10 Days Nomad Tour – Tradition & Modernity

Start the day with the historic Sa'dabad Palace Complex in Northern Tehran, a 300-hectare complex built by the Qajar and Pahlavi monarchs, next to the house of the current president. Visit Tajrish Bazaar in northern Tehran a for local and lively shopping experience. Buy some fresh fruit for the day or some spices such as saffron as souvenirs. You could also visit Milad Tower, Tehran’s tallest highrise, or the iconic Azadi Tower, an amalgam of classic and modern Iranian art. Fly overnight to Shiraz.

Arrive before 8 am for the best views of the instagramable Nasir ol-Molk “Pink” Mosque. Move on to the Vakil Complex, featuring the Vakil Mosque, Vakil Bathhouse, and the historic caravansary. Relax in the World Heritage-listed Eram Garden, before visiting the Citadel of Karim khan. A former prison, the citadel has been converted to a giant garden, complete with local vendors. A quick stop at the Tomb of Hafez, the worldwide-renowned Persian poet, and it’s off to dinner with a local Shirazi family.

Start with the World Heritage-listed Persepolis, once the center of the Persian Empire and one of the great cities of the ancient world. The towering columns, remarkable relief carvings, and massive gateways are still imposing. Visit the Naqsh-e Rostam Necropolis, a royal graveyard of massive tombs, carved straight into the mountainside, from the Achaemenids to the Sassanids. Stop by the final resting place of Cyrus the Great, the first Achaemenid Shah, at Pasargadae. Arrive in Isfahan at night.

After an early morning start, head to nearby Aligudarz District to visit the towering 70m tall Ab Sefid waterfall. After a quick drive through Ghalikouh Mountain, arrive at the nomadic village of Baznavid. Visit the necropolis of nomadic elders, distinguished by its iconic lion sculptures. Take part in traditional chores such as collecting firewood, baking bread, milking the livestock, pitching the tent, or shepherding the flock. Spend the night getting familiar with your host family in a local nomadic homestay.

Start the morning tending to the sheep. After breakfast, visit the Bakhtiari nomad settlement of Chin on the way to the oak-covered Posht kuh Protected Area. After a nice hike, take a deep dive into Khuyeh village, filled with organic farms, lush fruit gardens & mountain views. Get to know the local environment and visit the watermill. Learn how to spin thread, weave handicrafts, milk livestock, garden, farm, or even construct buildings using traditional methods. Spend the night in a local Khuyeh homestay.

Witness the sunrise on the balcony overlooking the mountains. Spend the morning hiking in the ancient stepped-village of Sar Agha Seyed. Life here has formed around the rough terrain and created a unique look. Visit the irrigated farms, the locally sourced salt mines, and the many other utilities people here have been using for centuries. Head back into modern life by making your way to Shahrekord, known as the “Roof of Iran” due to its elevation. After a quick dinner, head back to Isfahan for the night.

Start with the 16th c. Naqsh-e Jahan Square, the seat of Iran’s Safavid dynasty. One of its biggest features is the Qeysariye Bazaar, a local hub filled with handicrafts, spices & carpets. Handicrafts here haven't changed for over 400 years. Visit the Sheykh Lotfollah Mosque to see its mesmerizing dome, the Shah Mosque for its enchanting courtyard, & the six-story Ali Qapu Palace for its view. At night, visit the famed Khaju Bridge & Si-o-Se Pol Bridge, local hangouts along the Zayandeh Rud river.

In the morning, visit Chehel-sotun Palace, the royal Safavid reception for foreign dignitaries and ambassadors. Check out a local Carpet Workshop to see just how much time and effort still goes into handmade carpets. Afterwards, drive towards the vibrantly red Abyaneh village, one of the oldest villages in Iran. Nestled within inaccessible mountain folds, its residents still speak Middle Persian, the language of 5th c. Sassanid Persia. After a quick stop in Fin Garden, spend the night in Kashan.

Spend the last day exploring the charms of the desert city Kashan, birthplace of the colored “tile” and over 9,000 years old. Start with the Agha Bozorg Mosque, a multilevel theological school that served as the center of local life. Visit the Sultan Amir Ahmad Bathhouse for a lesson in classic bathing. You also get to see the fascinating Abbasian House & Tabatabaei House, two examples of opulent homes with exceptional architectural details & designed specifically for the desert. Drive towards IKIA in the afternoon.