Uzbekistan to Iran
Duration :
18 days
Itinerary :
Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, Mary, Mashhad, Tehran, Shiraz, Yazd, Isfahan, Kashan, Tehran
Day 1: Arrive Tashkent – Check-in to your hotel and the afternoon is yours to explore. (D)
Day 2: Tashkent – Tashkent is one of the oldest cities in Central Asia dating back 2000 yrs. A walking tour of the city is the best way to explore it.
(B)
- Kukeldash and Barak Khan Madrassahs
- Kaffal Shashi Memorial
- Khasty Imam Mosque
- Mustakillik Square
- Chorsu Bazaar
Days 3-4: Samarkand – A half day drive brings us to Central Asia’s most historical cities along the Silk Road. Marvel at the madrassahs and mosques that form one of the most spectacular town centres.
(2B)
- Bibi-Khanym Mosque
- Registan Square (UNESCO Site)
- Siob Bazaar
Days 5-6: Bukhara – A centre for pottery, cloth and Turkmen carpets, the old city is centered around Lyabi-Hauz, a delightful pool of water surrounded by ancient mulberry trees, where you can sit at cafe tables and let the evening drift by.
(2B)
- Old Centre of Bukhara (UNESCO Site)
- Ulugbek Madrassah and Mghoki Arrar Mosque
- Kalyan Minaret
- Emir’s Palace
- Ark Citadel
- Char Minar Mosque
- Ismael Samani Mausoleum
Day 7: Uzbek/Turkmen border / Mary – xCross the border and stop at Turkmenabat for lunch before continuing onto the town of Mary.
(B)
Day 8: Mary – Morning is spent visiting the remains of the ancient city of Merv and was a cultural mecca for Christian , Buddhist, Zoroastrian and finally Muslim cultures.
(B)
- Merv (UNESCO Site)
- Mary - Museum of History
Day 9: Cross border / Mashhad – Leaving Turkmenistan we cross the border at Sarakhs and continue onto Mashhad.
(B)
Day 10: Mashhad – Iran’s holiest city with its beautiful, massive and ever growing Imam Reza shrine complex is the beginning of the tour in Iran.
(B)
- Imam Reza Shrine Complex
- Bazaar
Day 11: Tehran / Shiraz – A morning flight brings us to Tehran where we spend the day sightseeing before bording a flight in the late afternoon to Shiraz.
(B)
- Sa’d Abad Palace
- Carpet Museum
Day 12: Persepolis & Shiraz – After breakfast we proceed with a tour of Persepolis before returning back to the city for a little bit of sightseeing.
(B)
- Half day tour of Persepolis Complex (UNESCO Site)
- Rock tombs of Naqsh-e Rajab & Naqsh-e Rostam
- Tombs of Hafez and Sa`adi
Day 13: Shiraz – Known for its splendid gardens, exquisite mosques and famous poets we continue touring the sites of this famous city.
(B)
- Karim Khan Citadel
- Eram Garden (UNESCO Site)
- Vakil Mosque & Bazzar
- Nasir-ol-Molk Mosque
- Madraseh-ye Khan
- Jameh-ye Atigh Mosque
- Imamzadeh-ye Ali Ebn-e Hamze shrine
Day 14: Pasargadae / Yazd – A short drive first takes us to the ruins of Pasargadae before continuing on to Yazd which is said to be one of the oldest cities in the world.
(B)
- Pasargadae – Tomb of Cyrus (UNESCO Site)
- Yazd – Jameh Mosque
- Amir Chakhmaq Complex
- Zoroastrian Fire Temple
- Towers of Silence burial grounds
Day 15: Isfahan – After leaving Yazd for the jewel of ancient Persia, Isfahan is one of the finest cities in the Islamic world. After checking into our hotel we can visit its famous bridges at sunset.
(B)
- Zayandeh River Bridges (Si-o-seh & Khaju Bridges)
Day 16: Isfahan – Isfahan is a place for savouring the high refinements of Persian culture and getting lost in its old bazaar.
(B)
- Imam Square (UNESCO Site)
- Ali Qapu Palace & Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque
- Chehel Sotun Palace (UNESCO Site)
- Vank Cathedral Museum
- Jameh Mosque
Day 17: Kashan / Tehran – On the way back to Tehran we stop in Kashan for a tour of this historic city that dates back over 6000 years.
(B)
- Fin Garden (UNESCO Site)
- Sialk Hill (Tappeh-ye Seyalk)
- Khan-e Borujedi
- Agha Bozorg Mosque & Madraseh
Day 18: Tehran and Depart – After breakfast you are free to depart at anytime.
(B)