'Classic Iran Tour with Mahan Airlines 6 Nights 7 Days Extra Tours and Dinner Included'

1. DAY ISTANBUL - TEHRAN Meeting at the international departure terminal of Istanbul Airport. After ticket, luggage, and customs procedures, we will depart for Tehran at 11:00 AM on Mahan Air scheduled flight. Arrival at 14:30. After meeting our guide and vehicle, we will travel for approximately 1 hour to reach Tehran city center. The name Tehran means "Hot Place" in Persian. The founding of the city dates back to the Neolithic era. This city, spread over a vast area at the foot of the Alborz Mountains, consists of traditional brick buildings that are two or at most three stories high, similar to other Iranian cities. During our city tour in Tehran, we will see Azadi Square, Imam Khomeini's mausoleum, and the broad avenues of Tehran before having dinner and accommodation. 2. DAY TEHRAN - SHIRAZ After breakfast at our hotel, we continue our panoramic city tour of Tehran. Among the places we will visit are the Gulistan Palace, built by the Qajar Dynasty influenced by European architecture, and the Tughrul Bey Tower, a remnant of the ancient city of Rey. We will also visit the Iranian Archaeology Museum located in Tehran. Then, we will take a domestic flight to Shiraz. Upon arrival, we will visit the mausoleum of the famous thinker and author of Bostan and Gulistan, Saadi Shirazi, followed by dinner and accommodation. 3. DAY - SHIRAZ – CITY TOUR - PERSEPOLIS Before breakfast, we will depart to witness the sunrise at Nasir al-Mulk Mosque, popularly known as the Pink Mosque due to the use of pink tiles in its interior. A magnificent spectacle of colors occurs in the mosque with the first light of day. Afterward, we will view the Karim Khan Citadel from the outside. The wall of this defensive structure is approximately 14 meters high and has been well preserved to this day. During our panoramic Shiraz tour, we will see the Karim Khan Citadel and Vakil Bazaar. Although the mosque was built in 1773, most of its floral tile decorations were made during the later Qajar era. The mosque has withstood two major earthquakes and continues to stand as a solid structure in the city. After time for shopping and lunch, we will head for an excursion to the ancient city of Persepolis and Naghsh-e Rostam. The ancient city of Persepolis was founded towards the end of the 6th century BC by Persian King Darius I. It served as the capital of the Persian Empire for a long time. Darius’s successors, Xerxes and Artaxerxes, expanded Persepolis, leaving behind many monuments. Naghsh-e Rostam, located 12 km northwest of Persepolis, is an archaeological site believed to depict the hero Rostam from Persian mythology and features seven tombs of Achaemenid kings. Inscriptions indicate one of the tombs belonged to Darius I, while the others are believed to belong to Xerxes I, Artaxerxes I, and Darius II. There are also two well-preserved tombs likely belonging to Artaxerxes II and Artaxerxes III. One unfinished tomb might belong to Arses or more likely, to Darius III, the last Achaemenid king, who was defeated by Alexander the Great. In addition to the tombs, Naghsh-e Rostam also features seven gigantic rock carvings attributed to Sasanian kings. After the tour, we will return to Shiraz, have dinner, and visit the Shah Cheragh Mausoleum before overnight accommodation. 4. DAY SHIRAZ – YAZD After having breakfast at the hotel, we will embark on a journey lasting about 6 hours to the 5,000-year-old city of Yazd, known for its desert paths, wind towers, and surreal architecture, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. We will visit various sites including Jame Mosque, the Amir Chakhmaq Mosque Complex, the city center, and the Atashkadeh temple, which is significant for Zoroastrians and is believed to have been burning since 470 BC. We will also explore the Towers of Silence, which hold significant religious meaning for Zoroastrians. After the tour, we will have dinner and accommodation. 5. DAY YAZD - ISFAHAN After breakfast at the hotel, we will proceed to Isfahan. We will begin exploring Isfahan, known as "half of the world." Isfahan was conquered by Muslims in 640 AD and became the capital under Seljuk Sultan Tughrul Bey, who was succeeded by his grandson, Malik Shah. The city's historical bridges will be viewed panoramically. In our panoramic city tour, we will see Naghsh-e Jahan Square, Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, Ali Qapu Palace, the Carpet Bazaar, and the Chehel Sotoun Palace. Naghsh-e Jahan Square, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, is said to be one of the largest squares in the world. The square, formerly known as Meydan-e Shah, serves as the passageway to many sites in Isfahan. The Ali Qapu Palace rises six stories and dominates the square while a large park and a structure are found behind it, known for its 20 columns that create a mirrored reflection in the pond in front, forming a total of 40 column reflections. However, we can no longer see this reflection today due to the empty pond. After an afternoon coffee and tea break, we will transfer to the hotel. Dinner and accommodation. 6. DAY - ISFAHAN – KASHAN Following breakfast, we will visit some parts of Isfahan. We will explore the Atiq Ulu Mosque, a significant example of Seljuk art. Post exploration, we will head to Kashan. On the way, we will visit Kashan, an ancient and historically important city located on the old caravan route. Significant sites will include the Fin Gardens, which is surrounded by water channels and includes the hamam where Amir Kabir was assassinated, Sialk Hill, important archaeological sites, and Boroujerdi House, which belongs to one of Kashan's notable families. After the tour, we will have dinner and accommodation. 7. DAY - KASHAN – QOM – TEHRAN – ISTANBUL After breakfast and checking out of our rooms, we will head to Qom, known for its religious significance and famous for its seminaries. After visiting the Hazrat Masumeh Mosque and her tomb in Qom, we will proceed to Rey, the former Seljuk capital (32 km away), to visit the tomb of Sultan Tughrul Bey, completing our tour. We will gather at the designated time to be transferred to Tehran Airport. We will depart for Istanbul at 17:15 on Mahan Air scheduled flight, arriving at Istanbul New Airport at 20:05, concluding our tour. We hope to see you again on our next trip.