14 Days Persian Gulf Islands Tour – Beachside Wonders

Fly to Qeshm Island in the morning. The dolphin-shaped island, along with most islands in the Persian Gulf, feature extreme otherworldly formations. Explore caverns and crevasses of the Valley of Stars. Visit the ancient hideout of Khourbas or Kharbas Cave, historically used as a safe haven from pirates. Stop by the Qeshm Geopark Museum to learn about the unique flora and fauna of the island. Move on to Naz Island Beach, a 3 Km span of golden sands and clear waters. Try to fit in the Namakdan Salt Cave, the longest salt cave in the world. End the day on top of the Qeshm Roof, a natural plateau with a panoramic view of the island. Sleep in a Qeshm Guesthouse.

Start the day with Laft city. This fishing village on the northern coast of Qeshm Island is the best place in Iran to encounter the fast-disappearing traditional culture of the Persian Gulf. Enjoy the photogenic roofscape of badgirs (wind towers) and minarets. Hop on a boat in Soheili Port and head for the UNESCO-registered Mangrove Hara Forest. Stop by Tandis-ha Valley for a breathtaking view. Finish the day with a climb on Chahkooh Canyon. Time-permitting, climb up to the intersection of the two narrow vertical canyons and drink from a chah (well) that has been used by local shepherds for centuries. Sleep in a Qeshm Guesthouse.

Hop on a ferry to Hormuz Island. Visit the Salt Goddess, a collection of enormous natural salt formations. Stop by Rainbow Valley, considered to be a geologist’s dream and an inspiration for artists and nature enthusiasts. Visit the Valley of Statues, tall rocks sculpted into strange shapes by the elements. Visit the Red Beach to indulge your eyes in pink waves washing over crimson sands. Spend the final hours relaxing on the Mangrove Beach before heading back to the Qeshm Guesthouse for the night.

Hop on a ferry to Hengam Island. The island is home to beautiful landscapes, golden sands, clear blue waters, & colorful wildlife. If possible, hop on a Dolphin Tour for an up close experience. Visit Khamasi Beach for some sunbathing and swimming. Spend some time relaxing and meditating on the sands. Towards the sunset, head towards the Silver Beach, a metal-rich beach that produces a radiant metallic hue, perfect for a moonlight stroll along the water. Head back to the Qeshm Guesthouse for the night.

Spend the last day relaxing on the island. Take in the views and the local culture one last time. Go for an early morning stroll along the waters. Gather up a group of friends and enjoy water sports in the cool waters of the Persian Gulf. Qeshm is also home to numerous commercial centers, so shop for some new clothes or check out some of the local souvenirs. Spend the sunset relaxing along the sandy beaches. If possible, build a bonfire when the moon comes out. Spend the night in the Qeshm Guesthouse.

Fly to Shiraz in the Morning. 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 the exquisitely-decorated Ali Ibn Hamza Mausoleum. Stop by Pars Museum, a historic collection housed within the royal reception of the Zand dynasty located within Nazar Garden. Sleep in Shiraz.

Arrive before 8 am for the best views of sunlight hitting the glass-mosaic windows of the Nasir ol-Molk Mosque, or the “Pink Mosque”. After taking photos, explore the 11th c. Bazaar of Shiraz. Then it’s on to the Vakil Complex, a popular desert stop for Asian and European merchants on ancient trade routes. The complex features the Vakil Mosque, Vakil Bathhouse, and the historic caravansary. Finish the night alongside new friends as you eat dinner with locals. Sleep in a guesthouse.

Start with the World Heritage-listed Persepolis, once the center of the Persian Empire and one of the great capitals of the ancient world. The towering columns, remarkable relief carvings, and massive gateways are still imposing. Take time to also explore the Naghshe-e Rostam Necropolis, a royal graveyard of massive tombs, carved straight into the mountainside, from the Achaemenids to the Sassanids. Spend some time at the final resting place of Cyrus the Great, the founder of the first Persian Empire, the Achaemenid dynasty, at Pasargadae. Spend the night in Yazd.

In the morning, visit the Yazd Jameh Mosque, built in the 13th c. over a Sassanid fire temple. Then, hit the narrow, mud-brick streets to visit the Amir Chakhmagh Complex, which contains a caravanserai, a bathhouse, and many confectioneries. Learn how underground water channels kept the city hydrated with a visit to the Yazd Water Museum. Stop in at the Zoroastrian Fire Temple and see the holy fire that has burned since 470 AD. Finish by seeing the Tower of Silence to witness the location of sky burials. Rest in Yazd.

Drive towards the pre-Islamic city of Maybod to explore the remarkably maintained Sassanid-era Narin Castle. Visit the Maybod Pigeon Tower, an important invention in message sending and fertilization. Move on the Maybod Yakhchal, a millenia-old icehouse within the desert, and the Abbasi Carvensary. Explore the abandoned mud-brick village Kharanaq, a well-preserved example of how Persian cities looked thousands of years ago, and hike up the mountaintop Chak Chak Fire Temple. Spend the night in Isfahan.

Start with the 16th c. Naqsh-e Jahan Square, the seat of Iran’s Safavid dynasty. Explore Qeysariye Bazaar, a local hub filled with handicrafts, spices & carpets. Marvel at Sheykh Lotfollah Mosque’s mesmerizing dome, Shah Mosque’s enchanting courtyard, & Ali Qapu Palace’s view. You can also visit Chehel-sotun Palace, the royal Safavid reception for foreign dignitaries and ambassadors. Time-permitting. Finish the night with Khaju Bridge & Si-o-Se Pol Bridge, local hangouts along the Zayandeh Rud river.

Visit one of the oldest and liveliest parts of Isfahan, known as New Jolfa. Visit the bright frescos of Vank Cathedral, featuring juxtaposed Islamic and Medieval European iconography. You could also visit the historic, delicate handicrafts of the Vank Museum within the courtyard of the church. You could also stop by the nearby Music Museum to learn about the history and evolution of traditional and modern Persian music. Visit the elaborate 8th c. Jameh Mosque of Isfahan, built upon a former Zoroastrian fire temple. Rest in Isfahan.

In the morning, head for the pre-Islamic city of Kashan. Visit the Agha Bozorg Mosque, a multilevel theological school that served as the center of Kashani life. Stop by the Sultan Amir Ahmad Bathhouse for a lesson in classic bathing. You might have time to see the Abbasian House & Tabatabaei House, two examples of opulent homes, designed specifically for the desert. If possible, make a quick stop in Fin Garden, then head for Tehran towards IKIA.