Iran Autumn Tour

Monday October 7th – Tehran

• Morning arrival in Tehran.
• Free afternoon to walk around Tehran & get to know your group.
• Visit the National Jewelry museum – the contents of which actually back up the Iranian currency.
• Visit the old Tehran bazaar to soak up the night time atmosphere and people watch.
• Overnight in the Parastoo Hotel.

Tuesday October 8th– Tehran

• Drive through Tehran past anti-US propaganda and the old US embassy. Site of the infamous hostage crisis.
• Visit Saad Abad & Niavaran palace, the last Palaces of the last Shah of Iran.  Lunch at Darband hills, above Tehran.
• One hour free time.
• Shopping in the Tajrish Bazaar of Tehran and visit a nearby mosque.
• Traditional Iranian kebabs at a famous restaurant near Ferdosi square.
• Continue the evening with a walk around the city trying shisha, fresh juices, and mingling with locals.
• Overnight in the Parastoo hotel.

Wednesday October 9th – Tehran/ Shiraz

• Early check out for our morning flight to Shiraz.
• Visit the citadel in the center of the city.
• Visit the Grand Bazaar for some shopping and photos. There's an opportunity to buy old anti-American stamps from a local shop owner and collector.
• Lunch in the middle of bazaar for traditional Persian dishes.
• Free walk around the bazaar or relax with tea and shisha.  Great chance to mingle with local students here.
• Dinner of falafel and sambusas.
• Overnight at Parsian hotel.

Thursday October 10th– Shiraz/Persepolis

• Up bright and early to visit the Nasir al-Mulik mosque when the morning light shines through spectacularly.
• Late morning drive to Persepolis.
• Lunch at a traditional restaurant on the way to the Necropolis tombs.
• Visit the botanic gardens of Shiraz.
• Stop for traditional Shiraz ice cream at a famous shop.
• Visit the Hafez park and tomb. Resting place of the great Iranian poet. Great opportunity to mingle with locals and take photos.
• Dinner.
• Overnight in Parsian hotel.

Friday October 11th– Shiraz/Esfahan

• Drive to the city of Esfahan with stop at Cirus’s tomb and an old fortress for tea.
• Lunch on the way.
• Stop at the famous old Khaju bridge.
• Arrival and short rest at the hotel.
• Walk to dinner at a local restaurant.
• Visit one of the city's oldest carpet shops. Receive an explanation on a variety of Persian carpets. The presentation involves a show of how carpets are made.
• Evening visit to the 300 year old Abbasi Hotel for traditional Iranian tea.
• Overnight at the Esfahan tourist Hotel.

Saturday October 12th  – Esfahan

• Visit the beautiful Safavid Palace.
• Sheikh Lotfollah mosque and Ali-qapoo palace.
• Lunch in a traditional restaurant in the square.
• Visit to the Shah Mosque.
• Free time to explore the square and shop for gifts at the surrounding bazaar.
• Chance to change money for small crisp rial denominations. 
• Optional visit to Iran/Iraq war museum.
• Visit Zurkhane gym to watch an ancient Persian sport workout.
• Overnight at the Tourist Hotel.

Sunday October 13th – Esfahan/Tehran

• Morning flight to Tehran.
• Visit the Mausoleum of Ayatollah Khomeini.
• Visit the Revolutionary Martyrs Cemetery.
• Stop at the Shah’s Monument - AKA Revolution Monument.
• Farewell meal at the Armenian Club.  Armenians are the main ethnic Christian minority in Iran.
• Opportunity to have a drink of Armenian wine and vodka, the only legally allowed place to have alcohol in Iran.
• Overnight in the Parastoo hotel.

Monday October 14th – Tehran

Morning

• Free morning to do last minute shopping.
• Departure by flight or continue to Southern Iraq!