Museum. It has a collection belonging to many different periods of Iran’s history. Our city tour will end with a visit to the tomb of Mohammad Hossein Shahriar, the famous poet of Iran. Upon completion of our tour, the rest of the day is yours to spend at leisure or to participate in another one of our bonus Inspiring Sights in order to enhance your experience.
You may choose to include 2 optional Inspiring Sights throughout your tour, free as part of your package.
With our guide we will visiting the bustling Bazaar of Tabriz, one of the oldest bazaars in the Middle East and the largest covered bazaar in the world. Tabriz has been a place of cultural exchange since antiquity and this will provide an outstanding Iranian experience.
After our breakfast at the hotel this morning we will drive a short distance out of the city to Kandovan where we will visit a traditional Iranian village. Kandovan village is famous for its most unique feature - the fact that all of its houses are not built on a mountain, but within a mountain. This extraordinary ancient village exemplifies man-made cliff dwellings which are still inhabited today. An interesting aspect about this rocky countryside is the fact that the rock acts as an energy efficient, insulating material, keeping the house cool during summer and warm during winter. Quaint and mysterious, this cave-dwelling village will make you feel like you are on the set of a movie. In the evening, we will return to Tabriz.
Today we will catch another early morning domestic flight from Tabriz back to the capital, Tehran. Upon arrival we will spend our final day in Iran touring this wonderful city. We will visit the superb Golestan Palace, also known as Palace of Flowers, the vestige of Iranian civilization that recently has been registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is the former royal Qajar complex and one of the oldest historic monuments in the city of Tehran. Following our tour here we will ramble through the enormous adjacent bazaar. Next we’ll have the opportunity to try some fine Iranian cuisine such as dizi (soup stew mashed into a paste) while enjoying traditional music at a local restaurant. Finally, we’ll visit the magnificent National Museum in downtown Tehran. With an area of 20,000 square meters, it was built more than 70 years ago and offers the best historical and archaeological artifacts among more than 300,000 objects. Here we will witness findings from all of ancient Iran through the different eras. The exhibits include statues, vases, textiles, coins, pottery vessels, and weapons. After our visit here, our city tour is concluded and you may spend your final evening in Iran however you wish.
This morning after breakfast marks the end of your amazing tour through Iran. We hope you have enjoyed this fascinating country. At the appropriate time you will be transferred from your hotel to the airport to board your flight back home.
Check out: Passengers will be departing at various times throughout the day. Standard hotel check-out times will apply no matter what time your flight is scheduled to depart. Check-out time is generally anywhere from 10am-12pm. You are welcome to leave your luggage at hotel reception and spend your final moments of free time exploring the area or alternatively please speak with hotel staff if you would like to extend your check-out time. Please note this service is subject to availability and will likely come at an additional cost. Your tour guide (or hotel staff) will confirm the time of your airport transfer with you directly.
Arrive home today, with memories to last a lifetime.
Inspiring Stay
Inspiring Sights
To enhance your journey, we're offering guests 2 bonus sightseeing experiences out of a choice of 5 options (further details listed under 'Optional Tours').
Inspiring Tastes
Refundable deposit within 28 days of purchase:
For cancellations made within 28 days of paying the deposit on any tour, your deposit can be refunded in full or can be transferred to a new booking should you decide to change to another package or destination. Please note this change of mind guarantee does not apply for bookings made within 90 days of departure, after which time our standard 48 hour cooling off period applies. After this time, your booking becomes non-refundable.
All cancellation or change requests must be advised in writing to our Customer Service Team at support@inspiringvacations.
Refund times will vary and the timeframe of which will be advised at the time of cancellation. Any refund of deposit will be issued back to the original form of payment.
Any bookings made prior to 13 March 2020 must abide by the original payment term conditions.
Transferrable second installment up until 90 days before scheduled departure:
Following the second installment payment and up until 90 days before your departure only, should you wish to postpone your travel or transfer to another package, we can provide you with a credit note of the current balance paid on your booking, to be used to rebook within 18 months of the credit being issued.
Any change request must be advised in writing to our Customer Service Team at support@inspiringvacations.
Any bookings made prior to 13 March 2020 must abide by the original payment term conditions.
Please refer to our full Terms and Conditions for more details
Deposit & Payments
Booking Process
Airfare Information
Premium Economy or Business Class upgrades
Please specify this as a 'Special Request' when completing your booking and you will be quoted for the additional fare. In the event your selection is unavailable, or that you are dissatisfied with the quote, you will be provided with a full refund.
Land Only discount
A reduction of $2,000 per person applies if you wish to arrange your own airfares. To purchase a land-only fare, please select this option in the booking process under 'Departure City'.
Please note, if you are not arriving or departing as per the group itinerary, airport transfers are also no longer included. If you would like us to arrange this service for you, please refer to the ‘Extra services’ section for pricing.
Extending Your Stay
Some customers like to enhance their holiday by extending their stay pre- and/or post-tour or including a stopover in another destination. If you wish to do so, please follow these steps:
By choosing to extend your stay, please note that a supplement of $150 per person, plus applicable fare and tax differences will apply. We will contact you via email with a quote and proposed flight itinerary, and then proceed with collecting the additional payment required to confirm your request.
You can enhance your holiday by arriving or departing before or after the tour, adding a stopover package en-route or booking a tour extension. On this tour you can choose from the following options:
Pre and post tour accommodation (deviating from group flights forfeits your group airport transfers)
Arrival and departure airport transfers
Please specify in the 'Special Request' field when making your purchase your preferred travel arrangements and if you would like our team to book additional nights' accommodation and/or airport transfers. The additional cost for these land arrangements will be added to your final payment invoice and are subject to availability.
Please note, the transfers are not private and you may be grouped with other Inspiring Vacations customers.
To enhance your journey, we're offering two (2) free sightseeing experiences out of a choice of 5 options, listed below. Guests can also purchase any of the remaining 3 sightseeing experiences:
Optional tours can be selected once you have finalised your tour purchase and paid your deposit. When completing your Passenger Booking Form, you will be asked if you would like to add Optional Tours, where any applicable cost will be added to your final balance. If you choose not to select them at this time, you can choose to add them later by logging in to your Account online or speaking with your Dedicated Support Agent for assistance.
Please note that you must select your Optional Tours no later than 65 days before departure, after which you will be required to purchase them on tour. Please keep in mind that anything purchased on-tour is subject to availability and prices may vary as you will be paying in local currency. We appreciate your understanding.
Fitness Requirements While the tour itinerary should give you some guidance and overview to the expected requirements, to determine if this tour is right for you we categorise each of our tours in terms of their intensity. These guidelines are to ensure that each tour group is conducted as expected and to ensure the overall satisfaction of all Inspiring Vacations customers.
As a general rule, porterage is not included, therefore at all times you are expected to handle your own luggage where help may not be available. This particular tour is categorised as a “3”:
3 – Moderate Tour: A good level of fitness and mobility is required, as this tour includes a moderate level of physical activity and is considered a medium-fast paced tour. You should be able to walk up and down stairs, get on and off the coach and able to walk reasonable distances of approximately 2 kilometres per day or more with ease. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability. If you have any form of walking aids, other than a walking stick or hiking poles, then this tour is not suitable.
Accommodation The accommodation listed is subject to change. Any changes will be of an equal or higher standard. Bedding configurations (double or twin) are requests only. All efforts will be made to meet your preferences however any changes are beyond our control.
Single Supplement Single supplement is $1,399 per person in addition to the twin share price.
Triple Share Not available.
Travel Insurance Travel insurance is required to protect yourself against the unexpected.
Visa & Passport information It is the traveller's responsibility to ensure they have a valid passport. The passport must be valid for a minimum of six months from the intended date of return to New Zealand.
You can apply for a 30 day tourist visa-on-arrival in Iran if:
The visa-on-arrival must be paid for in cash (approx. 75 Euros)
Tour Documentation Final documentation, including e-tickets and hotel details, will be provided approximately 30 days prior to travel.
Group Size 6-16 people.
Children Children must be 5 years old or over and share a room with parents at all times. Children are the same price as adults.
Tour Length The total length of the tour in days includes time spent inflight and is subject to change, depending on the flight schedule. Please refer to the day-by-day itinerary for the time spent in your destination(s).
Considerations for Iran Travel Alcohol in Iran is prohibited for Muslim citizens by law since the establishment of Islamic Republic government in 1979. Non-Muslim citizens are granted a limited permission to produce alcohol for consumption within their community. It should be known that hotels do not serve alcohol, therefore tea, coffee, juice and milkshakes are the drinks of choice.
Dress code - please see below.
Iran has a strict dress code and this is one of the biggest concerns for female travellers to Iran. Most importantly – pack a headscarf in your hand luggage. You must be wearing this the moment you exit the plane and are officially in Iran. It is recommended that woman cover their hair. You must wear a headscarf the entire time you are there (except when in your hotel room) and loose clothing that covers your body. When you arrive you will soon see the reality is far removed from the stereotype. Iranian women are stylish and proud of their appearance.
A modest dress code is all that you need to consider for clothing in Iran. It should cover your body moderately. For women, a pair of loose pants or skirt, a long sleeve shirt and a headscarf is perfect. For men, shorts, and ties are not worn in public. A pair of loose pants or jeans with T-shirt is recommended.
Children are allowed to wear shorts, t-shirts, and anything else they will. There is no limitation for children.
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