Day 01: Arrive Amman (JORDAN)

Ahlan Wasahlan (Welcome in Arabic). As we arrive Amman International Airport we are warmly welcomed and transferred to our hotel. Check in starts from 1400 hrs.
Overnight: Days Inn or Ramada Hotel, Amman (3 nights) (D)

Day 02: Amman/Jerash/Amman

Morning tour of Amman, visiting the Roman Theater, the Citadel, the Archeology and the Folklore Museums, old and modern Amman, and one of the many art galleries in this capital city. Continue to Jerash (Gerasa of antiquity), the best preserved city of Roman times, to visit its theaters, temples, churches and colonnaded streets. (B, D)

Day 03: Amman/Desert Castles/Dead Sea/Amman

This morning head out to the vist the Desert Castles of Harraned, Qasar Amra and Azraq. Then drive down to the lowest spot on earth and experience floating in the waters of the Dead Sea. Late afternoon we return to Amman. Evening free to loiter through the different bazaars in Amman. (B, D)

Day 04: Amman/Umm ar Rassas/Madaba/Mt. Nebo/Kerak/Aqaba (Drive 263 kms/164 miles)

Before heading southwards along the Kings’ Highway to Aqaba, a stop will be made at Umm ar Rassas to see some of the finest Byzantine church mosaics. Next stop is Madaba, where lies the oldest map of the Holy Land, and its Mosaic School, Mt. Nebo and the alleged burial site of Moses overlooking the Dead Sea and the Jordan Valley; then drive through the magnificent scenery of Wadi Mujib to Kerak to visit the Crusader Castle of (stop for optional lunch).
Overnight: Marina Plaza Hotel or Aqaba Gulf Hotel, Aqaba (1 night) (B, D)

Day 05: Aqaba/Wadi Rum (Drive 42 kms / 26 miles)

A brief tour of Aqaba before we head for Wadi Rum, the land of Lawrence of Arabia to embark on a two hours 4x4 jeep safari. This evening enjoy a BBQ dinner while star gazing.
Overnight: Jabal Rum Camp, Wadi Rum (1 night) (B, D)

Day 06: Wadi Rum/Petra/Amman (Drive 240 kms/149 miles)

A magnificent days ahead as we continue to the pink city of Petra to visit its many sites. This city was carved into the rose-red Sharah Mountains by the Nabateans and lost to Civilization until re-discovered by the Swiss Burkhardt. Walk through the Siq, a narrow and winding fissure between the cliffs, to reach the Treasury, the Roman Theater, the Courts, Qasr Bint Pharaoun, Temple of the Winged Lion and other monuments. A break for optional lunch, or you may wish to climb up to the Monastery. Return to Amman.
Overnight: Days Inn or Ramada Hotel, Amman (1 night) (B, D)

Day 07: Amman/Tehran (IRAN) Flight ticket is NOT included in the tour quote

Transfer to the airport for a flight to Tehran International Airport.  We are warmly welcomed and transferred to our hotel.  Check in time starts from 1400 hrs.
Overnight: Laleh Hotel, Tehran (1 night) (B, D)

Day 08: Tehran/Yazd (Flight)

Our morning tour of Tehran will include the Glass and Ceramic Museum and Sa'dabad Palace followed by the Archaeological Museums. The fine collection includes a stone sculpture of a winged lion from Susa and a 6th Century B.C. audience hall relief of Darius the Great from the Treasury at Persepolis. The museum has items dating back from the Sumerian Period (4500 B.C.). Afternoon transfer to the airport for a flight to Yazd, located in the heart of Iran, Yazd was a major stop on the international caravan routes to Central Asia and India. The architecture of Yazd is the most traditionally Persian to be found.
Overnight: Daad Hotel, Yazd (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 09: Yazd

As Yazd is home of the more traditional Persian architecture, we begin our day with a visit to the Zoroastrian Towers of Silence and Fire Temple (where a fire is still kept burning from 5 century AD). We continue to the magnificent Masjed-e Jameh and Amir-Chakhmaq Mosques and then tour Doulat Abad Garden with its traditional ventilation shaft (wind tower). (B, D)

Day 10: Yazd/Shiraz (Drive 409 kms/252 miles)

Morning depart for Shiraz via Pasargadae - the capital of Cyrus the Great where we will also visit his tomb. Shiraz, traditionally known as the city of Roses and Nightingales, and rightly so, is the home of the finest Persian lyrics as well as the cradle of the Persian Civilization.
Overnight: Pars Hotel, Shiraz (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 11: Persepolis

Persepolis is the last and ultimate expression of the ancient Middle East. Nearly 2500 years ago, construction for its magnificent structure was begun by Darius the Great with the intent to make it the focus of the mighty Achemenian Empire. Our tour will also include the Naqsh-e-Rustam where hewn out of a cliff rest the tombs believed to be of Darius I and II, Atraxerxes and Xerxes I. (B, D)

Day 12: Shiraz/Esfahan (Drive)

Our day is spent exploring Shiraz where we start with a visit to the picturesque Eram Garden, famous for its cypress trees. Next we visit the tombs of Persia's best-known poets: Saadi and Hafiz. While there, why not enjoy a cup of chai at the wonderful atmospheric teahouse where one sit on a floor of cushions and mingle with the locals. Our next stop takes us to the "modern" Nasirol-Molk mosque and the pretty Afif-Abad Garden followed by a visit to the Church of Saint Simmon the Zealot with the famed stained glass windows. This wonderful day culminates with a trip to a labyrinthine bazaar. Continue onto Esfahan - another highlight and a not-to-miss city in any tour of Iran. Legend has it that Esfahan was founded at the time of Tahmourass or Keykavous. During the Safavid Era (16th/17th Century AD.), Esfahan is a city of Gardens and Palaces; a trade center recognized by the saying, "Esfahan is half of the world".
Overnight: Abbasi Hotel, Esfahan (3 nights) (B, D)

Day 13: Esfahan

Esfahan is a city one can never forget. Our tour of this magnificent medina begins with a visit to Hacht Behesht Palace, a charming garden palace, built in 1680, with impressive mosaics and stalactite moldings. Then we are off to see the richly decorated and serene Armenian Vank Church followed by the glorious Friday Mosque. No trip to Esfahan is complete without visiting the famous old bridges that cross the Zayande River. We take some time here to stroll along the riverbanks, mingle with the friendly residents and join the local folks for the famous Esfahani tea. (B, D)

Day 14: Esfahan

Our morning begins with a visit to the Emam Khomeini Square. This majestic square, built in 1612, is constantly bustling with activity. Then, we take in the beautifully proportioned and decorated 17th century Masjed-e Sheikh Lotfollah and then off to see the magnificent Emam Mosque – one of the most stunning buildings in Iran. Next, a visit to the 6-story Ali Ghapu Palace followed by a tour of the most impressive pavilion and garden, Chehel Sutoon Place built with 40 pillars by Shah Abbas. We finish off this day of exploration with a trip to the most famous bazaar in Iran. (B, D)

Day 15: Esfahan/Tehran (Drive 256m/414 Kms)

On our scenic drive to Tehran we stop at Kashan, an attractive oasis town, and take in its attractive sights. We visit Tabatabaie Houses and Khan-e Borujerdi, built as a private residence, now a charming museum with a lovely courtyard. We then take in the famous Fin Garden and witness its breathtaking pools, orchards and natural springs. Next we visit Agha Bozorg Mosque famous for its lovely portals and minarets. After lunch, we visit the exquisite Shrine of Fatima in Qum and later we view the Tomb of Ayatollah Khomeini.
Overnight: Laleh Hotel, Tehran (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 16: Tehran

Morning visit to the Carpet Museum, which has an excellent collection of Iranian hand woven carpets, followed by the Museum of Reza Abbasi. This museum named after the most famous miniaturist in the Safavid's era, was opened in 1977. It exhibits artifacts dating back to prehistoric, ancient and Islamic periods and is particularly rich in Islamic calligraphy. Lastly, visit the bazaar for that last minute souvenir. (B, D)

Day 17: Tehran/Depart

Morning transfer to the airport for the departure flight. Check out time is by 1100 hrs (B)

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

Departure Dates & Prices

We accept payments in US$, CA$ as well as in other convertible currencies like EUR, AUD and GBP. Tour prices have been costed in US$. CA$ price shown below is an indicative amount reached at by using the conversion rate at the time of web posting and will be applicable if there is no change in the conversion rate. Should the currency conversion rate change, the US$ pricing will prevail. Bestway Tours & Safaris offers a conversion rate protection. Once full payment has been received and no modification has been made to the tour itinerary, we will honour that rate. For complete payment procedures, please click here

Notes

Inclusions

Participants

This tour operates on a minimum of 02 and a maximum of 08 participants

Customised Itinerary

If you would like to have a tour on dates other than the above ones or with a customised itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy to work out an exclusive program for you.

Contact Info
You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com or call 1-604-264-7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1-800-663-0844.

Inquire About this Trip

Tour Application Form