Modern Face of a Legendary Land
Pay a visit to modern Iran, getting acquainted with its hospitable people on a compact overview that hits all the highlights of Tehran, Shiraz, Yazd and Isfahan. Browse the unequaled bazaars, meeting and conversing with locals. Admire the treasures of Iran, from the Crown Jewels in Tehran and several UNESCO-listed classical Persian gardens, to the Zoroastrian Fire Temple of Yazd and the luminous bridges of Isfahan. Along the way, experience seven fabulous UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the 6th century BC ruins of Pasargadae.
MIR Signature Why end mights on this Tour
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Survey the complex Persian architecture of beautiful IsfahanRead More
Survey the complex Persian architecture of Isfahan’s gracefully proportioned UNESCO-listed Imam Square, decorated with cobalt, turquoise and lapis lazuli mosaic tiles.... -
Smell the roses of ShirazRead More
Discover the inspiration for Iran’s greatest lyric poet, Hafez – the gardens of Shiraz.... -
Explore Persepolis, ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid kingsRead More
Awaken to ancient history as you stand in the shadow of the colossal marble pillars of Persepolis, ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid kings and a celebrated... -
Browse the fabulous bazaars of TehranRead More
Join the crowds of shoppers in the fabulous bazaars of Tehran, shopping for jewelry, carpets and clothing....
Why Travel with MIR on this Tour
- Over 15 years of Iran travel experience
- Educational and alumni travel programs from the U.S., New Zealand and beyond have chosen MIR to guide them to Iran
- Twice named one of National Geographic Adventure’s “Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth”
- On-the-ground support and quality you can trust
- Personalized travel planning from start to finish
- Guides and tour managers that clients rave about
Itinerary & Highlights at a Glance
Days 1-4: Tehran
Tehran is a metropolis of more than eight million, boasting fashionable boutiques, restaurants, teahouses and museums. Sample the city’s best, including the Museum of Glass and Ceramics and the Carpet Museum, as well as the fabulous Crown Jewels. Drive through the affluent neighborhoods of northern Tehran, where luxurious shops, residences and embassies take advantage of cool mountain breezes, and dine in a favored restaurant. Fly to Shiraz.
Highlights
- The Abgineh Glassware Museum, with objects made from both glass and clay that date back as early as the 4th millennium BC
- Golestan Palace, with the Marble Throne, created from 65 pieces of yellow Yazd marble
Days 5-6: Shiraz, day trip to Persepolis
Enjoy UNESCO-listed Eram Garden, with its peaceful fountains and flowers. Browse the 11th century Vakil Bazaar, and visit with local people as they stroll and relax at the tomb of Iran’s favorite poet, Hafez. Spend a day in one of the most important sites of the ancient world, monumental Persepolis.
Highlights
- “City of Roses and Nightingales,” Shiraz
- Tomb of Hafez, Iran’s favorite poet
Days 7-8: Pasargadae, Yazd
Drive to the magnificent city of Yazd, stopping to explore the UNESCO-listed ruins of 6th century BC Pasargadae. Note the tall badgirs, or wind catchers of Yazd, ingenious Persian structures that vent and cool the buildings. Visit the Fire Temple and Towers of Silence, and learn about the city’s Zoroastrian heritage.
Highlights
- The archaeological site of Pasargadae, with the majestic limestone tomb of Cyrus the Great
- Badgirs, or windtowers, ancient Persia’s low-tech air conditioning system
Days 9-12: Maybod, Naein, Isfahan
On the road to Isfahan, stop in Maybod, with its 2,000-year-old mud brick castle, and in the little town of Naein, where traditional weavers are renowned for their mantles and rugs. Explore celebrated Isfahan, with its graceful UNESCO-listed Imam Square. Stroll the 17th century Qeisarieh Bazaar, its narrow lanes lined with brass and copperware craftsmen, jewelers, miniature painters, and rug merchants.
Highlights
- Maybod’s 2,000-year-old castle, water wells and wheat-grinding mill
- Weaving workshops in Naein
See Dates & Prices for more details or to see suggested extensions.
Tour Dates & Prices
Land Tour Price, Per Person
based on double occupancy
- 6-16 Travelers $6,095
- Plus Internal Air $130
- Single Supplement $1,295
2018 Dates
- October 7-18
- $6,095
- Max 16 Travelers
Land Tour Price, Per Person
based on double occupancy
- 6-16 Travelers $5,995
- Plus Internal Air $130
- Single Supplement $1,275
2019 Dates
- April 7-18
- October 6-17
- $5,995
- Max 16 Travelers
Group Size
Small Groups – Never More than 16 Travelers. Guaranteed!
What’s Included
On Your Tour
- Shared accommodations in well-located first class hotels in the major cities and best available hotels elsewhere. (Best available properties may still be basic and simple.)
- 11 breakfasts, 10 lunches and 10 dinners.
- Bottled water at group meals.
- Restaurant tips for included meals.
- Services of an experienced, English-speaking MIR Tour Manager with local guides at specific sites.
- Arrival/departure transfers. MIR will arrange for all travelers to be met on arrival and seen off on departure whether we make your airfare arrangements or not, provided you arrive and depart on the tour start/end dates in the tour start/end cities.
- Ground transportation throughout itinerary by private coach or van (size of vehicle depends on group size).
- Guided sightseeing tours and entrance fees as outlined in itinerary.
- Special events, excursions and cultural performances per the itinerary.
- Baggage handling where available.
- Gratuities to local guides and drivers.
Before Your Tour
- Personalized pre-departure support from one of our knowledgeable Tour Specialists.
- Complete pre-departure information including detailed packing list and reading list.
- Touring with MIR handbook with country-specific information, maps, and travel tips.
- Customized visa application instruction kit (please note, visa fees are not included in the tour price).
- Final document packet including luggage tags, final updates, and more.
- Assistance booking your custom flight arrangements (on request; please note that international and internal airfares are not included in the land tour cost).
Prepare for Your Trip
International Airfare
MIR's in-house, full-service air department will gladly assist with your air travel needs.
More Info
Reading List
MIR recommends reading up before you leave home. So settle back in your armchair with some of our favorite books about our favorite places.
More Info
Visas
Most MIR programs require one or more visas, and each visa requires a completely blank page in your passport. Visa information for this particular tour is listed in the Detailed Descriptive Itinerary.
More InfoTravel Insurance
Stay a Little Longer…
Combine this tour with Journey Through Central Asia: The Five ‘Stans. MIR can additionally arrange for private, independent tours of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and any of the ‘Stans. Contact us for details.
Or, choose from one of these suggested itineraries:
Is this Trip Right for You?
This trip is moderately active, and rated moderate to rigorous touring due to the daily walking involved and the overall shortcomings of the tourism infrastructure. To reap the full rewards of this adventure, travelers must be able to walk at least a mile a day, keeping up with fellow travelers.
A full list of details about the rigors of this tour is found in the Detailed Descriptive Itinerary.
About Travel to Iran
If you have any questions about traveling to Iran, feel free to contact MIR or speak with one of our Iran travel experts at 111-111-1111.
We invite you to read through our Frequently Asked Questions about traveling to Iran, gathered from our more than 15 years of travel experience.
Read our Travel Journals
MIR's Travel Journals offer first hand accounts of MIR's fascinating destinations.
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Ancient Persia, Modern Iran: A Tour Leader’s Blog
Follow along with seasoned MIR Tour Manager, Michel Behar, as he blogs his way through MIR's Ancient Persia - Modern Iran small group tour. Spend each day with him as he recounts his favorite traditional Persian foods, his discoveries at the outdoor markets, and his impressions of the gardens, art and architecture of Iran.... Read More
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Ancient Persia, Modern Iran: An Enigmatic Exploration
Follow along with MIR Corporation Tour Specialist Meaghan Samuels as she explores beautiful and enigmatic Iran on MIR's Ancient Persia, Modern Iran small group tour.... Read More
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