16 Days Iran Afghanistan Tour

Transfer from airport to hotel. Tehran as the showcase and capital city of Iran is a megalopolis. This city is home to many invaluable museums to some we will pay a visit. Then an hour and a half flight from Tehran takes you to Shiraz.

• Archeological (national) Museum: thanks to the immense volume, diversity and quality of its monuments, it ranks as one of the few most significant museums of the world.
• Imperial Crown Jewels Museum: is home to a vast number of unsurpassed precious gems.
• Carpet Museum: carpet-weaving, dating back to the Bronze Age, is a renowned manifestation of Iranian culture and art.

World Heritage Sites: Golestan Palace (2013)
Hotel: Razzaz Traditional Hotel, Tehran

Shiraz is the center of Persian culture and sophistication, gardens and poetry.

• Karim Khan palace, Vakil mosque, Vakil Bazaar and Saray-e-moshir: the highlights of Shiraz when it was the capital of Iran during Zand Dynasty.
• Nasir al-molk mosque: being built during the Qajar era, this mosque has extensively colored glass in its facade, and other traditional elements in its design.
• Hafez tomb: pay homage to the mystic poet who impressed everyone with his mastery.
• Sa’di tomb: a philosopher poet who was a tourist and the author of Golestan and Boostan.
• Qoran gate: the city’s main entrance. The original gate was built as an ornamental decoration about 1000 years ago, but this was replaced 60 years ago by new gate, which is considered one of the finest architectural designs in Iran and has won numerous awards.
• Khajooy-e-Kermani tomb: from Qoran gate a stone stairways goes up to a picturesque and panoramic views of Shiraz where the tomb of Khajooy-e Kermani, a famous poet is located.
• Ali-Ebn-e-Hamzeh shrine: with marvelous beauties.
• Some Persian Gardens such as Jahan Nama and Delgosha: gardens are the manifestation of Shiraz.

You have been long waiting for today visit to the great gem of ancient Persia, Persepolis.

• Persepolis: the capital of Achaemenid Empire was founded by Darius, the Great in 518 B.C. was not only a governmental palace but also a center for festivals.
• Necropolis: the magnificent burial place of Achaemenid kings with seven bas-reliefs dating back to Elamite and Sassanid era.

Continue the tour by driving to Isfahan through Zagros mountains immersing in the incredible sceneries.

Isfahan entitled “Half the World” is the legendary city of traditional Islamic archeology and turquoise domes.

• Naqsh-e-Jahan Square: the second huge square of the world after Beijing’s Tiananmen Square.
• Sheikh Lotfollah and Jameh Abbasi Mosques: are brilliant masterpieces of Islamic-Persian architecture.
• Aliqapu, Chehel Sutoon and Hasht Behesht Palaces: renowned garden palaces that Isfahan is famous for.
• Isfahan bazaar: purchase traditional arts & crafts.

Continue discovering the other cultural sights of Isfahan. In the evening board on a flight to Mashhad holy city.

• Isfahan Jameh mosque: a gallery of the progress of Islamic architecture.
• Vank Church: a typical example of the Christian churches of Armenia.

The holy city of Mashhad is the place of Imam Reza martyrdom.

• Imam Reza Holy Shrine: the huge complex of Shiite Muslim holy shrine.
• Ferdosi Tomb: the great epic poet of 10th AD located in Tus.
• Nader Shah Museum
• Harounieh: a nice structure with unknown function in the old times.

We will ensure that you are taken to the Aghan border to allow you to meet your Afghan guides and continue on to Herat. 

Arrival and briefing. Herat has the largest collection of ancient buildings in Afghanistan and we will take a full day to explore the city and its surroundings including the Friday Mosque, the tomb of Gowar Shad, the Masullah complex and the atmospheric shrine of Khoja Ansari at Gazar Gah.

Fly from Herat to Kabul. The flight is early in the morning. You will have time to have an afternoon tour of the city. This will include a look around the old city, the remains of Darulaman Palace and a visit to the Kabul museum.

Arrival and briefing. Full day in Kabul to visit British cemetary, the sobering OMAR landmine museum, Shah-e Doh Shamshira mosque, Babur’s gardens – the final resting place of the first Mughal emperor, the hills of Bibi Mahru and a view of the Bala Hissar.

Fly between Kabul and Bamian, the capital of the Hazarajat – home of the Hazaras and one of the most peaceful places in Afghanistan. When you arrive in Bamian you will have time for a look at the hill sides riddled with caves in which monasteries and Buddhist carvings were once situated.

You will spend 2 days in and around Bamian, an area of striking natural beauty. The mountains and valleys are dotted with ruins from Afghanistan’s past and friendly Hazara villages. It is one of the few places in Afghanistan where we can walk freely and safely in a rural environment.The Lapis Lazuli blue waters of Band-e-Amir are often the highlight of any trip to Afghanistan. Legend has it that the dams that separate the 5 lakes were made by Ali, the prophet Mohamed’s cousin and son in law. However geologists insist they are natural dams made from mineral deposits. The lakes contrast to the stark landscape surrounding them only adds to the beauty of this area.You will also get to visit the natural landscape of Dragon valley, see the ruins of Shah e Zohak (Red Fort) and the remains of Shah e Golghola (The city of Screams).

Fly back from Bamin to Kabul in the morning, in the afternoon you will be in Kabul and able to visit Chicken Street to do some souvenir shopping.

Last but not the least depart Afghanistan.