Iran Oasis and Desert Tour (18 Days)
When: All the year round
Duration: 18 days
Highlights: Monument, Church, Shopping center, ancient theatre
Language: The tour is originally in English.
Some of the people prefer to experience at least one day in deserts; however, there are a lot more to experience. It is not all about sand and sun but its peaceful, silent, relaxing and natural atmosphere that makes them interested in deserts. Iran is the most ideal destination for nature lovers. You can hardly find a country that is covered by forests, deserts, mountains and seas. Everywhere you look, there is something that calls you. Dasht-e Kavir and Lut Deserts are the two important deserts of Iran divided into smaller parts with different names and features. For example, Shahdad Desert is uninhabited due to the heat and dryness, so it is still quite clear and untouched. In contrary, the internal deserts of Iran were occupied by people for many years, in Garmah you will experience the best desert lifestyle in a real oasis.
Price includes
- Transportations in the program
- Meals
- Services of the guide of the program
- Museum tickets
Price does not include
- Other costs not offered in this program
- Tip for your tour guide
Activities
- Day 1
Welcome to Iran, at arrival you will meet your driver or guide and after check in to the hotel you have some time to take a rest and get ready for next plans. We are going to visit some of the Tehran tourism spots, they will give a better vision of this country and its hospitable people. Take a short walking in Tajris Sq., the Iranian public center, then spend a few hours visiting Sa'dabad Complex --the center of Iranian modern art and architecture. Let’s have a healthy dinner in Darband, a natural park at the northern Tehran. O/N in Tehran
- Day2
This morning you will experience some of the iconic places of Great Tehran. Your professional guide will accompany you to the Carpet Museum and Azadi Complex, where you can see the two great art of Iranians, Persian carpet and Persian Architecture. We’ll then visit Grand bazaar of Tehran, Golestan Palace and National Museum of Iran. First one is the oldest commercial center in Tehran with incredible architecture, the second one is the UNESCO registered site of Tehran, a complex of Persian gardens and palaces and the last one, the national museum of Iran is the richest collection of historical data in west Asia. The rest of the day you’ll be free to explore Tehran or just relax in the hotel. O/N in Tehran
- Day3
Departing Tehran towards Dasht-e Kavir, we make a stop in Damqan. There, we will visit an archaeological site, Tape Hessar which is very important in the northeastern part of Iran. Next, you will have the opportunity to see one of the oldest mosques of Iran, Tarikhaneh, in which you can find how the Sassanian style of architecture affected the Islamic architecture during next centuries. Then we go to see Chehl Dokhtar Tower. Be ready for interesting stories about this structure. O/N in Damqan
- Day4
Next morning, we leave Damqan to Mesr Desert, in Isfahan province. Iranians named the desert Mesr (The Arabic spell of Egypt) because this area has the same characteristics of Egypt Desert. There is a seasonal Salt Lake near Mesr, as a unique phenomenon attracts many tourists annually. on the way, we make a stop in Jandaq and Khor. So beautiful are the oases in these two places, they are usually chosen as filming locations by famous directors. O/N in Mesr
- Day5
This is going to be a long way to Tabas but we planned to stay at least a few hours in other deserts on our road. Our first destination is Garmeh, the real oasis of Iran, covered by palm gardens next to the sand dunes. Sit by the fresh springs, stretch your legs and listen to the birds singing. After, Garmeh we head to Bayaziyeh where there is a great castle featuring the elements of Persia desert architecture. Then we head to Tabas. There, we visit Golshan Garden, Kal-e Jeni and Morteza Ali Canyon. Our Final destination is Ezmiqan village, one of the dramatic villages of Iran. You cannot expect to see a place in the middle of desert that the local people breed rice. As mentioned ‘’ Rice needs water for evapotranspiration, seepage and percolation, as well as management practices such as land preparation and drainage.’’ Due to the permanent rivers, this village is different from other villages in the desert. There is only one place where you can see dates and rice growing together. The area is divided into two dry and humid parts, one in which dates are planted and the other is suitable for planting rice. O/N in Ezmiqan Village
- Day6
This morning you leave Tabas to Nayband oasis to experience the icons of an Iranian oasis. We make a stop in Deyhok, where you can see the magnificent Deyhok castle. We'll then visit Esfahak, a unique oasis surrounded by soaring palm trees, definitely worth a visit. The old part of Esfahak was destroyed after an earthquake (1978) but the new village has been built and developed after this horrible event, because of its irregular view, the old part became a tourist attraction since. Then we head to Nayband oasis, the best place to get lost in the desert. The village is important for some reasons such as its landscape which show the interaction of human and nature very well, its wild life sanctuary which is one of the richest in Iran. You will spend a night in a perfectly developed Eco lodge there. O/N in Nayband Oasis
- Day7
Be ready for 8-hours driving from Neyband to Shahdad. It is long way but worth to pass because you are going to visit one of the popular deserts of the world, Shahdad in Lut desert. The desert is the home of the Ancient Civilization of Shahdad, the hottest desert on earth and the richest desert due to the verity of natural phenomena like Kaluts, rocks and slat lakes. You will spend a night in a developed eco lodge, there you will experience a delicious local supper by the fire. O/n in eco lodge in shahdad
- Day8
This morning we travel to the city of Kerman. En-route we will visit Mahan and Rayen. Two important destinations in Kerman province. In Mahan we will visit Shazde garden, one of the exotic scene in Iran, where you can see how a Persian garden was built and developed in the middle of desert. The principle of Persian gardening had been perfectly applied by the architectures to create this magnificent collection of art and beauty. Then we head out to Mausoleum of Shah Nematolah Vali, the Iranian respectful noble and poet. His tomb has become a tourism attraction for its incredible architecture. Rayen castle is another destination we are going to visit. The castle displays all the architectural elements of a desert citadel. A good spot to take some memorable shots along with a great instance for Persian architecture. Then we continue our way to Karman. O/N in Kerman
- Day9
After breakfast, we have a guided tour of the city where we will be visiting Ganjali Khan Complex and Zoroastrian Museum. The Ganjali khan complex includes magnificent structures dating back to Safavid such as school, plaza, mosque, bathhouse mint and bazaar. This is the most famous land mark of Kerman. Then we go to see the Zoroastrian heritage in Kerman museum. In evening we set off on our travel to the Meymand village, a UNESCO world heritage site dating back to at least 2000 years ago. The cultural landscape of meymand displays the lifestyle of villagers who are semi-nomadic agro-pastoralists, living in temporary settlements in spring and autumn and live in lower parts of the valley in cave dwellings carved out of the soft rock. O/N in Meymand
- Day10
Leaving the desert, we move on to Sirjan, the historical city in west of Kerman and then continue our way to Fars province. We will visit Stone Garden (or Bagh-e Sangi), an existing garden created by a man (Darvish Khan) who planned to build it for protesting against the wrong decisions of the government (land reforms) which resulted to destruction of trees. He carried the boulders from the mountains and hanged them to the dead trees. This story inspired the Iranian director, Parviz Kimiavi to direct a movie based on this story in 1976, which finally won the Silver Bear prize in Berlin film festival. Next after, we visit Capoghi Wind Catcher of Sirjan, a unique form of wind catchers in Iran as similar to a kind of pipe for smoking tobacco. The afternoon can be spent exploring the Pink lake (Maharloo lake), walking alongside the lake and enjoy the charm of it when it changes its color as the sun slowly moves from east to west. Continue the way to Shiraz. O/N in Shiraz
- Day11
It is a desert tour but you are not going to spend all the time in deserts. Shiraz is the inseparable part of every Persian tour. Shiraz! This eastern city buzzing with activity, tradition, foods, and architectural style of its own. Our tour guide will introduce you to the city and its many historic sites, including Narenjestan and Eram Garden, Nasirol Molk Mosque, Tomb of Saadi and Hafez; two of the most famous poets in Iran, Vakil mosque, Vakil Bazaar, Shah Cheragh holy shrine and Karimkhan castle. Get ready and join us for an epic tour in Shiraz! We are going to hit some of best Shiraz tourism spots. O/N in Shiraz
- Day12
Departing Shiraz to Yazd, on the way, we will enjoy a full day to further explore the history of Pars. The Persepolis complex, as a magnificent memorial of Great Achaemenian Kings and UNESCO world heritage site displays its massive structures adorned with stone reliefs and inscriptions. Move on to see the Naghsh-e Rostam Necropolis, the collection of stone reliefs and Achaemenid king’s tombs. Finally, we visit Pasargadae, the first capital of the Persian Achaemenian dynasty including palaces, gardens, Tall-e Takht, tomb, Zendan, the stone plinths, etc. Situated on a plain northeast of Persepolis. This area was home of Achaemenian families for many years even before it was chosen by Cyrus the Great (reigned 559–c. 529 BCE) as his capital and throne. Today after the tour, we’re off to the UNESCO registered historical city, Yazd. O/N in Yazd
5 Line
- Day13
We start our tour early in the morning to take a walk through the old part of Yazd, visit and explore the historical sites of Yazd where the magnificent examples of Iranian architecture are laid. Get ready to hear the story of a historical city, all of its beauties and memories from your tour guide. We are going to visit Old town, Jameh Mosque, Dowlatabad Garden, Amir Chaqmaq complex, Zoroastrian Towers of Silence and Fire Temple. Don’t forget to ready your camera for some memorable shots of Yazd. O/N in Yazd
- Day13
Early in the morning we depart Yazd to Varzaneh desert, on the way we make a stop in some tourism cities and spots like Kharanaq Village, Chak Ckak the main Holy Temple of Zoroastrian and Jame Mosque of Naein. Karanagh is a good destination for those who want to see a historical but developed village dating back to atleast 2000 years ago. Chack chack is the holiest shrine of Zoroastrians and the most important center for Zoroastrian Pilgrimage related events. Then we go to get Varzaneh a small city near Isfahan. O/N in Varzaneh
- Day14
Most Iranians know Varzaneh because of the beautiful and distinctive white scarves that woman use for their hijab, quite in contrary to other similar scarves which are black. We go to see Gavchah, refers to traditional mills driven by Zebu cows while their owners were singing an especial song. Then we visit Jame Historical Mosque of Varzaneh and Dovecote (Pigeon Tower). In the afternoon we go to see the sunset over Salt Lake to get lost in the beauty of its pure nature. O/N in Isfahan
- Day15
Enchanting Isfahan, the capital of Persian tourism, developed alongside the river of Zayandeh Rud. In the morning, be prepared to go to Naqsh-e Jahan square and its incredible buildings such as Imam Mosque, Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, Ali Qapu Palace and Handicraft Bazaar of Qaisarieh. Then we head to visit the most beautiful Persian garden of Isfahan, Chehel Sotoun. In the evening, visit the bridges of Khajoo and siosepol (33 Pol), do not miss out on taking a walk over the bridges while you are listening to the sound of water. Then spend a delightful time in Vank Cathedral and Armenian district of Isfahan and gather good information about this important community of Iran. O/N in Isfahan
- Day16
In the morning keep on driving to the ancient city of Kashan. On the way, we make a stop in Abyaneh village, another unique village in the middle of desert which is shining like an agate for its red structures. In Kashan, we visit the magnificent Broujerdiha house, the best example of Persian manner houses or mansions. In Jameh mosque of Kashan, you will get enough information about the history of the city during the Islamic era. Then, have a short walk through traditional bazaar of Kashan and see the best quality of Iranian productions. Next after, we will visit Fin garden (UWHS), dating back to 1590. O/N in Kashan
- Day17
Driving to Qom, we will make a stop in Fatima Masumeh Shrine and Jamkaran mosque. Two important shrines for Shiite Muslims of Iran. All these historical structures have their own features and show the creativity of Iranian architectures during centuries. O/N in Qom
- Day18
Departing Qom to Tehran. Say goodbye to Iran and take a flight back to home. Make sure you upload the highlights of Iran desert tour onto your social media accounts, and we look forward to see you again.