INTRIQ FINESSE: 11 DAYS IRAN - GEMS OF ANCIENT PERSIA

Transfer: Airport to Hotel
Upon arrival, you would be met and transferred to your hotel.

Introduction to Shiraz 
Shiraz is situated in south-central Iran, and the most prominent city of Fars province. Start your tour of Shiraz with a visit to the 19-century Ali Ibn Hamze Holy Shrine that has impressive mirror work.

Proceed to the old Vakil Bazaar and feast your eyes on the magnificent Vakil Mosque.

Visit to the Pink Mosque
Early this morning, visit the magical Nasir-ol-Molk Mosque, also known as Pink Mosque, which is celebrated for its delightfully colourful interiors. Its stained-glass windows, intricately painted tiles and arches, along with innumerable Persian carpets create a mesmerizing, kaleidoscopic aesthetic which has astounded many visitors.

Legacy of the Persepolis
Afterwards, we will make an excursion to Persepolis, which is about an hour drive to this impressive UNESCO World Heritage Site that was the capital of the Achaemenid Empire (550-330 B.C.E). The ruins located there represent the last and ultimate expression of the ancient Middle East. Visit ancient archaeological sites including the Nagsh-e Rostam, and Nagsh-e Rajab which comprised of the tombs of Achaemenian Kings. 

Shiraz: City of the Poets 

Thereafter, return to Shiraz and visit the Tombs of Saadi and Hafez who were among the most prominent Persian poets. 

Transfer: Shiraz to Yazd
Today, you will travel from Shiraz to Yazd, with sightseeing enroute.

Unravel the Heritage of Pasargadae and Cham
From Shiraz, you will embark on a 2-hour drive to Pasargadae, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with archaeological remains of its 6th-century palace and the tomb of the Achaemenian King, Cyrus the Great.

Continue another 4-hour drive to the UNESCO World Heritage City of Yazd, situated in the middle of Iran. We will stop by Cham, a Zoroastrian village before arriving into Yazd and check into your hotel.

A Full Day in the Historical City of Yazd
Spend your day exploring the historical city of Yazd, which is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2017. The tour includes the Zoroastrian Towers of Silence, the Fire Temple, Amir Chakhmaq Complex, Jameh Mosque, the old quarter of the city called Fahadan, followed by the UNESCO-listed Dolat Abad Garden with the world’s tallest wind tower of its kind called Badghir.

Intriq Finesse Collection: Ancient Gym Performance 
In the evening, watch an interesting private live traditional sports performance at an ancient Iranian gym, called the Zurkhaneh. 

A Visit to Na’in and Mohammadiyeh
After breakfast, we will drive 2 hours to the city of Na’in, a pre-Islamic town over 2,000 years old, on the edge of the Central Desert of Iran. Visit the Seljukid Mosque and a small Desert Museum sitting across. Proceed to the ancient village of Mohammadiyeh where you can witness how the locals weave different garments and Abaya with Camel hair in their underground workshop.

Persian Carpet Workshop
Next, visit a big Persian Carpet Workshop and chance upon weavers at work, giving a live weaving demonstration. Iranians enjoy a global reputation in carpet weaving and were among the oldest carpet weavers of the ancient world, with weaving techniques more than 2500 years old.

Continue about 1.5-hour drive to your hotel in Isfahan. 

Relive the Glories of Isfahan
Known as Iran’s Art Capital, Isfahan is renowned for its dazzling Perso-Islamic architectures, tree-lined boulevards, palaces, bridges, mosques, and monuments.

Visit the historic bridges of Si-o-Se-Pol and Khaju, Hasht Behesht Palace and the UNESCO-listed Chehel Sotoun Palace. Later, visit the Armenian Vank Cathedral and Museum, as well as Monar-Jonban, the shaking minarets.

Intriq Finesse Collection: A Private Dinner with Traditional Performance
This evening, enjoy a private dinner in a Persian traditional restaurant with live traditional music performance.

Grand Mosques of Isfahan
This morning, head to the splendid Naqsh-e-Jahan Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with its remarkable Imam Mosque, Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, Ali Qapu Palace, and the Grand Bazaar.

After that, visit Jameh Mosque of Isfahan, also known as Friday Mosque, which is another stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site. The complex spans more than 20,000sqm and is the oldest preserved edifice of its type in Iran, as well as a prototype for later mosque designs throughout Central Asia.

In addition, enjoy a Persian Tea at the Azadegan Traditional Teahouse. 

A Full Day Stroll in Abyaneh Village and Kashan
Leave Isfahan and drive about 2.5 hours to Abyaneh, an ancient village filled with red mud-brick houses and residents are traditionally dressed.

Another 1.5 hours’ drive takes us to the oasis city of Kashan. The charming architectures of the Bazaar of Kashan and Agha Bozorg Mosque are sights to behold.

Journey to Tehran  
Step into the UNESCO-listed Fin Garden and admire the historic houses of a wealthy merchant Borujerdi and the affluent Tabatabaei family. 

Thereafter, we will drive about 3 hours to Tehran, the capital and largest city of Iran, and check-in to your hotel.

Full Day in Golestan Palace & Tehran Museums
Today, head to the majestic Golestan Palace, a historic royal complex first built by the Qajar Dynasty in the 16th century, now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Proceed to visit the National Museum of Iran, the largest archaeological and historical museum of the country, followed by the Glassware and Ceramic Museum to admire rare collections from pre-Islamic to contemporary Iran.

Full Day Tehran: Past & Present
Today’s Tehran exploration will bring you towards the north of Tehran to explore the Saadabad Palace Complex, and the covered labyrinth Tajrish Bazaar. Afterwards, visit Reza Abbasi Museum, which can be considered as one of the richest historical-cultural collections in Iran.  

Transfer to Tehran Airport
After an early dinner, transfer to the airport for your flight home.