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Be spoiled by the offerings of Iran and Turkey, rich in historical sites, memorable culture, and charming hospitality
Explore two of the most historically and culturally rich countries in the world, places where numerous empires, conquerors and civilisations have left their mark. Go behind the headlines and uncover the true Iran, a welcoming country of open-hearted people redefining the word ‘hospitality’. From breath-taking mosques to stepped hillside villages, Ancient Persepolis and Zoroastrian towers, the beauty of the Iranian landscape is a reflection of its inhabitants. Journey to Turkey, a tantalisingly exotic country that mixes the cosmopolitan delights of Istanbul with ancient cities and natural wonders. Visit a dazzling architectural world, from the Blue Mosque and Ephesus, to the bizarre rock-landscape of Cappadocia. Come on a rewarding adventure that takes in one of the world’s least-visited countries.
Before booking on this trip we recommend that you read the ‘Safety’ section in the trip notes regarding special safety considerations for Iran trips.
- Code
- PGITC
- Physical rating
- Trip rating
- 1 review
- Ages
- Min 15
- Group size
- Min 1, Max 12
Why you'll love this trip
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Explore one of the greatest cities of antiquity, Persepolis. The relief carvings and towering columns will leave you in no doubt that this was once the centre of the known world
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Once a major stop on the Silk Road, visit Yazd and discover the role religion plays in the city, from the impressive Jameh Mosque to the Zoroastrian towers and temples
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Spend 2 nights at our 'feature stay' hotel in Yazd; an old renovated caravanserai that dates back to nearly a century ago
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Soak up the sights and atmosphere of the jewel in the crown of Persia, the beautiful town of Esfahan.
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Step back in time at Ephesus, where the Greco-Roman world still feels very much alive. This is one of the best preserved classical cities in all of Europe and yet to be completely excavated
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Spend some time reflecting on battles fought and lives lost in Gallipoli. This peaceful place has seen many atrocities due to its significant role in WW1
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Enjoy 2 nights at 'feature stay' hotel in Selcuk /Ephesus a rustic boutique style series of old Ottoman residences renovated in an authentic and unique style
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Be mesmerised by the lunar landscape of Cappadocia and explore an underground city
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Visit the iconic 17th century Blue Mosque, with its unusual number of six minarets and striking collection of Iznik tiles
Is this trip right for you?
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Iran & Turkey are a big country's and we cover a lot, which mean a few long travel days. However all land travel is in private air-conditioned buses, with regular stops along the way.
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Alcohol is strictly forbidden in Iran and severe penalties will be incurred by anyone attempting to bring it into the country. Drug laws are also extremely strict and travellers face lengthy jail terms if caught. If found, pork, obscene material (even glossy magazines showing people in immodest poses), and controversial literature will all be confiscated by custom officials. Upon arrival, you as a foreigner will likely be whisked through customs but note that random bag checks do occur.
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In Iran it's becoming increasingly difficult to confirm our preferred hotels listed in the trip notes due to limited 4 star options. While we will always look to the next suitable alternative in some cases these may not be centrally located. It's important to note that local star ratings are not necessarily equivalent to quality. In some locations the 3 star hotels are a better quality ( and location ) than the 4 star ones and be priced accordingly.
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This trip involves a lot of walking, sometimes on rocky or slippery terrain. Please bring sturdy walkingshoes. You also have the option to sit out many of the walks. if you don't feel up to them.
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Turkey can get hot in the summer months of July and August but this is normally a dry heat and is easier to cope with than humidity.Where possible, you'll be taken to sites in the early morning before it gets too hot.
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Night time temperatures can be quite cool, particularly in April and October. Not all hotels will have heating so make sure to bring a few warm items with you.
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Iran is one of the safest and friendliest places you can travel but it is very conservative. It is very important that before you sign up for this tour you are committed to following a strict dress code (particularly for women) in what may be quite warm weather. Things don't get much more different to home than this!
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Upon arrival in Iran, all women must wear a headscarf and must also have their arms and legs covered. Men must also be conservatively dressed.
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Itinerary
Iran's capital is exciting, noisy and chaotic. Home to 15 million people, Tehran is the country's beating heart and where its true national identity is found. Expect to see women wearing full-length chadors competing for space with young and hip girls in figure-hugging manteau and headscarves. Also expect to be stopped by friendly locals who love nothing more than to chat with you about anything and everything. In the evening, perhaps take a seat at a city coffee shop for some people watching.
Accommodation
- Tehran Grand Hotel II or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.Special Information
An airport arrival transfer is included. This transfer is only valid if arriving on day 1 or if you have booked pre-trip accommodation through Peregrine. Please provide your flight details at the time of booking, or at a minimum 15 days prior to travel (note - we may not be able confirm request made within 15 days of travel). Once you have provided your details a transfer representative will be booked to meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel.Please note that we use a local supplier for the arrival airport transfer and as tourism is a developing industry in Iran, it is possible your driver will not speak English.
If arriving early we recommend a visit to the National Jewelry Museum today as it is closed on Wednesday and Thursday
Accommodation
- Tehran Grand Hotel II or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Tehran - City Tour
- Tehran - National Museum
- Tehran - Golestan Palace
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Special Information
The Jewelry Museum is closed on Wednesday and is no longer included on our daily tour programme. If you would like to visit the museum it is open from Saturday to Tuesday so we suggest allowing time on arrival or at the end of your tour.Accommodation
- Morshedi House II or Morshedi House I or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Kashan -Tabataei house
- Kashan - Bazaar
- Kashan - Fin Gardens entrance and guided tour
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Dinner
We stop en route in the quite town of Na'in located on the edge of the Central Desrt this small village has retained a lot of it's traditional charm – the town is full of old clay houses sitting on top of underground aqueducts which draws water from the mountains to the plains.
Continue to Aqda where we enjoy a Persian lunch in beautifully restored traditional house. Relax over lunch and maybe take a walk through the village.
Arriving in Yazd in the late afternoon time to indulge the sweet tooth with a visit to a famous confectionery maker at Haj Khalifeh Ali Rahbar. Taste generations of expertise at the oldest and most famous sweet shop in the city, where treats are made through traditional techniques.
Spend this evening in your feature stay hotel.
Accommodation
- Dad Hotel (Feature Stay) or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Yazd - Aqda Traditional House Lunch
- Yazd - Traditional Sweet Shop - Peregrine Moment
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
Special Information
It is sometimes difficult to confirm our feature stay hotel in Yazd, so for this reason we have selected an alternative feature stay hotel to ensure that we can provide a unique accommodation experience in Yazd. Our alternative feature stay property is Moshir Hotel. If you would like to confirm in advance which hotel is confirmed your tour please check with your booking agent 30 days prior to departureAfterwards, visit two vestiges of Yazd’s Zoroastrian heritage on a trip to the Fire Temple and the Towers of Silence. Zoroastrianism, dating back over 4,000 years, was the state religion of Iran before the arrival of Islam. In the Zoroastrian religion, fire and water are agents of ritual purity, and the fire in the Atashkadeh Fire Temple is said to have been continuously burning since 470 AD. The intriguing Towers of Silence are part of the Zoroastrian tradition of raised circular structures where the dead are laid out to be picked clean by scavenger birds.
Dinner tonight is a very special experience, we travel to the village of Taft to the house of Nartitee. Here every corner of this small village home tells a story, at Nartitee you can experience a 2500 year culture as you enjoy a simple meal amongst the scent of pomegranate and tamarind trees. A Peregrine Feature Meal.
Accommodation
- Dad Hotel (Feature Stay) or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Yazd - Zoroastrian Fire Altar & Towers of Silence
- Yazd - Amir Chakmaq visit
- Yazd - city walking tour
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Dinner
The Abarkuh Cyprus is the the focal point of this village and is believed to be 4500 years a popular symbol of “life and beauty”. Relax a while and gaze on the beauty of this tree the oldest living organism in Iran.
Arrive in Shiraz in the late afternoon.
Accommodation
- Parsian Shiraz or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Abarkuh - Cypress of Abarkuh
- Abarkouh - Ice Houses
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Up early this morning to catch the first rays of sun as it seeps in through the stained glass of the Nasir al-Mulk Mosque, this mosque may seem like a fairly traditional place of worship from the outside, but inside it is guarding a very gorgeously colourful secret. Continue to the Vakil Bazaar and the Khan citadel. Bazaar-e Vakil is regarded as one of the most evocative bazaars in the country and specialises in fine carpets, handicrafts, textiles and spices.
This afternoon visit the lovely, vast complex of Eram Garden, also known as the ‘Garden of Paradise’ (Bagh-e Eram). Wander the grounds, filled with young Shirazis, where artificial rivers run through an impressive collection of cypress trees before pooling in front of a colourful palace.
Following this, visit the tombs of Hafez and Sa'di. The Persian poet Hafez was born in Shiraz around 1310 and travelled the world before returning to pass away in Shiraz, where he is regarded as a literary giant and folk hero.
Nearby is the Aramgah-e Shah-e Cheragh, known as one of the holiest sites in Shiraz. The beautiful structure serves as a mausoleum to one of Imam Reza’s brothers and the forecourt is often packed with Shiite pilgrims.
After witnessing these stunning sites, the rest of the day is free for exploration.
Accommodation
- Parsian Shiraz or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Shiraz - Hafez Tomb
- Shiraz - Bagh-e Eram Gardens
- Shiraz - City tour
- Shiraz - Nasir al Molk Mosque
Meals Included
- Breakfast
The Takhte Jamshid complex of palaces was known as the historic marvel of the country, constructed over the course of 150 years as the ceremonial capital of Darius I’s Achaemenid Empire. The imposing gateways, intricate relief carvings, mountainside tombs, grand staircases and towering columns leaves little doubt that this was once the heart of the known world.
Continue on to Naqsh-e-Rajab, the site of four limestone rock face inscriptions and bas-reliefs that date to early Sassanid times. In 330 BC, invading armies led by Macedonian conqueror Alexander the Great set fire to the city, destroying it and in turn symbolising the destruction of the Persian Empire. While today only small ruins remain from those once-magnificent structures, the site is still impressive.
Accommodation
- Parsian Shiraz or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Persepolis - Entrance and Guided tour
- Persepolis - Naqsh-e Rustam Necropolis
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Arrive in Esfahan; in the evening, take a stroll down to the Zayandeh River and witness the historic bridges arching over the water. The stunning Si-o-seh Pol (bridge of 33 arches) lights up at night, creating a fairytale spectacle best witnessed either on the banks of the river or at a local teahouse. While away some time in this magical location, truly one of the most atmospheric that Iran has to offer.
Accommodation
- Keryas Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Parsagad - Pasargadae UNESCO world heritage site
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Special Information
It is often difficult to secure our preferred hotel in Esfahan our alternative hotel in Esfahan is Safir Hotel. If you would like to confirm in advance which hotel is available for your tour please check with your booking agent 30 days prior to departure.Accommodation
- Keryas Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Esfahan - Qeysariye Bazaar
- Esfahan - Sheykh Lotfollah Mosque
- Esfahan - Naghsh-e Jahan Square
- Esfahan - Ali Qapu Palace
- Esfahan - City walking tour
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Keryas Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Esfahan - Vank Cathedral
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Tehran Grand Hotel II or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Qom - Orientation walk
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Welcome to Istanbul; the continent-straddling metropolis that the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans have called home.
Meet your new leader and group today at a welcome meeting at 1pm. As this is a combination trip, your group leader and the composition of your group may change at this location. There will be a group meeting to discuss the next stage of your itinerary and you're welcome to attend, as this is a great chance to meet your new fellow travellers.Your welcome meeting will be at 1pm today and you will meet your new group.
Accommodation
- Legacy Ottoman or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Istanbul - City Tour
- Istanbul - Blue Mosque
Optional Activities
- Istanbul - Archaeology Museum - TRY30
- Istanbul - Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts - TRY35
- Istanbul - Hagia Sophia - TRY60
- Istanbul - Great Palace Mosaic Museum - TRY20
- Istanbul - Galata Tower - TRY25
- Istanbul - Topkapi Palace (Excluding Harem) - TRY60
- Istanbul - Basilica Cistern - TRY20
- Istanbul - Chora Church - TRY45
- Istanbul - Dolmabahce Palace (Excluding Harem) - TRY60
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Special Information
As this is a combination trip, your group leader and the composition of your group will change at this location. There will be a group meeting to discuss the next stage of your itinerary and meet your new fellow travellers.Accommodation
- Grand Anzac Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Gallipoli - guided visit
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Special Information
Driving time today: approximately 5 hoursAccommodation
- Kalehan Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Troy - Archeological Guided Site Visit
- Sirince - Wine Tasting
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Special Information
Driving time today: approximately 6 hoursAccommodation
- Kalehan Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Seluck - Orientation Walk
- Ephesus - archaeological site
- Selcuk - Isa Bey Camii
Optional Activities
- Selcuk - Basilica of St John - TRY15
- Selcuk - Archaeological Museum - TRY15
- Ephesus - Terrace Houses Entry - TRY30
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Melrose View Point Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Pamukkale - Hierapolis & Travertines National Park
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Special Information
Driving time today: approximately 4 hoursAccommodation
- Linda Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Kayakoy- Ghost Village
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Special Information
Total driving time today: 6 hoursAccommodation
- Linda Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Kas - Boat Cruise and lunch
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Dogan Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Antalya - Kaleici visit
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
Special Information
Total driving time today: approximately 3.5 hoursAccommodation
- Dogan Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Antalya - Antalya Museum
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Special Information
Due to limited accommodation in the kaleici (Old Town) of Antalya it can sometimes be difficult to secure our preferred hotel. For this reason we have selected two alternative hotels of equal standard – Pudding Marina Hotel andAspen Hotel.
If you would like to confirm which hotel your group is staying at please contact your booking agent 30 days prior to departure.
Accommodation
- Şemsi Tebrizi or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Antalya - Sagalassos
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Heybe Hotel (Feature Stay) (1 night)
Included Activities
- Konya - Mevlana Museum
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Heybe Hotel (Feature Stay) (1 night)
Included Activities
- Cappadocia - Valley Walk
- Goreme - Open Air Museum
Optional Activities
- Goreme - Hot Air Balloon, Cappadocia Regular Flight - EUR195
- Goreme - Hot Air Balloon, Cappadocia Deluxe Flight - EUR250
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Special Information
Please note that hot air ballooning can only be booked locally. Please speak to your trip leader at the beginning of the tour to organise this.Accommodation
- Heybe Hotel (Feature Stay) (1 night)
Included Activities
- Cappadocia - Pottery Demonstration
- Cappadocia - Ozkonak Underground City
Optional Activities
- Goreme - Whirling dervish performance - EUR25
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Legacy Ottoman Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Special Information
Transfer to the airport in Cappadocia will take approximately 1.5 hours. The flight to Istanbul will be booked out of Nevsehir or Kayseria. Flight time is approximately 1.5 hours.Meals Included
- Breakfast
Meals
26 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 dinnersTransport
Private aircon bus, PlaneAccommodation
Comfortable Standard Hotel (21 nights) Feature Stay Dad Hotel Yadz (2 nights) Feature Stay Heybe Hotel Cappadocia (3 nights)Included Activities
- Tehran - City Tour
- Tehran - National Museum
- Tehran - Golestan Palace
- Kashan -Tabataei house
- Kashan - Bazaar
- Kashan - Fin Gardens entrance and guided tour
- Yazd - Aqda Traditional House Lunch
- Yazd - Traditional Sweet Shop - Peregrine Moment
- Yazd - Zoroastrian Fire Altar & Towers of Silence
- Yazd - Amir Chakmaq visit
- Yazd - city walking tour
- Abarkuh - Cypress of Abarkuh
- Abarkouh - Ice Houses
- Shiraz - Hafez Tomb
- Shiraz - Bagh-e Eram Gardens
- Shiraz - City tour
- Shiraz - Nasir al Molk Mosque
- Persepolis - Entrance and Guided tour
- Persepolis - Naqsh-e Rustam Necropolis
- Parsagad - Pasargadae UNESCO world heritage site
- Esfahan - Qeysariye Bazaar
- Esfahan - Sheykh Lotfollah Mosque
- Esfahan - Naghsh-e Jahan Square
- Esfahan - Ali Qapu Palace
- Esfahan - City walking tour
- Esfahan - Vank Cathedral
- Qom - Orientation walk
- Istanbul - City Tour
- Istanbul - Blue Mosque
- Gallipoli - guided visit
- Troy - Archeological Guided Site Visit
- Sirince - Wine Tasting
- Seluck - Orientation Walk
- Ephesus - archaeological site
- Selcuk - Isa Bey Camii
- Pamukkale - Hierapolis & Travertines National Park
- Kayakoy- Ghost Village
- Kas - Boat Cruise and lunch
- Antalya - Kaleici visit
- Antalya - Antalya Museum
- Antalya - Sagalassos
- Konya - Mevlana Museum
- Cappadocia - Valley Walk
- Goreme - Open Air Museum
- Cappadocia - Pottery Demonstration
- Cappadocia - Ozkonak Underground City
Important notes
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT:
An optional single supplement is available on this trip. Please refer to your booking agent for further information. Please note: single supplement rooms are smaller than double or twin rooms.
TURKEY:
We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest information on travelling in Turkey before your departure and ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all areas of your itinerary. We have links to prominent government travel advisories and regular updates on issues affecting this trip on our Travel Alerts page - http://www.peregrineadventures.com/en-au/travel-alerts
IRAN:
Most foreign visitors require a visa to enter Iran. Please be aware that this can be a frustrating and stressful process, and can take from 6-8 weeks. You will need to allow sufficient time for this and plan any other travel around your Iran trip accordingly. The cost of a visa also varies dependent on your nationality, and also changes regularly, making it hard for us to advise of the actual cost. But you should plan for it to cost somewhere around 100-180EUR depending if you get a visa before departure or on arrival.
Iranian visas are issued in a two-step process and this will differ according to your nationality.
1. An authorisation code for your visa must be issued by the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
2. A visa for your passport must then be obtained at an Iranian Embassy once the authorisation code has been issued, or on arrival (depending on your nationality).
If you are travelling on UK, USA or CANADIAN passport please be aware that your visa process can take longer due to government regulations. Please check that you will have sufficient time to obtain a visa before departure.
Follow the link below and select your nationality in the drop down list to access detailed visa information relevant to you. When your trips has been confirmed you can then proceed to the online visa authorisation code application: https://www.peregrineadventures.com/en-au/iran-authorisation-code-applic...
ITINERARY
The international flight on day 13 and airport transfers are included. This flight is unaccompanied

Essential trip information
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