Iranian Azerbaijan and Kurdistan

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1:

  Arrival in Tehran

  

  Arrival in Tehran, the Iranian capital, located at the foot of Mount Alborz. Welcome by the representative of SITO travel agency. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 2:

  Tehran

  

  We start with a visit to the capital, Iran's most dynamic and vibrant city.  Sightseeing in Tehran: the National Museum of Iran, the Golestan Palace, the Crown Jewels Museum. A pleasant walk on the Tabiat Bridge "Nature". A modern work of art of the Iranian capital, Tehran.  Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

• day 3:

  Qazvin - Masouleh

  

  In the morning, we leave for Qazvin to discover its magnificent historical sites: Saray-e Sa'd al-Saltaneh, Mausoleum of Shahzadeh Hossein, Chehel Sotoun. Departure to the village of Masouleh, located in the middle of the mountains and built in terraces. The architecture of this village is such that the roof of one house is the courtyard of another house.  Dinner in a restaurant and overnight in a traditional house in the village.

• day 4:

  Ardabil

  

  Our journey continues to the Ardabil region via the beautiful Gardane-Heyran. During the journey, we will visit the lagoon of Bandar-e Anzali, a port city on the Caspian Sea. Arriving in Ardabil, we will visit the mausoleum of the mentor of the Sufis, Sheikh Safi al-Din Ardabili. Afterwards we will visit the bazaar of Ardabil which was a commercial crossroads as it connected the road from Tabriz to the countries bordering the Caspian Sea. Dinner at the restaurant and overnight at the hotel.

• day 5:

  Kaleybar

  Departure to Kaleybar and visit of the impressive Babak Fortress, identified as the refuge of Babak Khorramdin, leader of the Khurramite movement, who fought in Azerbaijan against the Abbasid Caliphate between the end of the 8th and the beginning of the 9th century; Dinner at the restaurant and overnight at the hotel.

• day 6:

  Jolfa

  

  On the way to the Jolfa region and along the Aras River, between the border of Iran and Azerbaijan, we will visit a traditional house from the Qajar period. Dinner in a restaurant and overnight at the hotel.

• day 7:

  Tabriz

  

  We continue the journey to the other beautiful place of worship called St. Stepanos Monastery. The building where Christianity is practiced dates back to the 9th century AD. Arrival in Tabriz. Walk around the El-Goli garden pond, the largest water reserve in the garden, located in the eastern part of Tabriz up to Tehran Gate. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

• day 8:

  Tabriz

  

  After breakfast, visit of the capital of East Azerbaijan: Azerbaijan Museum, Blue Mosque, Tabriz Bazaar. Dinner at the restaurant and overnight at the hotel.

• day 9:

  Takht-e Soleyman- Takab

  We continue the journey to Takab. On the way, we will visit one of the most magical places in all of Iran: Takht-e Soleyman. This archaeological site from the Sassanid period is hidden among the picturesque mountains that accompany us on our journey, making it one of the most picturesque sites in Iran. Takht-e Soleyman, in addition to its prestigious history, offers a series of criteria for understanding the culture of the Zoroastrians and their place of worship. Arrival in Takab. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

• day 10:

  Sanandaj

  

  Arrival in Sanandaj, capital of the Iranian Kurdistan region. We will visit the Kurdistan Archaeological Museum, the Kurdish House, the Jameh Mosque, a bazaar in the historic centre of 1600 modelled on Naqsh-e Jahan Square in Esfahan. The visit to Sanandaj highlights the multi-ethnicity of Iran. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

• day 11:

  Kamyaran - Kermanshah

  Departure to Kermanshah, on the way visit the Kurdish village Palangan. Like Masouleh, the village of Palangan is also developed in terraces. The province of Kermanshah is located on the strategic road that linked Mesopotamia to the Iranian plateau. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

• day 12:

  Hamadan

  

  In the morning, departure for Hamadan. On the way, visit the UNESCO World Heritage archaeological site which allows us to learn about the details of the most brilliant document left by Darius in Iran: the Bisotun bas-reliefs. Continue to Kangavar to visit the temple of Anahita (the goddess of water). Arrival in Hamadan, visit the great bazaar and the tomb of the great Persian philosopher and physician Abu Ali Sina (Avicenna). Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

• day 13:

  Zanjan

  The morning begins with a visit to the ancient capital of the Medes: Ecbatan and then visit the Mausoleum of Esther and Mordecai. Arrival in Zanjan, visit the Rakhtshooy Khaneh Museum (Laundry). Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

• day 14:

  Zanjan - Soltaniyeh - Hôtel IBIS

  

  In the morning, we visit Zanjan bazaar complex, then we leave for Tehran, on the way we will visit the archaeological site of Soltaniyeh. We continue our journey to Tehran. Dinner and rest at Ibis hotel.

• day 15:

  Back home

  

  The airport is a ten minute walk across the pedestrian bridge, and there are also shuttle buses that run past the hotel every twenty minutes. We wish you a pleasant journey and hope to see you soon.