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© SAIGA Tours
Start
Mar 11, 2027
Tehran
Tehran
2027-03-11
End
Mar 23, 2027
Ashgabat
Ashgabat
2027-03-23
Duration
13 days
Price
US$2290.00
TOUR OVERVIEW
Beginning in Tehran we’ll visit the former US Embassy, the Holy Defence Museum, Nature Bridge, and experience the night-life and the hipster café culture. We’ll then stop at the famous red village of Abyaneh before seeing all that Isfahan, Meybod, Yazd and Shiraz have to offer, including gardens, mosques, ruins, stunning views, Persepolis and much more.
In there you’ll get a chance for a really unique desert experience where we’ll go dune bashing and ride buggies, before staying with locals in a small village where we’ll spend the night cooking shashlik, smoking shisha, and perhaps even having a little drink.
From Shiraz, we'll fly to Masshad in the north of Iran, from where we'll cross the land border into Turkmenistan. Despite sharing a lot of history and being separated by a single mountain range, it feels like stepping into a different world.
Arriving in Ashgabat, we'll explore the white marble city that Turkmenistan is famous for. We'll show you all the unbelievable monuments and buildings, plus some of our own favourite spots, and then we'll head out into the desert for a night by the fiery crater that is the Gates of Hell.
And of course, in Ashgabat we'll join in the Nowruz celebrations in the purpose-built yurt village - likely the highlight of the tour!
If you like the look of this tour but the dates don't work for you, or you'd like to do part of the tour, please get in touch and let us know. All our tours are able to be split into smaller sections, we're always scheduling new tours and your dates might work for one of them, or we can always organise an independent tour.
If you'd like to see some more while you're here, the Turkmenistan section of this tour can be extended, by doing our Iran and Turkmenistan Nowruz Combo Tour or the Iran and Turkmenistan Nowruz Easter Comprehensive Combo Tour .
| Start | End | Days | Price | Single Sup. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Mar 11
|
Mar 18
|
8 | $1295 | $350 | |
|
Mar 20
|
Mar 23
|
4 | $1095 | $150 | |
|
Mar 20
|
Mar 27
|
8 | $1595 | $350 | |
|
Mar 20
|
Mar 31
|
12 | $2295 | $550 | |
|
Iran and Turkmenistan Nowruz Budget Combo Tour |
Mar 11
|
Mar 23
Ashgabat |
13 | $2390 | $600 |
| Iran and Turkmenistan Nowruz Combo Tour |
Mar 11
|
Mar 27
Ashgabat |
17 | $2890 | $800 |
| Iran and Turkmenistan Nowruz Easter Comprehensive Combo Tour |
Mar 11
|
Mar 31
Ashgabat |
21 | $3590 | $1000 |
INCLUSIONS:
|
✓ |
Visa support for Iran as per immigration requirements |
|
✓ |
Letter of Invitation and registration for Turkmenistan |
|
✓ |
Accommodation in twin share at roughly 3 star hotels (except when mentioned in itinerary), breakfast included |
|
✓ |
Transport as per itinerary |
|
✓ |
Domestic flight Shiraz-Mashhad |
|
✓ |
Entrance fees to all sites mentioned in itinerary |
|
✓ |
Western and local guides |
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: $600
What is the single supplement? This is paid to guarantee a single room. If you are travelling alone and would like to be roomed with another single traveller, you do not need to pay this.
EXCLUSIONS:
|
⨯ |
Visa fees (paid directly at border, airport or embassy) |
|
⨯ |
Meals other than breakfast at accommodation |
|
⨯ |
Transport to and from the start and end of tour |
|
⨯ |
Personal expenses such as souvenirs or any optional activities |
|
⨯ |
Any other expenses that arise due to unforeseen circumstances |
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Step back in time with visits to the ancient cities of Yazd and Meybod
Explore the ruins of UNESCO listed Persepolis and Nisa
Compare two drastically different capital cities - Tehran and Ashgabat
Spend a night sleeping next to the Gates of Hell
Itinerary
Day 1Thu Mar 11
Tehran
-
Arrive in Tehran for a quick tour briefing, then head straight out to explore the amazing city that is Tehran. You’ll be shocked at how cosmopolitan Tehran is, so don’t worry you’ll be able to get a flat white! We’ll make sure you can change some money as
well at the black market rate.
- We’ll first head to the former US embassy that was taken over by protestors in November 1979. Today the former embassy is known locally as the US Den of Spies and is home to a wonderful museum.
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We’ll then head to the Grand Bazaar, one of the largest markets in the entire world with over 10km of walkways. The Bazaar is like
a city within a city, with banks, mosques and hotels. We’ll pick up some lunch here.
- In the afternoon we’ll head to the Holy Defence Museum which tells the story of the Islamic revolution and the Iran-Iraq war. Right next to the museum is the Tabiat Bridge, known as Nature Bridge, the beautiful modern structure connecting two of the post popular parks in Tehran. Here we’ll see Iranians doing what they do best, picnicking and relaxing.
Day 2Fri Mar 12
Tehran, Abyaneh, Isfahan
-
Today we’ll hit the road, with our first stop being just south of Iran at the Mausoleum of Ayatollah Khomeini, the man who led the 1979 revolution to overthrow the Shah and establish the modern Islamic Republic of Iran.
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We’ll then continue to the town of Abyaneh, known as the red village as all the buildings are built using the local red soil. Like an oasis in the desert, this small cool paradise is atypical of the surrounding areas and inhabitants live in a very traditional manner. Local rules mean any new construction must continue to be built using the red clay of the area.
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Finally, we’ll continue on to Isfahan, where you’ll have the evening free to wander around possibly the most beautiful city in Iran.
Day 3Sat Mar 13
Isfahan
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Today we’re exploring Isfahan which has a lot to offer. We’ll start off by visiting the UNESCO listed Imam Square which was previously used as a polo field! We’ll visit Square Sheikh Lotfallah Mosque which was completed in 1619 after nearly 20 years of work. Today, the mosque stands
as a magnificent and detailed public work. However, when it was originally built it was a private and luxurious place of worship for Shah Abbas I and the women of his court.
- Surrounding Imam square is the bazaar of Isfahan where you’ll get a chance to walk around and if you’re so inclined try some Iranian ice cream! We’ll have lunch at one of the coolest restaurants in Iran, Azadegan Teahouse, with every centimetre of wall space displaying an eclectic array of nostalgia and memorabilia.
-
After lunch we’ll head to the
Armenian Vank Cathederal. Yes you read that right, a church in Iran!
- We’ll then finish the day by taking a walk along the river to get a look at the two most famous sites in Isfahan, the Khaju Bridge and the Si o Se Bridge. You’ll get a chance here to wander around and mingle with locals, who, you guessed it, are picnicking and relaxing.
Day 4Sun Mar 14
Isfahan, Varzane Desert, Khoramdasht
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Today we’re going to say goodbye to Isfahan and have some fun doing something a bit different. We’ll head out to the Varzane Desert for some dune bashing, quad biking and other exciting activities.
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We’ll then stay in the small village of Khoramdasht where we’ll throw a little party with some of our Iranian friends.
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There might even be some intoxicating beverages!
Day 5Mon Mar 15
Khoramdasht, Meybod, Yazd
-
On the way to Yazd we’ll stop in Meybod, a lovely little desert town, parts of which are millennia old, some of which are abandoned which gives us the opportunity to do a little exploring. Urb-ex, but ancient. Much
of it is left in its original state rather than being reconstructed so we’ll get a real idea of life past.
-
Continuing on to Yazd which is the centre of the original religion of Iran – Zoroastrianism. Here we’ll learn about this unique ancient religion by spending the afternoon firstly visiting the Eternal Flame.
This brick Zoroastrian temple holds a fire that has burned for more than 1,500 years. The ancient flame has been kept alive throughout various centuries and relocations and continues to burn today.
-
Next we’ll head to the Dowlatabad Garden which is a classic example of Persian gardens. Its 33.8 meter tall windcatcher is the tallest adobe-made windcatcher in the world. It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2011, as part of the Persian gardens.
- Lastly we’ll head to the Tower of Silence. Until 40 years ago, corpses could still be found on top of the Towers of Silence in Yazd, Iran, slowly disintegrating or being picked apart by desert vultures.
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In the Zoroastrian tradition, once someone has died, their body can immediately be contaminated by demons and made impure. To prevent this infiltration, Zoroastrians purified the dead body by exposing it to the elements and local fowl on top of flat-topped towers called
dakhmas
in the desert.
- Although the towers are no longer used in ceremony, they can be visited along with a number of the ossuaries in the area.
-
Yazd has an extreme and arid climate. It can get very hot in the daytime and cool down considerably at night. Long before electricity and air
conditioning were invented, back when Iran was called Persia, staying cool in these conditions required ingenuity; that’s how windcatchers were born.
-
Windcatchers are a traditional Persian architectural design that creates natural ventilation in buildings. The basic design consists of a tower that rises from a building below, with openings at the top. Yazd, one of the largest cities in Iran, is known as the “City of Windcatchers”.
- Yazd is also known for having a large network of qanats , which are underground channels that transfer water from a well to the surface. The windcatchers and qanats often worked together to create an amplified cooling effect.
- Yazd is also amazing for its sunset views, so make sure you’ve got plenty of space left on your memory card.
Day 6Tue Mar 16
Yazd, Persepolis, Shiraz
-
Today we’ll drive to Persepolis, one of the great ancient sites of
the world, and spend the afternoon there. Persepolis was once the richest city on earth – the glittering capital of the Achaemenid Empire. At the heart of the city lay the royal palace – a wonder of gold and silver, ivory, and precious stones. From there, Xerxes planned his war against Greece –
and the treasure of a vast empire piled up in the store-rooms.
-
In 330 BCE, Persepolis was captured by Alexander the Great. Before he left the city, he ordered the palace be burned to the ground – whether through drunken malice or sober calculation, it is impossible to be sure.
Today the haunting, spectacular ruins of Persepolis reveal both the glory of the Achaemenid Empire, and the abruptness of its passing. The palace is still marked by Alexander’s fire: three feet of ash covered the floor in some places when it was first excavated – and many of the columns are still visibly scarred by those flames which burned over two thousand years ago.
- There are plenty of places to sit down and have a cold drink meaning that those who want extra time to explore are able to do so while others who feel they have gotten the most out of it can relax.
- In the evening we'll make the short drive to Shiraz, where we'll spend the night.
Day 7Wed Mar 17
Shiraz
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Today we’ll visit Nasir al-Mulk mosque, also know as the Pink Mosque. There’s a chance you will have seen pictures of this online as it has possibly the most beautiful stained glass window display in the world, making the interior dazzle with colour.
- As if that wasn’t beautiful enough, next we head to the Shah Cheragh mosque, which is completely covered in mirrors. Rather than being inside a religious building, it feels like you’re inside a disco ball.
- Despite being damaged by human hands and natural disasters over the centuries, the mosque has been maintained and repaired and shines brightly even today. The increasingly sprawling site is still an extremely important pilgrimage location for Shia Muslims, however visitors of any faith are likely to marvel at the sheer beauty of this glassy wonder.
-
Lastly we’ll head to the Eram Gardens. Another example of
a classical Persian garden, it’s possibly the most famous in all of Iran. With their beautiful flowers, refreshing air, aromatic myrtles and towering cypress trees, including one tree which is said to date back to 3000 years ago, the Eram Gardens are a major tourist destination, especially during the spring. Locals flock here and no doubt you’ll end up striking up a conversation with some and being asked to join in photos.
- In the evening we’ll head to the main square to enjoy some alfresco dining at one of the popular hip cafes.
Day 8Thu Mar 18
Shiraz, Mashhad
- Fly to Mashhad.
- Sight-seeing in Mashhad.
- Overnight in Mashhad.
Day 9Fri Mar 19
Mashhad, Ashgabat
- Today we'll make our way to the land border between Masshad and Ashgabat - Bajgiran on the Iranian side, Howdan on the Turkmen side.
- We'll clear customs and immigration on both sides of the border and then drive to Ashgabat, arriving in the afternoon.
- Despite sharing a lot of history and being separated by a single mountain range, it feels like stepping into a different world.
Day 10Sat Mar 20
Ashgabat
-
Our first day in Ashgabat, you’re going to be in awe of everything that the capital has to offer. We’ll spend the day taking in all the main sites of Ashgabat, including all those crazy monuments you’ve probably seen pictures of, as we begin explaining all the weird and wonderful aspects of Turkmenistan that make it such a special place.
- We’ll start with a driving tour of Ashgabat's main sites, including Independence Park and Independence Monument, the Monument to the Constitution, the Arch of Neutrality, Lenin Park, and a drive-by of the Olympic Complex which was built for the 2017 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games. The complex is home to the famous Horse Stadium ( the largest structure in the shape of a horse in the world – you’ll hear plenty more of these records! ), but unfortunately is closed to the public.
- A highlight of the day will likely be the Alem Centre, the complex which houses the Wheel of Enlightenment, the largest indoor ferris wheel (yes, there’s another one). And YES, for just $2.50, you can even take a ride!
- Stop for lunch at Berkarar Shopping Centre, where you can go ice-skating, play in the games centre, ride a miniature double-decker bus, and even have a cappuccino in a hipster café – bet you weren’t expecting that!
- In the afternoon we’ll visit the university bookshop, a great chance to pick up some very cool, unique Turkmenistan swag, including where you can find amazing coffee table books written by and about the former president (and father of the current president, Serdar Berdimuhamedov), Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, as well as ones about Ashgabat and Turkmenistan. You can even get them in English! They also have postcards and posters, and if you're lucky they might even have a copy of the Ruhnama, the book written by Turkmenbashy.
- Spend the night at the Ak Altyn Hotel.
Day 11Sun Mar 21
Nowruz, Ashgabat
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Today is what we're here for - the main Nowruz celebrations in Turkmenistan.
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Celebrating the spring equinox, Nowruz is originally Persian New Year, however in the years since the fall of the Soviet Union, it has been well and truly commandeered by Central Asia. You'll find Nowruz celebrations all over the Stans, with various extents of extravagance and authenticity. Like everything though, Turkmenistan has really taken it to the next level and made it their own.
And anything with a Turkmen spin on it is unique and exciting!
- The events can vary year to year, however generally we will head to a purpose-built yurt village on the outskirts of Ashgabat, where there's a bizarre, very Turkmen-style progressive concert. Beginning with girls waving (plastic) flowers lining the path to the yurt village, there will then be a show at the gate to the village, and then as we walk through the village there will be a constant stream of concerts and displays starting and ending as we pass by.
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There will be displays of Silk Road history, cotton and wheat production, fruits and vegetables, national clothing, singing and dancing from other countries, carpet weaving, stunts performed on horses, and if you're lucky, there will even be some plov or other local food to indulge in.
- We'll soak in everything that the celebrations have to offer, and likely our group will be amongst the last still standing as we make the absolute most of everything. When everything comes to an end though, we'll head back into Ashgabat where we'll have the rest of the afternoon and evening.
- Overnight in Ashgabat.
Day 12Mon Mar 22
Ashgabat, Gates of Hell
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This morning we will have free time, so you'll have a chance to organise yourself for the evening ahead. We'll be checking out of the hotel in Ashgabat, but you can leave luggage behind for the overnight.
- In the early afternoon, we'll set off on our desert adventure, driving the 250km north to Darvaza, The Gates of Hell.
- One the way we’ll make a few stops – including to see a salt lake, and two other craters (one full of mud, one full of water).
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Our favourite stop on this drive though is the town of Erbent, where you'll get a real up-close look at how rural Turkmens live - very different to what you've seen so far in Ashgabat and other regional cities and towns. We'll patronise the village shop, no doubt take some photos of some dust, possibly an old motorbike or two, maybe even a camel, and if we're lucky we might bump into some school kids. We will also of course use their toilet (not a luxurious one!) before continuing on our way.
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Crossing the sand dunes to get to Darvaza, we’ll arrive in time to watch the sunset over the fiery crater and experience dusk turn to dark at this breathtaking site.
- We will either set up tents near the crater, or stay in one of the nearby yurt camps, depending on many factors, including weather. Either way though, we'll spend the evening viewing the fiery crater from every angle, seeing the colour change as the sun sets and the darkness creeps in, until the crater is in full glow. It's completely mesemerising.
Day 13Tue Mar 23
Gates of Hell, Ashgabat, End of Tour
-
We'll wake up this morning at the Gates of Hell. What a place to wake up!
- Make sure you get your fill of fiery pits over breakfast, before we start heading back to Ashgabat, arriving around lunchtime.
- Arriving back in Ashgabat, you will have some free time until you need to be driven to the airport for your departure flight.
- If you'd like to see some more of Turkmenistan while you're there, why not join us on Turkmenistan Easter Tour , where we'll visit Kow Ata, Nokhur and Yangykala Canyon, or the Turkmenistan Easter Comprehensive Tour , where we'll visit all those things plus the remote far east of the country, including the Dinosaur Plateau and getting a goat massage.
- And of course, you can spend an extra night in Ashgabat if it works for you to catch a flight the following day instead of this evening.
Extensions
Horse Farm Day Trip
Turkmenistan is known for their unique Akhal Teke horses, this is your opportunity to experience them up close and even take a ride if you fancy.
Cross the land border at Dashoguz or Konye Urgench
Planning on joining a Turkmenistan tour, but you're already going to be in Uzbekistan and you'd rather cross at a land border? Well, that's what this is for!
Merv Day Trip
For those history buffs who want to see a bit more of the ancient stuff whilst in Turkmenistan.
Other Tours
Iran Spring Tour
Vibrant Tehran, quaint Meybod, beautiful Isfahan, fascinating Persepolis, and a whole lot in between, this tour will show you the best of Iran.
Iran and Turkmenistan Nowruz Combo Tour
Ancient sites, camping in the desert, vibrant cities and a pretty unique land border. And round it all out with Nowruz in Turkmenistan.
Iran and Turkmenistan Nowruz Easter Comprehensive Combo Tour
Really want to see what these two amazing countries have to offer? With a really in-depth itinerary, this is the tour for you, exploring some of the least visited parts of Iran and Turkmenistan.
Turkmenistan Nowruz Budget Tour
A quick and concise visit to Ashgabat and the Gates of Hell, with a day of Nowruz celebrations Turkmen style.