14 Days Local Immersion Tour – Kurdistan & Zagros

In the morning, head for the green foothills of the 3,500 m Mt. Alvand, in the midwestern Iran, towards Hamedan. Explore the city that once served as the 8th c. BC capital of the Medes. Visit the Tomb of Esther and Mordechai, the biblical Jewish queen, and the Tomb of Baba Taher, the 11th c dervish poet. Make your way back into the city and visit the Mausoleum of Avicenna, known as the “Father of Modern Medicine” and one of the most significant thinkers of the Islamic Golden Age. Rest in Hamedan.

Start the morning off with a trip outside the city towards Ganjnameh, two trilingual Achaemenid-era, mountainside inscriptions written in three languages: Old Persian, Neo-Babylonian and Neo-Elamite. Time permitting, take an excursion to Ali-Sadr Cave, the world's largest water cave. Enjoy the serene boat ride down the cave’s many wonders. You could also take a day trip to Lalejin, Iran’s pottery and ceramic capital. Rest in Hamedan.

Drive to Mariwan in Western Iran, close to the Iraqi border, the first of many stops in Iranian Kurdistan. One of Iran’s most influential ethnic groups, Kurds are native to the mountainous region of Western Asia, in present day Turkey, Iran, Iraq and Syria. Then it’s off to a quick hike, lakeside picnic or paddleboat ride in Zarivar or Zrebar lake. Rather than being fed by rivers and streams, the freshwater lake is fed year-round by rains and snow. Watch sunset on lake zrebar and spend the night in a Mariwan Guesthouse.

In the morning, head for Uraman Takht Village. Known as the “Huraman” throne, the stepped-village of Uraman Takht dates back to Pre-Islamic times. Built into the steep slopes of the Uraman mountains facing the Sirvan river in the valley below, the villagers have unique customs, cultures and languages that have stayed intact over thousands of years. Explore the nearby Darband-e Dezli region for its gorgeous green slopes and Abshar Maloor Waterfall. Spend the night in an Uraman Takht Homestay.

In the morning, drive through steep, winding paths towards Palangan Village. Hidden away within folds of the Zagros mountains, Palangan features a stepped design, much like Uraman Takht. Due to centuries of isolation, villagers here have maintained their unique local lifestyle. Explore the nearby mountains and natural attractions. Enjoy a local delicacy of barbecued fish along riverside restaurants. Help out with some daily chores and enjoy conversations with friendly locals. Spend the night in a Palangan Homestay.

Drive towards Kermanshah, the largest Kurdish-speaking city in Iran. Explore Taq-e Bostan, an incredibly detailed rock relief from 4th century Sassanid Iran. Carved along a historic Silk Road waypoint, the relief highlights Iranian themes of glory, the fighting spirit & festivities. If possible, visit the uniquely Kurdish themed Jameh Mosque of Shafei. Time-permitting, end the day with the Tekyeh Moaven Al-Molk’s incredibly rich and storyful tileworks. Stop by the Tekyeh’s Anthropology & Jewelry Museums. Rest in Kermanshah.

Start with the Bisotun Caravansary. Visit the famed Behistun Inscription, an Achaemenid era stone relief. The inscription is to cuneiform as the Rosetta Stone is to Egyptian hieroglyphics. Bisotun mountain is also the setting for the ancient romantic story Shirin & Farhad. Drive through the massive Zagros mountain range and make your way to Kashan, one of the handicraft capitals of Iran. Time-permitting, you can stop for a quick visit in the historic cities of Arak or Qom on your way. Rest in Kashan for the night.

Drive to nearby Kashan, the birthplace of “kashi” or modern tiles. Visit the Sultan Amir Ahmad Bathhouse for a lesson in classic bathing. You also get to see the fascinating Abbasian House & Tabatabaei House, two examples of opulent homes with exceptional attention paid to every architectural detail, designed specifically for the desert. Finish the day with a quick stop in Fin Garden.

In the morning, head towards the pre-Islamic city of Maybod and visit the Sassanid-era Narin Castle. Then it’s off to the Maybod Pigeon Tower, an important invention in message sending and fertilization. Visit the Maybod Yakhchal, a millennia-old icehouse within the desert, and the Abbasi Caravansary. Stop by the abandoned mud-brick village of Kharanaq, a well-preserved example of how Persian cities looked thousands of years ago, then hike up the mountaintop Chak Chak Fire Temple. Spend the night in Yazd.

Start off with the Yazd Jameh Mosque, built in the 13th c. over a Sassanid fire temple. Walk the narrow, mud-brick streets to visit the Amir Chakhmagh Complex, which contains a caravanserai and a historic bathhouse. 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 Tower of Silence to witness the mysteries of sky burials. Stay in Yazd overnight.

Time permitting, drop by for a quick visit in Dolat-Abad Garden. Once a residence of Persian regent Karim Khan Zand, this small pavilion set amid UNESCO-listed gardens was built around 1750. Afterwards, drive within Iran’s central desert towards the former Safavid capital of Isfahan. At night, visit the Khaju Bridge & Si-o-Se Pol Bridge, local hangouts along the Zayandeh Rud river. Finish the night with local dinner made by your host family in Isfahan. Spend the night in a homestay.

After a night’s sleep, visit 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. At night, go for a night hike in Sofeh Mountain Park and enjoy the panoramic views.

Depending on your flight, visit some last minute attractions. Pack your bags and head towards the intricate and elaborate 8th c. Jameh Mosque of Isfahan, a former Zoroastrian fire temple that was continually built upon over the centuries. Then it’s off to bright frescos of Vank Cathedral and the historic, delicate handicrafts of the Vank Museum, in the Armenian quarter of New Jolfa. In the evening, head towards IKIA.