Iran · November 25 - 8 2024

14 Day Iran + Hormuzgan Expedition

The Best of Iran s Architecture & Wild Coastline

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Description

Overview

This 14 day expedition to Iran blends together the cultural and architectural highlights of the nation’s central cities with the otherworldly landscapes of the Hormuzgan Coast and Persian Gulf Islands.
Starting from the buzzing capital of Tehran, we’ll work our way down through the historic cities of Kashan, Esfahan, and Shiraz, as well as the desert oasis of Yazd. These cities each boast their own unique architecture and host a plethora of fascinating history as well as delicious specialities we’ll have the opportunity to taste.
From Shiraz, the itinerary carries on to the Persian Gulf coast locations of Bushehr, Bandar Siraf, Mokassar Beach, the Bonood Sea Caves, and Bandar Abbas, all known for their psychedelic landscapes and laid-back culture. Finally, the expedition brings us to the wild island of Hormuz and its colorful hinterland and wraps up in Qeshm, famed for its wild landscapes and villages.
US, UK, and Canadian passport holders are welcome to join this tour.

Highlights

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Experience Tehran

See the melting pot of Tehran, where people and tradition mingle from all over the country.

See Half of the World in Esfahan

Esfahan harbors some of the Islamic world's grandest pieces of architecture. See why Esfahan people say Esfahan is half of the world.

Out of this World Hormuz

With beaches of blood red, rainbow caves, dragon-like rock formations, and a mountain of salt, Hormuz feels like another planet.

Wild Rock Formations at Mokassar Beach

Mokassar Beach, sat along the Persian Gulf Coast, features otherworldly rock formations and stunning cliffsides.

Itinerary

Tehran

Day 1: Welcome to Iran

Home to over 15 million people, Tehran is a melting pot of the cultures and traditions that comprise Iran. Today we will take the time to explore the city’s Grand Bazaar, the Qajar-era Golestan Palace, and the National Museum of Iran.

Accommodation: Traditional hotel

Included

Breakfast

Kashan & Esfahan

Day 2: The Beauty of Kashan

On our second day of this classic Iran itinerary, we will get an early morning start in order to make our way south toward the famed city of Esfahan, making a stop in Kashan on the way.
After about 3 hours on the road, we will reach the small city of Kashan where we will have a bit of time to explore its famous historic houses that all date to the 18th and 19th centuries. We will also take a brief time to see the grand Agha Bozorg Mosque and the beautiful Sultan Amir Ahmad Bath House.
In the afternoon we will continue our drive to Esfahan where we will watch sunset over Naqsh e Jahan Square.

Drive time: ~5 hours
Accommodation: Traditional hotel

Included

Breakfast

Esfahan

Day 3: Esfahan, Half of the World

Today we will explore the grand architecture within Naqsh e Jahan that helped to gain Esfahan the saying ‘Esfahan is half of the world. This includes the mesmerizing dome of Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, Shah Mosque’s lovely courtyard, the grandiose tiling of Shah Mosque, and Ali Qapu Palace’s view out over the square.
After lunch, we will get lost amongst the stalls of Bazaar e Bozorg, and make the quick walk over to Chehel Situn Palace. In the late afternoon, we’ll have some time to check out the historic bridges of Esfahan.

AccommodationTraditional hotel

Included

Breakfast

Maybod, Chaq Chaq, Kharanaq & Yazd

Day 4: Into the Desert

On the 4th day of this classic Iran itinerary, we will get another early start to depart Esfahan for the desert highlights of Maybod, Chak Chak, and Kharanaq on the way to Yazd.
In Maybod we’ll get to explore the Narin Fortress and Shah Abbasi Caravanserai, Chak Chak famous for its Pir e Sabz Fire Temple, as well as a quick pop into the ancient mudbrick village of Kharanaq.
About 1 more hour of driving from the Maybod area will finally bring us to Yazd where we will have time to roam around the desert city and try some of its famous shirini (sweets).

Drive time: ~4 hours
Accommodation: Traditional hotel

Included

Breakfast

Yazd

Day 5: Zoroastrianism and Islam

Today we will visit the highlights that make Yazd a much-loved city in Iran. We’ll visit the 13th century Jameh Mosque, which was built over a Sassanid-era fire temple. After, we will wander the narrow, mud-brick streets to visit the Amir Chaqmaq Complex, which contains a caravanserai, and a bathhouse.
In the afternoon will also take time to learn how underground water channels kept the city hydrated in its early days with a visit to the Yazd Water Museum before heading off to see the famous Ateshkadeh Zoroastrian Fire Temple to see the holy fire that has been burning there since 470 AD.
We will finish our 5th day of this Iran itinerary by seeing the ancient Zoroastrian Towers of Silence where of sky burials once took place.
Accommodation: Traditional hotel

Included

Breakfast

Persepolis & Shiraz

Day 6: The Ancient Capital of the Achaemenid Empire

Early in the morning, we will begin our long nearly 5 hour drive to our final destinations on this Iran tour of Persepolis and Shiraz.
We will arrive in Persepolis in the early afternoon where we will have time to explore the once-great capital of the Persian Empire and then take time to visit the nearby Naqsh e Rostam Necropolis that is carved right into a mountainside.
After we’ve spent the afternoon immersed in Iran’s ancient history, continue to Shiraz where we will move into our final traditional hotel on our tour of Iran.

Drive time: ~5 hours 30 minutes
Accommodation: Traditional hotel

Included

Breakfast

Shiraz

Day 7: History, Gardens & Poets

After we’ve spent the afternoon immersed in Iran’s ancient history, continue to Shiraz where we will move into our final traditional hotel on our tour of Iran.

Drive time: ~1 hour
Accommodation: Traditional hotel

Included

Breakfast

Shiraz & Bushehr

Day 8: Onwards Toward the Persian Coast

Today we’ll get an early start and begin our journey southward to Iran’s coast, stopping for scenic views along the way. We aim to reach Bushehr by the mid-afternoon giving some time for us to settle in and even visit the beach nearby.

Drive time: ~6 hours
Accommodation: Eco lodge or standard hotel

Included

Breakfast

Bonood Beach & Bandar Siraf

Day 9 & 10: All Along the Bushehr Coastline

For the next two days, we’ll explore the highlights of the Bushehr Coastline, taking time to see the ethereal Bonood Beach and its caves, peaceful beaches, the ancient Siraf Port, and even have the chance to hear traditional Bandari music and homemade Banadari food.

Accommodation: Eco lodge or standard hotel

Included

Breakfast

Mokassar Beach & Qeshm

Day 11: Coastal Road Tripping

We’ll get an early start, leaving Siraf in the morning just after breakfast as we have a long drive day and an exciting stop along the way. En route to Bandar Abbas, we’ll take some time to explore the psychedelic Mokassar Beach area with crazy rock formations to meander through. There are heaps of scenic stops along the way to make as well, so be prepared to be glued to the window the entire drive.
We’ll arrive in Bandar Abbas later in the day where we’ll hop on a ferry to reach Qeshm Island.

Drive time: ~6 hours
Accommodation: Eco lodge

Included

Breakfast

Hormuz & Qeshm

Day 12: The Psychedelic Little Island of Hormuz

We’ll hop on the early morning ferry today from Qeshm to Hormuz to visit the tiny island that you’ll need to see to believe. As we make our way around Hormuz we’ll have the chance to see the trippy Rainbow Cave, the famous Red Beach Hormuz is most well known for, the Salt Mountain, the colorful Rainbow Valley, and the Portuguese Castle.
Later in the day, we’ll catch the ferry back to Qeshm for the night.

Accommodation: Eco lodge

Included

Breakfast

Qeshm

Day 13: Explore Qeshm Island's Highlights

On the final full day of our coastal Iran tour, we’ll check out the famed sites around Qeshm Island including the mangrove forests, the beautiful Salt Cave, visit the Ship Factory, and hopefully see some wild dolphins.
Accommodation: Eco lodge

Included

Breakfast

Tehran

Day 8: Departures

In the morning, we’ll catch a flight north to Tehran to end our trip. Departures will be throughout the day today from the Iranian capital.

Included

Breakfast

What's included

  • Meals as indicated on the itinerary
  • English-speaking guide
  • Ferry to/from Qeshm
  • Ferry to Hormuz
  • Accommodation on twin room sharing basis
  • Domestic flight from Bandar Abbas to Tehran
  • Letter of Invitation
  • Travel insurance
  • Iran visa fees
  • International airfare to and from Iran
  • Tips to local staff
  • Personal spending

Hosts

Nicole Smoot

Expedition Lead
Despite being born and raised in the mountains of Alaska with plenty of backyard adventures that could have kept her busy for a lifetime, the unusual dragon blood trees of Socotra, the truly bizarre landscapes of Iran’s far-flung Sistan and Balochistan Province, the gingerbread-house-like architecture of Sana’a, and the dazzling turquoise lakes of Tajikistan’s Fann Mountains lured Nicole to the other side of the planet and on to get to know these locations extremely well.

the.adventures.of.nicole

Extras & Options

Single Supplement

Single Supplement

Opt for a private room. Subject to availability.

FROM $350.00/pp
This add-on will be available at checkout to add to your order.
View available Dates

FAQs

Since 2022, the political situation in Iran has become more unstable than it has been for the past several years. Our local team in Iran takes the safety of our tourists very seriously and will provide mitigation in situ if any issues arise. That said, generally, Iran is a safe country for tourists to visit with a low crime rate.
This 14 Day Iran & Hormuzgan Expedition will begin and end in Tehran, Iran. The expedition will start on the morning of November 25th, and end on December 8th.
Yes, passport holders from the US, UK, and Canada can visit Iran. Visitors from these countries must be accompanied by a guide with credentials from the government allowing them to guide these nationalities. We do work with a network of guides who hold this credential.

Most nationalities require a visa/e-visa to enter Iran. We will provide the necessary documentation in order for you to apply for your Iran visa.

The only countries that can enter Iran visa-free are Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bolivia, China, Egypt, Georgia, Hong Kong, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Macao, Malaysia, Oman, Syria, Turkey and Venezuela. It appears more nations have been added to this list as of December 2023 but it has not been announced when this will be implemented.

This 14 Day Iran & Hormuzgan Coast expedition is rated as easy. We will be spending every night in a hotel or eco-loge and each day will require some walking along beaches and between sites.

As per the entry requirements for Iran, all visitors must carry a travel insurance policy that is valid in Iran. We will provide travel insurance to all participants in the price of the expedition.

Iran uses the Iranian Rial (IRR), a currency that fluctuates violently. It is important to bring more than enough cash than you think you may need in Iran as ATMs do not accept foreign cards and there is no official way to obtain money once in the country.

All money you plan to spend in Iran including personal expenses, souvenirs, lunches, dinners, etc. should be brought with you from home and in cash. The best currencies to bring to exchange are US dollars, British pounds, and Euros. Make sure that your bills are in crisp, clean, and new condition with no bends, tears, or folds.

Yes, we do provide a suggested packing list and preparation guide for all of our Iran expeditions that can be viewed here.

Persian food is a delight, featuring meats, rice, fresh salads, aromatic, spices, and a variety of herbs. Chai and flatbreads accompany almost every meal.

Please let us know of any dietary restrictions or allergies in advance so that we can accommodate your needs.

It is possible to purchase SIM cards on arrival at the Tehran as well as at mobile service provider shops in the city and our accommodations will feature Wi-Fi. Internet in Iran is highly monitored and censored, so you can expect to not be able to access most social media sites and news websites. Most Iranians use VPNs to work around this, but which ones will work and when is always in flux.
Yes, a minimum of 4 passengers will need to be on this expedition in order to run. If the minimum isn’t reached, we will contact you about the potential to still operate the trip but at an additional charge or you will be given the option to cancel and your deposit/payment can either be returned to you or applied toward a different expedition of your choosing.