Ghashghai and Bakhtiari nomads are considered as the two great and prominent tribes of Iran. These tribes hold an affluent and diverse culture, customs, dance and music and the holders of beautiful faces, colorful outfits, soulful voices, soft and serene music, delicious dishes and toughest life style. They are the heroes who make the relation between human being and nature by tolerating harshness of life. Visiting up-close the nomads' life is effective considering the anthropological, aesthetical, costume designing, musicological and dancing aspects. In this tour, we will visit the nomads passing the stubborn winter time and witness their skilled correlation with nature.
Day 1:
Upon your pre-dawn arrival in Tehran airport, you will be cordially received by our representative carrying our logo show card (transfer information) who will direct you for transfer to your hotel. You will have time to rest and relax before your morning tour of Tehran commences.
Tehran, a modern megalopolis, prides itself in having unique museums with immense and unrivaled collections and artifacts dating from the earliest onset of history to the present era.
Your tour begins with a trip to the Archeological Museum, one of the rare places in the world where you will have the special opportunity of visiting and experiencing the “evolution of mankind” through the marvelous display of historical relics.
Next on the agenda is your very much-awaited chance to savor the distinctive flavor of Iranian cuisine. Lunch will be set in an exquisite traditional Iranian restaurant where you will sample a wide range of delightful Persian dishes and desserts.
Afterwards, you will visit a world of jewels in a priceless Crown Jewels Museum one of which is one of the two greatest diamonds, Darya-e-Noor (sea of light).
At the end of the day, we will get a chance to see a variety of Persian hand-woven carpets and rugs in the Carpet Museum which houses more than 100 spectacular pieces from all over Iran. On top of that, you will also be given an insight into the history of these carpets. Stay overnight in Tehran.
Day 2:
Today's tour includes visiting the anthropology museum and board a night flight to Ahvaz.
Day 3:
The remnants and the historical relics of Susa are testament to the fact that this city was established 7000 years before Christ. This is the region where one of the first governments of the world was formed, resulting in the merger between the two cultures of the Iranian plateau and Mesopotamia. Pay homage to the tomb of Daniel, the Jewish prophet, which has attracted a steady flow of pilgrims from all over the Middle East. Next, be enchanted by the exquisite beauty of the Apadana palace and the historical castle of Susa. Fill your imagination with wonder with a visit to the magnificent Chogha Zanbil temple. It is one of the few extant ziggurats outside of Mesopotamia (the other is Sialk). Archaeological excavations undertaken between 1951 and 1962 revealed the site again, and the ziggurat is considered to be the best preserved example in the world. In 1979, Choqa Zanbil became the first Iranian site to be inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Then, visit the charming Shooshtar waterfalls and historical bridges.
Next on the agenda, drive towards the nomads living around Dezful city to rub elbow with the Bakhtiari nomads and stay overnight in their tents. The great Bakhtiari tribe is divided to 5 Zir tayefehs, 32 Tirehs and 294 Tashs among those the most famous is Haft Lang and Chahar Lang tribes. The Bakhtiaries' race is Lori and consequently the spoken language is Lori. The approximate population of this tribe exceeds 150000 persons.
Day 4:
Today we will have an opportunity to explore among the warm-hearted nomads in their tents to get familiar with their living style includes baking bread, cooking, grazing the herds, producing art crafts and the dairy, performing music and dance, setting up tents and myriad of other facts related to living on the outskirt of nature. Stay overnight in a tent.
Day 5:
Today's tour includes visiting different regions in Khouzestan province such as Masjed Soleiman, Izeh, Shoushtar where are the lodging places of Bakhtiaries during autumn and winter. Overnight stay in a hotel in Susa and get ready to go on the tour in the next days.
Day 6:
Start this day's tour off driving towards Borazjan (Dashtestan), along the way pay a visit to Deilam and Genaveh ports where we will savor the beautifully stretched coasts of the Persian Gulf and get acquainted with the Bandary music and friendly locals. In the afternoon, enjoy a revitalizing opportunity of relieving in the mineral springs in Borazjan where we will stay overnight.
Day 7:
Hit the road to Boushkan region where is the basement of the Ghashghai nomads during winter. Choose a family as our host to get familiar with their style of making handicrafts, baking bread, cooking food, producing dairy, grazing the herds and special Ghashghai music and dance. Stay overnight in a black tent.
Day 8:
Spend time exploring in Boushkan, Eram pass and the nomadic regions where we will get familiar with different Tirehs of Ghashghai nomads. Ghashghais are Turkish spoken nomads. This outstanding tribe is divided into 5 great tayefehs of Dareh Shouri, Farsi Madan, Kashkuli-e Bozorg, Shesh Bolouki and Amaleh. Mostly these nomads, in spring and summer, live on the outskirts of Zagros Mountains in the north of Fars province and in autumn and winter migrate to Boushehr province and southern Fars province.
Ghashghais are the holders of an unrivaled culture, history, music and dance. In this tribe, men and women work mutually to display a constructive correlation with the Mother Nature.
Day 9:
Drive to Hangam via passing Farashband region. When crossing Boushkan, rub shoulders with the other migrant Ghashghai Tayefehs and get familiar with their lifestyle. Stay overnight in one of the tents in Hangam.
Day 10:
Cover the back road to Shiraz and visit the historical castle of Hangam, Ardeshir palace, Ghal'e Dokhtar and the nomadic city of Firuz Abad. Check in the hotel in Shiraz.
Day 11:
Be prepared to be inspired by the magnificence of Persepolis. This gem of ancient Persia which dates back 2530 years ago is the result of the exquisite works of a conglomeration of fine artists and architects from various nations under the Achaemenid Empire.
Next, you will visit Kooh-e-Rahmat which is sided east of Persepolis and considered as a sacred mountain in ancient Persia.
Followed by Necropolis where you will marvel at the massive tombs of Old Persian kings. Necropolis is a collection of a variety of awe-inspiring historical relics from different pre-Islamic eras.
Day 12:
Drive to Shahr-e Kord via Yasouj. Visit the habitat of the Ghashghais in spring and summer.
Day 13:
Visit Shahr-e Kord, Chelgerd and Farsan which are the habitat of Bakhtiaris in spring and summer. Finally drive to Esfahan.
Day 14:
Isfahan, the legendary city which never fails to enchant its visitors, is the pearl of traditional Islamic archeology. This city is revived by the works of contemporary artists.
Isfahan prides itself in having fascinating historical garden palaces. Legend has it that the city was founded at the time of Tahmourass or Keykavous and because of its glories has been entitled “Half the World”.
Your full day tour includes the famed Imam Square (Naqsh-e-Jahan), a huge square second in the world to Beijing's Tiananmen Square. Tour the architectural marvels of Sheikh Lotfollah and Imam Mosques, Aliqapu Palace, Chehel Sutoon and Hasht Behesht Palaces, and also visit one of the most famous bazaars in Iran, where you can purchase the arts & crafts for which Isfahan is so well renowned. Stay overnight in Isfahan.
Day 15:
Isfahan’s Jameh mosque holds in itself the passage of several centuries of historical Islamic evolution. This mosque is a gallery of Islamic architecture in which the progress of the architecture from the outset of Islam till recent times is evident. Then we will visit Vank Church which is one of the most beautiful Armenian churches in the world and will undoubtedly capture the attention of every Christian.
Your day will conclude with a visit to Monar Jomban, the tomb of a Sufi with its shaking minarets and some historical bridges. Fly to Tehran.
Day 16:
Depart Iran – the land of warmth and hospitality with fond memories.