Exploring Kashan City

Today in the morning, we’ll leave Tehran and head to the south and a historical city called Kashan. It’s right in the middle of Iran and about 200 kilometers away from Tehran (2:30 driving).

The name of the city comes from a group of people who lived here a long, long time ago. They’re called “Kasian,” and you can still find their ancient stuff in a place called Tapeh-e-Sialk, which is like 9,000 years old! Later on, people changed the name a bit to “Kashian,” and that’s how the city got its name.

A really long time ago, between the 12th and 14th centuries, Kashan was super important for making really nice pottery and tiles. Even the Persian word for a tile, “Kashi”, comes from the name Kashan!

By arriving in Kashan, we will get to see some really old places like Brodjerdian house, Abbasian house, and a beautiful Persian garden of Fin Garden (UNESCO World Heritage). We will also have time to check out Soltan Amirahmad Bathroom, which is in the old city. Afternoon we can walk in the old traditional Bazaar and enjoy people’s real daily life and shopping. After a full day of exploring, we’ll spend the night at a beautiful traditional hotel (B.B).

Driving toward Yazd, Naein City Sightseeing

Fresh from the calmness of the desert city, our way continues to Yazd city, the ancient UNESCO World Heritage city.
On the way to Yazd, we’re going to take a break and visit an old city called Naein (225 km away from Kashan). It’s also spelled Nain sometimes and lies 170 km north of Yazd.

Na’in lies at an altitude of 1545 m above sea level. Unique to Na’in are some of the most outstanding monuments in all of Iran, The Jame Mosque, one of the first four mosques built in Iran after the Arab invasion.

The Pre-Islamic Narej Fortress, a Pirnia traditional house, the Old Bazaar, and Rigareh, a qanat-based watermill.

A Full-day Sightseeing Yazd (UNESCO World Heritage City)

Yazd squeezed in the southern Dasht-e Kavir desert and the northern Dasht-e Lut in the exact center of Iran.
Yazd boasts the best old and inhabited city in Iran. At an altitude of 1230m, it can be quite cold in winter, but very hot in summer.

It was an important center for pre-Islamic Zoroastrianism, and there is still a substantial minority of Zoroastrians today.
The city has always been a great weaving center, known for its silks and other fabrics even before Marco Polo passed through along one of the Silk Roads in the late 13th century.

According to UNESCO, Yazd is one of the oldest towns in the world – every visitor should spend a few hours getting completely lost in this living museum.

Undoubtedly you will be amazed by looking at the tall Wind Catheters or wind towers (Badgir in Farsi) on rooftops, which are designed to catch even the lightest breeze and direct them to underground living rooms which in the hot summers, are very necessary and healthier than modern air-conditioning.

Today we’ll see Wind Catchers, Atashkadeh (Fire Temple), Amir Chakhmag complex, Doulat Abad Garden, and Jame Mosque. Overnight at the hotel (B.B- means you get a bed and breakfast).

Drive to Isfahan, and visit Meybod on the way

Today after breakfast we will continue our journey to Isfahan and on the way to Isfahan, we will visit Meybod City. At Meybod we will visit the old Caravanserai and have lunch thereafter that we will also see the old castle.

The Naryn Castle or Naryn Castle is a mud-brick fort or castle in the town of Meybod built around 2000 years ago.
We also check the Ice House Building in Maybod which shows you how ice was important at that time and how they produced it in the middle of the desert.

Evening we will arrive at Isfahan and check into the hotel. Then you can enjoy the beauty, and silence, of this magnificent city by walking around the hotel. Overnight at the hotel (B.B- means you get a bed and breakfast).

Isfahan full-day sightseeing

Incredible Isfahan’s “Pearl of Asia” is the number one destination in Iran due to its beautiful Persian gardens, tree-lined boulevards, and important Islamic buildings.

Surrounded by mountain ranges and located on a plateau, this fertile oasis was the capital of the Safavids and to this day still remains glorious.

Shah Abbas the Great took charge in 1587, and he made big changes to the city. First, he made the Chahar Bagh Gardens, and then he created the famous “Meydan-e-Naghsh-e-Jahan” Square (UNESCO World Heritage Site). Back then, it was the biggest public square in the world.

Isfahan had 162 mosques, 1800 caravanserais, 48 colleges, and 273 public baths before the Safavid collapsed amid invasions/schools by Afghan rebels and outbreaks of plague.

Today is a wonderful day of sightseeing as we visit the main sites including the magnificent Naghsh-e-Jahan Square (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Sheikh Lotfallah Mosque plus the former palaces of the Safavid Shahs, the Ali Qapoo and the Chehal Sotun Palace (UNESCO World Heritage Site).

Isfahan is a colorful and wonderful place to explore on foot and no visit would be complete without a walk through the Traditional Bazaar!

We’ll enjoy the evening atmosphere of this city and the main square. After sunset and having a delicious Iranian dinner, we’ll head back to our comfort hotel. Overnight at the hotel (B.B- means you get a bed and breakfast).

Half-day Isfahan visit, Qum city visit, Transfer to Airport

Today after breakfast we will have a short visit until noon in Isfahan to have a last visit in Isfahan. Menar Jonban, The Fire Temple, and buying the famous Sweet Souvenir of Isfahan, Gaz.

After lunch, we’ll drive toward Qum on the north highway (310 km). Qom is considered holy by Shi’a Islam, as it is the site of the shrine of Fatema Ma’sume, sister of Imam `Ali ibn Musa Rida. The city is the largest center for Shiʿa scholarship in the world and is a significant destination of pilgrimage.

Qom is famous for a crispy toffee called Sohan, made with tasty saffron, cardamon, Pistachio, and rose water, considered a souvenir of the city.

In the evening we will continue our way to I.K Airport, where we will drop you off and say goodbye to you to fly back home.

Note:

Booking an extra airport hotel room (5 min walk to the airport) will be available for an extra charge if the departure flight will be late at night/the next morning, or if you want to rest before the flight.