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Iran: Then and Now Booking FormGeneral Features This current tour is the result of a mutual cooperation between PTA and Mr. Buddy Hatton, the prominent American travel documentary film producer and tour operator who has traveled to Iran through PTA to produce “Iran, Then and Now” film. After numerous live shows of “Iran, Then and Now” in the USA, this tour has been sold well. For more information about the primary film and order the production please check www.buddyhatton.com. This tour is highly recommended to the North American and European enthusiasts. The first departure will be on 27 Nov 2010. For more information feel free to contact marketing@key2persia.com. Day 1: Arrive in Dubai We meet in Dubai for a once in a lifetime adventure which will include greeting and transfer to hotel & rest before morning tour or Dubai commences. Day 2: Dubai
Day 3: Dubai
Day 4: Shiraz
Day 5: Persepolis and Necropolis
Day 6: Drive to Zeinoddin
Day 7: Drive to Yazd
Day 8: Excursion to Meybod and Chak Chak
Day 9: Visit Yazd, Drive to Esfahan
Day 10: Esfahan
Day 11: Esfahan
Day 12: Drive to Kashan, visit Abyaneh along the way
Day 13: Drive to Tehran
Day 14: Tehran
Day 15: Transfer to IKA
Last but not least, depart Iran – the land of warmth and hospitality with fond memories.
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As the first day of this lifetime experience we wills
ample the historic sites and vibrant cosmopolitan life of
Dubai on this comprehensive tour. The Tour begins in
Jumeira, the picturesque palace and residential area
of Dubai, also home to the famous Jumeira Mosque. The
next stop is Sheikh Saeed House (former residence of
ruling family). The Tour then continues to Al Bastakiya,
the old part of Dubai, to reach the museum located in Al
Fahidi Fort. All guests board the Abra (water taxi) to cross
the Creek to the spice souk. Before savoring the sights and
sounds of the fish, fruit and vegetable market, there is time
to shop in the most famous landmark of Dubai – the Gold souk.
Stay overnight in Dubai.
Our second day goes for Desert Safari Tour.
A trip to the desert offers a taste
of the true heartland of Arabia.
This safari tour takes us right into
the heart of the desert where we experience
the excitement of a roller-coaster ride into the
magnificent red sand dunes while remaining mobile
on the shifting sands. A brief stop for a breathtaking
view of the endless desert will give us an opportunity
to watch the sun set over this tranquil solitude.
We will fly to Iran and arrive in the City of Love,
Shiraz. Upon arrival at Shiraz airport, we will be
cordially received and directed for transfer to our
hotel. We will have time to rest and relax before our
morning tour of Shiraz commences. Stay overnight in Shiraz.
This is the day we have all been looking forward to!
Shiraz is crowned as the heartland of Persian culture and this city of sophistication will never fail to conjure up images of roses and nightingales, gardens and poetry. This gorgeous city in the province of Fars is home to famous poets such as Hafez and Sa'di and historical sites from different eras stretching back 6,000 years ago can be found there.
Early in the morning, relish in the highlights of Shiraz when it was the capital of Iran during the Zand Dynasty. Be inspired by the glorious Karim Khan palace, the splendid Vakil mosque, Vakil Bazaar and Saray-e-moshir with its splendid architecture and interesting ethnic souvenir shops, Nasir Almolk mosque.
Next, we will stop for a mouth-watering Iranian lunch at one of the traditional restaurants of Shiraz.
In the evening, we will visit Ali-Ebn-e-Hamzeh and be prepared to marvel at its beauties. Take a stroll through the Jahan Nama Garden and witness its tall and proud cedars.
Not forgetting the two famous Persian poets, Hafez and Sa'di, whose mysterious poems are everlasting in the Persian language we will get a chance to pay homage to their tombs.
Finally visit Delgosha Garden and Khajoy-e-Kermani tomb from where the perspective of the mysterious city of Shiraz will perpetuate in minds. At night have dinner in a restaurant with specific atmosphere in the north of Shiraz. Stay overnight in Shiraz.
Be prepared to be inspired by the magnificence of Persepolis. This gem of ancient Persia which dates back 2530 years ago is the result of the exquisite works of a conglomeration of fine artists and architects from various nations under the Archaemenid Empire.
Next, we will visit Koh-e-Rahmat which is sided east of Persepolis and considered as a sacred mountain in ancient Persia.
Followed by Necropolis where we will marvel at the massive tombs of Old Persian kings. Necropolis is a collection of a variety of awe-inspiring historical relics from different pre-Islamic eras. Stay overnight in Shiraz.
Depart by surface to Zeinoddin. On the way we will have short stops in Pasargadae to visit the most important monument there which is undoubtedly the tomb of Cyrus the Great, the originator of the greatest emperorship 500 years AD. Also we will visit the bas relief of the winged man and get familiar with its historical elucidations.
Then head to Abarkouh to visit its traditional cisterns, ice-stories and 4500 year old cypress tree. Old trees in Iran are symbol of eternity, so people consider them as mediums between God and themselves. People aspire in their heart and fasten pieces to its branches.
Then drive to Zeinoddin, a Safavid Caravanserai that is restored in the best way possible and got 2 awards from UNESCO in 2005 and 2006. We will enjoy its calming atmosphere in the middle of the desert with its shining stars blinking.
Drive to Yazd for 65 Km. Yazd, the oldest adobe city in the world, is surrounded by the 4000m summit of Shirkooh and two majestic deserts of Iran, Dasht-e-Kavir and Kavir-e-Loot. This ancient city is furnished with mosques of stunning beauty. The co-existence of the splendid fire temples and the holy sites of different religions astonish every visitor.
Today’s tour includes visiting Dakhmeh (tower of silence, where Zoroastrians leave the dead corpse to be eaten by vultures), fire temple of the Zoroastrians, henna pounding workshops and Amir Chakhmagh complex. From the minarets of this complex, we will get a breath-taking perspective of the oldest adobe city.
Stay overnight in Yazd.
Today we will drive to visit the village of Chak Chak, a sacred Zoroastrian mountain shrines which serves as a pilgrimage point for Zoroastrians.
Our next stop is in Meybod, a major desert city in Yazd Province which is an ancient city goes back to pre-Islamic era and, hence, is home to many ancient monuments.
We will visit Narin Ghal’e, one of the oldest castles in Iran which dates back to the Sassanid era. Chaparkhaneh and Abbasi Caravansary are some other historical buildings of this city. Finally return to Yazd and stay overnight in Yazd.
In the morning we will visit the marvelous Water museum, Jame' mosque and Doulat Abad Garden.
After lunch, we will drive 300km from Yazd to Isfahan which is in the vicinity of Dasht-e-Kavir and the attractive city of Nain. Nain is known as the city of cisterns and possesses around 80 cisterns. We will get a chance to visit one of the oldest and most important mosques of Persian Islamic architecture. Stay overnight in Isfahan.
Isfahan, the legendary city which never fails to enchant its visitors, is the pearl of traditional Islamic archeology. This city is revived by the works of contemporary artists.
Isfahan prides itself in having fascinating historical garden palaces. Legend has it that the city was founded at the time of Tahmoures or Keykavous and because of its glories has been entitled “Half the World”.
Our full day tour includes the famed Imam Square (Naqsh-e-Jahan), a huge square second in the world to Beijing's Tiananmen Square. Tour the architectural marvels of Sheikh Lotfollah and Imam Mosques, Aliqapu Palace, Chehel Sutoon and Hasht Behesht Palaces, and also visit one of the most famous bazaars in Iran, where we can purchase the arts & crafts for which Isfahan is so well renowned. Stay overnight in Isfahan.
Today, we will visit the UNESCO recognized village of Abyaneh, located at the foot of Mount Karkas and in the vicinity of desert. Appreciate the serenity of this quaint village with its splendid archaeology and meet the dwellers who speak, live and dress in the original Persian style.
Next, hop on to Kashan and visit Tabatabaiha and Borojerdiha houses and some other historical places specially chosen by our tour guide and be acquainted with the previous century’s architecture, the Qajar era. Stay overnight in Kashan.
Drive to Tehran and start sightseeing as soon as arriving there.
Tehran, a modern megalopolis, prides itself in having unique museums with immense and unrivaled collections and artifacts dating from the earliest onset of history to the present era.
Our tour begins with a trip to the Archeological Museum, one of the rare places in the world where we will have the special opportunity of visiting and experiencing the “evolution of mankind” through the marvelous display of historical relics.
Next on the agenda is our very much-awaited chance to savor the distinctive flavor of Iranian cuisine. Lunch will be set in an exquisite traditional Iranian restaurant where we will sample a wide range of delightful Persian dishes and desserts.
Afterwards, we will visit a world of jewels in a priceless Crown Jewels Museum one of which is one of the two greatest diamonds, Darya-e-Noor (sea of light). Stay overnight in Tehran.
Embark on a tour to the Golestan Palace, known as the "Rose Garden". Constructed as a residence during the Qajar Dynasty, the Palace complex offers an oasis of silence and shade in the heart of Tehran. The last two Pahlavi Kings coronation ceremonies were held in the Palace, and much of its former splendor is on display. Then visit Sa'd Abad Complex with an immense 1,100,000 square meters and 18 magnificent historical palaces (2 of which we will visit) will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression on us. Lunch will be served in a restaurant nearby this complex.
Our Tehran excursion will end at the Ceramic Museum where we will be able to witness its construction with glorious ancient archaeology. The final afternoon in Tehran is at leisure to do any last minute shopping or exploring. Stay overnight in Tehran.
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