|
WORLD
HERITAGE SITES OF IRAN
A World Heritage Sites Tour of Iran |
 |
Modern day Iran changes
its name from Persia as recent as in 1935. At its height about
500 BC, the founding dynasty of the Persian empire, the Achaemenids,
had conquered Asia as far as the Indus River, Greece, and
North Africa including what is now Egypt and Libya.
The beginning of the Persian empire is set at different times
by different scholars, but the real force behind the expansion
was Cyrus II, aka Cyrus the Great, in the mid-sixth century
BC. Cyrus was part of the Achaemenid Empire, with Cyrus's
capital first at Hamadan and then Pasargadae. In 330 BC, Macedonian
Greeks led by Alexander the Great overthrew the Achaemenids
and established what was called the Seleucid Empire after
Alexander's general. The Seleucids were in turn followed by
the Parthian and Sassanid dynasties. The Sassinids were defeated
by Arab caliphs in the mid-7th century AD, and by 651, the
Persian empire was ended. The course of history has left many
landmarks in the country and today Persia has some 10 World
Heritage Sites.
|
Tour
Summary
|
Map |
Day
|
Place
|
| 01 |
Tehran |
| 02 |
Tehran
/ Urumieh |
| 03 |
Urumieh
/ Tabriz |
| 04 |
Tabriz
/ Zanjan |
| 05 |
Zanjan
/ Kermanshah |
| 06 |
Kermanshah
/ Ahwaz |
| 07 |
Ahwaz
/ Shiraz |
| 08 |
Shiraz
/ Kerman |
| 09 |
Kerman
/ Yazd |
| 10 |
Yazd
/ Esfahan |
| 11 |
Esfahan / Tehran |
| 12 |
Depart Tehran |
|
|
 |
UNESCO
World Heritage Sites Visited
This tour has been tailored to include the following World
Heritage Sites |
|
World Heritage Sites in Iran covered on this tour |
| Persepolis
(1979) |
Founded
by Darius I in 518 B.C., Persepolis was the capital of the Achaemenid
Empire. It was built on an immense half- artificial, half-natural
terrace, where the king of kings created an impressive palace
complex inspired by Mesopotamian models. The importance and
quality of the monumental ruins make it a unique archaeological
site. |
| Tchogha
Zanbil (1979) |
The ruins
of the holy city of the Kingdom of Elam, surrounded by three
huge concentric walls, are found at Tchogha Zanbil. Founded
c. 1250 B.C., the city remained unfinished after it was invaded
by Ashurbanipal, as shown by the thousands of unused bricks
left at the site. |
| Meidan
Emam, Esfahan (1979) |
Built
by Shah Abbas I the Great at the beginning of the 17th century,
and bordered on all sides by monumental buildings linked by
a series of two-storeyed arcades, the site is known for the
Royal Mosque, the Mosque of Sheykh Lotfollah, the magnificent
Portico of Qaysariyyeh and the 15th-century Timurid palace.
They are an impressive testimony to the level of social and
cultural life in Persia during the Safavid era. |
| Takht-e
Soleyman (2003) |
The
archaeological site of Takht-e Soleyman, in north-western Iran,
is situated in a valley set in a volcanic mountain region. The
site includes the principal Zoroastrian sanctuary partly rebuilt
in the Ilkhanid (Mongol) period (13th century) as well as a
temple of the Sasanian period (6th and 7th centuries) dedicated
to Anahita. The site has important symbolic significance. The
designs of the fire temple, the palace and the general layout
have strongly influenced the development of Islamic architecture. |
| Bam
and its Cultural Landscape (2004) |
Bam
is situated in a desert environment on the southern edge of
the Iranian high plateau. The origins of Bam can be traced back
to the Achaemenid period (6th to 4th centuries BC). Its heyday
was from the 7th to 11th centuries, being at the crossroads
of important trade routes and known for the production of silk
and cotton garments. The existence of life in the oasis was
based on the underground irrigation canals, the qana¯ts,
of which Bam has preserved some of the earliest evidence in
Iran. Arg-e Bam is the most representative example of a fortified
medieval town built in vernacular technique using mud layers
(Chineh ). |
| Pasargadae
(2004) |
The
first dynastic capital of the Achaemenid Empire, founded by
Cyrus II, the Great, in Pars, homeland of the Persians, in the
6th century BC. Its palaces, gardens, and the mausoleum of Cyrus
are outstanding examples of the first phase of royal Achaemenid
art and architecture and exceptional testimonies of Persian
civilization. Particularly noteworthy vestiges in the 160-ha
site include: the Mausoleum of Cyrus II; Tall-e Takht, a fortified
terrace; and a royal ensemble of gatehouse, audience hall, residential
palace, and gardens. Pasaragadae was the capital of the first
great multicultural empire in Western Asia. Spanning the Eastern
Mediterranean and Egypt to the Hindus River, it is considered
to be the first empire that respected the cultural diversity
of its different peoples. This was reflected in Achaemenid architecture,
a synthetic representation of different cultures. |
| Soltaniyeh
(2005) |
The mausoleum of Oljaytu was constructed in 1302–12 in
the city of Soltaniyeh, the capital of the Ilkhanid dynasty,
which was founded by the Mongols. Situated in the province of
Zanjan, Soltaniyeh is one of the outstanding examples of the
achievements of Persian architecture and a key monument in the
development of its Islamic architecture. The octagonal building
is crowned with a 50 m tall dome covered in turquoise-blue faience
and surrounded by eight slender minarets. It is the earliest
existing example of the double-shelled dome in Iran. The mausoleum’s
interior decoration is also outstanding and scholars such as
A.U. Pope have described the building as ‘anticipating
the Taj Mahal’. |
| Bisotun
(2006) |
Bisotun
is located along the ancient trade route linking the Iranian
high plateau with Mesopotamia and features remains from the
prehistoric times to the Median, Achaemenid, Sassanian, and
Ilkhanid periods. The principal monument of this archaeological
site is the bas-relief and cuneiform inscription ordered by
Darius I, The Great, when he rose to the throne of the Persian
Empire, 521 BC. The bas-relief portrays Darius holding a bow,
as a sign of sovereignty, and treading on the chest of a figure
who lies on his back before him. According to legend, the figure
represents Gaumata, the Median Magus and pretender to the throne
whose assassination led to Darius’s rise to power. Below
and around the bas-reliefs, there are ca. 1,200 lines of inscriptions
telling the story of the battles Darius waged in 521-520 BC
against the governors who attempted to take apart the Empire
founded by Cyrus. The inscription is written in three languages.
The oldest is an Elamite text referring to legends describing
the king and the rebellions. This is followed by a Babylonian
version of similar legends. The last phase of the inscription
is particularly important, as it is here that Darius introduced
for the first time the Old Persian version of his res gestae
(things done). This is the only known monumental text of the
Achaemenids to document the re-establishment of the Empire by
Darius I. It also bears witness to the interchange of influences
in the development of monumental art and writing in the region
of the Persian Empire. There are also remains from the Median
period (8th to 7th centuries B.C.) as well as from the Achaemenid
(6th to 4th centuries B.C.) and post-Achaemenid periods. |
| Armenian
Monastic Ensembles of Iran (2008) |
The
Armenian Monastic Ensembles of Iran, in the north-west of the
country, consists of three monastic ensembles of the Armenian
Christian faith: St Thaddeus and St Stepanos and the Chapel
of Dzordzor. These edifices - the oldest of which, St Thaddeus,
dates back to the 7th century – are examples of outstanding
universal value of the Armenian architectural and decorative
traditions. They bear testimony to very important interchanges
with the other regional cultures, in particular the Byzantine,
Orthodox and Persian. Situated on the south-eastern fringe of
the main zone of the Armenian cultural space, the monasteries
constituted a major centre for the dissemination of that culture
in the region. They are the last regional remains of this culture
that are still in a satisfactory state of integrity and authenticity.
Furthermore, as places of pilgrimage, the monastic ensembles
are living witnesses of Armenian religious traditions through
the centuries. |
| Shustar
historical Hydraulic System (2009) |
Shushtar, Historical Hydraulic
System, inscribed as a masterpiece of creative genius, can be
traced back to Darius the Great in the 5th century B.C. It involved
the creation of two main diversion canals on the river Kârun
one of which, Gargar canal, is still in use providing water
to the city of Shushtar via a series of tunnels that supply
water to mills. It forms a spectacular cliff from which water
cascades into a downstream basin. It then enters the plain situated
south of the city where it has enabled the planting of orchards
and farming over an area of 40,000 ha. known as Mianâb
(Paradise). The property has an ensemble of remarkable sites
including the Salâsel Castel, the operation centre of
the entire hydraulic system, the tower where the water level
is measured, damns, bridges, basins and mills. It bears witness
to the know-how of the Elamites and Mesopotamians as well as
more recent Nabatean expertise and Roman building influence. |
| Detailed
Itinerary |
Day
01 (THU): Arrive Tehran
This afternoon you are scheduled to arrive Tehran. Once clearing
through Customs & Immigrations, you will be met at the exit
gate by our local representative for a transfer to your hotel.
Check in time starts from 1400 hrs.
Overnight: Laleh Hotel (1 night) (D)
Day 02 (FRI): Tehran / Urumieh (Flight)
After a good night’s rest you are transferred to the airport
for a flight to Urumieh. You are met & transferred to your
hotel. If time permits then a brief city tour of Urumieh will
be provided.
Overnight: Darya Hotel (1 night) (B, D)
Day 03 (SAT): Urumieh / Tabriz (443 kms)
This morning we depart for Jolfa to visit the Armenian Monastic
Ensembles of Iran, in the north-west of the country, consists
of three monastic ensembles of the Armenian Christian faith:
St Thaddeus and St Stepanos and the Chapel of Dzordzor. These
edifices - the oldest of which, St Thaddeus, dates back to the
7th century – are examples of outstanding universal value
of the Armenian architectural and decorative traditions. They
bear testimony to very important interchanges with the other
regional cultures, in particular the Byzantine, Orthodox and
Persian. Situated on the south-eastern fringe of the main zone
of the Armenian cultural space, the monasteries constituted
a major centre for the dissemination of that culture in the
region. They are the last regional remains of this culture that
are still in a satisfactory state of integrity and authenticity.
Furthermore, as places of pilgrimage, the monastic ensembles
are living witnesses of Armenian religious traditions through
the centuries. Continue onto Tabriz to visit its bazaar, which
has recently been added to the UNESCO list.
Overnight: Gostaresh Hotel (1 night) (B, D)
Day 04 (SUN): Tabriz / Zanjan (280 kms)
Today’s tour starts with a visit to the archaeological
site of Takht-e Soleyman, in northwestern Iran, is situated
in a valley set in a volcanic mountain region. The site includes
the principal Zoroastrian sanctuary partly rebuilt in the Ilkhanid
(Mongol) period (13th century) as well as a temple of the Sasanian
period (6th and 7th centuries) dedicated to Anahita. The site
has important symbolic significance. The designs of the fire
temple, the palace and the general layout have strongly influenced
the development of Islamic architecture.
Next stop is the mausoleum of Oljaytu was constructed in 1302–12
in the city of Soltaniyeh, the capital of the Ilkhanid dynasty,
which was founded by the Mongols. Situated in the province of
Zanjan, Soltaniyeh is one of the outstanding examples of the
achievements of Persian architecture and a key monument in the
development of its Islamic architecture. The octagonal building
is crowned with a 50 m tall dome covered in turquoise-blue faience
and surrounded by eight slender minarets. It is the earliest
existing example of the double-shelled dome in Iran. The mausoleum’s
interior decoration is also outstanding and scholars such as
A.U. Pope have described the building as ‘anticipating
the Taj Mahal’.
Overnight: Park Hotel (1 night) (B, D)
Day 05 (MON): Zanjan / Kermanshah (414 kms)
Today`s tour starts with visiting Bisotun, which is located
along the ancient trade route linking the Iranian high plateau
with Mesopotamia and features remains from the prehistoric times
to the Median, Achaemenid, Sassanian, and Ilkhanid periods.
The principal monument of this archaeological site is the bas-relief
and cuneiform inscription ordered by Darius I, The Great, when
he rose to the throne of the Persian Empire, 521 BC. The bas-relief
portrays Darius holding a bow, as a sign of sovereignty, and
treading on the chest of a figure who lies on his back before
him. According to legend, the figure represents Gaumata, the
Median Magus and pretender to the throne whose assassination
led to Darius’s rise to power. Below and around the bas-reliefs,
there are ca. 1,200 lines of inscriptions telling the story
of the battles Darius waged in 521-520 BC against the governors
who attempted to take apart the Empire founded by Cyrus. The
inscription is written in three languages. The oldest is an
Elamite text referring to legends describing the king and the
rebellions. This is followed by a Babylonian version of similar
legends. The last phase of the inscription is particularly important,
as it is here that Darius introduced for the first time the
Old Persian version of his res gestae (things done). This is
the only known monumental text of the Achaemenids to document
the re-establishment of the Empire by Darius I. It also bears
witness to the interchange of influences in the development
of monumental art and writing in the region of the Persian Empire.
There are also remains from the Median period (8th to 7th centuries
B.C.) as well as from the Achaemenid (6th to 4th centuries B.C.)
and post-Achaemenid periods.
Overnight: Azadegan Hotel (1 night) (B, D)
Day 06 (TUE): Kermanshah / Ahwaz (487 kms)
After breakfast we depart for Ahwaz with enroute stop at Shushtar
Historical Hydraulic System, inscribed as a masterpiece of creative
genius, can be traced back to Darius the Great in the 5th century
B.C. It involved the creation of two main diversion canals on
the river Kârun one of which, Gargar canal, is still in
use providing water to the city of Shushtar via a series of
tunnels that supply water to mills. It forms a spectacular cliff
from which water cascades into a downstream basin. It then enters
the plain situated south of the city where it has enabled the
planting of orchards and farming over an area of 40,000 ha.
known as Mianâb (Paradise). The property has an ensemble
of remarkable sites including the Salâsel Castel, the
operation centre of the entire hydraulic system, the tower where
the water level is measured, damns, bridges, basins and mills.
It bears witness to the know-how of the Elamites and Mesopotamians
as well as more recent Nabatean expertise and Roman building
influence.
Continue onto Susa to visit the ruins of the holy city of the
Kingdom of Elam, surrounded by three huge concentric walls,
are found at Tchogha Zanbil. Founded c. 1250 B.C., the city
remained unfinished after it was invaded by Ashurbanipal, as
shown by the thousands of unused bricks left at the site.
Overnight: Pars Hotel (1 night) (B, D)
Day 07 (WED): Ahwaz / Shiraz (659 kms)
This morning we depart for the city of Roses & Nightingales
via Persepolis, which was founded by Darius I in 518 B.C. and
was the capital of the Achaemenid Empire. It was built on an
immense half-artificial, half-natural terrace, where the king
of kings created an impressive palace complex inspired by Mesopotamian
models. The importance and quality of the monumental ruins make
it a unique archaeological site.
Overnight: Pars Hotel (1 night) (B, D)
Day
08 (THU): Shiraz / Kerman (571 kms)
Pasargadae was the first dynastic capital of the Achaemenid
Empire, founded by Cyrus II the Great, in Pars, homeland of
the Persians, in the 6th century BC. Its palaces, gardens
and the mausoleum of Cyrus are outstanding examples of the
first phase of royal Achaemenid art and architecture and exceptional
testimonies of Persian civilization. Particularly noteworthy
vestiges in the 160-ha site include: the Mausoleum of Cyrus
II; Tall-e Takht, a fortified terrace; and a royal ensemble
of gatehouse, audience hall, residential palace and gardens.
Pasargadae was the capital of the first great multicultural
empire in Western Asia. Spanning the Eastern Mediterranean
and Egypt to the Hindus River, it is considered to be the
first empire that respected the cultural diversity of its
different peoples. This was reflected in Achaemenid architecture,
a synthetic representation of different cultures.
Overnight: Pars Hotel (1 night) (B, D)
Day 09 (FRI): Kerman / Yazd (361 kms)
This morning we depart for Bam, which is situated in a desert
environment on the southern edge of the Iranian high plateau.
The origins of Bam can be traced back to the Achaemenid period
(6th to 4th centuries BC). Its heyday was from the 7th to
11th centuries, being at the crossroads of important trade
routes and known for the production of silk and cotton garments.
The existence of life in the oasis was based on the underground
irrigation canals, the qana¯ts, of which Bam has preserved
some of the earliest evidence in Iran. Arg-e Bam is the most
representative example of a fortified medieval town built
in vernacular technique using mud layers (Chineh).
Overnight: Daad Hotel (1 night) (B, D)
Day 10 (SAT): Yazd / Esfahan (300 kms)
Today we will be heading for Esfahan, which is considered
the most beautiful city in all of Iran.
Overnight: Abbasi Hotel (1 night) (B, D)
Day 11 (SUN): Esfahan / Tehran (439 kms)
We will be visiting the last UNESCO site of the program. Meidan
Emam Built by Shah Abbas I the Great at the beginning of the
17th century, and bordered on all sides by monumental buildings
linked by a series of two-storeyed arcades, the site is known
for the Royal Mosque, the Mosque of Sheykh Lotfollah, the
magnificent Portico of Qaysariyyeh and the 15th-century Timurid
palace. They are an impressive testimony to the level of social
and cultural life in Persia during the Safavid era. Drive
back to Tehran.
Overnight: Laleh Hotel (1 night) (B, D)
Day 12 (MON): Depart Tehran
Check out by 1100 hrs. You are transferred to the airport
for your flight out. (B)
|
|
B
= Breakfast
|
L
= Lunch
|
D
= Dinner
|
|
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to top
|
Departure Dates |
|
2012
Apr
05, Jul 19 & Sep
27
|
| Prices |
| Season |
Tour
Price US$ |
Single
Sup US$ |
| 2012 |
4195 |
680 |
| Tour
Price Includes |
Tour
Price Does Not Include: |
•
Accommodation as mentioned or similar, including hotel taxes
• Meals as mentioned (B=Breakfast D=Dinner)
• All sightseeing and transfers
• Entrance Fees to Museums and Sites
• Services of local English speaking guide
|
•
International Airfare / Departure Taxes
• Travel Insurances
• Visa Fees
• Drinks / Beverages with meals
• Tips / Gratuities to Drivers & Guides |
| Domestic
/ Regional Airfare INCLUDED in Tour Price |
| Tehran
/ Urumieh |
| Estimated
International Airfare(not
included in tour price) |
| East
Coast |
US
$ 1100 |
| West
Coast |
US
$ 1300 |
| Please
note:
This tour operates with a minimum of 02
and a maximum of 08
participants. |
| Other
Dates / Customized Itinerary / Languages |
In addition to our set programs we are also pleased
to offer customized tours.
Please do not hesitate to contact us to discuss your
individual needs.
Customized tours can be conducted in English, French,
German, Spanish or Italian. Each departure is conducted
in the designated language only. |
| Contact
Information |
|
|
Fax:
+1-604-264-7774
|
| 206–8678
Greenall Ave |
Phone:
+1-604-264-7378 |
| Burnaby
B.C., Canada |
Toll
Free (US & Canada): 1-800-663-0844 |
| V5J
3M6 |
Email:
bestway@bestway.com |
|
33
years in small group journeys
|
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Site
updated Nov 07, 2011
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