14-Day Culinary Tour
Iran Culinary Tour
€1,890.00
Enquire about this tour
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS & ITINERARY
Starting in Tehran by a comfortable couch, you will journey through beautiful landscapes and taste the most popular and favorite food in each part of Iran. From the earliest times Persians have been known for their hospitality, whether that of the tribesman offering rest and refreshment to a weary traveler, or that of the urbane city dweller offering a sumptuous repast to his guests.
On this trip, we will explore the beautiful cities of Tehran, Rasht, Masouleh, Talesh, Tabriz, Shiraz, Yazd, Isfahan, and Kashan and will uncover Persian history at the impressive Persepolis; though, the real highlight of any trip to Iran is meeting the locals, arguably the friendliest and most hospitable people on earth who are always ready to welcome visitors with a smile.
Tour Highlights
- Experience Northern, Central & western Iran during this sweeping 14-day excursion to the country’s top spots.
- Taste popular delicious Iranian foods in each city
- See local farmers and sellers who are trying to sell their products directly to consumers.
- Explore fabled capitals of ancient empires with our expert tour guides, well-spoken and experienced in sharing his native land with travelers.
- Get to know the warm Iranian people as you dine in fine local restaurants we’ve selected for their delicious Persian food and friendly ambiance.
Free Special Excursions (Optional)
- » Half a day experiencing the Nomadic life and staying alongside an Iranian nomad family that is likely to be one of the most memorable parts of your journey. Read more…
- » Half day Persian hospitality tour to spend time with an Iranian family, learn and help to cook homemade foods and eat like Iranian people. Read more…
- » Watch a Zurkhaneh performance. Zurkhaneh is a form of traditional martial arts in Iran, where men practise callisthenics and other body-building exercises in a ring. In 2010 Pahlevani and Zoorkhaneh rituals inscribed on the representative list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Read More…
- » Visit an old system of water supply called Qanat. Read More…
Travel Itinerary
DAY 1: TEHRAN
After arriving at Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA) in Tehran, our representative will meet and greet you; then, you will be transferred to the hotel to take a rest.
O/N Tehran
DAY 2: TEHRAN
To Succulent pieces of lamb or chicken kebabs cooked over charcoal and piled high onto mounds of buttery rice are one of the cornerstones of Iranian cuisine. Served with grilled tomatoes, strained yogurt, fresh herbs and crunchy sour pickles, Chelow kabab is found on practically every street corner and restaurant in Iran. Their grilled lamb chops topped with tangy sumac are unmatched for richness and flavor.
O/N Tehran
DAY 3: TEHRAN - RASHT 3 H 58 MIN (327 KM)
In the morning, we will drive to Rasht. We visit Rasht local market which is one of the most famous local markets of Iran in Gilan which has maintained its traditional appearance over the years since the Qajar era.
In each corner, you will see local farmers and sellers who are trying to sell their products directly to consumers. Here, you can find almost any organic product you wish for, from fresh vegetables and fruits to olives, fish and different dairy products.
In each corner, you will see local farmers and sellers who are trying to sell their products directly to consumers. Here, you can find almost any organic product you wish for, from fresh vegetables and fruits to olives, fish and different dairy products.
O/N Rasht
DAY 4: RASHT - MASOULEH 1 H 30 MIN (63.4 KM)
A visit to the thousand-year-old village of Masouleh, set in the foothills of Gilan, takes one back in time to the traditions of rural Iran and the simple agrarian life that used to dominate most of the country. It is also one of the best places to sample Iran’s vegetarian cuisine, most notably the dish Mirza Ghassemi, a regional specialty of smoky auberges’, burnt over hot coals and then gently fried with tender young garlic, plump tomatoes and plenty of local olive oil.
One of the most beautiful popular handicrafts of the province of Gilan, is Masouleh Doll, women only in Masouleh in front of the house door or on a platform near travelers and tourist’s accommodation, knit this souvenir, which is a memento from Masoulehs historic city, is woven with a woolen yarn.
O/N Masouleh
DAY 5: MASOULEH - TALESH 2 H 7 MIN (106 KM)
We will go to Talesh, on the way we visit Anzali Lagoon and have lunch at one of the local restaurant in Anzali.
The lush green forests and rice paddies of Talesh, near the Caspian Sea are home to some of the most striking natural beauty in Iran and in spring and summer, Iranians flock here for hiking and camping holidays. The food of the region is as green as its landscapes, packed with herbs which adorn every meal. Torshe-Tareh is a signature dish, a tangy emerald green stew made with several kilos of spinach, dill, parsley, coriander and chives, sharpened with limes and served with poached eggs stirred through it.
O/N Talesh
DAY 6: TALESH - TABRIZ 5 H 59 MIN (428 KM)
Iranians love a good meatball and the city of Tabriz in the north west of the country is the best place to sample them. Here you can find an array of lamb meatballs stuffed with prunes, sour cherries, walnuts, barberries, raisins or boiled eggs in various delicious combinations.
The most famous meatball of them all, Kofte Tabrizi bears the namesake of the city and has some resemblance to a large scotch egg, albeit one in a saffron and tomato sauce. Ghorabieh is one of the most famous and highly traditional sweets in Tabriz.
This cookie is made of flour, sugar, vanilla, egg and there are a variety of nuts on it. Tabrizi usually use this sweet to host their special guests, and its place in ancient and religious festivals is also very special. Baqlava is the name of a delicious sweet from the countries of Turkey and Central Asia to the rest of the world.
In Iran, you can taste the best Baqlava in Tabriz and create delicious moments for yourself. These sweets are also found in the restaurants of this city and showcases desserts alongside food. Baqlava is made from flour, sugar, egg and cardamom with different flavors of pistachios, coconut and almonds, and in different shapes.
O/N Tabriz
DAY 7: TABRIZ - SHIRAZ (FLIGHT)
This morning, we will drive to Kandovan. Kandovan is an ancient village near Tabriz. It is situated in the foothills of Mount Sahand. The village exemplifies manmade cliff dwellings which are still inhabited. The troglodyte homes, excavated inside volcanic rocks and tuffs similar to dwellings in the Turkish region of Cappadocia, are locally called Karaan.
O/N Shiraz
DAY 8: SHIRAZ - YAZD 5 H 20 MIN (450 KM)
The enchanting city of Yazd is a historic mud-brick town on a plateau between the country’s two largest deserts. It is famous for its badgirs (wind catchers), ancient Zoroastrian temples and glorious selection of bite-sized pastries known as Shirini Yazdi (Yazdi sweets). Patisseries throughout the city stock an assortment of these sugary treats, from almond baklavas, to cupcakes made cardamom and pistachios and Ghotab, a local delicacy of deep fried doughnuts filled with ground almonds.
Yazd is a premier Daraie-weaving center in Iran, which is a kind of soft silk fabric with gorgeous-colored diamond shapes on it. The warps are always dyed before weaving. As the weaver makes the fabric, the colors and designs gradually appear. Daraie was made of natural silk in the past, but nowadays viscose is usually used. Termeh is a gorgeous silk fabric whose warp is silk thread and its pick is colorful silk, cotton and woolen threads. In olden days, people made Termeh by hand, because of which Termeh was known as “finger-woven fabric”.
This gorgeous soft fabric is world famous for its patterns, especially an aigrette-like design (Boteh), tuft-like design (Jegheh), hart’s horn design (Shakh-e Gavazni) and rose-like design (Gol-e Mohammadi). The city of Yazd is renowned for its 400-year old industry of Termeh weaving.
Pottery and Ceramics the oldest handmade artwork, has a 6,000-year-old history in Iran. Local people call the earthenware ‘Kevareh’, which is made of clay. The earthenware is world famous for its designs, especially “fish”, “the lady sun” and “the hen”. Meybod is a prominent pottery-producing center in Yazd province.
Giveh Making is a type of traditional Iranian shoes that are very comfortable and suit Iranian climates (especially its dry climate). It is made of cotton threads which let the air in and cool the feet. The best type of Giveh is called ‘Maleki’. It comes in colors like black, brown and mostly white. The upper part of Giveh is prepared by women while the sole is made by men.
O/N Yazd
DAY 9: YAZD
The Rustic Lamb, chickpea and potato stew is slow-cooked in a clay pot over a fire for several hours until the meat is so tender you can mash it into a paste with your fork.
Small cafés and restaurants all over town cook dizi for lunch and dinner and serve it warm flatbreads that you shred into small pieces at the table and place in your clay pot to soak up the meaty broth.
O/N Yazd
DAY 10: YAZD – ISFAHAN 3 H 55 MIN (325 KM)
Tahdig, the crunchy, buttery rice crust that forms at the bottom of the pot that rice is cooked in is prized in Iran and Tah Chin is a dish that encapsulates everything that is great about it. Rice is first mixed with yogurt, egg yolks and saffron and then layered with spiced chicken or lamb and baked until its forms a golden crust.
The dish is then turned upside down and served like a cake, from which you cut yourself a very generous slice. Tah Chin is found in restaurants throughout the city of Shiraz, where it considered something of a specialty. Masghati is a soft and transparent confection in Iran made with rose water, starch, sugar and water. Along with koloocheh, it is a tradition of Norouz New Year celebrations. Pistachio, Saffron and Cardamom can also be used to make the Masghati. It is produced in Fars province, particularly in Larestan county and Shiraz. The Masghati which is produced in
Larestan is called Masghati Lari that is more viscose and sweeter than the Shirazi one Khatam Kari is an ancient Persian technique of inlaying. It is a version of marquetry where art forms are made by decorating the surface of wooden articles with delicate pieces of wood, bone and metal precisely-cut intricate geometric patterns. Khatam-Kari or Khatam-Bandi refers to the art of crafting a khatam. In Persian wood marquetry is known as “Monabat Kari” rooted from Nabat which means plant. Wood marquetry is called to an embossed design and carving on wood. Designs used in this art are often included Arabesque, Cathay and human & amp; animal figures.
O/N Isfahan
DAY 11: ISFAHAN
Soups are an intrinsic part of Persian cuisine, so much so that the Farsi word for cook is Ashpaz, which means “soup-maker.” Aash Reshteh is a hearty soup packed with legumes, fresh herbs and noodles and is often served with a generous drizzle of Kashk, an umami flavored fermented whey which tastes somewhere in between parmesan and goat’s cheese.
My favorite place to eat it is amid the blossoming trees and trickling fountains of the walled garden of the Abbasi Hotel in Isfahan, a 300-year-old former roadside inn which is reportedly the world’s oldest hotel. Turquoise Inlaying is one of the most famous handicrafts in Isfahan Goldsmith includes the making and preparation of the object intended for Turquoise Inlaying. This is done by a goldsmith using hands, press machine or both.
After the object is formed generally, the part to be turquoise inlaid is demarked and a thin metal strand. The turquoise inlayer buys waste turquoise chips from turquoise forming workshops or turquoise mines in Mashhad, Nishapur or Damghan. Then, the turquoise chips are graded based on their sizes so the right size turquoise chips are used in making each Turquoise Inlaying object in proportion to the surface area.
In the next step, the object is heated (to about 30oC) and, while heating, a “walnut lac” is sprinkled onto the parts that have to be turquoise laid so that the lac powder is almost melted and covers the intended surface. Minakari or Enameling is the art of painting, coloring and ornamenting the surface of metals by fusing over it brilliant colors that are decorated in an intricate design.
The Iranian craftsmen of Sasanian era invented this art and Mongols spreader it to India and other countries. The paintings or patterns used for enamel works in Iran are traditional designs depending on the taste and preferences of the artist. In the Iranian version of enameling, copper and silver are the most dominant metals used. There are also special tools used in this ancient artistic endeavor such as furnace, pliers, press machine, brush and so on.
Moaragh means patches, fragments and streaks of veins, and they are basically a veil of veneers. But the concept of wood mosaic is the creation of robes that combine wood and other materials such as fiber, clay, and metal, oysters on the basis of wood or polyester paint.
O/N Isfahan
Day 12: ISFAHAN - KASHAN
Beautiful Kashan carpet has been crafted since the 17th century during the Safavid dynasty, with many scholars believing that some of the smaller silk designs date back to the early 16th century. Kashan was a holiday retreat for many of the rulers of the Safavid era, benefiting from stunning architecture and the city is renowned for its stunning holiday homes.
The Carpets made in Kashan are often instantly recognizable and are among the most beautiful and famous of all Persian carpets. For many, when they think of a Persian carpet, the image they see in their head is that of the traditional Kashan carpet with central medallion on a red field with navy and ivory borders.
O/N Isfahan
DAY 13: KASHAN - TEHRAN 2 H 36 MIN (243 KM)
The rose is indigenous to Iran and the country was the first place in the world to distil its petals to make rose water over 2,500 years ago. Each spring, the town of Kashan has an annual rose festival where you can watch Rosewater being made, from the harvesting of the flowers, to the steaming of the petals.
During the festival the whole town erupts in a cacophony of color and scent and there is nothing better than taking a moment to rest in shade of the afternoon sun with a bowl of Faloodeh, a sweet and tangy sorbet made with rosewater, rice vermicelli and lime juice.
O/N Tehran
DAY 14: TEHRAN (DEPARTURE)
Our representative will transfer you to Imam Khomeini International Airport according to your flight time.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
- 13-Night Accommodation In DBL Room
- Professional English Tour Guide
- All Transfers & Transportation
- Meals (13-Breakfast, 12-Lunch, 12-Dinner)
- Domestic Flights (TBZ-SYZ)
- Refreshment
WHAT’S EXCLUDED
- Visa Application Fee & Visa Fee
- All Entrance Fees
- Insurance
SPEAK TO OUR EXPERTS
SAYE SHAHMS
[email protected]
+98 912 880 3921
PARIA POURMEHDI
[email protected]
+98 910 928 3853
TAILOR-MADE TOUR
This tour is also available for booking privately for travel anytime through the year, and we can also customise the itinerary to fit your personal requirements. Please contact us for details and prices.
IMPORTANT NOTES
- Arrival & departure transfers are included on this trip.
- This trip starts at 9:00 in the morning on day 2.
- On day 2 & 5, there are included domestic flights from Tehran to Tabriz & from Tabriz to Shiraz.
- The maximum check-in baggage allowance is 17 kg per person plus hand luggage.
- Please note that deposits for this trip are refundable and transferable (we only deduct the bank transfer fee) as per our terms and conditions.
- A single supplement is available on this trip.
Accommodation
We use good quality hotels rated at the Iranian Local House and 3-star level on this tour. Local star ratings may vary slightly from international standards. Accommodation is based on double or twin en-suite rooms with air conditioning.
All couples will have a private double room.
Single travelers must pay extra to have their private room.
Transport
We use a private AC van, middle bus or bus throughout this tour, subject to the final size of the group.
Transfers
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.
Dates & Prices
We regularly run this small-group tour. All departures are guaranteed to run if a minimum of 2 travelers is reached. If we do not reach this minimum number, we will offer you to either pay a supplement to do the tour exactly as planned, to change your date, to take another tour, or we will provide you with a full refund. Departure dates and prices are listed on our website and in our brochure. Please check the website for the most up-to-date prices and special offers.
Booking & Payment
If you would like to book a place on 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.
Passports and Visas
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.
Joining Info
These tour joining details are provided on a provisional basis and may change prior to this tour departing. Any changes to these details will be updated on this page.
- Joining Point: Watch this space as we announce the point soon.
- Address: Tehran
- Time and place: 09:00 am on day 2
Who travels with SURFIRAN? A snapshot of our group tours
With English-speaking tours, it’s not a huge surprise that most on our travellers are from English-speaking countries or have English as their second language. We have travellers from all over the world, however, the top six countries people visit Iran from are: England, Australia, Ireland, United States, Netherlands and Canada.
Read more: Who travels with SURFIRAN? A snapshot of our group tours
ENQUIRE ABOUT THIS TOUR
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Opening Hours:
8:30am – 5.00pm Sunday to Wednesday
Just came back from Iran and I can say that I’m really enthusiast from people and visited places. A very big thank to SURFIRAN because of their help, organization and professional way to manage everything that we need. I do suggest to visit Iran and contact SURFIRAN. they can really help you and make your life easier!
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.
We organized a 3 weeks tour in Iran through SURFIRAN. SURFIRAN is a very Professional travel agency who understands their customers needs and expectations. Our stay in Iran was just fabulous, the program built by SURFIRAN was great, we have seen many and many very interesting sites and locations.
Most we enjoyed the landscape and wildlife we saw, it was just amazing and not comparable with nature we found in Germany and Europe, one of my greatest experiences! Second we enjoyed the kindness of you guys (Mehdi, Negin and her family, and the two houses we stayed) it was like meeting family and friends :)
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.
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