Grand Tour of Persia

Highlights

• Tabriz bazaar (UNESCO) & Kandovan
• Kerman, Mahan & the Lut kaluts
• Full classic loop
• Soltaniyeh dome

Day by day

1. Days 1-2

   Tehran

   Arrival; the former U.S. Embassy, Azadi Square, an evening walk at Darband valley.

2. Days 3-4

   Zanjan & Soltaniyeh

   The Soltaniyeh dome and Zanjan, breaking the drive north.

3. Days 5-7

   Tabriz

   The UNESCO-listed Grand Bazaar, the Azerbaijan and Qajar museums, El Goli park.

4. Day 8

   Kandovan

   The rock-cut village, paired on this swing through East Azerbaijan with the Mehr fire temple near Maragheh.

5. Days 9-10

   Kashan & Abyaneh

   Nushabad's underground city, the Sultan Amir Ahmad bathhouse, the Borujerdi and Tabatabaei houses, the bazaar; Fin Garden and the red village of Abyaneh.

6. Days 11-13

   Isfahan

   Naqsh-e Jahan Square, Chehel Sotoun Palace, Ali Qapu and the Grand Bazaar; Vank Cathedral, Si-o-se-pol and Khaju bridges, the Qazi hammam.

7. Days 14-16

   Yazd

   Narin Castle at Meybod, Chak Chak, the mud-brick village of Kharanaq; the fire temple, Towers of Silence, Saryazd Castle, lunch at the Zein-o-din caravanserai, Dowlat Abad Garden and an old-town walk.

8. Days 17-19

   Kerman, Mahan & the desert

   The long drive east from Shiraz to Kerman for the bazaar, then out to a camp among the Lut kaluts; Mahan's Shazdeh Garden and Rayen citadel on the desert loop.

9. Days 20-21

   Shiraz & Persepolis

   Persepolis and Naqsh-e Rostam; Hafez's tomb, Nasir al-Mulk mosque, Eram Garden, the Vakil bathhouse and bazaar.

10. Day 22

    Departure

    Fly home via Tehran or Shiraz.