Jewels Of Persia 15 Days Iran Cycling And Exploring
About this tour
A tour to behold culture and history through Persia, Iran's cultural heartland. Experience traveling along the ancient trade routes through the footsteps of one of the world's oldest civilizations. Take in the expansive desert landscape, get a chance to sleep under the tapestry of a starry night sky, and marvel at the luxuriance of city bazaars, oasis gardens, and some of the Middle East's most treasured mosques. Cycling through this storied region gets you up close and personal with history and some of the friendliest, most inviting locals in the world.
Group Size: Min 2- Max 16
Best Time to go: spring, autumn
Tour Grade: 3/5
Number of Cycling Days: 9 full, 1 half
Highlights: Cycling, Cultural & Natural Sightseeing Tour
Itinerary: Shiraz - Doroodzan Lake - Boragh Gorge - Abarkouh - Yazd - Meybod - Nain - Kouhpayeh - Isfahan- Abyaneh-kashan - Qom- Tehran
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Shiraz, Iran
Arrive in Shiraz Arrive in Shiraz in early morning, our guide will meet you at the airport in Shiraz, and transport you to the hotel. Late check in, Shiraz overnight. Accommodation: Hotel Meals: Breakfast
Day 2: Shiraz, Iran to Persepolis, Iran
Explore Shiraz city Today we explore Shiraz by seeing some of the highlights including Nasir Al Molk mosque, Eram Garden and tombs of the poets, Sa'di and Hafez, who lived in the 13th and 14th centuries. In the afternoon, we visit the Zand complex that includes a fortress, Vakil Mosque, and the bustling bazaar. At the end of our city tour, we will head to our hotel right outside the gates of Persepolis. Overnight Persepolis. Accommodation: Hotel
Day 3: Persepolis, Iran to Doroudzan Dam, Iran
We start the day with a visit to Persepolis early in the morning, once the richest city on earth. It was the capital of the Achaemenid Empire built on an immense half-artificial, half-natural terrace, founded by Darius I in 518 BCE, where the king of kings created an impressive palace complex adorned in gold and silver, ivory, and precious stones. In 330 BCE, Alexander captured Persepolis to order the palace burned to the ground. The spectacular ruins still reveal the glory of the Achaemenid Empire (it takes about 2 hours) then we will start our cycling towards Doroodzan. Accommodation: Local Home stay Ride 75 km. +694 meter / -640 meter Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Doroudzan Dam, Iran to Tange Boragh Road, Iran
Doroodzan - Boragh Gorge FULL DAY OF RIDING TO BORAGH GORGE Today is a full day of riding to Boragh Gorge, the valley of the Polvar River, with the remains of 130 ancient settlements. The landscape here is varied and the terrain involves some climbing on our bikes to Boragh. Accommodation: Local home stay Ride 65 km. +886 m / -632 meter Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Tange Boragh Road, Iran to Abarkooh, Iran
This morning we go to one of the highest Iranian cities at 2250 meters. It is also considered the border between the desert and the high mountains. Our coast downhill will be through the fields and orchards. Our destination is Abarkouh, a desert city known for its ancient ice houses and being home to a 4,000-year-old cypress the second oldest tree in the world. Accommodation: Traditional Eco loge Ride 68 km. +57 meter / -766 meter Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Abarkooh, Iran to Yazd, Iran
Today we will be cycling through the desert in an old caravan road. We will pass a few villages enjoying the clear sky and stark beauty of sand. Our overnight stay is at Zein Al Din Caravanserai, one of 999 such inns that were built during the reign of Shah Abbas I to ensure security provide facilities to merchants and other travelers. It will be a unique experience to feel the time in such a historical place on the Silk Road. Accommodation: Zein Al Din Caravanserai Ride 65 km +519 meter / -108 meter Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Yazd, Iran
YAZD REST DAY Take a break to explore the city of wind catchers. A short drive takes us to Yazd, the oldest adobe city of ancient Persia that dates back to 7000 years ago. It has been listed as the UNESCO World Heritage site as it has retained its traditional districts, traditional houses, bazars, hammams, mosques, synagogues, Zoroastrian temples, the qanat system and the historic garden of Dolat-abad. Home to Iran's second-largest population of Zoroastrians; many of the sites we will see on our city tour will be from this religion, including the Towers of Silence where the dead were left to be picked clean by the vultures. No longer used, the cemetery is now a quiet, serene place. We will also have an oriental walk in the maze of lanes and alleys in the old district. Accommodation: hotel Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8: Yazd, Iran to Kouhpayeh Mosque, Kuhpayeh, Iran
Yazd – Meybod – Nain - Kouhpayeh We will start the day looking at Narin Castle, one of the most important relics of the area that dates back to the period before the advent of Islam to Iran. Then it's time to get on the bikes to cycle downhill 38 km to the town of Ardakan, a Zoroastrian center. From here we'll transfer 30 minutes to Aqda for lunch. Have a walk around this old village and see the Khaje Nemat Tower and pomegranates orchards. Our next stop is the Jame Mosque in Naein, the oldest mosque in Iran dating back to the 9th Century. We continue cycling through the dry desert landscape to Kouhpayeh in Silk Road. A short transfer takes us to our lovely Abbasi Caravansary in Kouhpayeh in the heart of the desert with a warm and welcoming host. Accommodation: Abbasi Caravansary Ride 95 km. +559 meter / -86 meter Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9: Kouhpayeh Mosque, Kuhpayeh, Iran to Isfahan, Iran
We have a short morning cycle as we aren't far from Isfahan, a former capital of Persia and now Iran's third largest city. We end our ride at Nik Abad, a small village with an ancient citadel. We transfer to Isfahan for lunch and then go on a city tour to discover why so many people have called this the most beautiful city in the world. With a profusion of tree-lined boulevards, picturesque bridges, Persian gardens, the UNESCO-listed Naqsh-e Jahan Square holding a palace, the historic bazar and two mosques we'll have lots to see in Isfahan on our afternoon city tour. Accommodation: hotel Ride 56 km. +68 meter / -357 meter Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 10: Isfahan, Iran
FREE DAY TO CONTINUE EXPLORING ISAFAHAN Free day to continue exploring Isfahan. Visit Friday mosque, Armenian Church and the Cheehel Sotoon Palace and the many historical bridges. Accommodation: Hotel Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 11: Isfahan, Iran to Abyaneh, Iran
TRANSFER TO ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL VILLAGES IN IRAN, ABYANEH Continue biking on the old road towards Natanz, we skirt along some mountains as we ride through arid terrain. So we will be transferred uphill to Abyaneh. As the mud-brick houses of the village blends well in with the surrounding rocks it seems to melt into the hills. Enjoy the late afternoon wandering the narrow and sloped lanes . Accommodation: Hotel 85 km +896 meter / -820 meter Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12: Abyaneh, Iran to Kashan, Iran
Start the day, Coming down from 2,500 meters we will stay overnight at 955 meters in the town of Kashan, known for the production of high quality carpet , pottery and tiles. After lunch we will take a look around some of historical houses , the Fin garden and the bazaar. Accommodation: Hotel Ride 75 km +943 meter/-2234 meter. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 13: Kashan, Iran to Tehran, Iran
Kashan- Qom- Tehran The last day of cycling we will ride directly from the hotel on another old road. On the way we will stop to visit the underground city of Noush Abad , that it is more than 100 years old. Then continue riding in the flat road to Qom, the second religious city of Iran. In Qom visit the respected shrines belonging to Masoumeh, sister of the 8th Shia Imam. In the afternoon oue supported car would transfer you to Tehran. Accommodation: Hotel Ride 70 km. +300 meter / -325 meter Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 14: Tehran, Iran
Explore the capital of Iran ,metropolis of Tehran, home to 14 million people. We will visit Golestan Palace, a sprawling complex of 17 palaces, halls and museums, the Iran National Museum which houses significant artifacts from both ancient and post-Islamic Persia as well as the Salt Man, a prince who was naturally mummified in a salt mine for 2000 years. After lunch we will walk through the Grand Bazaar where everything can be found, from gold, copper, carpets, paper and spices. We have a celebratory dinner to review all of the highlights of our trip. Accommodation Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 15: Tehran, Iran to IKA Departure Terminal, Robat Karim, Iran
We'll provide one group transfer to the airport for your departure flight. Meals: Breakfast
What's included
• Accommodation • English Speaking Guide • Airport Transfers • All city tours with privet car • Support vehicle • Meals (as indicated) • Water bottle • Entrance fee • Visa grant notice
What to know
This tour can be customized. Please get in touch with me.
Route & locations
Shiraz, Iran