Iran is the first and largest producer and exporter of saffron and barberry in the world. The southern Khorasan Province and its Ghaenat district produces about 90% of saffron and barberries. This unique Iran culture tour allows participants to see and feel the active role of cultivation, harvesting, production and use of these quintessential Iranian staples. Also you will have a chance to sample famous Iranian dishes using these staples. En route will visit several famous UNESCO World Heritage around Iran.
Arrival to Imam Khomeini Airport (IKA) in Tehran, at the airport your driver awaiting you, airport is 40 km away from Tehran. We recommend you to rest and refresh for the next day.
After having breakfast at your hotel, we will visit Golestan Palace Which is listed at the UNESCO world heritage, walking through The Grand Bazar with its labyrinth architecture is next, for lunch we will taste the delicious Dizi, after lunch we will head towards National Museum, after a quick rest and refresh at the hotel walking across the Tabiat Bridge at night and a Persian meal for dinner is a delightful way to end the night.
leave Tehran and go to Mashhad After having breakfast , drive to Mehrabad airport and fly to Mashhad. We will have free time to walk around the Saffron Bazar and related products.
We start the day with visiting Imam Reza holly tomb , the 8th Imam of Muslims, then head to Ferdowsi tomb, the most Iranian famous poet. We will have lunch at Shandiz town, at a traditional restaurant.
move to Ghaenat Today we will take advantage of our time on the road to see the desert landscape and reach Ghaenat, the center of saffron agriculture in the evening. Along the way we will visit the longest Qanat in the area (kind of borehole).
We will leave from our farmer house at 5 a.m. Then head to the saffron field and participate in the harvesting of Saffron, visiting women in their home while separating the saffron stigma, and visit a modern, mechanized Saffron processing facility. lunch will be in the home of a local family.
Ghaenat to Birjand Today we will have a very exciting day. After arriving in Birjand, head to barberry field. We will see farmers at work. They are harvesting. We will give them a hand in picking the fruit and getting familiar with drying barberries.
We will visit Akbariyeh Garden in Birjand, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Shokat Abad Garden then fly to shiraz and visit Narenjestan Garden and Eram Garden.
Shiraz to Isfahan A full day of adventure is expecting you, after having breakfast at the Hotel and visiting Nasir-ol-molk Mosque or the pink mosque we will head towards Persepolis the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire (60 km north of Shiraz). Walking around these ancient ruins is like time travel, an extraordinary experience to remember, four large tombs cut high into the wall cliff name Naghsh-e Rostam is the next wonder to visit. Also we will visit Pasargade, the tomb of Cyrus the Great.
According to the Iranian expression ‘Isfahan is half of the world’, so get ready for a big day. Visiting Naghsh-e Jahan Square, The second largest square in the world, and the jewel of Persian-Islamic architecture is the best start for this astonishing city. Walking through the ocean of turquoise and blue ceramics of Imam Mosque Sheikh & Lotfollah Mosque, exploring the Grand Bazar, watching how artisans create the amazing detailed handcrafts and lunch at an authentic restaurant with local foods would be an unforgettable memory. After a quick rest and refreshing at the hotel we will take a Walk across the Si-o-se-pol and Khajou bridge and admire this charming city by night.
Isfahan tour Today we will see more of Naghshe Jahan Square, visiting Ali Qapu Palace. Also the nearby Chehel soton Palace is in our plan.
Today we will see more of Isfahan after breakfast at the Hotel, visiting Jameh Mosque of Isfahan. Then we will head towards Kashan, 230 km away from Isfahan. After arriving at Kashan, check in to your hotel room you are free to enjoy the city of kashan at night.
Kashan is a charming oasis city with beautiful historical houses, visiting Abbasi and Tabatabaei large historic house museum is the best way to start the day in Kashan. walking around the Fin Garden, listed a UNESCO world heritage sitw, and having lunch is next on our plan. Around afternoon we will end our journey and head back to Tehran IKA Airport (depending on your flight time).