Iran South Tour | Individual Iran Travel | Pyala Travel - Travel Program
Travel to the south of Iran on this 3 week individual Iran Tour. Visit the Persian Gulf, Qeshm Island, the Minab market and the Kalut desert.
Iran Off he Beaten Track
private tour
Desert Trail and encounters in the Persian Gulf
This trip through Iran will bring you from Isfahan to Shiraz. You will travel through the great Iranian deserts and meet the Bandari people in the Persian Gulf. With normally blistering temperatures, this area is best visited in winter time.
from 2295,-
16 days
Tabs
Day 1 Arrival Shiraz
You arrive at the airport in Shiraz and will be met by a representative of our local agency who will take you to your hotel.Shiraz, the city of nightingales, poetry and roses, is the center of Fars province. Fars has had a role of great significance in Iranian civilization. This province has the glorious cultural heritage of both the Achaemenid and Sassanian dynasties. Throughout Fars are monuments that reflect the rapid development of the province in both the pre-Islamic and Islamic eras.
You will first visit the Nasir–ol-Molk mosque where the morning sun shining through the stained glass windows creates a fantastic, colorful panorama on the floor of the main hall. Close to the mosque, there is the Narenjestan Garden. This is a 19th-century garden that belonged to a wealthy family in the Qajar period. You can also visit the mausoleum of Shah-e-Cheragh, the 3rd most important religious site in Iran. The wonderful lighting and mirrors of this shrine make it extraordinarily beautiful. You can see families pray, talk, and eat, and you can sit inside and experience it among them. Be sure to visit the lively Vakil Bazaar. Step into the bazaar and let yourself get lost in the labyrinth of alleys where you can see copper smiths, carpet sellers, and spice shops, Qashqai women in colorful skirts and old men in tea houses smoking hookah. Then, on to the glorious Karim Khan Citadel that dates back to the 18th century Zand dynasty and the splendid Vakil Mosque.
Day 2 Shiraz / excursion Persepolis / evening flight to Bandar Abbas
Today you will have a visit to Persepolis, highly recommended for anyone who wants to transport back to the times of the ancient Persian Empire. The remains of this palace city are located at the foot of the Mountain of Mercy.Not far from Persepolis there are four royal tombs (Naghs-e-Rostam) that have been carved into a 65-meter-high mountainside. Kings Darius I and Xerxes I found their last resting place here. Among the graves are some impressive reliefs from the Sassanid period.
Day 3 Bandar Abbas - Qeshm
You arrive in Bandar Abbas, capital of the Iranian province of Hormozgan. It is a large city on the Persian Gulf without significant landmarks. If you have time you can take a stroll along the boulevard where you'll see a large number of giant ships in the water waiting for cargo. You can also visit the fish market, mainly active in the morning. You will be amazed of the variety of fishes that can be found here, from small, tropical fish and shrimp to giant sharks and tunas.The street is different from most other Persian cities. You see men wearing long white robes, characteristic of the Arab population in the Persian Gulf, and occasionally women with distinctive, pointy-nosed masks (a kind of Venetian mask, almost), which are typical for Bandari women. The Bandari are a predominantly Sunni people of Arabic origin who have lived for centuries on the southern coast of Iran.
From Bandar Abbas you take the ferry to the island of Qeshm. The crossing takes about an hour. Depending on the time you get to Bandar Abbas and Qeshm you can eat before you leave, or save some snacks for the boat. You aren’t able to get food on the boat itself. You arrive on the island of Qeshm in the afternoon. The ferry arrives in the town of Qeshm, which is almost a small version of Bandar Abbas and so little is interesting to visit.
There is a lot to see on the island, like the town of Bandar Laft. On the way you will pass one of the many shipyards where boats are still built by hand. These impressive ships have sailed for centuries across the Persian Gulf to Pakistan and India. Bandar Laft is a wonderful example of what all the villages on the Persian Gulf used to look like. The sleepy town is known for its many wind towers (badgirs). From the hill behind the town you have a beautiful view of the town and the sea.
Day 4 Qeshm
You have the whole day to explore Qeshm before taking the ferry back to Bandar Abbas in the evening. This is the largest island in the Persian Gulf and also the most interesting to visit, because of the many natural phenomena and the traditional Bandari culture. Along with your driver and guide you can organize an itinerary. There is much to see, and you cannot see everything in a day. You should also take into account the heat and plan around the heat of the day.Here is an example of how you could spend the day, but you can organize it however you want.
Wake up early to take a boat to the island of Hengam. There’s a big chance you'll see dolphins. You may want to go to one of the beaches on land, and if you bring snorkeling gear you can even go snorkeling here. Keep in mind that they have little experience with it and you probably will be better selecting on your own where you want to jump in the water. There is some coral and a fair number of tropical fish.
Then you can drive to the Chahkuk Valley, an arid, desert-like landscape where you can see bizarre rock formations down in the gorge, a spectacular sight. Then you can take a half-hour boat tour through the Harra, the mangrove forest. This is the most westerly mangrove forest of the Asian mangrove forests. In winter it is a mecca for bird watchers here with many migratory birds. Again, you have a chance to see dolphins, but of a different kind than in Hengam. You can also choose to make this trip the next morning, and/or you can extend the trip for an additional cost.
Then it's time for a traditional lunch in one of the cozy home stays in Qeshm (you also have the option of spending the night here). How about shark curry, fresh fish kebab or squid? If the worst of the day’s heat has passed, you can either go out on a further exploration of the Chaukuk Valley geopark, like to the "Roof of Qeshm" where you have a beautiful view of the “Valley of the Images” which is full of jagged rock formations. Sunset is the best time to go to the "Valley of the Stars," one of the most beautiful places on Qeshm. It is a sort of mini Grand Canyon where you can walk through and around. The setting sun makes the bizarre rock formations slowly turn pink and orange.
Day 5 Qeshm - Bandar Abbas - Bam via Minab
Every Thursday, the regional market of Minab takes place and is one of the most colorful events of Iran. People come from far and wide, offering a good representation of the diverse peoples of this region: Iranians, Bandari, Arabs, Indians, Pakistanis and Somalis. It is a hive of activity and the best place to see the masked Bandari women. Each village has its own mask. The masks are also for sale at the market. Please note that the women generally don’t appreciate being asked to be photographed. The men are generally more than happy to be in the picture. Do not forget to visit the more distant cattle market, a true spectacle and a feast for the eyes. The market is an hour's drive from Bandar Abbas, and only takes place in the mornings. It usually ends around 13:00.After visiting Minab you drive to the town of Bam, a journey of 5 or 6 hours. You arrive in Bam in the early evening.
Day 6 Bam - Kalout via Rayen and Mahan
In the morning you will visit the medieval citadel of Bam. This was once one of the main attractions of the country and it is one of the largest adobe structures in the world. In 2003, Bam was almost totally destroyed by an earthquake. It has been partially rebuilt, as has the town itself, and it is definitely worth a visit.Today's journey continues to the town of Mahan. Here you will find a magnificent mausoleum, the shrine of Aramgeh Nematolah Vali-e Shah. This is a mausoleum dedicated to a famous Sufi saint and the building is beautifully decorated with turquoise tiles. You can also see the beautiful garden of the Bagh-e Shahzde Palace. Then you drive through the mountains to Shahdad, the last town before the Dasht-e Kalut begins.
At sunset you can visit the “kalouts," immense cliffs that jut up in the desert. It is a very impressive sight, a sort of Grand Canyon in the desert. It also is somewhat reminiscent of the Acacus Mountains in the Sahara in Libya and southern Algeria. You drive to a viewpoint, where you have a beautiful view over the kalouts to see the sunset and you can take a long walk in the desert.
You sleep in a desert camp near the village of Deh Seyf. It is a very simple night in the open air sleeping under a starry sky on phenomenal rope beds. Optionally, you can also sleep in a simple homestay in the village itself.
Day 7 Kalout - Kerman
In the early morning you will explore the Kalout Desert. You can start before dawn and drive to the kalouts to see the sunrise. Then you can continue to explore the area. It's interesting to take a walk through the village of Dey Seyf. This mud village is surrounded by several gardens with palm trees and you will find a large caravanserai.Later you will drive in just over an hour to Kerman. Kerman is situated at 1750 meters of elevation and has a comfortably cool climate. The city is surrounded by desert and mountains. It is a pleasant city with a central square, a few beautiful mosques and a nice bathhouse. This bathhouse is a 17th-century hammam and is now a museum. You have the whole day to explore the city. Don't miss the bazaar, which is one of the nicest in the country.
Day 8 Kerman - Zein-o Din
Today you leave the desert and head towards Yazd. You will sleep in the ancient caravanserai of Zein-o Din. This is one of the best-preserved caravanserai in Iran and one of the few with a round shape; it is now used as hotel.
Day 9 Zein-o Din - Yazd via Fahraj and Saryazd
After breakfast in the caravanserai you will visit Saryazd, a charming village full of mud houses and an impressive 1800-year-old castle. The next stop is Fahraj where you can visit one of the oldest mosques in Iran. This is a small desert village where life doesn’t get going in the street until the evening because of the stifling desert heat. During the day people try to stay indoors where it’s cool behind the thick adobe walls. Finally, you will arrive in Yazd, one of the oldest and most beautiful cities in the country where there are now many restaurants, tea houses, hotels and shops.
Day 10 Yazd
Yazd is definitely a special city. You will find narrow streets lined with mud houses, especially around the central bazaar. The houses are characterized by the typical badgirs, towers that catch every breath of wind to promote circulation and cool down the house. Also unique are the many underground qanats, aqueducts that direct water throughout the city. The mosques of Yazd are like no others. The magnificent Jame Mosque dominates the old city. Its remarkably high, tiled entrance, flanked by two stunning minarets and adorned with an inscription from the 15th century, is simply superb. There are several beautiful mosques that lie hidden among the streets, also, including the Friday Mosque and the Masjad-e Mir Chakhmaq. On the main Amir Chakhmaq Square, you will find the stunning three-story façade of one of the finest tekyeh in the country. Tekyeh are places where traditional Muharram mourning ceremonies keep the memory of Imam Hussein, the 3rd Imam of Shiite, who was martyred at the Battle of Karbala in 680 A.D. Yazd is also known for being the center of Zoroastrianism, an ancient Iranian religion. Here you can visit the Atashkade Fire Temple (House of Eternal Fire) and the Tower of Silence, a Zoroastrian burial place. In the evening you may choose to visit a zoorkhaneh strength ritual to see a traditional Iranian dance accompanied by the beating of drums.
Day 11 Yazd - Farahzad via Meybod, Mesr and Garmeh
Today, you begin by exploring a great desert of Iran, Dasht–e Kavir, the Great Salt Desert. The first stop is Meybod, where you can visit an ancient ice house used as a reservoir for ice blocks, necessary in the heart of the desert. Here you can also visit one of the best-preserved mud castles in the country that dates back 1800 years to Sassanid era. From there you will cross the desert highway to Tabas and Mashad. This is a busy road with lots of trucks. All imports from the borders around Mashad, Afghanistan and central Asia enter Iran via this road on their way to cities such Yazd, Shiraz and Isfahan. The landscape is impressively beautiful and constantly changing.You can take lunch or just a cup of tea in the beautiful desert town of Kharanq, where you will visit caravanserai surrounded by desert and rugged mountains.
En route you will visit the village of Bayazeh that resembles a Moroccan Kasbah, except that it is totally desolate. This village can be an undiscovered treasure for desert lovers. You can have lunch at a local house in Garmeh and then continue to Mesr. Again, the landscape is enchantingly desolate, and with the light of the setting sun it is just beautiful. Mesr is desert of sand dunes. You can walk to the top of the dunes and enjoy the view, silence and sunset. You will sleep in the small village of Farahzad in a charming hotel, an ideal base for exploring the desert.
Day 12 Farahzad - Kashan
In the morning you can enjoy the tranquillity of the desert. You have the option of taking a camel ride of several hours through the sand dunes, a wonderful experience. Once you get used to the camel’s gait, it is a relaxing and immersive way to see the area.Later during the day you drive in direction of Kashan. The first stop is the oasis town of Anarak, a pretty village on a hill. The next stop is Nain, with its centuries-old Friday Mosque.
Day 13 Kashan
Today you visit to the pleasant oasis town of Kashan with its magnificent merchant houses and one of the country's most famous gardens, the Fin Garden. Today you have the whole day to explore this charming town. The most beautiful houses of wealthy merchants are close together in the west part of the town. You can visit beautifully-decorated rooms with colored murals and amazing stained glass windows in the Tabatabi house or nearby in the Abbasi house. The Brujerdi house, the Samovars merchant, has a pretty garden and the most beautiful frescos from the hand of Kamal al Molk, a famous Iranian artist. Nearby is one of the finest Hammams (baths) in Iran: Hamma–e Sultan Ahmed Mir that features multiple rooms of beautifully-colored tiles. You can see the magnificent view of Kashan from the roof of the building. Visiting the beautiful Fin Garden is the highlight of the city. There is also a small bazaar, and don't miss the beautiful caravanserai and tea house.
Day14 Kashan - Isfahan via Abyaneh
In the morning you drive a few hours to the beautiful mountain village of Abyaneh, located at the foot of Mt. Carcass. Many Parsis live here in typical mud houses, and the women wear long white flowered headscarves. Be sure to visit the mosque with its walnut mihrab. Via steep paths you can climb up to the ruins of several castles and enjoy beautiful views of the area.From here it's a few hours’ drive to the most famous city in the country, Isfahan. This gorgeous city is the pinnacle of Persian culture. There are countless mosques, palaces, gardens, bazaars and madrasa to visit. You will have enough time to see everything and to look for the best souvenirs at the bazaar. Maybe you will take home a Persian rug.
Day 15 Isfahan
In the center of the city is the 160 x 500 m Naqsh-e Jahan Square, also known as Imam Square. On either side are the Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, the six-story Ali Qapo Palace and the Imam Mosque (Masjed-e-Emam). This last mosque you should visit at sunrise and sunset. You will be amazed how different it looks every time. If you are looking for a moment of tranquillity you will find it in a teahouse near the bazaar. Here you can take a break from the sometimes overwhelming sites of the square, and regroup before exploring the bazaar. The immense bazaar is divided into sections, each offering their own products. Rugs, antiques, gold jewelry, clothing, pots and pans, books, water pipes, everything is sold here.Note: The itinerary has been arranged so you have your car and driver today. The rest of the time you can explore the city on your own.
Day 16 Depart Isfahan
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