Explore the legendary Silk Road of Iran and trace the ancient trade routes that once linked the East and West. This 12-day tour begins in the Eastern City of Silk Road, Mashhad.
Continue on to historic cities with beautiful architecture, ancient landmarks, and fascinating history, including a desert oasis city with striking twin towers. You will also visit a charming city known for its beautiful handicrafts and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of the largest brick domes in the world.
Throughout the journey, you’ll have the opportunity to interact with friendly locals, sample delicious traditional cuisine, and immerse yourself in the local way of life. With carefully selected accommodations and transportation, the Iran Silk Road Tour is the perfect way to experience the wonders of Iran’s rich history and culture. Join us on this unforgettable journey and discover the enchanting beauty of the Silk Road.
Arrive in Mashhad and meet your guide at the airport, you will be transferred to your hotel. Later on today, we visit the Imam Reza Holy shrine which is a complex consisting of mausoleums, multiple mosques, and museums. One of the famous ornamental mosques in the holy mausoleum is the Gohar Shad mosque.
O/N Mashhad
City tour of Mashhad to Nader Shah Tomb. Nader was one of the most powerful rulers in Iranian history (18th century). Then drive to Tous to visit Ferdowsi tomb and Haruniyeh Dome. Ferdowsi was a Persian poet and the author of Shahnameh, which is one of the world’s longest epic poems created by a single poet and the greatest epic of Persian-speaking countries. Excursion to Nishabour to visit the Tomb of the famous poets of Iran (Attar). He has been one of the greatest writers and philosophers of Sufism (the inner, mystical, or psycho-spiritual dimension of Islam). Then spend some time visiting the tomb of Omar Khayyam. He wrote important treatises on algebra and was a famous philosopher, astronomer, and also Poet in Iran and maybe in the world. He also wrote many books in different fields of science, religion, and culture.
O/N Sabzevar
On the way to Shahrud, we will visit Farumad Jame mosque. The Stucco of this mosque with deep vaults and decorations remaining from different eras can take you on a journey back into history, then Drive you to Shahrud to visit the Amirieh Bath which is an ancient relic from the Qajar era. Then continue to Bastam to visit Bayazid Bastami Tomb one of the Persian sufi or mystics during the 9th century and Jame mosque. From here, we head to Damghan city to visit Tarikhaneh (home of god) which is the oldest mosque in Iran. We also visit the ancient city of Hecatompylos, Tepe Hessar, Pir-e Alamdar shrine, Cheshme Ali spring, and the Round Tower.
O/N Semnan
We have a full day of driving today to reach our destination of Zanjan; it is a good idea to stock up on locally bought and easily found dates and pistachio nuts for the journey. On route, we stop at Qazvin for a half-day city tour. In Qazvin we visit the Jameh Mosque and the Safavid pavilion (Chehel Sotoun), this building dates back to Safavid Era (16th century). Later, you arrive at Zanjan where you can find many lovely handicrafts and also historical attractions.
O/N Zanjan
We start your tour of Zanjan by visiting the traditional Laundry house that belongs to Qajar Era and is called Rakhtshoor-Khaneh. Then we continue by visiting the Jameh Mosque, and Saltmen museum. The Saltmen was found in the Chehrabad salt mines in the winter of 1993.
O/N Zanjan
Drive to Soltaniyeh Dome* which is located 35 km from Zanjan to visit another Iran UNESCO world heritage site. This turquoise-blue dome is the Largest brick-made dome in the world. At the end of our tour, we will drive to Hamedan.
O/N Hamedan
*Example of the achievements of Persian architecture and a key monument in the development of its Islamic architecture.
We will start our exploration early in the morning by visiting the amazing well-known Ali Sadr Cave on the outskirts of Hamedan. Then we will get back to the city and visit Alavyan Tomb Tower, a 12th-century structure regarded as the finest example of Seljuk art in Iran. See the latest excavations of ancient Ecbatana. Created by King Deioces as his capital where he ruled from 728-675 B.C. Visit the Tomb of Avicenna, a world-renowned astronomer, and physician of the 10th century.
O/N Hamedan
An early departure for Kermanshah takes us via the Sassanian site at Kangavar, where the remains of a temple dedicated to Anahita, the beneficent divinity of water, are to be found. We then view the incredible Achaemenid bas-reliefs at Bisotun*, one of the most famous Near Eastern archaeological sites and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then on to the sensational site at Tagh-é Bostan, where a sacred spring emerges from a mountain cliff and empties into a large reflecting pool.
O/N Kermanshah
*The greatest inscription in the world
In the morning we go to Tehran and in the afternoon we will visit Pol-e Tabiat (Nature Bridge). Nature bridge is located in Ab-o-Atash Park in Tehran. It has won an international prize for architectural design. The reason it is named nature bridge is that it connects 3 parks and It is one of the most popular parks in Tehran.
O/N Tehran
We start our city tour by visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Golestan Palace*, part of a complex of royal buildings that were once enclosed within the mud-thatched walls of Tehran’s historic arg, or citadel along with Tehran’s Grand Bazaar. Then, after having lunch we will visit Iran National Museum with all its amazing remains of ancient and historical Iran. In the late afternoon, we can spend some time on 30th Tir Street surrounded by all the street food trucks among locals.
O/N Tehran
*A lavish masterpiece of the Qajar era
We start our journey with an exploration of Rey. Rey also known as Rhages is the capital of Rey County in Tehran Province on the Silk Road and the oldest existing city in the Province. We visit the Shah-Abdol-Azim shrine and then the Cheshme-Ali hill with a spring, the Toghrol tower which is constructed under the Seljuqs in 1140 A.D. We continue our journey to visit Bahram Rey Fire Temple (Tepe Mil) which has stood since the Sasanian Empire
O/N Tehran
You will be transferred to the IKA airport to depart Iran.
Included Services
Excluded Services
_ Hotels are 4* or traditional houses with the same quality
– Hotel check-in time generally is at 2:00 PM. So, according to your arrival time, if you need early check-in you must book an extra day.
– Private or single rooms are not available in some traditional local houses. No Bed, but sleeping equipment is traditional comfortable Mattresses and Blankets.
– Use Minibus / Van / Private car depending on your group size
– Vegetarian dishes are also possible upon request.
High season (Mar-May & Sep-Oct):
You receive a full refund of the tour price if You cancel at least 45 days before the start date of your tour.
45-30 days prior to arrival: 5%
29-15 days prior to arrival: 15%
14-7 days prior to arrival: 25%
6-3 days prior to arrival: 50%
less than 72 hours prior to arrival: No show
Low season (Nov-Feb & Jun-Aug):
You receive a full refund of the tour price if You cancel at least 30 days before the start date of your tour.
29-15 days prior to arrival: 5%
14-7 days prior to arrival: 15%
6-3 days prior to arrival: 25%
less than 72 hours prior to arrival: 75%
– The basic price includes double and twin rooms in Hotels. Obviously, single rooms cost an extra fee.
– The priority of sightseeing may be changed. It is due to the time of your arrival, your guide’s discretion, and the official and unofficial holidays of some museums. Also, some activities in the itinerary may be changed depending on the weather conditions.
_ All sites with * sign are submitted in UNESCO World Heritage.
You can book the tour by clicking the “Proceed Booking “button in the price box or sending an inquiry on the “Enquiry Form”.
If you have questions or concerns about the tour, contact us on WhatsApp: +98 902 017 2888 or email us at [email protected].
Yes, you need a visa to enter Iran as a visitor. You should make your visa application well in advance of your date of travel. The application process for an Iranian visa can be long and unpredictable. Visitors to Iran must obtain a visa from one of the Iranian diplomatic missions unless they come from one of the visa-exempt countries or countries eligible for a visa on arrival.
To obtain an Iranian visa, you must first get a visa authorization code that proves your visa application is approved by the Iranian MFA. Once you have this code, you will be able to collect your visa at any embassy or airport. Apply for your Iran Visa and get it in less than 3 days. Please be noted that if you are buying a tour package from us, the visa authorization code is also included and you do not need to apply separately. For more information read our article about How to get Iran visa.
It’s not compulsory, but since you need to have access to the Internet, having a SIM card will be necessary. This tour includes Special Iran Travel Deal which has a SIM card for travelers.
Yes, having travel insurance is required at passport control when you are entering Iran. This tour includes Special Iran Travel Deal which has travel insurance for travelers. For more information please read about Iran Travel Insurance.
Where to change somehow depends on the amount of money you’d like to exchange. If it’s a small amount you can change at the airport or your hotel after getting to Iran. But for larger amounts, we suggest exchanging at an exchange store in the city, while you are visiting the downtown with your guide. Your guide will also assist you in choosing the best place for doing the exchange.
Yes, To Iran Tour offers airport transfers. The distance from IKA to Tehran downtown is about 50 km and having an airport transfer will be a great solution when you just arrive in Tehran. This tour includes Special Iran Travel Deal which has Airport transfers for travelers.
International credit or debit cards are not accepted in Iran, so you must bring cash and conduct frequent exchanges.
However, there is a solution to this problem: the “Iran tourist Card”. You can use this prepaid debit card for tourists instead of cash. This tour includes Special Iran Travel Deal which has tourist cards for travelers.
According to To Iran Tour’s terms and conditions, cancellations must be made by the customer in writing to To Iran Tour before the tour departure is confirmed.
Applied cancellation fees are mentioned in the cancellation box of each tour. It differs between packages and day tours as in high and low season.
You can contact To Iran Tour on WhatsApp: +98 902 017 2888 or by email at [email protected] for more information
All non-Iranian nationals older than 12 years, must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and present a valid vaccine certificate on arrival. The vaccination certificate must be in English, showing full vaccination of 2 doses. However, there are no obligations regarding the date of the vaccination. Or they should present a negative PCR test.
Hotels are usually 4* or Traditional resorts with the same quality. Private or single rooms are not available in some traditional local houses. The basic price includes double and twin rooms in Hotels. Single rooms cost an extra fee.
Considering the locality and having an authentic experience, some traditional hotels or ecolodges do not have beds. But they all have sleeping equipment with comfortable Mattresses and Blankets.
Based on the group size or the road quality and the tour type, minibusses, vans or VIP buses will be used for the tour which are all private vehicles. All the vehicles are AC equipped and have the standard of EURO5 or EURO4.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask us and our travel expert will get in touch with you shortly. Please also call us or email us before visiting to make sure that you will be served with our best services.
I recently took this Silk Road tour in Iran and overall, it was a fantastic experience. The itinerary was well-planned and we were able to see a wide variety of historic and cultural landmarks on the historic Silk Road. As a history student, I’ve always wanted to see the whole road and this trip ended with giving me the desire to get back to see more of this beautiful country…
