• 8-Day Discovery of the Silk Road in Iran

    Join Us to Explore More About Historical Route of the Silk Road

  • Unique Silk Road Expedition in Iran

    Uncover the Mysteries of Persian Culture and Architecture

  • Discover the Historical Trade Routes of Iran

    Back to Hundred of Years and Discover the Way of Old Merchants

  • Duration

    8 days

  • Start

    Tehran

  • Finish

    Maku (West Azerbaijan)

  • Group size

    On request

  • Physical rating

  • Included meals

    Breakfast

  • Accommodation Grade

    Standard

  • Transport

    A.C. Minibus / Van/ Sedan

  • Internet

    Free Wi-Fi While Traveling

  • SIM Card

    Free 100 min national call and 3 GB data

8-Day Silk Road Tour in Iran (north-western part)

A Captivating Journey Through Historical Sites, Cultural Treasures, and Scenic Landscapes.

Overview & Trip Highlights

Starting in Tehran by a comfortable couch, you will journey through beautiful landscapes and some of the world’s oldest archaeological sites, arid mountains, and rural villages. You will learn about the traditions and cultures of a land whose influence felt for thousands of years. Welcome to the once-forbidden land of Persia.

On this trip, we will explore the beautiful cities of Tehran, Qazvin, Zanjan, Tabriz, and Maku and uncover the Silk Road history at the most famous Caravanserais, Mosques, Castles, Bazaars and many more.

  • Stroll in Tehran, Delve Into the Capital of Iran
  • A Day in Qazvin to Uncover the Mysteries of Assassin
  • Travel to Zanjan and Soltanyeh, the Once capital of the Ilkhanid Dynasty
  • Tabriz Unveiled: Exploring the Cultural Treasures of Northwestern Iran

Upon your arrival at Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA), our representative will meet and greet you; and then, Move to the Hotel.

After a short rest, we will explore today’s capital of Iran. Tehran is the most populated and the largest province of Iran.

We will start our day by visiting the lavish Golestan Palace (UNESCO World Heritage Site). Golestan Palace is famous because it was the residence of all the kings of the Qajar dynasty for about 150 years.

Then, the Tehran Grand Bazaar is the next. This bazaar is the second-largest in Iran and the third-largest traditional bazaar in the Middle East.

The last one is the Iran National Museum. Where we could find thousands of objects from 800,000 years ago until the presence of Islam.

(Today’s plan might be changed according to your flight details)


ACCOMMODATION

  • Howeyzeh 4-star hotel or a similar one in Tehran
  • Included Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, we will visit Rey. This city is among the oldest (8000- year- old) and the most important cities in Iran. Rey used to play a significant role on the Silk Road.

In Shahr-e Rey we will visit the Gabri Castel (from outside), this castle is 2000 years old. Then, the Great Wall of Rey, the Relief of Fath Ali Shah Qajar, the Bahram Fire Temple (from the Sasanid Dynasty), and today’s sightseeing will end in the Traditional Bazaar of Rey.


ACCOMMODATION

  • Howeyzeh 4-star hotel or a similar one in Tehran
  • Included Meals: Breakfast

Check out after breakfast, we will proceed to Qazvin. Qazvin is one of the oldest cities in Iran and was the capital in part of the Safavid period. Qazvin, because of the Silk Road, was a place for traders and merchants to pass through for many years.

On the way to Qazvin, we will go to the mysterious Alamut Castle. This world-famous castle is well-known for the story of Assassin’s Creed. It is located at an altitude of 2163m. After that, we will back to the city and visit the Monument of the Silk Road, the Aali Qapou Gate, and Tehran’s Gate.


ACCOMMODATION

  • Iranian 4-star hotel or a similar one in Qazvin
  • Included Meals: Breakfast

Check out after breakfast, and proceed to another significant city along the Silk Road.  Before leaving Qazvin behind, we will go to explore more about Qazvin. During the Safavid dynasty Qazvin was the capital of Iran.

There, we could find a lot of monuments, structures, and buildings from that era. The historical Bazaar of Qavin, Saad al Saltaneh Caravanserai, Jame Mosque, and Chehel Sotoun Palace will be our next sightseeing.

After lunch, we will move to Zanjan. This city also was one of the most important cities during the Ilkhanid period (Mongols in Iran). On the way to Zanjan, we will have a short stop at Dashkasan Temple, there, we could see two Dragon Relieves from the Mongol era.

Right after Dashkasan Temple, there is a huge building from the Ilkhanid dynasty called Soltanieh Dome ( UNESCO World Heritage Site). This octagonal building was erected in 1302 and has one of the tallest domes (50m) in the world. Then continue to Zanjan.


ACCOMMODATION

  • Zanjan Boutique Hotel or a similar one in Zanjan
  • Included Meals: Breakfast

Check out after breakfast, we will continue our journey to the city of Tabriz. Before leaving Zanjan, we will visit the Rakhtshur Khane Museum and Stone Caravanserai. Then, continue to Tabriz. Spend our evening at Il Goli (King’s Garden).


ACCOMMODATION

  • Saray 3-star hotel or a similar one in Tabriz
  • Included Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, start our tour to explore this historical city. Tabriz was the capital of Iran during the Safavid era. Marco Polo in his travelogue in the 13th century wrote: “Tabriz is beautiful and vast and business is booming in this city”.

Our first place to visit is the Tabriz Grand Bazaar (UNESCO World Heritage Site). This Bazaar is the second largest traditional bazaar in the world, after the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul. Then, visit the Blue Mosque (Turquoise of Islam), Azerbaijan Museum, and Arg-e Ali Shah.


ACCOMMODATION

  • Saray 3-star hotel or a similar one in Tabriz
  • Included Meals: Breakfast

Check out after breakfast. Today is our last day of the Silk Road Tour. Proceed to Maku.

En route, we will visit the Kandovan Rocky Village a journey into the ancient cave dwellings of Iran. Then continue to St. Stepanos Monastry (UNESCO World Heritage Site) and arrive in Maku.


ACCOMMODATION

  • Tourist 3-star hotel or a similar one in Maku
  • Included Meals: Breakfast

Depending on your travel plan, you may continue your journey to Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkey or back to Tabriz and fly back home from the Tabriz International Airport (TBZ).

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What’s Included

  • Visa Authorization Code
  • Accommodation (B&B)
  • All Ground Transportation
  • Accompanying the Certified Tour Guide from Beginning to End
  • All Entrance Fees
  • A Bottle of Water Per Day/ Per Person
  • Free SIM Card (100min national call and 3GB data)

What’s Excluded

  • Visa Fee
  • International Airfares
  • Travel Insurance
  • Meals (Lunch & Dinner)
  • Tips to Local Guide and Driver
  • Personal Expenses

Customer Reviews

Highly Recommended Tour with SurfIran

Such a fantastic tour! I was unsure about traveling to Iran as a solo female, but I felt confident going with SurfIran. Hamed in SurfIran was extremely helpful in assisting me to secure a travel visa, travel insurance, and in answering all of my queries to prepare me. He was even helpful in tailoring the tour to my needs (as I could not arrive on the first day in Tehran) and I was still welcomed at the airport by a different guide to take me to the hotel and get set up in Shiraz. Read More

All Fine

All fine. Good communication in the setup. The visas, payment, and flights etc went smoothly.

The most important aspect of a tour is the guide and Nima excelled. A great networker with sophisticated english he understands his mainly western audience well and does in depth historical research for his own interest. Read More

Go! Don’t listen to the media

I cannot express my gratitude to Paria, my guide Ali and SURFIRAN for my tour around Shiraz and Isfahan. As a European and solo travelled , safety was a worry but it was great. Iranian people are so welcoming. I would love to join them again soon. Thanks a lot.

Unforgettable Iranian experience!

Iran is a must destination the best is its people. If you want to travel to Iran I definitely recommend Surfiran ! Paria is an amazing organizer, guides are impeccable. I specifically suggest seeing more than the classic Iran route to grasp deeper insides of Iran !! I chose Tabriz and it was great this region has a lot to offer !

Thanks a lot

We visited Iran on October 2016 with SURFIRAN travel and tours company. Organization of round trip, hotel accommodation and flights were perfect. Our guide Mostafa was absolutely excellent, helpful, friendly and his information about Iran were very informative. Thanks a lot ! Will come back soon.

Johannes Grumet
All arranged efficiently

Everything was arranged very efficiently. Nothing went wrong. Our guide, Mostafa Farhadi, was remarkable. Not only was he a brilliant driver, but his knowledge of the culture, history and contemporary life of Iran was amazing. He also had superb contacts in all the places we visited.

Stephen Barber

Important Notes

  1. Arrival & departure transfers are included on this trip.
  2. The maximum check-in baggage allowance is 17 kg per person plus hand luggage.
  3. Please note that deposits for this trip are refundable and transferable (we only deduct the bank transfer fee) as per our terms and conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question about the tour?

Reach out to our travel experts.

Good to Know

The spring (mid-March to May) and fall (September to mid-November) are generally considered the best times to visit as the weather is mild and comfortable, perfect for sightseeing and outdoor activities. Read more about the best time to visit Iran.

The price will vary based on the number of people and any additional services requested. Therefore, please submit your request so that the details regarding the price can be sent to your email address within one business day.

Passports should be valid for at least six months after your departure from the country. Please do not bring an almost full or almost expired passport. Visa arrangements are the responsibility of the traveller. For more information about how to get an Iranian visa please visit this page.

In our premium tours, we book the best 5-star hotels available in each city.

We use a private AC van, middle bus or bus throughout this tour, subject to the final size of the group.

The tour includes a 24-hour airport meet & assist service in Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport, your arrival and departure airport-hotel transfers and all other transfers.

If you would like to book this tour, please complete the online reservation form on our website. We will then contact you with more details about how to complete your booking. Payments may be made by making a bank transfer. Full details will be provided in your booking confirmation email. Please contact us if you would like any more information or have any questions before making a booking.

SPEAK TO OUR EXPERTS

Saye Shmas SAYE SHAHMS
saye@surfiran.com
+98 912 880 3921

PARIA POURMEHDIHAMED MEHRANIAN
hamed@surfiran.com
+98 991 173 6577

TAILOR-MADE TOUR

We can customize your travel to suit your wishes and time schedule for free.

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