Persian sojournLuxury travel specialists Abercrombie & Kent invite you on a fascinating tour of Iran that shines a light on the treasures of the ancient world.

One of the world’s oldest civilisations, Iran is rich with the relics of the Persian Empire and the ancient world. This guided small-group tour has been tailored to take in not only the most important landmarks from this historic culture, but also offers an up-close insight into its contemporaray life.

Your journey starts in the dynamic capital, Tehran, where you’ll get a taste of anitiquities at the city’s leading museums before heading to some of the most significant sites from the ancient world. At Atwaz, for instance, you’ll see the Chogha-Zanbil ziggurat built around 1250BC, while in Shiraz (no relation to the great Australian wine) you’ll visit the exotic 13th-century Eram Garden, considered one of the most beautiful Persian gardens in the country. Plus, you’ll have the rare opportunity of

meeting teachers and students at the Madrasa Khan theological college.

Nearby Persepolis, meanwhile, was the ancient capital of the Achaemenid kings until it was invaded by Alexander the Great. Here you’ll see the remains of its famed palaces and bas-reliefs.

Further afield, at Yazd you’ll visit the Tower of Silence where a fire is said to have been burning since AD470.

Along the way you’ll experience vibrant markets brimming with produce and bustling bazaars to find local handicrafts, antiques and, yes, the legendary Persian carpets.

This promises to be a magical tour of a mysterious and exotic land of rich heritage that’s not to be missed.

From charming oasis towns to the palaces of ancient kings and the most beautiful Persian gardens, this tour takes in

the best of this most exotic of lands.

Day 1: Arrive Tehran Transfer to your hotel; meet your travelling companions at a welcome dinner.Day 2: Tehran A day’s guided tour includes the Archaeological and Islamic Museums, and the Carpet Museum.Day 3: Tehran to Ahwaz Explore the capital at leisure, then fly to Ahwaz.Day 4: Ahwaz Enjoy a full-day excursion to Chogha-Zanbil and its famed ziggurat built around

1250BC, then Haft-Tappeh (Seven Mounds), the Elamite necropolis and Susa, once home to one of the oldest civilisations in Western Asia, dating back to 5,000BC.

Day 5: Ahwaz to Shiraz Drive to Shiraz, visiting the ancient Sassanian city of Bishapur, built by King Shapur I in 266, on the way. Day 6: Shiraz Visit Eram Garden, one of the most beautiful Persian gardens in Iran, dating back to the 13th century. See also the pink-tiled 19th-century Nasir-ol-Molk Mosque and the 18th-century Arg-e-Karim Khan citadel, the Holy Shrine of Shah-e-Cheragh and a traditional merchant’s residence, and explore the Vakil Bazaar, one of the best places in Shiraz to buy rugs. Day 7: Persepolis Take a daytrip to Persepolis, capital of the Achaemenid kings and one of the most important sites of the ancient world. Day 8: Yazd Drive to Yazd, stopping en route at Pasargadae, which predates Persepolis, to see the tomb and palaces of Cyrus the Great, the founder of the Persian Empire.Day 9: Yazd Explore Yazd, an oasis town famed for its architecture and Zoroastrian community. Visit one of the Towers of Silence, which date back to the 17th century, the Zoroastrian Fire Temple, the fire of which has been burning for about 1500 years, and the Friday Mosque, with the highest portal and minarets in Iran.

Day 10: Yazd A day at leisure to relax or explore. Take a stroll through the markets, visit the many fascinating museums or enjoy a Persian tea as you watch a typical day in Iran unfold. Day 11: Yazd to Isfahan Drive to Isfahan, home to three of the finest religious buildings in the Islamic world. En route, stop at Na’in, a charming desert town famed for its carpets and textiles. Day 12: Isfahan A tour of Isfahan, considered the most beautiful city in the Islamic world. Visit its famous bridges, and the Naghsh-e-Jahan, one of the world’s grandest squares and home to the Ali-Qapu Palace, and two of the Islamic world’s greatest mosques. Day 13: Isfahan Visit the Chehel Sotun Palace built by Shah Abbas II in the 17th century and the Hasht Behesht pavilion built in 1670. Day 14: Isfahan - Kashan Drive to Kashan, an oasis town famous for its carpets, tiles and silk, visiting the charming town of Natanz en route. In Kashan visit the 16th-century garden of Fin and a merchant residence known as Taba-Tabai House.Day 15: Kashan to Tehran Return to the capital, passing the Mausoleum of Imam Khomeini en route. Enjoy a farewell dinner at the hotel. Day 16: Depart Tehran Transfer to the airport for your departure flight.

IRAN: A JOURNEY THROUGH PERSIA21 September to 6 October 2016; 4-19 November 2016; 3-18 May 2017; 14-29 September 2017; 25 October to 9 November 2017

This is an abridged itinerary. Twin share from $10,995 per person. Single supplement from $2,515.

*Prices listed for 2016 departures. Prices for 2017 on application.

For more information, visit us at abercrombiekent.com.au/hostedgroups

LOCAL COLOURFrom top: Nasir-ol-Molk, the Pink Mosque, Shiraz; the ancient city of Yazd; the Jameh Mosque of Isfahan.

EASTERN PROMISESheikh Lotfollah Mosque at Naqsh-e Jahan Square in Isfahan.

AN AUSTRALIAN GOURMET TRAVELLER PROMOTION

Abercrombie & Kent_DPS_Iran_FINALAPPROVED.indd All Pages 2/05/2016 2:45:59 PM