- Home
- Tours
- Iran Tours
- Discover Ancient Persia by Train
Discover Ancient Persia by Train
Tour details
description
This exceptional journey allows you to explore the breathtaking landscapes and 3,000 years of history. You will cross the beautiful railway routes including The Trans-Iranian Railway registered in the UNESCO World Heritage List and admire various landscapes, from Zagros mountains to desert perspectives. In optimal conditions of safety and comfort, you will enjoy guided tours in each stage which offers you the opportunity to touch the arts, culture and history of the Mythical East and to discover the splendors of Persia through centuries. 1001 Nights Tours invites you to follow in the footsteps of the great conquerors on board the train
Arrival in Tehran-Transfer
You will be met on arrival at Imam Khomeini Airport and transferred to the hotel.
Tehran-Ahwaz
Start your sightseeing in Tehran by visiting Sa’dabad Palace; the residential site of two former kings of Iran, which was the host of Tehran Conference in 1943. Next, proceed to Tajrish Bazaar, a covered bazaar which has retained its old
architectural structure. Then head for Tabiat Bridge, a two-story foot bridge which is the symbol of Tehran and has been designed by an Iranian lady architect. In the afternoon, you are transferred to the airport for your flight to Ahwaz.
Ahwaz-Doroud-Khorramabad : 88 km
The Trans-Iranian Railway which is recently inscribed in the UNESCO world heritage site is waiting for you. From Ahwaz to Doroud, you experience an 8-hour amazing journey on train and you pass the extraordinary landscapes by this historical railway. You continue to Khorramabad to spend the overnight.
Kashan-Yazd
In the morning enjoy sightseeing in Kashan, an admired city due to the great traditional houses and architecture. First, visit Tabatabaei Historical House, this oriental house dates dates back to the 19th century and features a big courtyard and beautiful ornaments. Then head toward Agha Bozorg Mosque, a mosque and theological school featuring a unique dome. It is noteworthy that it is still functioned as a theological school. At the end, visit Fin Garden, a Persian garden which belongs to the 16th century and includes a few pavilions and a historic bath in which one of the most well-known Iranian ministers was murdered. Then depart Kashan for Yazd by train through the central desert of Iran.
Yazd-Kerman : 370 km
In the morning depart for Kerman. This day you explore sightseeing in Kerman. First, Your visit Ganjali Khan Historical Bathhouse, a 16th-century bath of Iran which has converted to the museum and includes some figures. Then head Towards Jameh Mosque, a four-iwan mosque, dating back to 7000 years ago. Afterwards, explore Grand Bazaar of Kerman, a roofed 400-year bazaar.
Kerman-Sassanid Palace-Shiraz : 570 km
Depart Kerman for Shiraz, the city of love and poetry. On the way, visit Sassanid Palace in Sarvestan. This palace used to be the hunting ground of Bahram V. It also represents the first Iranian dome that inspired the mosques that were constructed in the post-Islamic era.
Shiraz-Saadat Shahr-Isfahan : 240 km
In the morning, depart Shiraz to explore Persepolis, the most important political capital of Persian Empire, founded by Darius the Great. This site includes a number of palaces such Apadana Public Palace and Hundred Column Hall. Then
discover Naqsh-e Rustam, the royal necropolis of Achaemenid emperors which is located close to Persepolis. This site is home to a number of Sassanid reliefs. Afterward, head for Pasargadae, the first palace complex of Persian Empire which became an inspiration for Persian Garden. Pasargadae, the dominion center of Cyrus the Great, is also home to his tomb. In the afternoon, depart for Shahreza by train and then take the road to Isfahan by car.
Isfahan
Continue your sightseeing by visiting Chehel Sotoun Palace, the public palace of Shah Abbas, featuring miniature artworks from Safavid court and important historical events. Next, head Towards Naqsh-e Jahan Square, the second largest historic square of the world, which is surrounded by a number of the most important monuments of the Safavid era including Imam Mosque, one of the exquisite jameh mosques of Iran, which was constructed by the order of Shah Abbass and features amazing tileworks ; Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, belonged to the women of the king and lacks minaret and courtyard.; and Ali Qapu Palace in which the important meetings of the king with ambassadors and other politicians were carried out. At the end, take some leisure time in the afternoon.
Departure from Tehran
Transfer to the airport.
Tehran
Start your trip by exploring Tehran including National Museum of Iran, one of the most important museums of the world, containing two post-Islamic and pre-Islamic parts. Then you visit Golestan Palace, the first palace complex of the Tehran, dating back to the 16th century. It features unique Qajar-era tiling and was the most important public palace of Iran in the 19th century. Afterwards, visit National Jewelry Museum of Iran, one of the most precious jewelry museums of the world, which holds Daria-i-Noor (the sea of light), the biggest pink diamond of the world.
Alternative to National Jewelry Museum: Carpet Museum
Ahwaz-Susa-Ahwaz : 351 km
In the morning depart Ahwaz, with a history of human habitation dating back to 2700 BC, for Susa, home to a vast UNESCO listed archaeological site and one of the oldest inhabitation origins of humans in the world dating back to 4000 BC, and its museum. Then head for Tchogha Zanbil Ziggurat, referred to as the first religious building of Iran, and Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System consisting of an interconnected set of bridges, mills, dams and canals.
Khorramabad-Googad Citadel-Kashan : 385 km
In the morning you discover Falak-ol-aflak Citadel, the historical castle is located on a stony hillock in the midst of the city. Then depart for Kashan. On the way, visit Imam Khomeini’s House, the birth house of Imam Khomeini, the leader of the Islamic Revolution of Iran in 1979. Then head for explore Googad Citadel, a 16th-century significant caravanserai featuring watchtowers.
Yazd
Start your sightseeing in Yazd by exploring Towers of Silence, also known as Dakhma, is a round structure on top of a tall mountain. Zoroastrians used to put the corpses on top of the towers to return them to nature without pollution.
Afterwards, head Towards Zoroastrian Fire Temple, a temple that holds the sacred fire for several years. This structure was constructed about 100 years ago in Yazd by the Association of the Parsi Zoroastrians of India. Then you proceed to Amir Chakhmaq Square, the major historic square of Yazd, which was constructed in the 15th and functioned as a Tekyeh. In the afternoon, you visit Water Museum, This traditional house, located at the center of Yazd, displays the construction and operation of qanats. Afterward, admire Jameh Mosque of Yazd, located in the historic district of Yazd, features the tallest historic minarets among Iranian mosques. At the end, you stroll in the Historical District in Yazd, the first adobe city of the world, featuring spiral narrow alleys. These neighborhoods are still inhabited.
Kerman-Shahdad-Kerman : 220 km
Today, you go on an excursion to Mahan. In Mahan, you visit Shahzadeh Garden, a green oasis at the heart of the desert, and Shah Nematollah Vali Shrine an Iranian poet and Sufi (mystic). Then depart for Shahdad desert which is home to the most beautiful Yardangs of the world, having been formed as a result of wind and water erosions. With a temperature of 70°C, this region has been recognized as the hottest spot of the world. Shahdad is one of the first settlements in Ancient Persia with an antiquity of 6000 years. It is noteworthy that the first metal flag was discovered in this area.
Shiraz
In Shiraz, you explore Nasir-ol-molk Mosque ; One of the few private mosques of Iran that was constructed in the 19th century. Owing to a different architecture and colorful tiles, this mosque is also known as Rose Mosque. Afterwards, you visit Narenjestan e Ghavam Garden ; a magnificent 19th-century mansion which was utilized to do official tasks and serve guests. Next, you proceed your sightseeing to Hafiz Tomb The burial place of a great Iranian Poet (lived in the 14th century) who inspired well-known poets like Goethe. Finally, you end the day by visiting Ali Ibn Hamzeh Holy Shrine ; which features an onion dome and stunning mirrorworks and Vakil Bazaar ; a roofed bazaar with a domed structure that was constructed in the 18th century and is considered as the most important traditional bazaar of Shiraz.
Isfahan
Today, you explore Jameh Mosque of Isfahan, one of the five historic jameh mosques of the world that well displays Islamic architecture development. Then proceed to Si-o-se Pol and Khajou Bridges, constructed in the 17th century by the order of Shah Abbas which connects the old town of Isfahan to Jolfa Quarter. Then head for the Vank Cathedral, one of the most amazing Armenian churches of Iran, which contains the most important Armenian museum of Iran. It is an Apostolic Armenian Center. At the end, visit Grand Bazaar of Isfahan, a roofed bazaar belonging to the 16th century. At present, it is the most significant handicraft bazaar of Iran.
Isfahan-Abyaneh-Tehran : 500 km
Depart Isfahan for Tehran. On the way, visit Jameh Mosque of Natanz, dating back to the 14th century, features unique tileworks and brickworks on its minaret and dome. Then go for a stroll in the Historical Village of Abyaneh, a 1400-year Zoroastrian village which is located on the slopes of Karkas mountains. This village is characterized with multi-story houses built out of red soil. At the end, admire Fatima Holy Shrine in Qom, the second most important Shia religious site in Iran
