Persia is home to one of the world’s most ancient civilizations. And on this guided tour of Persia, created for amateur photographers, you have great opportunities to capture traditional culture in a modern day age. Photograph lush countryside, tea gardens, castles, caves, tombs, cathedrals, temples and mosques. There are plenty of chances to shoot the locals in the bazaars. Learn about how photography has evolved in Persia and its tools of the trade and cameras. Along the way you also visit the “must see” places – the many UNESCI Heritage Sites that preserve the treasures of this ancient land. Persia Through Your Lens is a journey for the curious amateur photographer who wants to visit a place that’s truly unique.
ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrive Tehran
Upon arrival you will be met outside of ground transportation after clearing customs by our representative who will be holding a sign with your name on it and driven to your hotel.
After lunch we take a half day tour of Tehran. There are ample opportunities to shoot around the capital along with a visit to Milad and Azadi towers. Enjoy a welcome dinner. Overnight in Tehran
Day 2: Tehran – Ramsar
(By surface 4 hours)
After breakfast we drive the beautiful Chaloos road passing through the forests and mountains to Ramsar . We stop to shoot photographs of the forests emerging from the clouds.
After having lunch in a local restaurant we visit the late Mohammad Reza Shah’s palace (now a museum palace and the site where the Ramsar convention on Wetlands took place).
Shoot the sunset over the Caspian Sea. Overnight in Ramsar
Day 3: Ramsar- Lahijan-Masouleh
(By surface 5 hours)
Depart from Ramsar after breakfast for Lahijan, the city of tea farms. Photograph the lush tea farm hills, enjoy Persian tea, learn about our tea ceremony, visit a tea museum and take photographs in the surrounding forest.
After lunch, we discover Ghale Rood Khan, a historical castle built above the mountains of Fouman. After visiting this amazing site we drive onward to Masouleh, a village with amazing architecture, where the roof of one house is the yard of the house above! Overnight in Masouleh
Day 4: Masouleh – Ardabil
(By surface 4 hours)
Early morning shoot around this amazing village. You can photograph their holy shrine, visit the small shops where local products are sold, have tea with traditional Masouleh biscuits, and discover the colorful dolls of Masouleh. Later we drive onward to Ardabi. Overnight in Ardabil
Day 5: Ardabil
After breakfast, photograph the historical building of Safi-e-din Ardabili (UNESCO World Heritage Site), which dates back to almost 700 years ago. Drive onward to Fandogloo forest, shooting the vast plains of lavender and other colorful flowers including Chestnut forests. Lunch is kebab made from locally grown livestock. We explore the Sabalan mountains before returning to Ardabil. Overnight in Ardabil
Day 6: Ardabil – Zanjan
(By surface 2.5 hours)
Early in the morning we drive to Zanjan. Visit Soltanie Dome, the largest brick dome of the world (UNESCO World Heritage Site) and Katalekh cave. Overnight in Zanjan.
Day 7: Zanjan – Hamedan
(By surface 4 hours)
After breakfast, visit the throne of King Solomon, a very old mysterious Zoroastrian temple.
We then drive to Hamedan. In the afternoon discover the tomb of Esther Mordechai, one of the most important holy shrines of the Jewish tradition along with seeing Alisadr cave. Overnight in Hamedan
Day 8: Hamedan – Kermanshah
(By surface 2 hours)
Today we see the Kangavar historical Mithra temple which dates back to thousands of years ago. After lunch, visit the Hercules statue and Bistoon (UNESCO World Heritage Site). There are plenty of photography opportunities. Overnight in Kermanshah
Day 9: Kermanshah – Kashan
(By surface 5 hours)
Morning shout before departing for Kashan. On the way we visit the Arak traditional historical Bazaar. After having lunch in Arak, we continue onward to Kashan. Later we explore Fin Garden (UNESCO World Heritage Site) and Boroujerdi House. Overnight in Kashan
Day 10: Kashan – Isfahan
(By surface 3.5 hours)
Early in the morning visit Tape Sialk, and learn about this 8000-year old civilization site. Discover Abyaneh, another ancient village with amazing architecture, culture, clothing, language along with its special red soil. Continue to Isfahan. Ample chances for photography. Overnight in Isfahan
Day 11: Isfahan
Early visit to Naqsh-e-Jahan square (UNESCO World Heritage Site), including Sheikh Lotffollah mosque, Shah mosque, Aliqapu, Assar khane (a place for extracting oil from nuts).
After lunch, photograph Vank Cathedral and Jolfa, the Armenia neighborhood of Isfahan.
Enjoy a sunset shoot of Isfahan’s old bridges. Overnight in Isfahan
Day12: Isfahan – Shiraz
(By surface 6 hours)
Today we drive to Shiraz. After lunch, photograph from the most beautiful and famous Persian garden (UNESCO Word Heritage Site), Eram garden. Explore the city by night. Overnight in Shiraz
Day 13: Shiraz
Learn about Shiraz’s school of photography dating back to 100 years ago presented by the predecessors of the old photographs of Shiraz. We will get to know the first cameras, tools and methods and learn about the famous families who were the pioneers of photography in Persia. Shoot the old photo studios. Knowing about these methods allows you to try your hand at them shooting around Shiraz. Overnight in Shiraz
Day 14: Shiraz
After breakfast, photograph Nasir-ol-Molk mosque, a very beautiful architecture masterpiece, Narenjestan, Zinat-ol-Molk and visit the Fars textile museum. Later in the day we shoot in the historic neighborhoods. See the Atiq mosque, the first mosque built in Iran, an old Shirazi architecture house and the Shahecheragh holy shrine. After lunch, visit Afifabad garden, Hafez and Saadi tomb. Overnight in Shiraz
Day 15: Shiraz
Today we visit Persepolis, Necropolis and Pasargadae (UNESCO World Heritage Sites).
On the way back, photograph around the Quran gate. Overnight in Shiraz
Day 16: Depart Shiraz
Depending on your flight times, we will try to see Zandie Complex including Pars museum, Vakil mosque and the bazaar. The rest of your day is free until you are driven to the airport for your departure flight.
NOTE: USA Traveler restrictions subject to change.
