TEHRAN TO THE PERSIAN GULF

16-Day Cultural & Coastal Tour

Experience the incredible diversity of Iran on this unforgettable 16-day journey from the vibrant capital of Tehran to the breathtaking shores of the Persian Gulf.

What’s Included / Excluded

WHAT’S INCLUDED

✔️ Visa Authorization Code
✔️ Arrival and departure airport transfers
✔️ 15 nights’ accommodation in hotels according to the selected category (3-star, 4-star, or 5-star)
✔️ All transportation throughout Iran by a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle
✔️ Services of an English-speaking Iranian tour guide throughout the journey
✔️ Meals: Daily breakfast and 2 dinners, including a Persian Night experience
✔️ Two bottles of mineral water per person per day
✔️ Domestic flight ticket

WHAT’S EXCLUDED

❌ International flights, taxes, and airline surcharges
❌ Travel insurance
❌ Visa authorization number processing fee
❌ Visa application and issuance fees
❌ Entrance fees to monuments and attractions
❌ Tips and personal expenses

Day 1:Arrival in Tehran

Salam! Welcome to Iran!
Upon arrival at Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA), your Melody Travel guide will welcome you and transfer you to your hotel.
After check-in, take some time to relax after your journey. If you arrive early, you can join an optional panoramic tour of Tehran, including a visit to the iconic Azadi (Freedom) Tower.
In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner with your guide and experience your first taste of authentic Persian cuisine.

✔️Accommodation:
3★, 4★ or 5★ hotel (your choice)

✔️Meals:
Dinner

✔️Highlights:
* Airport transfer
* Welcome dinner
* Optional Tehran panoramic tour
* Azadi (Freedom) Tower

Special Information
Please inform Melody Travel in advance if your arrival time changes significantly.

Day 2: Discover Tehran

Discover the vibrant capital of Iran, where ancient history meets modern life.
Begin your day at the National Museum of Iran, then visit the historic National Garden Gate and the magnificent Golestan Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and former royal residence of the Qajar dynasty.
After exploring Tehran’s Grand Bazaar, continue to the elegant Saadabad Palace Complex, surrounded by beautiful gardens, before browsing the lively Tajrish Bazaar.
End the day in Darband, one of Tehran’s most popular mountain districts, famous for its cafés, restaurants, and pleasant atmosphere.

✔️Accommodation:
3★, 4★ or 5★ hotel (your choice)

✔️Meals:
Breakfast

✔️Highlights:
* National Museum of Iran
* National Garden Gate
* Golestan Palace (UNESCO)
* Grand Bazaar
* Saadabad Palace
* Tajrish Bazaar
* Darband

Day 3: Tehran – Kashan

Leave Tehran behind and travel to the elegant desert city of Kashan, famous for its historic mansions, beautiful gardens, and traditional architecture.
Visit the stunning Fin Garden, one of the finest Persian gardens and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Continue to either the Tabatabaei House or Borujerdi House, masterpieces of 19th-century Persian residential architecture.
Later, explore Kashan’s traditional bazaar and admire the magnificent Amin al-Dowleh Timcheh, one of Iran’s most beautiful caravanserai halls.

✔️Accommodation
3★, 4★ or 5★ hotel (your choice)

✔️Meals
Breakfast

✔️Highlights
* Fin Garden (UNESCO)
* Tabatabaei House or Borujerdi House
* Kashan Bazaar
* Amin al-Dowleh Timcheh

Special Information
Distance: approximately 250 km
Driving time: about 4 hours

Day 4: Kashan – Abyaneh – Isfahan

Leave Kashan this morning and travel towards the magnificent city of Isfahan. Along the way, stop in the picturesque village of Abyaneh, one of Iran’s oldest and best-preserved villages. Wander through its narrow alleys, admire the distinctive red-mud houses, and experience the traditional lifestyle that has remained unchanged for centuries.
Continue to Isfahan, often called the masterpiece of Persian architecture. Before checking into your hotel, visit the city’s iconic historic bridges. As the sun sets, enjoy the lively atmosphere beneath the arches of Si-o-Se Pol and Khaju Bridge, where locals often gather to sing traditional Persian songs.

✔️Accommodation
3★, 4★ or 5★ hotel (your choice)

✔️Meals
Breakfast

✔️Highlights
* Abyaneh Historic Village
* Si-o-Se Pol (33-Arch Bridge)
* Khaju Bridge

✔️Special Information
Distance: approximately 210 km
Driving time: about 4 hours

Day 5: Discover Isfahan

Spend the day discovering Isfahan, one of the most beautiful cities in the Islamic world and the former capital of the Safavid Empire.
Begin at the magnificent Naqsh-e Jahan Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the largest public squares in the world. Visit its architectural masterpieces, including the Shah Mosque, Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, Ali Qapu Palace, and Chehel Sotoun Palace.
Later, stroll through the traditional bazaar, renowned for Persian carpets, miniature paintings, handicrafts, and fine textiles. In the afternoon, visit the charming Armenian Quarter of Jolfa and explore the beautiful Vank Cathedral, famous for its remarkable frescoes and unique blend of Persian and Armenian architecture.

✔️Accommodation
3★, 4★ or 5★ hotel (your choice)

✔️Meals
Breakfast

✔️Highlights
* Isfahan City Tour
* Naqsh-e Jahan Square (UNESCO)
* Shah Mosque
* Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque
* Ali Qapu Palace
* Chehel Sotoun Palace (UNESCO)
* Grand Bazaar
* Vank Cathedral

Day 6: Isfahan – Pasargadae – Persepolis – Shiraz

Depart Isfahan this morning and journey south to the cultural capital of Iran, Shiraz.
Along the way, step into the glorious history of the Achaemenid Empire with visits to two of Iran’s most treasured UNESCO World Heritage Sites. First, explore Pasargadae, the resting place of Cyrus the Great, founder of the Persian Empire. Continue to the magnificent ruins of Persepolis, where the grand ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid kings still stands after more than 2,500 years.
Arrive in Shiraz in the evening and settle into your hotel.

✔️Accommodation
3★, 4★ or 5★ hotel (your choice)

✔️Meals
Breakfast

✔️Highlights
* Pasargadae (UNESCO)
* Tomb of Cyrus the Great
* Persepolis (UNESCO)

✔️Special Information
Distance: approximately 480 km
Driving time: about 6 hours

Day 7: Discover Shiraz

Spend the day discovering Shiraz, the cultural heart of Iran and the city of poets, gardens, and timeless elegance.
Begin your morning at the breathtaking Nasir al-Molk Mosque, famously known as the Pink Mosque, where colorful stained-glass windows create a magical display of light. Continue to the peaceful Tomb of Hafez, Iran’s most beloved poet, before visiting the historic Ali Ibn Hamzeh Shrine and the Quran Gate, one of the city’s iconic landmarks.
In the afternoon, stroll through the beautiful Eram Garden, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the finest examples of a traditional Persian garden. Continue to the historic Vakil Complex, including the citadel, bazaar, mosque, and bathhouse, where you can experience the atmosphere of old Shiraz.
In the evening, enjoy a memorable dinner with an Iranian family and discover the warm hospitality and authentic flavors of Shirazi cuisine.

✔️Accommodation
3★, 4★ or 5★ hotel (your choice)

✔️Meals
Breakfast, Dinner

✔️Highlights
* Nasir al-Molk Mosque (Pink Mosque)
* Tomb of Hafez
* Ali Ibn Hamzeh Shrine
* Quran Gate
* Eram Garden (UNESCO)
* Vakil Complex
* Traditional Persian dinner with a local family

Day 8: Shiraz – Abarkuh – Yazd

Leave Shiraz behind and journey toward the ancient desert city of Yazd.
Along the way, stop in the historic town of Abarkuh, home to one of the oldest living trees in the world. Admire the legendary 4,500-year-old Cypress Tree and visit the impressive traditional Ice House, a remarkable example of Persian desert engineering.
Continue to Yazd, one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities. After checking into your hotel, visit the lively Amir Chakhmaq Square, where beautifully illuminated historical buildings create one of the city’s most memorable evening scenes.

✔️Accommodation
3★, 4★ or 5★ hotel (your choice)

✔️Meals
Breakfast

✔️Highlights
* Abarkuh Ancient Cypress
* Traditional Ice House
* Amir Chakhmaq Square

✔️Special Information
Distance: approximately 450 km
Driving time: about 6 hours

Day 9: Discover Yazd

Today, discover Yazd, Iran’s legendary desert city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, renowned for its unique adobe architecture, wind catchers, and rich Zoroastrian heritage.
Begin with a visit to the Tower of Silence, followed by the Fire Temple, where a sacred flame has burned continuously for more than 1,500 years. Learn about the beliefs and traditions of one of the world’s oldest religions.
Continue to the elegant Dolat Abad Garden, home to the world’s tallest wind catcher and a masterpiece of Persian garden design. Later, visit the magnificent Jameh Mosque of Yazd before wandering through the winding alleys of the historic old city, where mud-brick houses, qanats, and wind catchers reflect centuries of ingenious desert living.
End the day by watching the sunset from one of Yazd’s traditional rooftop cafés, overlooking the city’s iconic skyline.

✔️Accommodation
3★, 4★ or 5★ hotel (your choice)

✔️Meals
Breakfast

✔️Highlights
* Tower of Silence
* Zoroastrian Fire Temple
* Dolat Abad Garden (UNESCO)
* Jameh Mosque of Yazd
* Historic City of Yazd (UNESCO)
* Traditional rooftop sunset

Day 10: Yazd – Kerman

Leave Yazd this morning and travel towards Kerman, one of Iran’s oldest desert cities.
En route, stop at the beautifully restored Zein-o-Din Caravanserai, a circular Safavid-era inn that once welcomed merchants and travelers along the ancient Silk Road.
Continue to Kerman and discover the city’s rich history at the magnificent Ganjali Khan Complex. Explore its historic bazaar, traditional bathhouse, caravanserai, and square—masterpieces of Safavid architecture that have remained vibrant for centuries.

✔️Accommodation
3★, 4★ or 5★ hotel (your choice)

✔️Meals
Breakfast

✔️Highlights
* Zein-o-Din Caravanserai
* Ganjali Khan Complex
* Ganjali Khan Bathhouse
* Historic Bazaar of Kerman

✔️Special Information
Distance: approximately 370 km
Driving time: about 4 hours

Day 11:Kerman–Mahan–Shahdad –Kerman

Today is dedicated to exploring the remarkable landscapes and historical treasures surrounding Kerman.
Begin with a visit to the impressive Rayen Citadel, one of Iran’s largest adobe fortresses. Continue to the magnificent Shahzadeh Mahan Garden, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the finest Persian gardens, where flowing fountains create a stunning contrast against the desert backdrop.
Nearby, visit the Mausoleum of Shah Nematollah Vali, one of Iran’s most respected Sufi masters.
In the afternoon, journey into the spectacular Shahdad Desert to admire the famous Kaluts—extraordinary natural rock formations shaped by wind over thousands of years. Watching the sunset over this surreal landscape is an unforgettable experience.
Return to Kerman for the night.

✔️Accommodation
3★, 4★ or 5★ hotel (your choice)

✔️Meals
Breakfast

✔️Highlights
* Rayen Citadel
* Shahzadeh Mahan Garden (UNESCO)
* Mausoleum of Shah Nematollah Vali
* Shahdad Desert
* Kaluts

✔️Special Information
Driving time: about 4–5 hours

Day 12: Kerman – Bandar Abbas

This morning, travel south through dramatic desert landscapes toward Bandar Abbas, Iran’s principal gateway to the Persian Gulf.
Along the way, stop near Sirjan to visit the fascinating Stone Garden, one of Iran’s most unusual attractions. Created by a local deaf artist, this open-air garden features trees decorated with suspended stones and tells a unique story of resilience and creativity.
Arrive in Bandar Abbas in the evening and experience the warm atmosphere of this historic port city on the shores of the Persian Gulf.

✔️Accommodation
3★, 4★ or 5★ hotel (your choice)

✔️Meals
Breakfast

✔️Highlights
* Stone Garden
* Scenic drive to the Persian Gulf
* Bandar Abbas

✔️Special Information
Distance: approximately 490 km
Driving time: about 6 hours

Day 13: Bandar Abbas – Hormuz Island – Bandar Abbas

After breakfast, take a ferry across the sparkling waters of the Persian Gulf to the extraordinary Hormuz Island, often called the Rainbow Island of Iran.
Famous for its colorful mountains, red beaches, salt caves, and surreal geological formations, Hormuz is unlike anywhere else in the world. Explore its unique landscapes, discover the island’s rich geological diversity, and enjoy breathtaking coastal scenery before returning to Bandar Abbas in the afternoon.

✔️Accommodation
3★, 4★ or 5★ hotel (your choice)

✔️Meals
Breakfast

✔️Highlights
* Ferry to Hormuz Island
* Rainbow Mountains
* Red Beach
* Unique geological landscapes
* Persian Gulf scenery

✔️Special Information
Distance: approximately 20 km by sea
Ferry time: about 30 minutes (each way)

Day 14: Bandar Abbas – Qeshm Island

After breakfast, travel by car ferry across the Persian Gulf to Qeshm Island, the largest island in the Persian Gulf and one of Iran’s most remarkable natural destinations.
Spend the day exploring Qeshm’s extraordinary landscapes. Visit the spectacular Valley of Stars, where millions of years of erosion have created a surreal landscape of towering rock formations. Continue to the breathtaking Chahkooh Canyon, famous for its narrow passages and dramatic cliffs, before enjoying a peaceful boat ride through the protected Hara Mangrove Forest, home to a unique coastal ecosystem and a variety of birdlife.
Complete your day by relaxing along the island’s beautiful coastline and sampling fresh local seafood.

✔️Accommodation
3★, 4★ or 5★ hotel (your choice)

✔️Meals
Breakfast

✔️Highlights
* Car ferry to Qeshm Island
* Valley of Stars (UNESCO Global Geopark)
* Chahkooh Canyon
* Hara Mangrove Forest
* Persian Gulf coastline

✔️Special Information
Distance: approximately 30 km
Ferry crossing: about 40 minutes

Day 15: Qeshm Island – Tehran

Enjoy a relaxing morning on Qeshm Island before your afternoon flight back to Tehran.
Take the opportunity to explore the island at your own pace, shop for local handicrafts and souvenirs, or simply enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the Persian Gulf before saying goodbye to southern Iran.
Upon arrival in Tehran, transfer to your hotel for your final night.

✔️Accommodation
3★, 4★ or 5★ hotel (your choice)

✔️Meals
Breakfast

✔️Highlights
* Free time on Qeshm Island
* Domestic flight to Tehran

✔️Special Information
Flight time: approximately 2 hours

Day 16 : IKA airport-Departure flight

Your journey through Iran comes to an end today.
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA) for your departure flight.

✔️Meals
Breakfast

YOUR IRAN ADVENTURE STARTS HERE!

Ready to Discover Iran?
Book your journey today and experience the true beauty, culture, and warm hospitality of Iran—one unforgettable destination at a time.

✔️Travel with Melody Travel and discover the real Iran—from its ancient treasures to the breathtaking Persian Gulf.