Silk first began moving westward from China more than 2000 years ago, when the Parthians became quite enamoured   with the soft, fine fabric. By about 100 BC, the Parthians and the Chinese had exchanged embassies and inaugurated official bilateral trade. The Romans developed an expensive fixation with the fabric after their defeat at Carrhae in 53 BC, and within a few centuries it would become more valuable than gold. The Romans even engaged in some early industrial espionage when the Emperor Justinian sent teams of spies to steal silk worm eggs in the 6th century. It took many months to traverse the 8000km Silk Road route, though geographically it was a complex and shifting proposition. It was no single road, but rather a web of caravan tracks threading through some of the highest mountains and harshest deserts on earth. The network had its main eastern terminus at the Chinese capital Ch’ang-an (now Xian). Caravans entered present-day Iran anywhere between Merv (modern Turkmenistan) and Herat (Afghanistan), and passed through Mashhad, Neishabur, Damghan, Semnan, Rey, Qazvin, Tabriz and Maku, before finishing at Constantinople (now İstanbul). During winter, the trail often diverted west from Rey, passing through Hamadan to Baghdad. Caravanserais every 30km or so acted as hotels for traders; Robat Sharaf ( p365 ) northeast of Mashhad is a surviving example. Unlike the Silk Road’s most famous journeyman, Marco Polo, caravanners were mostly short- and medium-distance hauliers who marketed and took on freight along a given beat. Goods heading east included gold, silver, ivory, jade and other precious stones, wool, Mediterranean coloured glass, grapes, wine, spices and – early Parthian crazes – acrobats and ostriches. Going west were silk, porcelain, spices, gems and perfumes. In the middle lay Central Asia and Iran, great clearing houses that provided the horses and Bactrian camels that kept the goods flowing. The Silk Road gave rise to unprecedented trade, but its glory lay in the interchange of ideas. The religions alone present an astounding picture of diversity and tolerance: Manichaeism, Zoroastrianism, Buddhism, Nestorian Christianity, Judaism, Confucianism, Taoism and shamanism coexisted along the ‘road’ until the coming of Islam. The Silk Road was eventually abandoned when the new European powers discovered alternative sea routes in the 15th century.  

Tour highlights: Tour Iran on Silk road for 19 days on budget and quality, Meet Azeris in Tabriz and study their rich culture, Visit Zanjan's Sultanieh as one of the biggest brick domes in the world, check the priceless items in Tehran's museums, Wonder at Persian art in Isfahan's mosques and palaces, visit some of the highlights of world history in Persepolis and Naghsh-e Rustam, recite poems with Shirazis in Hafez tomb, idle in SHahzade Gardens of Mahan, stay overnight in Zeinoddin Caravansara right on the Silk Road, see the oldest Zoroasterian fire in the world still burning after thousands of years, watch sunset at Iranian desert, Dasht-e Kavir, travel through the history in Damghan town, enjoy driving through Iranian lush forests by Caspian sea, meet thousands of Pilgrims in holy city of Mashhad in Imam Reza shrine.

Tour plan:

Day 1

Drive from Bazargan or other borders to Tabriz (if you start from Tehran, you can take a flight from Tehran to Tabriz). Visit Tabriz and see the impressive tomb of Shahriar, the most famous Persian and Azeri poet. You will also be able to visit the exotic bazaar with an interesting array of ethnic crafts on sale. See the exquisite Jameh and Kabood Mosques and explore the interesting collections of the Azerbaijan and Constitution Revolution Museums. The province of Azerbaijan is home to one of the most cultured and bravest races in Iran, the Azaris. It will be a wonderful opportunity for you to rub shoulders with the Azaris and learn more about the origins of the Constitution Revolution.

Day 2

Tabriz/Kandovan

Visit Kandovan volcanic village (approx 152 km roundtrip). After passing the city of Oskoo and beautiful mountainous scenery we will reach this marvelous village. The special architecture of Kandovan is the reason of its universal reputation. Its dwellers carved the rocks of mountains and settled their lives there. The archeologists have estimated the antiquity of this village to 3000 years ago. The main activities of people in this splendid village are ranching, husbandry and gardening. The scene of piping in the rocks of the mountain indicates the co-existence of human being and its surrounding environment. Kandovan is a beautiful sample of presence and using of nature in men’s life.

Day 3

Zanjan

Drive to Zanjan. Visit the world heritage site of Gonbad-e Sultanieh as the second biggest brick dome structure in the world. Visist Zanjan Bazzar and enjoy a traditional dinner at the its Safavid Caravanserai. Take the overnight bus to Tehran.

Day 4

Tehran

See Iran National museum and get amazed at its priceless pieces, spend your time in the busiest Bazaar in Iran and maybe sip some tea in a nice tea-house. Discover the eye-catching precious collection of Jewels of Iranian 2500 years of Monarchy in the Iran Jewels museum.

Day 5

Tehran

Today at leisure in tehran! Overnight Train/bus to Isfahan!

Day 6

Isfahan

Get acquainted with the historic Royal square of Isfahan registered as a world heritage. Visit picturesque Royal mosque, Sheikh-Lotfollah mosque and Aliqapoo palace. Visit Chehelsotoon and Hasht Behesht palaces.

Days 7

Isfahan

Ponder on the breathtaking Armenian Vank church In Isfahan and marvel around Isfahan Armenian quarter, Jolfa. Stroll aside Isfahan river and admire the masters who built several bridges over it through the history. This afternoon is at leisure.

Day 8

Isfahan

Today at leisure in Isfahan! Overnight Train/bus to Shiraz!

Day 9

Shiraz

Head to the  Zand complex including the castle, gardens and mosque to get a sense of Shiraz as a capital 250 years ago.



Day 10

Shiraz

Drive to Persepolis and Necropolis (Naghshe Rostam) and Unearth the ruins of Persepolis as a world heritage. Meet warm Iranians in Hafez tomb reciting his poems.



Day 11

Kerman

Drive to Kerman to discover how people adapted their life to a desert city surrounded by mountains.

Day 12

Kerman

Get acquainted with Sufism and mysticism by visiting Moshtagh Alishah tomb, uncover Iranian old style hammams  in Ganjalikhan hammam of Kerman, see Kerman Jame mosque and its majestic Persia structure. In the afternoon drive to Mahan. Meet Sufis who have travelled a long way to pay homage to their  Sufi master Shah Nematollah Valiin his shrine. Laze in Shahzadeh Gardens and admire a great example of Persian gardens that depicts a high contrast between a green garden and a harsh dessert at the background.

Day 13

Zeinoddin

Drive to Zeinoddin desert and ponder life in Zeinoddin Carevanserai and its scenic surroundings.

Day 14

Yazd

Drive to Yazd and get into the mysterious world of Zoroastrians by visiting their fire temple and towers of silence there. Admire people of Iranian plateau by visiting Yazd water museum and learn about the underground water canals, Qanats. Gaze at the high minarets and nice brick and tile work of Yazd Jame mosque and visit the marvelous Islamic Amirchaghmagh complex.



Day 15

Yazd

Today is at leisure.

Day 16

Mesr

Drive to Mesr in Persian central desert. Enjoy the beautiful sand dunes, Qanats and amazing scenery of Kavir. On the way visit Bayazeh village.

Day 17

Damghan

Drive to Damghan, the Parthians capital in the first century. It is the border of dry Iran of central desert and green Iran of the Caspian sea. Visit the oldest mosque of Iran, Tarikhane mosque. Visit Chehel Dokhtaran tower, Jame mosque and Pir-e Alamdar shrine.



Day 18

Shirvan

Drive to Shrivan on the way visit Golestan national park and Mofakham mansion and museum in Bojnord.



Day 19

Mashhad

Drive to Mashad, the holiest city in Iran that holds the shrine of the eight Imam of Shiites.

Visit the mausoleum of Imam Reza.