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Sltaniye dome

The Dome of Soltaniyeh in Soltaniyeh city, Zanjan Province, Iran, traditionally so called, is a complex of ruins centering on the Mausoleum of the Mongol ruler Il-khanÖljeitü, also known as Muhammad Khodabandeh.

The main building, erected between 1302 and 1312 AD, may have the oldest double...

The Dome of Soltaniyeh in Soltaniyeh city, Zanjan Province, Iran, traditionally so called, is a complex of ruins centering on the Mausoleum of the Mongol ruler Il-khanÖljeitü, also known as Muhammad Khodabandeh.

The main building, erected between 1302 and 1312 AD, may have the oldest double-shell dome in Iran,[1] a view of the construction made by Dieulafoy, but this has been disputed by André Godard.[2] In Godard's view, it is a normal, if spectacularly large dome, with a thin skin on top for the faience, and is not a double dome. However, its importance in the Muslim world is undoubted and it may be compared to that of Brunelleschi's cupola for Christian architecture. It is one of the largest brick domes in the world, just at the theoretical engineering limit for a brick dome and the third largest dome in the world after the domes of Florence Cathedral and Hagia Sophia.[1] The Dome of Soltaniyeh paved the way for more daring Iranian-style cupola constructions in the Muslim world, such as the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasavi and the Taj Mahal. Much of its exterior decoration has been lost, but the interior retains superb mosaics, faience, and murals. People have described the architecture of the building as “anticipating the Taj Mahal.”

The estimated 200 ton dome stands 49 meters (161 ft) tall from its base, and is currently undergoing extensive renovation.

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Top Central-desert Tours

$1100 Per Day

Persian history timeline

14 Days: Tehran, Kashan, Abyane, Matin Abad(Iran Central Desert),Isfahan, Shiraz, Susa Day 1: Arrival at Tehran IKA airport, meet your private tour guide, transfer to Hotel, Overnight Tehran, Going deep into young Iranian meet up and gathering areas and enjoy having a nice tea, while they smoke Ghalian (Tobacco)! Day 2: Tehran Sightseeng 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 3: Drive to Kashan and Kashan sightseeing Get an insight into Iranian traditional houses by visiting Tabatabai and Boroojerdiha houses. Tread in Fin gardens of Kashan, Taste Iranian food at the cooking class hosted by a local family. Day 4 : Ooee Undergrounds! & Abyane Give a visit to an underground secret city (which is recently discovered and you haven’t read about in any book or website). Visit Abyaneh, a village near Kashan at the foot of Karkass Mountain peak characterized by its reddish hue of the clay. In this village the Iranian ancient style of living, civilization and culture is still evident. In this village you will experience the traditional Iranian cuisine. Day 5: Matin Abad Desert Camp Enjoy Desert sunset, sunrise and sand dunes, Star gazing and night campfire. (On the way visit Natanz) Day 6: Isfahan Sightseeing Vank church, vibrating minaret, Ruins of Zaroastrians fire Temple. Day 7: Isfahan Sightseeing Marvel at the amazing royal square (Meydan-e- Naghshe Jahan). Imam mosque perplexing features beside the impressive tile work at Seikh Lotfollah mosque are no less than the paintings and the music room at Aliqapoo palace. Day 8: Drive to Shiraz On the way to Shiraz visit Pasargad,Persepolis and Necropolis (Naghshe Rostam) and unearth the ruins of Persepolis as a world heritage. Day 9 &10: Shiraz Sightseeing Take a tour of some attractions in the cultural capital of Iran – Walk through the main walking street, visit Karimkhan Citadel with tilting brick tower. On your way toward Vakil complex visit the Pars museum. Then you will explore the beauties of Zand architecture including the amazing Vakil mosque and attractive bazaar with tantalizing handicrafts and artwork, and in the evening meet warm Iranians in Hafez tomb reciting his poems Day 11: Long Day Driving to Susa via Sustar After early morning breakfast, drive to Susa (Sustar), en-route we stop to visit a place called Tang-e Chogan which is rock carvings in details of Shapur's Victories over the roman empire then going to Bishapur where you can visit the remains of Ancient Sassanid city built by Shapur 1st. Day 12: Sustar Sighseeing visit Sushtar Historic watermills which are now registered as a UNESCO heritage site, sleep in Old Persian house which modified for tourist lodge. Day 13: Ziggurat and Susa Full day excursion to Ziggurat of the Choqa Zanbil dates back to 1250 B.C, after, we visit Hafttappeh museum, in Susa to visit the remains of Achaemenian Palaces also we visit tomb of Daniel the prophet, afterwards we move to Shushtar , drive back to shushtar and sleep there overnight. Day 14: Drive to Ahwaz Airport Fly to Tehran Mehrabad Airport, Drive to IKA Airport or Hotel. End of tour
$0 Per Day

17 day Iran tour, Tehran, Northern Iran (Guilan Province) and central Iran

Day No.       Detailed daily program                                                
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Day 1: Arrival in Imam Khomeini Intl' Airport Tehran 
             Transferring to your hotel in Tehran City
             Meet up at 9 am to have a full day city tour be at midnight.
             Visiting attractions in northern Tehran:
             Sa'd Abad Palace garden complex,
             Afternoon visit to National Museum of Iran,
             Evening visit to Milad Tower complex
             to have a panoramic view of Tehran city,
             Dinner and rest in hotel.
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Day 2: Breakfast in your hotel, 
             Check out at 8 am to leave Terhan for Rasht,
             Visiting Ramsar town en-route and enjoy
             cable cabin and the view of sea and mountain,
             Continue our trip to Rasht,
             Check in hotel,
             Try local food which Guilan province is
             famous for.
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Day 3: Breakfast in hotel, 
             Check out at 9 am to leave for Astara, 
             Visiting Masouleh village,
             Rud Khan Castle (2 hours hiking),
             Dinner in my parent's house,Overnight in our private villa in Astara on mountains overlooking Caspian sea.
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Day 4: Breakfast,
             Leave Astara for Sar'ein at 9 am,
             Visiting Heyran Cervix on the way to Ardabil,
             Sheikh Safi Addin Mausoleum (WH) in Ardabil,
             Trip to Sar'ein,
             hot spring pools, Massage etc.
             Back and overnight in Astara.
             Sitting around fire with local guys and drink something.
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Day 5: Breakfast,
             Leaving Astara for Tehran at 9 am,
             Visiting: Anzali city and hire a boat to
             explore in unique Anzali Lagoon,
             Overnight in Tehran.
             We will probably have a small party at my private house serving
             Iranian local homemade foods.
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Day 6: Breakfast,
             Leaving Tehran for Isfahan at 8 am, 
             Visiting: Abyaneh ancient village en-route,
             Khajou and Sio Se Pol historical bridges in
             the evening, Overnight in Isfahan.
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Day7:  Breakfast,
             Have a full day city tour starting at 8:30 am,
             Visiting: Two historical churches Vank and
             Bethlehem in Armeinan area as Jolfa,
             Great mosque of Isfahan (WH),
             Chehel Sotoun Palace,
             At night walk in NaqsheJahan Square (WH),
             We will visit attractions in this Special square and
             wander in handicraft shops It in 18th morning.
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Day 8: Breakfast in hotel, Isfahan Traditional resort, Sa'adat Shahr
             Have a city tour starting at 9 am, Sa'adat Shahr including dinner on 4 April
             Visiting: Naqsh e Jahan Square,
             Shah (Imam) and Sheikh Lotfollah mosques,
             Aali Qapu palace (all around square),
             Visiting handicraft shops and old bazaar.
             Isfahan's oldest traditional café,
             Iran's oldest hotel as Abbasi,
             Leaving Isfahan for Sa'adatShahr
             (125 km before Shiraz) and overnight stay
             In a traditional resort serves local food.
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Day 9: Breakfast,
             Start local tour at 9 am towards Shiraz,
             Visiting en-route: Persepolis,
             Naqsh e Rostam, Pasargadae,
             In the evening visit to Shah Cheragh Shrine,
             Overnight in Shiraz.
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Day 10:Breakfast in hotel,
              Have a full day city tour starting at 8:30 am,
              Visiting: Nasir Al Molk Mosque,
              Narejestan e Qavam,
              Sa'di the poet mausoleum,
              Vakil Bazar, Karim Khan Citadel,
              Eram (WH) or Afif Abad Garden,
              Hafez the poet mausoleum,
              Overnight in Shiraz hotel.
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Day 11:Breakfast, Kerman Single and double rooms, 3* hotel
              Leaving Shiraz for Kerman at 9 am,
              Visiting: Salt lake en-route,
              Sarvestan Palace ruins,
              Overnight in Kerman.
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Day 12: Breakfast, 
               Have a tour to cover attractions around Kerman,
               Visiting: Shahdad desert to walk among Shahdad 
               Kaluts (Sand Catles), 
               Shah Ne'matollahVali mausoleum,
               Shazdeh Garden in Mahan,
               Rayen Citadel,
               House of power (traditional body building),
               Overnight in Kerman. 
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Day 13: Breakfast, 
               Leaving Kerman for Zeinoddin at 9 am, 
               Visiting: Meymand ancient village en-route,
               Overnight stay in 400 year old Caravanserai.
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Day 14: Breakfast, 
               Leaving Zeinoddin for Yazd at 8:30 am,
               Visiting: Saryazd castle,
               Amir Chakhmaq historical square,
               Zoroastrian Silence tower,
               Water museum,
               Zoroastrian active fire temple,
               Dowlat Abad garden (WH),
               Overnight in Yazd.
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Day 15: Breakfast,
               Visiting:
               The great mosque of Yazd,
               Desert style urban structure of old city (on foot),
               Leaving Yazd for Kashan in the noon.
               Overnight in Kashan.
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Day 16: Breakfast, 
               Have a full day city tour starting at 8:30 am,
               Visiting: Abbasiyan historical house,
               Tabatabaei historical house,
               Soltan Amir Ahmad Hammam (old bathroom),
               Kashan's historical bazaar,
               Fin Garden (WH),
               Siyalk Hills (pre-historical site).
               In the evening leaving Kashan for Tehran.
               Overnight in Tehran.
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Day 17: Breakfast,
               Have a full day city tour starting at 8:30 am,
               Visiting attractions in down town:
               Golestan Palace (WH),
               Tehran Grand Bazaar, especially carpet
               bazaar (Best place for buying nomad carpet),
               Lunch in 260 year old restaurant (the building of
               Iranian first bank),
               National Jewels Treasury,
               After 5 pm you will have free time, I will plan
               based on your interests.
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