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Day 1

We will arrive at Tehran airport (IKA), meet our guides and travel to our hotel, a luxurious five star establishment called the Esteghlal Grand Hotel. This is the largest five star hotel in Iran and is located near the Alborz mountain range. The remainder of today will be spent relaxing at the hotel.

Day 2

Today we will be touring the city of Tehran. Tehran is the capital of Iran and the largest city (over 7 million, with an approximately 15 million people living in the greater Tehran area). Tehran is famous for its numerous ski resorts on the Alborz Slopes, large museums, art centers, palace complexes. Our tour of the city will include a visit to the Ebrat Museum, a former prison for the shah’s secret police. We will also visit a local bazaar and, after lunch, visit the site of the former US embassy known as the Den of Spies.

Day 3

We will depart Tehran and travel to Hamadan. En route to Hamadan, we will stop to explore the Ali Sadr Cave. This ancient cave was first discovered during the reign of King Darius and contains several large, deep lakes.  Once Ali Sadr has been sufficiently explored, we will continue on to Hamadan where will we visit Mordechai and Queen Esther’s tombs. Hamadan (Ecbatana) is mentioned in the book of Ezra as the place where a scroll was found giving the Jews permission from King Darius to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. (Ezra 6:2). We will stay overnight in Hamadan at the four star Bu Ali Hotel.

While traveling today we will get a chance to visit several interesting historical locations while on our way to Kermanshah, where we will stay at one of their wonderful four star hotels. The sites we will visit while making our journey today include: 

• Ganj Nameh (treasure epistle) is an ancient inscription on the side of Alvand Mountain

• Hegmataneh (the ancient capital of the Mede dynasty)

• Avicenna’s tomb (the great Iranian scientist)

• Habakkuk’s tomb in Toee Serkan

• Anahita temple (3^rd century goddess of water & fertility)in Kangavar

• Achaemanian Rock Reliefs located in the rugged cliffs outside the town of Bisootoon.

This morning we will explore Tagh-e-Bostan (Sassanian rock relief). These reliefs are located about 4km from Kermanshah. From here, we will travel on to Khoram Abad, where we will have the opportunity to visit Falak-ol-Aflak Castle.  This is one of the most impressive castles in all of Iran. Situated on the top of a large hill of the same name within the city of Khorramm Abad, this gigantic structure was built during the Sassanid era (226–651). Our lodging will be at the Shahrdari Hotel in Khoram Abad.

Day 6

After breakfast, we will travel to Dezful for a tour of Ezekiel’s tomb. Then, we’re off to Susa where we will visit the remains of the Achamenid built, Apadana Palace is also located here. This is where Queen Esther, Mordecai and Nehemiah lived and served. We will also have the opportunity to tour the tomb of Daniel. Daniel’s tomb is an important location to Iran’s tiny Jewish minority; he is a symbol of their proud Persian roots. We will return to Dezful this evening and stay overnight at the Mehmansara Jahangardi Hotel. Dezful is an ancient city which is thought to be around 6000 years old.

On our way to Ahvaz, we will be driving to visit Isaac’s tomb and magnificent ziggurat in Choqa Zanbil. This ziggurat (pyramidial tower) is one of the most spectacular surviving examples of Elamite architecture. In ancient days Iran was also known as Elam as well as Assyria. The sheer bulk of the ziggurat and semi-desert location will definitely impress you.  We will also be stopping in Shushtar to view their remarkable 1700 year old watermills and irrigation channels. Tonight we will stay at the four star Fajr Hotel which is situated along the Karoon River.

While en route to Mah Shahr (called the city of the moon), we will travel to Susangerd today to visit the tomb of our father Abraham and Khoram Shahr to visit the tomb of Jeremiah. Once we arrive in Mah Shahr, we will be staying at the four star Azadi Hotel.

Our final destination today is the city of Shiraz. Along our way, we will stop at Bishapur to view the ruins of this ancient city. Bishapur dates back to 266AD and contains several Sassanian rock reliefs. For the next two nights, we will be staying in the luxurious Pars Hotel.

We will spend the day touring the city. Shiraz has long been considered Iran's intellectual center, with several top-rated universities, as well as the avowed capital of Persian literature: the poets Hafez and Sa'di are buried here. Their garden-shrouded mausoleums are popular nighttime gathering spots. Old Shiraz, on the eastern side of the city, contains the popular Bazaar-e Vakil, a plethora of mosques and madrassas, as well as the sparkling, mirror-covered shrine of Shah-e Cheragh.

The first half of today will be spent visiting the Bazaar-e Vakil. We will then venture on to Marv Dasht to visit the tombs at Naqsh-e Rostam at dusk. These hand hewn rock tombs are believed to belong to Darius I, Darius II, Xerxes I, and Artaxerxes I. After sunset, we will head over to Persepolis (Takht-e-Jamshid). The construction of this massive palace started by Darius I, one of Cyrus's successors, in about 518 BC was completed over a period of 150 years by subsequent kings (Xerxes I and Artaxerxes I). We will stay overnight in Marv Dasht at the Takht-e-Jamshid Hotel.

While traveling to Yazd today, we will take some time to visit Pasargad (Acheamenian palace ruins) and see the tomb of King Cyrus (550 BC). We will also travel through the Abarghoo Desert. There, we will stop to view a cypress tree which is over 4000 years old and believed to have been planted by one of Noah’s sons). Once in Yazd, we will stay two nights at the Laleh Hotel.

We will spend the day touring Yazd. This ancient town (widely believed to have been inhabited continuously for 7000 years) has been known for its silks and fabrics long before Marco Polo passed through it. Yazd is also home to the largest population of Zoroastrians in Iran. In Yazd, you will be treated to the site of badgirs (an ancient, but effective form of air conditioning that is still used today). We will be visiting the Mir Chakh Magh edifice, the water museum, the Zoroastrian Fire Temple and finally the Zoroastrian Towers of Silence at night.  We will see the flame that supposedly has been burning continuously for centuries.

Departing Yazd early, we will be heading to Esfahan. While en route, we will stop in Meybod. This city lies on an ancient caravan route. Today, it is best known for its pottery and the crumbling remains of Narein Castle. We will be staying two nights at the 5 star Abbasi Hotel in Esfahan.   Esfahan is also home to the largest Jewish population remaining in Iran today.

Considered to be Iran’s masterpiece, “the jewel of ancient Persia”, Esfahan is one of the finest cities in the Islamic world. Today will be spent touring some of the major sites within Esfahan. We will visit the tomb of Joshua located at the Takht-e-Folad cemetery and Isaiah’s tomb. We will also enjoy a visit to the Vank church and museum along with a tour of the old portion of the city.

This morning will be spent visiting the Naqsh-e Jahan Square. This massive, historical square is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After spending the morning here, we will be flying back to Tehran and will spend our final night in Iran at the five star Esteghlal Hotel.   Dinner this evening will be under spectacular waterfall.

Day 17

Early departure to Tehran airport for our flight home.

Vandar Bone and the Potential Site of Noah's Ark

Bob Cornuke will be revisiting the mountain (Takht-e-Suleiman) he and his team climbed in 2005 and again in 2006 in search of Noah’s Ark. If you are a climber, with previous high-altitude climbing experience, you’re invited to join the guides on this stunning experience on one of Iran’s highest peaks to see for yourself the “object” that has intrigued Bob with its possibilities. Please keep in mind that this extension is not a day hike to an alpine meadow; it’s a strenuous climb for those with proven abilities, prior climbing experience, and peak physical conditioning. Also, please consider that mountain accommodations are rustic at best, transportation is rigorous (sometimes by mule), and many services are limited. Requirements are strict, but if you’re up to the challenge, it will be the adventure of a lifetime!

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