IRAN SUMMER

Morning/Afternoon: Departure from Italy with direct flight/layover.

Evening: Arrival during the night, transfer to the hotel and check-in.

Morning: Exploration of the Grand Bazaar, one of the largest and most vibrant markets in the world, followed by a visit to the gardens and palaces of Golestan Palace. Street-food lunch near Imam Khomeini Square.

Afternoon: Metro ride to Tajrish, at the foothills of the Alborz Mountains. Walk through its colorful market, more relaxed and picturesque than the central bazaar, before continuing by taxi to Darband for tea and shisha in the cafés built along the river.

Evening: Dinner and evening in Tehran.

Morning: Early wake-up, rental car pickup, and departure towards Kashan. Arrival before lunch and first exploration of the city’s historic bazaar, with time to wander through its caravanserais, workshops, and spice-filled alleys.

Afternoon: Visit to the Agha Bozorg Mosque, the Sultan Amir Ahmad Bathhouse, and the elegant 18th-century merchant houses that made Kashan one of Persia’s great trading centers. In the late afternoon, transfer by 4×4 into the Maranjab Desert, where we will stay in an authentic caravanserai along the ancient Silk Road.

Evening: Check-in, dinner, and overnight stay in the heart of the desert, surrounded by the dunes of Maranjab.

Morning: Early wake-up and 4×4 excursion through the landscapes of the Maranjab Desert, exploring dunes, salt flats, and remote desert scenery before returning to Kashan in the late morning.

Afternoon: Departure towards Isfahan with a stop in the picturesque mountain village of Abyaneh, famous for its red mud-brick houses and narrow alleys frozen in time. Walk through the village and its ancient atmosphere before continuing towards Isfahan, the cultural and monumental heart of Persia.

Evening: Arrival in Isfahan, hotel check-in, dinner, and evening in the city’s local cafés and traditional teahouses.

Morning: Exploration of the monumental Naqsh-e Jahan Square, one of the largest and most spectacular squares in the world. Walking tour through the architectural masterpieces of Safavid Persia, including the Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, the Ali Qapu Palace, and the magnificent Shah Mosque.

Afternoon: Continuation of the visit through the Armenian quarter of New Julfa and its historic churches, before returning to the city center via the elegant covered bridges of the Safavid era. Free time to wander through the bazaars and hidden courtyards of Isfahan.

Evening: Dinner and evening in the traditional Persian restaurants of Isfahan.

Morning: Departure towards Yazd with a stop in the ancient desert city of Meybod, dominated by the ruins of the historic Narin Castle and surrounded by the timeless landscapes of central Persia.

Afternoon: Continuation through the desert with a stop at the sacred Chak Chak, the most important Zoroastrian pilgrimage site in Iran, dramatically perched on the side of a rocky mountain. Visit to the abandoned mud-brick village of Kharanaq, a haunting ghost town suspended in time, before arriving in Yazd for hotel check-in.

Evening: Dinner and evening in the restaurants of Yazd.

Morning: Walking tour through the historic old town of Yazd, including the magnificent Jameh Mosque of Yazd, one of the finest masterpieces of Persian architecture, and the elegant Dolat Abad Garden, famous for its wind towers and refined Persian gardens.

Afternoon: Exploration of the spiritual heritage of Zoroastrianism, one of the world’s oldest religions and the ancient faith of Persia. Visit to the Yazd Fire Temple, home to a sacred flame kept burning for centuries, followed by an excursion to the mysterious Towers of Silence, the ancient funerary site used by Zoroastrians until the 20th century.

Evening: Transfer and traditional dinner with a Zoroastrian family in Yazd, return to the hotel, and overnight stay.

Morning: Early departure toward Shiraz by private van, crossing the vast landscapes of the Iranian plateau. Stop in Pasargadae, the first capital of the Persian Empire and UNESCO World Heritage Site, to visit the majestic tomb traditionally attributed to Cyrus the Great.

Afternoon: Arrival at the extraordinary archaeological site of Persepolis, ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire and one of the greatest treasures of ancient Persia. Guided exploration of its monumental staircases, royal palaces, and the magnificent Gate of All Nations, whose imposing columns still testify to the grandeur of one of history’s most powerful civilizations. Continuation to Shiraz and hotel check-in.

Evening: Dinner and evening in the local spots of Shiraz.

Morning: Early wake-up to experience the magical light of the iconic Nasir al-Mulk Mosque, famously known as the “Pink Mosque.” As the morning sun filters through its stained-glass windows, the prayer hall transforms into a breathtaking kaleidoscope of colors. Continuation through the historic heart of Shiraz, passing the lively bazaar and the imposing Karim Khan Citadel, symbol of the city’s golden age when Shiraz served as the capital of Persia.

Afternoon: Free time to wander through the elegant avenues and vibrant bazaars of Shiraz before visiting the peaceful Tomb of Hafez, dedicated to Persia’s most beloved poet, whose verses still shape Iranian culture and identity today.

Evening: Dinner and evening in the local spots of Shiraz.

Morning: Departure through the breathtaking mountain landscapes of the Zagros Mountains, with around two hours of travel before beginning a guided trek alongside members of the Qashqai people community. The hike leads across the slopes of Mount Barm Firuz toward its spectacular alpine lake, surrounded by dramatic high-altitude scenery.

Afternoon:Continuation of the trek through the peaceful Gambil Valley and visit to the summer camps of Qashqai nomadic families. A rare opportunity to experience firsthand the traditions, hospitality, cuisine, and daily life of one of Iran’s most fascinating nomadic cultures. Arrival at the camp and traditional welcome by a Qashqai family in the province of Fars.

Evening: Dinner and evening with traditional songs and dances in the company of the Qashqai nomads. Overnight stay in a tent.

Morning: Return to Shiraz, transfer to the airport for the domestic flight to Tehran

Afternoon: Domestic flight to Tehran and transfer from the domestic airport to the international airport

Evening: Overnight flight to Italy. Arrival on Day 12… and see you on the next adventure!