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Colour, charisma and ancient cultures combine in Iran
Join Peregrine for this foray into one of the world’s most fascinating and lesser-visited countries – Iran. See the best of Ancient Persia on a round-trip from Tehran, experiencing breathtaking mosques, stepped hillside villages, cleverly designed wind towers (badgirs) and bazaars full of colour and aroma. Uncover layers of a chequered history, and discover the fusion of Islam, Jewish, Zoroastrian, Christian and Baha’i influences. Spend 13 days with a group of likeminded travellers and a local leader eager to provide insight into the stories and people of this enchanting nation.
- Start
- Tehran, Iran
- Finish
- Tehran, Iran
- Destination
- Iran
- Style
- Peregrine
- Code
- PGAP
- Physical rating
- Trip rating
- 22 reviews
- Ages
- Min 15
- Group size
- Min 1, Max 12
Why you'll love this trip
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Visit Yazd – once a major stop along the ancient Silk Road – and discover the role religion plays in the city, from the impressive Jameh Mosque to the Zoroastrian towers and temples.
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Enjoy a special dinner with a Zoroastrian family dining in a garden of pomegranate and tamarind trees in Nartitee, and consider booking in on a hands-on Persian cooking class in Shiraz.
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Explore one of the greatest cities of antiquity in 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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Soak up the sights and atmosphere of the jewel in Persia’s crown – the beautiful town of Esfahan. Feel the past glory at Imam Square and its surrounding palaces and mosques.
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Your local leader is on hand each day to give you an insight into Iran’s rich history and take you to the best bazaars, making your adventure in this off-beat country a breeze.
Is this trip right for you?
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Before travelling to Iran, we recommend that you refer to your governments travel advisory before booking any tours to Iran, as this may affect insurance policies.
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Part of travelling with Peregrine means respecting local cultures and sensibilities. That way you get the most out of your interactions with local people and environments. It is very important that you adhere to a strict dress code – particularly for women – in what may be quite warm weather. 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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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. Other prohibited items include pork, material deemed obscene by Iranian law (which can include non-pornographic materials like fashion magazines), and controversial literature. These will all be confiscated by customs 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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It's becoming increasingly difficult to confirm preferred hotels due to limited four-star options in the region. 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 may not match those you are used to. In some locations, the three-star hotels are a better quality (and location) than the four-star hotels and are priced accordingly.
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The pathways around some of the sites may be uneven, rocky or dusty. Some of the guided trips may involve quite a lot of walking in the elements, especially in the heat. Please bring comfortable walking shoes and be prepared with hats, sunscreen, water or layers for cooler weather.
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Iran is a big country and you’ll cover a lot in two weeks, which means some long travel days and a busy itinerary. All land travel is in private air-conditioned buses, with regular stops along the way.
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In 2021, Ramadan will take place from 12 April to 11 May. Travelling during this holy month can be a rewarding cultural experience. However, some regular services may not be available during the daytime, such as restaurants or coffee bars, and occasionally travel can be disrupted by events. Your leader will adjust the itinerary accordingly, but please consider your travel arrangements carefully before booking travel for this period.
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Itinerary
Accommodation
- Tehran Grand Hotel II or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Tehran - Carpet Museum of Iran
- Tehran -Treasury of National Jewels
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. 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 your arrival airport transfer. As tourism is a developing industry in Iran, your driver may not speak English.
Accommodation
- Tehran Grand Hotel II or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Tehran - City Tour
- Tehran - National Museum of Iran
- Tehran - Golestan Palace
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Special Information
Please note that the Treasury of National Jewels is closed on Wednesday and Thursdays and is not included today. If you would like to visit this museum, it is open from Saturday to Tuesday, so we suggest allowing time either on Day 1 or at the end of your Iran adventure.Accommodation
- Morshedi House II or Morshedi House I or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Kashan -Tabatabaei Historical House
- Kashan - Bazaar
- Kashan - Fin Gardens (entrance fee and guide)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Accommodation
- Dad Hotel (Feature Stay) or Laleh Traditional Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
- Yazd - Aqda Traditional House Lunch
- Yazd - Traditional sweet shop visit and tasting
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
Special Information
It is sometimes difficult to confirm your Feature Stay in Yazd, and for this reason, we have selected an alternative unique accommodation experience in Yazd, which is the Laleh Hotel. If you would like to confirm in advance which hotel your tour will stay at, please check with a Peregrine booking agent 30 days prior to departure.Accommodation
- Dad Hotel (Feature Stay) or Laleh Traditional Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
- Yazd - Zoroastrian Fire Altar and Towers of Silence
- Yazd - Amir Chakhmaq Complex
- Yazd - City Tour
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Accommodation
- Parsian Shiraz or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Abarkooh - Cypress of Abarkooh
- Abarkooh - Ice Houses
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Parsian Shiraz or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Shiraz - Saadi and Hafez Tombs
- Shiraz - Eram Garden
- Shiraz - City Tour
- Shiraz - Nasir al-Mulk Mosque
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Parsian Shiraz or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Persepolis - Entrance and guided tour
- Persepolis - Naqsh-e Rustam Necropolis
Optional Activities
- Shiraz - Home-cooking Class - EUR60
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Keryas Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Pasargad - Pasargadae (entrance fee and guide)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Keryas Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Esfahan - Qeysarie Bazaar
- Esfahan - Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque
- Esfahan - Naqsh-e Jahan Square
- Esfahan - Ali Qapu Palace
- Esfahan - City Tour
- Esfahan - Esfahan Music Museum
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Keryas Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Esfahan - Vank Cathedral
Optional Activities
- Esfahan - Chehel Sotun Palace - IRR500000
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Tehran Grand Hotel II or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Qom - Orientation walk
- Tehran - Tabiat Nature Bridge
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Meals
12 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 3 dinnersTransport
Private aircon busAccommodation
Comfortable Standard Hotel (10 nights) Feature Stay (2 nights)Included Activities
- Tehran - Carpet Museum of Iran
- Tehran -Treasury of National Jewels
- Tehran - City Tour
- Tehran - National Museum of Iran
- Tehran - Golestan Palace
- Kashan -Tabatabaei Historical House
- Kashan - Bazaar
- Kashan - Fin Gardens (entrance fee and guide)
- Yazd - Aqda Traditional House Lunch
- Yazd - Traditional sweet shop visit and tasting
- Yazd - Zoroastrian Fire Altar and Towers of Silence
- Yazd - Amir Chakhmaq Complex
- Yazd - City Tour
- Abarkooh - Cypress of Abarkooh
- Abarkooh - Ice Houses
- Shiraz - Saadi and Hafez Tombs
- Shiraz - Eram Garden
- Shiraz - City Tour
- Shiraz - Nasir al-Mulk Mosque
- Persepolis - Entrance and guided tour
- Persepolis - Naqsh-e Rustam Necropolis
- Pasargad - Pasargadae (entrance fee and guide)
- Esfahan - Qeysarie Bazaar
- Esfahan - Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque
- Esfahan - Naqsh-e Jahan Square
- Esfahan - Ali Qapu Palace
- Esfahan - City Tour
- Esfahan - Esfahan Music Museum
- Esfahan - Vank Cathedral
- Qom - Orientation walk
- Tehran - Tabiat Nature Bridge
Dates & availability - 2021 season
Trip departures are unavailable.
There are currently no scheduled departures on our Ancient Persia In Depth trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.
Jump to a departure month
Important notes
1. A complimentary airport arrival transfer is included; valid if you are arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-tour accommodation through us. You must provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel.
2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
3. US, British and Canadian passport holders will need to book this trip at least three months before departure as this is the length of time it takes to process a visa for these nationalities. There may also be further travel restrictions that apply to these nationalities including restrictions for when you can arrive and depart. Please see the ‘Passport and Visa’ section of the Essential Trip Information for more details. Ensure you discuss options with a booking agent before confirming and booking any non-refundable airfares. We also encourage you to refer to our online visa application for more details. Simply select the relevant nationality in the drop-down menu to access detailed visa information at www.peregrineadventures.com/iran-authorisation-code-application
4. We recommend that before your departure you check your government's latest travel advice for information on travelling in Iran 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 at www.peregrineadventures.com/travel-alerts
5. Travellers cannot use debit or credit cards while in Iran. You will need to bring all the money you will need for your entire trip with you. Please read through the ‘Money Matters’ section of the Essential Trip Information for further details.
6. Please note deposits on this trip are non-refundable and non-transferable as per our Terms and Conditions. You are required to pay a non-refundable deposit per person for your booking to be confirmed.

Essential trip information
Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.
View Essential Trip Information