Iran (13 - 23 September 2025)
Join us for a journey through the heartland of ancient Persia, where we will visit historical sites from various eras of Iran’s history—pre-Islamic, early Islamic, the Safavid period, and modern Iran—as well as places of significance to major world religions: Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity, Sunni and Shiite Islam. The main trip will begin in the eastern pilgrimage city of Mashhad and end in the most culturally acclaimed city of the country, Isfahan. Throughout the journey, we will see architectural wonders, cultural landmarks, religious sites, and ancient marketplaces. We will get a taste of exquisite Persian cuisine and, most of all, experience the wonderful hospitality of a cultured and welcoming people.
Trip to Bandar Abbas:
There will be a tour of the capital Tehran and the adjacent city Qazwin September 23 to 26. This is an optional, supplemental portion of the itinerary.
In addition to the historical commentary provided by our local guides, we will benefit from the sharp mind of Dr. Akram, who will offer brief daily lectures and narrate materials related to the personages we will be covering each day (such as relevant Persian poems or passages from their tomes). These materials will be provided in a packet prior to the trip to ensure that everyone can follow along.
- Train tickets and Bus transportation
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
- Accommodation at hotel
- Train tickets and Bus transportation
- Professional tour guide
- Transfers between destinations
- Entrance fees to museums
- Custom itinerary
Tour Map
This comprehensive map is designed to guide you through an exciting journey filled with remarkable destinations and captivating experiences
Itinerary
We have carefully planned out each day to give you the best possible experience. From exploring historic landmarks to tasting delicious local cuisine, each day is packed with adventure and excitement. Join us as we take you on a journey through some of the most fascinating destinations in the world.
Arrival in Mashhad, Iran
Hotel check-in is available from 14:00. There are no pre-planned activities for the arrival day. Travelers are encouraged to rest and recuperate from their long journey in anticipation of two adventurous weeks ahead. For those eager to start exploring from Day 1: let us know! If your flight arrives early enough, we would be happy to plan supplemental activities for you.
We will begin by making our way to the old town of Tous (an approximately 1.5 hour drive from Mashhad) to visit the attributed resting places of the sage Imam Ghazali (d. 505 AH/1111 CE) and the acclaimed Persian poet and compiler of the epic, Shahnameh, Ferdowsi (d. 1020 CE). We will then return to Mashhad to visit the Nader Shah museum, named after the powerful Persian ruler (d. 1747 CE) and founder of the Afsharid dynasty. We will end the day at one of the most highly visited religious sites in the world, the Imam Raza Holy Shrine.
Neyshabur was an ancient center of Islamic learning and the home of the famous Sunni hadith scholar, Imam Muslim (d. 261 AH/875 CE). There, we will visit the tomb complex of the Persian polymath, Omar Khayyam (d. 1131 CE), as well as that of the prominent Sufi Attar Faridoddin (d. 1221 CE) and the mausoleum of the modern Iranian painter Kamal-ol-Molk (d. 1940 CE).
Journey to Shiraz
We will start the day by visiting an architectural wonder, the Goharshad mosque built by its namesake sponsor, a powerful Empress (d. 1457 CE) of the Timurid dynasty.
Our time in Eastern Iran will then come to an end as we fly south-west to Shiraz via a domestic flight (approximately 1.5 hours).
Our first visit will be to the Ali ebn e Hamzeh Holy shrine, dedicated to a relative of the 4th Shiite Imam and seminal Sunni figure, Zayn al-Abideen (d. 94 AH/712 CE). Travelers will then check into the hotel and rest for the evening.
A city with a stunning and ancient history, Shiraz is one of the most visited Muslim tourist cities in the world.
We will begin by visiting the ‘Pink Mosque’ commissioned by the Persian aristocrat, Nasirol Molk (d. 1893 CE) (a popular spot for bridal wedding portraits!). Next will be the tombs of two of the most prominent poets in human history, Hafez (d. 1390 CE) and Saadi (d. 1291 CE). Travelers will have an opportunity to shop at the 18th-century Vakil Bazaar, still in operation today (don’t worry - we will give you bargaining tips!). The day will end with a tour of the citadel of Karim Khan Zand (d. 1779 CE), the founder of the Zand dynasty, and a stroll through the Eram Garden, which reportedly has roots going back to the Seljuk era, 12th century CE.
Road Trip to Yazd
Before leaving Shiraz, we will stop to see the Quran Gate, first built by the Buyid emir, ‘Adud al-Dawla (d. 983 CE) (you can guess why it is called that - the winner will get a free Persian ice cream!).
Then our road trip begins. Our first stop (after about a 1.5 hour drive) will be to see what in the Western eye is the most important part of a visit to Iran, the Naqsh-e Rostam necropolis which is believed to house the resting place of the Achaemenid king Darius the Great (d. 486 BC), and to visit the ruins of Persepolis, the empire’s historical capital (ultimately destroyed by Alexander the Great). To add to the historical excitement, we will also see the Pasargadae (a further 1.5 hour drive), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is believed to be the resting place of the Achaemenid dynasty founder, Cyrus the Great (d. 530 BC).
We will then continue on a 4 hour drive to Yazd in which we will appreciate the beautiful natural landscape (plus some stops along the way to stretch and get a snack or two).
We will start the day visiting the majestic Tower of Silence, a Zoroastrian tower pit where for thousands of years, the deceased’s final rites were carried out (the Iranian government has banned the rite since 1967, prior to the Islamic revolution).
Next will be a site familiar from Iranian currency, the Jameh Mosque of Yazd (which dates back to the 6th century AH).
We will continue with Zoroastrian sites by visiting the Fire Temple, which has housed a burning fire since 470 CE. Speaking of burning, Yazd is in a desert setting - to learn how civilizations survived during the summer months, we will tour the Water Museum. The day will end with a stroll in the old quarter.
*We will have a brief Jumuah Friday prayer service for those interested.
Journey to Isfahan
We will break up the 4 hour drive to Isfahan by visiting the Jami Mosque of Nain, built in the 10th century CE by the Buyid dynasty, making it one of the oldest purpose built mosques in Iran. Next we will see the ruins of a Persian Caravanserai (a pre-modern version of a hotel - don’t worry we won’t be spending the night there!). We’ll end by visiting the Pirnia House Museum to appreciate local architecture and then complete the journey to Isfahan.
Our day will begin by visiting the famed Nagshe Jahan square which includes the Shah Mosque, the Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque and Ali Qapu imperial palace, all built by the Safavid Shah Abbas the Great (d. 1629 CE). The large fountain in the middle of these is a fun spot local children play in so feel free to join in (bring an extra towel!). We will also visit the nearby Bazaar before proceeding to the Chehel Sotoun imperial palace, used by Shah Abbass II (d. 1666 CE) to entertain visiting dignitaries. The day will end with a visit to the Isfahani Jewish community at their 2 century old synagogue.
Much more to see in Isfahan (it is after all called Nisf Jahan in Persian lore - meaning half the world). We will start with a visit to the Jame Mosque, which was first built by the Abbasid Caliph al-Mansur (d. 158 AH/775 CE). Wouldn’t you think such an old historical site should be considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site? Well, it was declared so in 2012! We will then visit the Vank Cathedral of the Armenian community in the New Julfa neighborhood which was built during the Ottoman-Safavid War of 1603-1618 CE (fun fact: Iran has been home to numerous ethnicities stretching back to the ancient world). Next will be a stop at the Bird Garden that hosts over 100 bird species. Our last activity will be visiting the old bridges (Shahrestan, Khaju, Sio-se Po) at night which have a lovely light backdrop that makes for a popular hangout spot with impromptu poetry gatherings.
Journey to the Capital, Tehran
This 5 hour journey will be broken up by 2 fun stops (we can have a third one for snacks if there is a majority vote!). Our first will be at the city of Kashan to visit the Fin Garden which is set in a desert landscape and is considered the oldest purpose built garden in Iran (1590 CE). We will then tour the Broujerdi’s House to see the wind towers that were built to keep the complex cool and was made in 1857 for a marriage to a woman from the famous scholarly Tabatabai family. We will also have an opportunity to buy rose water in a famous street known for its manufacturing of this delightful product (if we ask nicely the shopkeepers will even demonstrate the whole process for us and give a free sample!).
Our next stop will be to Qom, the famed seminary city of Iran where thousands of students around the world come to study Shiite Islam. We will have an opportunity to tour the Hawzah Ilmiyyah seminary. We will also see the shrine complex of Fatima al-Ma'suma (d. 816 CE), the daughter of the 7th Shiite Imam Musa al-Kazim (d. 183 AH/799 CE). Upon our arrival in Tehran, we will retire for the evening.
We will have a gloomy start touring the Ebrat museum, which was a torture site of Shah Pahlavi’s (d. 1980 CE) secret police. For a more positive outlook, we will move on to the Rose Garden (Golestan) Palace complex built in the 16th century CE and now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Next we’ll have a return to modern history by visiting the US Embassy museum (technically referred to as the US Den of Espionage) where the infamous Iranian Hostage Crisis took place 1979-1981. The day will end at the Park-e Shahr, a popular strolling spot for locals.
We’ll start the day with observing the beautiful view of the city from the Milad Tower observatory deck. Next will be a visit to the oldest part of the region, Ray (in Arabic sources you may have come across this word associated with several famous scholars’ epithet Razi). While much of the town was destroyed in an earthquake, the Shah Abdol-Azim mausoleum is still present, where the remains of a descendant of the Prophet’s grandson Hasan lie. We’ll also see Toghrol Tower where the founder of the Seljuk empire Tughril (d. 1063 CE), is buried. Travelers will have an opportunity to shop at the local bazaar.
We will end the trip visiting the Imamzadeh Hossein (a son of the 8th Shiite Imam Ali al-Rida d. 202 AH/ 818 CE) tomb in Qazwin which was the former capital of Iran during the Safavid era and known as the calligraphy capital of Persia. We will also see the Sa'd al-Saltaneh Caravanserai, the world’s largest indoor hotel complex built in the mid-19th century CE by the Qajars. There will be a brief Jumuah Friday prayer service for those interested.We will conclude the final evening of this monumental journey with a dinner hosted by Ibn Jubayr Tours. It was an honor to share this historic and monumental journey with you- come back on a future tour of another upcoming destination!
Hotel check out is at 12PM.
Packages
Please note these package options do NOT include international airfare- you will have to purchase that separately (feel free to consult us)
For travelers who confirmed the earlier packages including Tabriz/Bandar Abbass, they will still continue on that route or have the option to end in Tehran.
If you wish to attend the Tehran supplement partially, please contact us to arrange the logistics.
Addons:
(OPTIONAL additional 4 day trip September 23-27)
950$
Refund Policy
If your visa gets rejected by the Iranian government, we will refund you the package payment MINUS $150 which is non-refundable (due to visa processing). While God-willing we hope everyone gets their visas approved, we cannot guarantee that (even for Dr. Akram Nadwi).
Tour Instructor Biography
Dr. Akram Nadwi is a retired Oxford fellow who currently teaches Islamic sciences at various institutions in the UK and regularly conducts seminars abroad. He was born in Jaunpur, India, and began his educational training in that region. He eventually progressed to the famed Nadwatul Ulama seminary in Lucknow and became one of its most distinguished graduates, while also obtaining a bachelor’s degree in economics and a PhD in Arabic from Lucknow University.
The Shaykh has published countless articles and numerous books in multiple languages—Persian, Urdu, Arabic, and English—and his writings have been translated into other languages as well. His work spans diverse genres, including jurisprudence, creed, hadith, Arabic literature, and grammar. His most extensive work to date is a 43-volume Arabic biographical dictionary on female hadith scholarship in Islamic history.
Dr. Nadwi resides in Oxford with his wife and daughters.
Included
- Domestic flight from Mashhad to Shiraz
- Visa fee
- Tourism site tickets and group transportation
- 4 or 5 star hotels (2 beds per room- you will have a roommate*)
- 2 daily meals (breakfast and lunch) and 1 group dinner
- Airport shuttle
- Local guide
*There is an additional surcharge for a private room if you do not wish to have a roommate
Not Included
- International airfare
- Travelers insurance
- Any additional hotel nights before or after the official trip begins.
- Hotel incidentals
- Any other expenses not referenced in the Included section (gifts, hotel staff tips, medical expenses etc).
Gallery
Each image tells a unique story, inviting us into a world of emotion, beauty, and complexity. Get ready to be moved, inspired, and challenged as we journey through this captivating collection of images.
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Frequently Asked Questions
To a degree. Women are required to wear the headscarf (and dress conservatively: no short skirts or shorts; full sleeve upper garment)- however the exact enforcement of it varies contingent upon location. You will often see Iranian women sitting in a restaurant with the headscarf only slightly covering their hair but on the other hand women in a shrine will have it fully covered if not wearing a full Iranian chador (essentially a burqa which shrine staff will provide to visitors free of cost). While there may not be a law about this in writing, we do not encourage any of the men to wear shorts.
The summer would have wrapped up and the autumn/fall season is still not in full swing yet. Also, we are visiting several geographic locations in this huge country each having its own slightly different weather pattern. So be prepared for weather between 60 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit (that’s 15 to 37 Celsius). In summary it’ll mostly be dry heat with some occasional cool evenings in which a light jacket should be fine. There will also be plenty of opportunities to buy any clothing locally.
Believe it or not but Iran has nearly 80 languages (some are dialects with significant differences). However, Farsi/Persian is the main language. Many people who went to university and are under the age of about 40 may speak a bit of English but everyone else unlikely so. We’ll provide some key phrases in our handout that will come handy and feel free to download a language app. Do keep in mind the local English speaking guide is Iranian and will prove helpful. Also for the Urdu/Arabic speakers on this trip, there are some common words between the languages.
It depends what you want to buy and your budget. Some people come to Iran wanting to buy large silk handmade Persian carpets (which are nicely packaged and folded by the way so you don’t have to worry about space issues too much) in which case thousands of dollars- still cheaper than buying it in the US or outside the country. Others just want local souvenirs here and there. A typical meal may cost $5 to $25 (from fast food to upscale dining). Also keep in mind there are no ATM machines that will accept American debit cards so you will need cash for daily transactions as an American (and perhaps other Western nations).
We will have opportunities for you to convert your Euros or US Dollars (Canadians and other Western travelers should accordingly bring those 2 currencies with them for converting) to the Iranian Rial.
Yes the hotels have wifi. In terms of network coverage outside the hotels, you will have to check with your western phone network provider. Some apps do need VPN to access which the guide can assist in setting up or direct you to a nearby store for assistance.
As long as there is no sign prohibiting pictures (which may be placed at sensitive locations such as government facilities), that should be fine. However, of course you would want to seek consent before photographing any individuals. Some individuals may not want to be photographed (say a veiled woman or a police officer).
Yes, there is! We will email the different options to our registered travelers after the visa approval is received.
Yes, for our solo travelers sharing rooms, as per the customary Islamic law in Iran, it will be with the same gender traveler.
If there’s a particular spot someone is determined to see (perhaps a childhood home of theirs) and it falls within our itinerary geography, please let us know as early as possible and we can discuss if it’s feasible to arrange it.
While we hope the visa applications are processed before the 3 month timeline ends (which starts from June 06 2025), in the event there is a rejection, please refer to our refund policy above for further details. We suggest booking flights that have a refundable fare or with a transferable ticket just in case.
The Iranian people are very welcoming and quite used to foreign tourists. They may try to be extra nice to balance off what they perceive as bad media coverage of them in your country of residence.
Iran is not unlike any other mainstream developed country. Iran is a medical tourism country for plastic surgery, for example, and has several advanced medical facilities. You’ll find your supermarkets and other big stores in cities. If there’s anything in particular you need while there, just let us know and we’ll help you find it.
No, since both countries have not had diplomatic relations for decades. However, the Swiss embassy has a desk arranged with the US government to help with Americans in case there’s a need.
We are submitting the visas as a group. If you believe you are exempt from this (say your passport is of a country that has full diplomatic ties with Iran and you can obtain visa upon arrival), please reach out to us to discuss.
Yes, most certainly! We particularly encourage families to bring home schooling children as this whole trip is a live history lesson. Just be aware there will be a lot of walking every day for the sightseeing.
No! Everyone is welcome. However, the visa approval is obviously at the discretion of the Iranian government (we are only aware of restrictions for Israeli citizens). We will provide a cultural overview of what to expect to non-Muslim travelers to help facilitate a pleasant experience (which mainly revolves around no alcohol/drugs and dressing).
This is an alcohol-free tour (as are all our tours as a Muslim owned business) and a cigarette/vaping/etc. free environment. We require all our travelers to adhere to this policy.