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15 Day itinerary in Iran, Middle East

Jewels Of Persia Iran Cycling And Exploring

A tour to behold culture and history through Persia, Iran's cultural heartland. Experience traveling along the ancient trade routes through the footsteps of one of the world's oldest civilizations. Take in the expansive desert landscape, get a chance to sleep under the tapestry of a starry night sky... Read More

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Samira

By Samira

Overview

Physical Difficulty

Average
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Recommended Age

Everyone

Operated in

English, Turkish

GUIDANCE

Tour Guide, Driver

starting point

Shiraz

trip type

Private

trip attributes

Rural home stays

Indigenous culture

Cycling

Visit markets

Meet local people

Purposeful Travel

Nature & Wildlife

Food & Culinary

Water & Coastline

Start

Night

End

Highlights

1

visit some of Iran UNESCO World Heritage Sites, such as Persepolis, Yazd and Isfahan

2

cycle through the country to mingle with the locals and feel their culture

3

experience national and local cuisine

4

visit natural attractions

Itinerary

Tourist class expand_more

Day 1

place Arrive in Shiraz

Arrive in Shiraz in early morning, our guide will meet you at the airport in Shiraz, and transport you to the hotel. Late check in, Shiraz overnight.

Guide: Included for the day

Day 2

place Explore Shiraz

Today we explore Shiraz by seeing some of the highlights including Nasir Al Molk mosque, Eram Garden and tombs of the poets, Sa'di and Hafez, who lived in the 13th and 14th centuries. In the afternoon, we visit the Zand complex that includes a fortress, Vakil Mosque, and the bustling bazaar. At the end of our city tour, we will head to our hotel right outside the gates of Persepolis. Overnight Persepolis.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Day 3

place Persepolis, Ancient Persian Empire Capital

We start the day with a visit to Persepolis early in the morning, once the richest city on earth. It was the capital of the Achaemenid Empire built on an immense half-artificial, half-natural terrace, founded by Darius I in 518 BCE, where the king of kings created an impressive palace complex adorned in gold and silver, ivory, and precious stones. In 330 BCE, Alexander captured Persepolis to order the palace burned to the ground. The spectacular ruins still reveal the glory of the Achaemenid Empire (it takes about 2 hours) then we will start our cycling towards Doroodzan. Accommodation: Local Home stay Ride 75 km. +694 meter / -640 meter

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4

place Doroodzan - Boragh Gorge

FULL DAY OF RIDING TO BORAGH GORGE Today is a full day of riding to Boragh Gorge, the valley of the Polvar River, with the remains of 130 ancient settlements. The landscape here is varied and the terrain involves some climbing on our bikes to Boragh. Accommodation: Local home stay Ride 65 km. +886 m / -632 meter

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5

place Towards Abarkouh

This morning we go to one of the highest Iranian cities at 2250 meters. It is also considered the border between the desert and the high mountains. Our coast downhill will be through the fields and orchards. Our destination is Abarkouh, a desert city known for its ancient ice houses and being home to a 4,000-year-old cypress the second oldest tree in the world. Accommodation: Traditional Eco loge Ride 68 km. +57 meter / -766 meter

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6

place Through the Silk Road

Today we will be cycling through the desert in an old caravan road. We will pass a few villages enjoying the clear sky and stark beauty of sand. Our overnight stay is at Zein Al Din Caravanserai, one of 999 such inns that were built during the reign of Shah Abbas I to ensure security provide facilities to merchants and other travelers. It will be a unique experience to feel the time in such a historical place on the Silk Road. Accommodation: Zein Al Din Caravanserai Ride 65 km +519 meter / -108 meter

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7

place Yazd Rest Day

Take a break to explore the city of wind catchers. A short drive takes us to Yazd, the oldest adobe city of ancient Persia that dates back to 7000 years ago. It has been listed as the UNESCO World Heritage site as it has retained its traditional districts, traditional houses, bazars, hammams, mosques, synagogues, Zoroastrian temples, the qanat system and the historic garden of Dolat-abad. Home to Iran's second-largest population of Zoroastrians; many of the sites we will see on our city tour will be from this religion, including the Towers of Silence where the dead were left to be picked clean by the vultures. No longer used, the cemetery is now a quiet, serene place. We will also have an oriental walk in the maze of lanes and alleys in the old district.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 8

place Yazd – Meybod – Nain - Kouhpayeh

We will start the day looking at Narin Castle, one of the most important relics of the area that dates back to the period before the advent of Islam to Iran. Then it's time to get on the bikes to cycle downhill 38 km to the town of Ardakan, a Zoroastrian center. From here we'll transfer 30 minutes to Aqda for lunch. Have a walk around this old village and see the Khaje Nemat Tower and pomegranates orchards. Our next stop is the Jame Mosque in Naein, the oldest mosque in Iran dating back to the 9th Century. We continue cycling through the dry desert landscape to Kouhpayeh in Silk Road. A short transfer takes us to our lovely Abbasi Caravansary in Kouhpayeh in the heart of the desert with a warm and welcoming host. Accommodation: Abbasi Caravansary Ride 95 km. +559 meter / -86 meter

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9

place Kouhpayeh to Isfahan

We have a short morning cycle as we aren't far from Isfahan, a former capital of Persia and now Iran's third largest city. We end our ride at Nik Abad, a small village with an ancient citadel. We transfer to Isfahan for lunch and then go on a city tour to discover why so many people have called this the most beautiful city in the world. With a profusion of tree-lined boulevards, picturesque bridges, Persian gardens, the UNESCO-listed Naqsh-e Jahan Square holding a palace, the historic bazar and two mosques we'll have lots to see in Isfahan on our afternoon city tour. Accommodation: hotel Ride 56 km. +68 meter / -357 meter

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 10

place Free Day to Continue Exploring Isfahan

Free day to continue exploring Isfahan. Visit Friday mosque, Armenian Church and the Cheehel Sotoon Palace and the many historical bridges.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 11

place Abyaneh

TRANSFER TO ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL VILLAGES IN IRAN, ABYANEH Continue biking on the old road towards Natanz, we skirt along some mountains as we ride through arid terrain. So we will be transferred uphill to Abyaneh. As the mud-brick houses of the village blends well in with the surrounding rocks it seems to melt into the hills. Enjoy the late afternoon wandering the narrow and sloped lanes . Accommodation: Hotel 85 km +896 meter / -820 meter

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12

place Arrive in Kashan

Start the day, Coming down from 2,500 meters we will stay overnight at 955 meters in the town of Kashan, known for the production of high quality carpet , pottery and tiles. After lunch we will take a look around some of historical houses , the Fin garden and the bazaar. Accommodation: Hotel Ride 75 km +943 meter/-2234 meter.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 13

place Kashan- Qom- Tehran

The last day of cycling we will ride directly from the hotel on another old road. On the way we will stop to visit the underground city of Noush Abad , that it is more than 100 years old. Then continue riding in the flat road to Qom, the second religious city of Iran. In Qom visit the respected shrines belonging to Masoumeh, sister of the 8th Shia Imam. In the afternoon oue supported car would transfer you to Tehran. Accommodation: Hotel Ride 70 km. +300 meter / -325 meter

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 14

place Tehran

Explore the capital of Iran ,metropolis of Tehran, home to 14 million people. We will visit Golestan Palace, a sprawling complex of 17 palaces, halls and museums, the Iran National Museum which houses significant artifacts from both ancient and post-Islamic Persia as well as the Salt Man, a prince who was naturally mummified in a salt mine for 2000 years. After lunch we will walk through the Grand Bazaar where everything can be found, from gold, copper, carpets, paper and spices. We have a celebratory dinner to review all of the highlights of our trip.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 15

place Back to Home

We'll provide one group transfer to the airport for your departure flight.

Meals: Breakfast

What’s Included

Meals expand_less

  • Breakfast (14)
  • Lunch (9)
  • Dinner (9)

Transport expand_less

  • airport to/ from hotel
  • 24 hours support car

Extras expand_less

  • Iran visa invitation letter

About Samira

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Expertise: 

Cycling

Skiing/Snowboarding

Hiking

Snorkeling/Diving

Visit markets

Meet local people

Rural home stays

Indigenous culture

Wellness retreat

Purposeful Travel

Water & Coastline

Food & Culinary

Nature & Wildlife

Travel that Makes a Difference

By choosing to travel with us, you support local communities, wildlife, and the environment. We are dedicated to positively impacting the world through every journey we offer.

Let’s regenerate the planet together

We overcompensate your entire journey’s carbon footprint including flights - for free.

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FROM PRICE PER TRAVELER

$1,298.00 USD