Discover Central Desert

Tour details

Origin City:

description

This route allows you to enjoy the villages and spectacular desert landscapes of Dasht e Kavir, for example, salt deserts, swamps, and a vast of sandy dunes. High variety of activities such as camel riding, safari and strolling in the desert turns this trip to a unique and mesmerizing adventure.
Note that this trip is recommended for cold seasons.

Day 1

Arrival in Tehran

You will be met on arrival at IKA Airport and be transferred to the hotel. 

Day 3

Tehran-Qom-Kashan : 220 km

Today, you depart Tehran for Kashan. On the way, make a stop in Qom, the second holiest city in Iran, to visit Fatima Holy Shrine, where people show their respect to the daughter of the seventh Shia Imam. Next, proceed to Kashan and visit Fin Garden, listed in UNESCO as a perfect example of Persian Garden, Tabatabaei Historical House, which reflects the luxurious lifestyle of a wealthy family in Kashan, and Agha Bozorg Mosque, used for preaching and teaching as well as prayers.

Day 5

Anarak-Rig-e Jen : 40 km

Start your day with a drive to the pristine and mysterious desert of Rig-e Jen located in Dasht-e Kavir (central desert) in which there are Salt Deserts, swamps, and a vast of sandy dunes. Today, you will take an exquisite trek among sandy dunes and enjoy the peace of desert. 

Day 7

Rig-e Jen-Mesr : 140 km

Today, you continue trekking and ridding safari in the desert. Then depart for Mesr, a desert village which offers spectacular sceneries, starry sky, palm trees, sand hills and creational facilities such as safari and camel riding

Day 9

Aroosan-Khur : 40 km

In the morning, enjoy trekking in Khur where you can find old adobe houses, historical forts and cisterns.

Day 11

Yazd

Enjoy your sightseeing in Yazd by exploring Towers of Silence in which you get familiar with the ancient funeral ceremonies in Iran. Afterwards, head for Zoroastrian Fire Temple where the holy fire has been burning for about 1500 years. Continue to Water Museum, where you get to know the traditional water-supply systems of Iran and the importance of water in the desert climate of Yazd, and the Timurid-era Amir Chakhmaq Square. Afterwards, head for Jameh Mosque of Yazd, an archeological masterpiece featuring two tall minarets that are observable from outside the city. End the day by strolling in the Historical District of Yazd, listed in UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Day 13

Shiraz

Today, you explore Shiraz, the city of love and poetry. First, visit beautifully-decorated Nasir-ol-molk Mosque; also known as the Pink Mosque. Afterwards, you visit Qajar-era Narenjestan e Ghavam Garden in which there is a glorious pavilion and museum. Next, you proceed your sightseeing to Hafiz Tomb where you appreciate a great poet who was also admired by Goethe. Finally, you end the day by visiting Ali Ibn Hamzeh Holy Shrine and Vakil Bazaar; a traditional covered bazaar located at the center of Shiraz enjoying natural air conditioning, arches and stunning architecture.

Day 15

Isfahan

Start your sightseeing in Isfahan, one of the treasures of art and architecture in the world. First, explore Jameh Mosque of Isfahan, one of the five biggest historical Friday Mosques in the world. Then proceed to Si-o-se Pol Bridge, constructed in the reign of Shah Abbas ІІ, and Khaju Bridge; known for its unique architecture, decorations and tiling. Then head for the Vank Cathedral, constructed with an inspiration from Saint Stepanos Monastery and influenced by Iranian and Italian art, and its Museum. At the end, visit Grand Bazaar of Isfahan, one of the greatest and luxurious trading centers in the Safavid era.

Day 17

Departure from Isfahan

You are transferred to Isfahan Airport for your flight home.

Day 2

Tehran

Start your holiday by sightseeing in Tehran, which has been the capital of Iran since 1788. First, visit UNESCO-listed Golestan Palace, including the successful integration of earlier Persian crafts and architecture with Western influences. Continue to National Museum of Iran in which a collection of ceramics, pottery, stone figures and carvings taken from excavation in Persepolis is held. End the day by visiting National Jewelry Museum of Iran where you can see a collection of dazzling royal gemstones, especially Daria-e Noor (literally means the sea of light).  This museum is also one of the five most precious museums of the world that nobody can estimate the value of its jewelry.
Alternative to National Jewelry Museum of Iran: Carpet Museum

Day 4

Kashan-Nain-Anarak : 280 km

In the morning, drive Kashan for Anarak. On the way, make a stop to visit Jameh Mosque of Natanz, which dats back to the early 14th century and enjoys unique tiling and brickwork in the structure of its minaret and dome. The next site to explore is Jameh Mosque of Nain, one of the oldest still standing mosques built about 1000 years ago with an inspiration from Prophet Mosque in Medina. Finally, take a trek in the Historical Part of Anarak Village.

 

Day 6

Rig-e Jen : 80 km

This day and the following day is devoted to trekking in a vast area of dunes and ridding safari.

Day 8

Mesr-Aroosan : 91 km

In the morning, you enjoy camel riding and trekking in the desert. Then you leave Mesr for Aroosan Village where gives you an unparalleled peace due to its sandy plains, spectacular sunset and shiny stars. 

Day 10

Khur-Kharanaq-Yazd : 322 km

Depart Khor for Yazd. On the way, make a stop to visit Historical Part of Bayazeh and Kharanaq Village.

Day 12

Yazd-Pasargadae-Shiraz : 442 KM

In the morning, depart for Shiraz, the city of love and poetry. On the way, make a stop in Abarkuh to visit Aghazadeh Historical Mansion which includes two-story wind catchers functioning as a cooler and a pavilion. Then proceed to Pasargadae, the first royal capital of Achaemenid in which you get to visit the tomb of Cyrus the Great.

Day 14

Shiraz-Persepolis-Isfahan : 489 km

Depart Shiraz for Isfahan, the capital of Persian Emperor in Safavid Dynasty. On the way, visit Persepolis, the ancient capital of Persia with its wonderfully well-preserved remains. Then Proceed to Naqsh-e Rustam, which contains four graves of the first Achaemenid Emperors, Darius the Great, Xerxes, Artaxerxes I and Darius II, carved into the cliff. 

Day 16

Isfahan

Continue your sightseeing in Isfahan by visiting Chehel Sotoun Palace (Forty Columns), a brilliant example for Persian garden listed in UNESCO Word Heritage. Next, Head for Naqsh-e Jahan Square, the second largest square in the world, and the monuments around including Imam Mosque, featuring amusing tiling; Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque; the bride of Islamic architecture, which is also known as the mosque of women; and Ali Qapu Palace in which the important meetings of the king with ambassadors and other politicians were carried out in the Safavid era. In the afternoon, take some leisure time on your own.