Registration now closed.
We are pleased to announce that registration for the Sacred Footsteps Iran Tour 2023 is now open! This tour will take you to five Iranian cities over 10 days, with a small group of travellers. Our tried and tested itinerary ensures travellers are able to get the most out of their visit to the ‘cradle of civilisation’!
When: 7th to 16th Oct 2023
PRICE: £2,000 (excluding airfare)
Price includes:
- A professional tour guide (fluent in English and Farsi)
- All accommodation; you will stay in ‘traditional’ Iranian boutique hotels wherever possible. Please note the price you pay is for a shared room, if you would like your own room for the duration of the tour it will be an additional £200.
- Traditional Iranian breakfast.
- All domestic transportation; private tour bus for the entirety of the trip (except Tehran where we will use public transport), including a domestic flight to take you from Shiraz to Tehran at the last step of the tour).
- Entrance fees to all attractions listed in the itinerary.
Please note all international flights to and from Iran are not included in the prices listed.
ITINERARY
The tour will last 10 days (9 nights) and cover the following cities: Tehran, Kashan, Isfahan, Yazd and Shiraz.
Day 1 (Tehran)
- Meet the group in the morning.
- Afternoon: visit the Qajari ‘Golestan Palace’ in the afternoon, walk around the Grand Baazar to explore one of the oldest markets in Iran. Visit Tajrish in the evening, a northern suburb, to visit the famous shrine of Imamzadeh Saleh and hike the snow capped Darband mountain for views of Tehran and enjoy dinner.
Day 2 (Kashan)
- Leave early morning after breakfast for Kashan, a town famous for carpets and tiles world over.
- Visit the famous Grand Bazaar and sip tea by the famous little tea shop in the old Caravanserai.
- Visit the unique ‘Bozorgh Agha’ Mosque
Day 3 (Kashan/Isfahan)
Leave early morning after breakfast for Kashan, a town famous for carpets and tiles world over
- Visit the famous Tabatabaei, Hoseini and Bani Kazemi Historical Houses of Kashan.
- Have lunch and head for Isfahan.
Day 4 (Isfahan)
- Arrive in Isfahan and visit Naqsh-e-Jahan (where you will see the famous Sheikh Lotfollah and the grand Shah Abbas Mosques)
- Visit the Si-o-Si Pol bridge and sit by the river Zayndeh river to enjoy the evening atmosphere around this incredible site
Day 5 (Isfahan)
- Visit the oldest and largest mosque in Isfahan – the ‘Jameh Mosque’ (Friday mosque)
- Enjoy traditional Isfahani speciality lunch
- Visit the old Armenian Christian quarter of Jolfa and see the magnificent Vank Cathedral
- Walk around Jolfa and enjoy local coffee and tea offerings
Day 6 (Yazd)
Leave Isfahan early morning after breakfast and drive to Yazd.
- Welcome to Yazd – the Zoroastrian capital. Visit the ‘Towers of Silence’
- See the largest Fire Temple in Yazd with the ‘eternal’ flame
Day 7 (Yazd/ Shiraz)
- Visit the Jameh Mosque of Yazd and the surrounding ancient city and market
Day 8 (Shiraz)
- Welcome to Shiraz – the city of poets and saints
- Arrive in the evening and visit the tomb of Hafez and Saadi.
Day 9 (Shiraz)
- Wake up at sunrise to visit the ‘Pink Mosque’ (Nasir ol Molk Masjid)
- Visit Vakil Mosque and Vakil Hamam.
Day 10 (Shiraz)
- Visit the historic sites of Persepolis and Necropolis (short drive from Shiraz city). Return to Shiraz in the afternoon. Tour ends.
What you can expect to see and do
Iran has a lot to see. Our aim is to cover the heart of Iran and show you as much as we can at a comfortable pace. You will visit most major sights in each city – covering palaces, ancient mosques, mausoleums, gardens and the lesser known parts of town.
You will see the ancient city of Persepolis in Shiraz, the fire temples and towers of silence of the Zoroastrians in Yazd, the magnificent mosques and palaces of the Safavid and Qajar dynasty in Isfahan and Tehran. We will immerse you in local culture and tradition as much as possible. You will eat Iranian food, relax in local cafes and listen to live music under the bridges and streets of Iran. A timeless tradition.
There will also be some down time each day for you to explore places we might not cover. We recognise some guests are interested in culture, art and architecture and others prefer a spiritual touch. This tour attempts to offer all elements.
Who is this tour suitable for?
Anyone who has been curious about Iran and wants to learn about and explore the cultural, social and spiritual side of Iran. This is not a religious tour. All we ask is that you are open minded and can enjoy the diversity and beauty of this wonderful place. We do not recommend this tour for children (of any age) given the busy schedule and long distances travelled.
Iran is a very safe destination for all travellers (including female) and the people are hospitable, respectable, and most importantly, welcoming. Recent political and social disruptions in Iran have been considered in planning this tour, and all arrangements will be made to ensure the safety and well-being of our guests.
Visa
All EU citizens (except the UK) can obtain a visa on arrival at major airports in Iran. All other world citizens must also apply for a visa in advance. Tourists that require a visa will be guided throughout the process.
Please note the visa fee is not included in the tour price (approx. $20-50 USD but can vary depending on your nationality). There is no guarantee of your visa application being approved.
