Spiritual Iran

DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN MASHHAD. VISITING IMAM REZA SHRINE

Arrival in MASHHAD. In the afternoon we visit IMAM REZA Shrine, the most sacred place in Iran. Shiite people from around the world get together in this vast and spectacular shrine as pilgrim and also tourist. Imam Reza was the eighth Imam of Shia and one of the holiest figures for Muslims.

DAY 2: VISITING NEYSHABOUR AND ITS LITERARY SITES

In the morning we have an excursion to NEYSHABOUR to visit Khayyam & Attar mausoleums. Nishabour is a literary top destination of Iran. Khayyam is a wellknown philosopher, mathematician and poet of the 12th century famous for his profound philosophical ideas. Attar is a great Iranian mystic and a prolific writer on mysticism of 12th century.

DAY 3: VISITING BASTAM

Today we drive to BASTAM in SEMNAN Province. Bastam is a small town, the burial place of Bayazid Bastami, a highly revered mystic and master sufi of 9th century. He introduced the concepts of Shur or Wajd, a means of self-annihilation in the Divine Presence of God. His shrine draws many Sufis and other visitors from around Iran and even beyond.

DAY 4: HIKING IN ABR FOREST DAMQAN

In the morning we drive to Abr Forest (Abr means cloud). It is one of the most scenic natural settings in Iran where we can have a joyful walk over the clouds and through a thin forest. To lunch we picnic. After lunch we visit Sheikh Kharaqani Shrine, a 10th century Master Sufi with deep knowledge of Quran and Hadith, despite his illiteracy.

DAY 5: DRIVE TO TEHRAN. EN ROUTE VISIT TO DAMQAN

Drive to Tehran. En route we visit city of DAMQAN. In Damqan we see Tarikhane Mosque, Pir Almdar Tower and Chehel Dokhtaran Tower. Tarikhane Mosque is known as the oldest mosque in Iran going back to 8th century. It may have been a fire temple at Sassanid era. Pir Almdar Tower enjoys an exemplary architecture of a mausoleum. Chehel Dokhtaran (which means forty girls) is an old monument with a story that 40 girls become ascetics and took refuge in here. Later on, the tower became a respected place for single young ladies.

DAY 6: TEHRAN FULL DAY CITY TOUR

Today we have a full day city tour of TEHRAN. We visit National Museum, the oldest museum of Iran; Golestan Palace, the only world heritage site of Tehran; Crown Jewels Museum, a priceless museum with so many valuables left behind from past Persian royalties; Milad Tower, the tallest free structure in Iran towering the city of Tehran.

DAY 7: VISITNG ZANJAN AND ITS SOLTANIYEH DOME

Drive to SAREIN, A small town in ARDABIL Province and the main spa destination in Iran. En route we visit Soltaniyeh dome in ZANJAN. This mosque-like mausoleum was built upon the order of Oljaytu, Ilkhanid Mongol ruler of Persia, in 14th century. Soltaniyeh is a world heritage site and the burial place of Oljaytu himself. Then, we visit Chalab Oghli Khanghah, an old Sufi retreat built in 14th century. In Sarein we relax using its hot springs and mineral waters.

DAY 8: VISITING ARDABIL AND ITS SHEIKH SAFI SHRINE

Today we drive to Ardabil to visit Sheikh Safi and Sheikh Jebreil shrines. Sheikh Safi Shrine is a world heritage site. Sheikh Safi, a Master Sufi of 13th and 14th century, was the founder of Safavi order and the great ancestor of Safavid kings. His shrine is highly important in artistic and architectural sense and the principals of Sufism have been manifested in its architecture. Sheikh Jebreil was the father of Sheikh Safi and a Sufi himself.

DAY 9: VISITING TABRIZ AND ITS GRAND BAZAAR

Drive to Tabriz. In Tabriz we visit Blue Mosque, a wonderful mosque known as the turquoise of Islam due to its numerous blue tiles. Close to Blue Mosque there is Azerbaijan Museum, the second most important archeological museum of Iran after National Museum in Tehran. The last but not the least site is Grand Bazaar, a world heritage site and the largest roofed bazaar in the world.