Capitals of the Persian Empire

Trip description Capitals of the Persian Empire’ explores fiveancient capitals of Ecbatana, Susa, Persepolis, Pasargadae and Isfahan while uncovering some of the fascinating highlights of this country includingsix of the outstanding UNESCO Tangible World Heritage Sites of Iran: the 5th century BC rock relief at Bisotun; the world’s best preserved and architecturally unique ziggurat of the 13th century BC religious complex of TchoqaZanbil ; the 5th century BC palatial complex of Persepolis; the 6th century BC capital of Pasargadae from where Cyrus the Great ruled an empire that touched the boundaries of the known world; Naqsh-iJahan Square in Isfahan, representing the climax of Islamic architecture of the 17th- century Persia and Eram Garden, as the epitome of Persian Gardens.  
DAY ACTIVITY OVERNIGHT

Day 01
Arrive in TEHRAN. Morning to rest in the hotel. Afternoon visit to the Archaeological section of the National Museum, and the Glass and Ceramics Museum TEHRAN

Day 02
Full day city tour of TEHRAN to include the Carpet Museum, Golestan Palace(WHS), and the Crown Jewels Museum TEHRAN

Day 03
Morning drive to HAMADAN. Afternoon city tour to include Ecbatana, Alaviyan Tomb Tower, Tomb of Esther and Mordecai, Tomb of Avicenna, Ganjnameh HAMADAN

Day 04
Excursion to KERMANSHAH, stop en route at KANGAVAR to see the Temple of Anahita, drive on to Bisotun(WHS), Tagh-e Bostan.  KERMANSHAH

Day 05
Drive to AHVAZ over and across the Zagros Mountains down to the lowlands of Khuzestan plain, en route stop at FalkolAflak Castle in KHORAM ABAD and the 3rd century Sassanian bridgein POL DOKHTAR  AHVAZ 

Day 06
Full day excursion to archeological site of Haft Tepe, city of Susa, Ziggurat of ChoqaZanbi(WHS), andShushtar  
AHVAZ 

Day 07
Drive to Shiraz, en route visit to Kurangoon,Sarab-eBahram, picnic lunch, Bishapur and Tang-eChogan  
SHIRAZ 

Day 08
Full day city tour to visit the main attractions of SHIRAZincludingNasirol-Mulk Mosque, Citadel of Karim Khan Zand, Pars Museum, Vakil Bazaar, VakilMosque,Naranjestan Museum, Eram Gardens (WHS), Ali-EbinHamze, tombs of Sa’di and Hafez   
SHIRAZ 

Day 09
Drive to ISFAHAN through Persepolis(WHS), Naqsh-iRostam (Necropolis), Naqsh-i Rajab, and Pasargadae (WHS)  
SHIRAZ 

Day 10
Full day city tour of ISFAHAN to get absorb byitsmagnificent Naqshe-Jahan Square (WHS) and the surrounding sites including Abbasi(Imam) Mosque, Sheikh Lutfollah Mosque, Ali Qapu Pavilion, ChehelSutun Palace, and Qayssarieh Bazaar  
ISFAHAN 

Day 11
The second day in Isfahan will be dedicated to see Vank Cathedralin Armenian Quarter, the great 12th-century Jami‘Mosque of Isfahan(WHS)and historical bridges of Shahrestan, Khaju Bridge, and Sio-Se Pol  
ISFAHAN 

Day 12
Drive to Tehran via ABYANEH and KASHAN. Visit Traditional houses of Tabatabai and Borujerdi, TeppeSialk and Fin Gardens (WHS) in Kashan. Drive on to Tehran with a tea break en route and a photo stop at the Imam Khomeini Mausoleum. Return flight home 
TEHRAN   
Note:    All the museums (neither Palaces nor mosques , only museums) are closed on Mondays   Golestan Palace is closed on Sundays    Crown Jewels museum is open on Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays from 14:00 – 16:00  Hotels could be replaced with similar hotel in same category