Travelers have celebrated Iran for its cultural riches since ancient times. Its mosques and mausoleums are famous for their glorious, joyous ornateness--in fact, Iran long ago set the gold standard for all such monuments to Muslim artistry. The magnificent ruins of ancient cities, most particularly Persepolis, are more reminders of Iran’s cultural brilliance (“Is it not passing brave to be a King/And ride in triumph through Persepolis?” Marlowe marveled in Tamburlaine).
Geographic Expeditions has been taking travelers to Iran since 1993. We enjoy strong relationships with affable, adept guides and experts, men and women eager to introduce our travelers to Iran’s ancient culture—from the pinnacles of Islamic architecture in splendid Isfahan (“I have never before encountered splendour of this kind before,” wrote the well-traveled Robert Byron) to Tehran’s magnificent museums and monuments, from Persepolis to Shiraz and Tabriz. Our travelers also trek in the unexpectedly serene Alborz Mountains and visit with the Turkish-speaking Qashqai tribe, gracious nomads who herd their sheep in Iran’s southwest province of Fars.
Treasures of Persia
Highlights: Tehran, Hamadan, bazaar city of Tabriz, pilgrimage site of Mashhad, desert town of Yazd, Shiraz, Persepolis, Isfahan
