Iran, the modern incarnation of Ancient Persia, offers travelers a wildly enigmatic, exceptionally hospitable, savory experience of history, traditional culture, good food and beautiful scenery. You will meet local people eager to hear about your life in America and eager to demonstrate that Iranian citizens, regardless of government statements, really like Americans.
Ancient Persia has been the seat of many civilizations delivering major contributions in poetry, art, architecture, science and history. You will visit many of the country’s archaeological gems that have been well preserved and portray Iran’s rich historical heritage. Your tour will not only explore ancient ruins and colorful cities but also exotic bazaars, old baths, mountain landscapes and nomadic camps. You will marvel at ancient monuments and beautifully tiled mosques. You will stroll through medieval bazaars that remain much as they were centuries ago. You will visit local nomadic tribes when driving across the vast country. Your journey will take you to Mahan (often associated with Sufism), to Yazd (the center of Zoroastrian culture) and to Shiraz (city of poets with major Jewish and Christian communities). You will also explore the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Isfahan, Pasargadae and Persepolis.
Your leadership team will include a very experienced Iranian guide, as well as drivers who share in the delight of revealing their country to you.
Read More
Between the background reading, discussions on the tour, and conversations with local people, I have a better understanding of Iran and the complex history and culture that influences relations with our country.
Kay K.
Your arrival in Tehran will be either very late this evening or very early the following morning. On arrival, expect to spend at least an hour or more getting through immigration and customs. Iran requires customs agents to fill out additional forms for Americans, so it generally takes longer than European travelers. After passing through customs, a representative will be waiting for you just as you exit the airport. He or she will assist with the transfer to your hotel, which is about an hour away.
Meals
None
Lodging
Espinas Hotel (or similar)
BDay 2Tehran City Tour
You’ll have a chance to rest up before heading out on a leisurely tour. Visit some of Tehran’s major museums, including Iran’s National Museum that displays a precious and spectacular collection of pre-historic and ancient artifacts with pottery dating back to 6-7 millennium B.C. and dioramas depicting more than 300,000 years of human occupation of Persia. Also visit the Abguineh (Glass & Ceramics) Museum, with a valuable collection of pre-Islamic and Islamic glass and ceramics beautifully displayed and located in an elegant and architecturally unique early 20th-century mansion.
Return to your hotel, or spend more time at the bazaar. If you like, your guide will take you on a visit to the Carpet Museum, with an extensive collection of old and new Persian carpets and rugs from the major carpet-weaving centers of Iran. (Carpets are a major theme in Persian history and this is the place to understand and appreciate their cultural, historic and material significance. If you’re thinking of purchasing a Persian carpet, this is the place to learn about metrics and aesthetics of fine craftsmanship. You cannot purchase a carpet at the museum.)
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
Espinas Hotel (or similar)
CDay 3Tehran's Palaces & Bazaar
Today, visit a few of Tehran’s famous and opulent palaces. The oldest of the historic monuments, Golestan Palace, is a world heritage site. The next oldest is the Saadabad Palace Complex, founded in the 19th century under the Qajar Kings and the Palace of Niavaran, and is one of the most impressive Pahlavi palaces. After, enjoy some time at bazaar Tajrish to pick up some scarfs or tunics to wear during your trip.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
Espinas Hotel (or similar)
DDay 4Flight to Kerman
What’s unique about this mosque is that it has no minarets and you can enter the mosque either from the Kerman Bazaar or from Shohada Square. Next, visit the Ganj-Ali Khan Complex, a Safavid-era structure also containing a school, a mosque dating back to the 11th century, a square, a caravanserai, a bath house, a water reservoir, a mint, and a bazaar. The bath house was built in 1631 and is decorated with beautiful Safavid era paintings. The bath house contains alabaster panels that glow when the sun hits it at a certain time, giving bathers an idea of the time. It has now been turned into an anthropological museum. You’ll have some time to explore the bazaar before being transferred to your hotel where you settle in for the night
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
Kerman Pars Hotel (or similar)
EDay 5Excursion to Rayen and Mahan
Today is a full day as you spend time exploring the village of Rayen where you will visit the Arg-e-Rayen Citadel, a miniature version of the Arg-e-Bam, once the largest adobe building in the world. Despite many natural disasters that have destroyed similar structures, the Rayen Citadel is well preserved and contains all the architectural elements of a deserted citadel. It is believed to be about 1,000 years old and was one of the trading centers on the trade routes. This is probably one of the most interesting sites in Iran.
On the return back to Kerman, stop in Mahan, famous for the tomb of the great Sufi leader, Shah Nematollah Vali and the Shazdeh Garden. The Shah Nematollah Vali Shrine is a historical complex containing the remains of the famous Iranian poet, who died in 1431. The Shazdeh Garden (Prince’s Garden), is a fine example of a Persian garden originally built for Mohammad Hasan Khan Qajar Sardari Iravani around 1850. Today it is listed as a magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
Kerman Pars Hotel (or similar)
FDay 6Drive to Yazd via Zein-o-Din Caravanserai
Drive to Yazd (approx. 5 hrs), stopping en route at the 16th century Zein-o-Din Caravanserai, located in the middle of the desert. A caravanserai was a roadside inn where travelers (caravaners) could stop and rest while traveling the trade routes.
On arrival in Yazd, you will have some free time this afternoon to relax. Yazd is the capital of Yazd Province and recognized as a World Heritage Site due to its unique Persian architecture. This town has a history that dates back over 5,000 years, and because of its remote desert location and difficult access, Yazd was often overlooked by conquerers. To tolerate the extreme hot summers, many old structures in Yazd have impressive wind towers and large underground areas and even contain many yakhchals, otherwise known as “ice houses,” that were used to store ice retrieved from the glaciers of the mountains.
You’ll overnight in a beautiful traditional style hotel with modern amenities.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
Moshir Garden or Safaieh Hotels (or similar)
GDay 7Yazd City Tour
Enjoy a full day sightseeing in Yazd, the center for Iran’s fast-disappearing Zoroastrian community. Visit one of the two Zoroastrian abandoned Towers of Silence (Dakhma), dating back to the 18th century, and the active Zoroastrian Fire Temple, the fire of which has been burning for about 1500 years. View the immense Friday Mosque (1324 A.D.), with the highest portal and minarets in Iran. Other notable Islamic period monuments in Yazd include the Seljuk shrine dedicated to the Twelve Shi’ite Imams, and Ziaieyeh Theological School, known as Zendan-e-Eskander or Alexander’s Prison. You can stroll past the many beautiful old homes in Yazd, among them the Dowlat-Abad Garden, with an 18th-century feudal hexagonal house.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
Moshir Garden or Safaieh Hotels (or similar)
HDay 8Yazd to Shiraz via Pasargadae
Today you make the approximate 6-hour drive through desert mountain terrain to Shiraz. En route, visit Pasargadae, a site pre-dating Persepolis. Pasargadae was the capital of the Achaemenid Empire under Cyrus the Great who had it built between 559 and 530 BC. Cyrus is the Founder of the Persian Empire, and at Pasargadae, you’ll see his simple but impressive tomb. You’ll also see the remains of his palaces, all located in the vast plain of Dasht-e-Morghab.
Continue on to Abarkuh, a charming desert town, for a tea break under the shade of a supposedly 4,000-year-old Cyprus tree, then continue to Shiraz for your overnight.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
Homa or Pars Hotel (or similar)
IDay 9Shiraz
On a full-day city tour of Shiraz, visit some of the famous gardens of this city of “roses and nightingales,” including the Eram Garden and the tombs of Iran’s greatest lyric poets, Hafez and Sa’adi. See the pink-tiled 19th-century Nasir-ol-Molk Mosque and the Arg-e-Karim Khan 18th-century citadel, sites which invite creative photography. The dazzling Nasir-ol-Molk Mosque, also known as the “Pink Mosque” due to its pink colored tiles, contains an extensive colored glass that acts as a keleidescope when the sun shines in. The Arg-e-Karim Khan was built during the Zand dynasty in 1180 AD and served as Karim Khan’s living quarters. It was even once used as a prison, but today is a museum, operated by Iran’s Cultural Heritage Organization.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
Homa or Pars Hotel (or similar)
JDay 10Ancient Persepolis
Today’s adventure takes you out to the ancient city of Persepolis, the magnificent springtime capital city of the ancient Achaemenid Empire (550-330 BC). The city is known for its spectacular reliefs and towering columns built by Darius I. It is thought that Alexander the Great burned the great palace after invading Persepolis in 330 B.C. Some of its objects from Persepolis can be seen at the National Museum of Tehran.
This afternoon, visit the rock-cut tombs of the Achaemenid kings including Darius I at Naghsh-e Rostam. Nearby is the Cube of Zoroaster (Kaba-ye Zartosht), a 5th century B.C. Achaemenid square tower. Also visit the Sassanian reliefs at Naghsh-e Rajab where you will see the inscription of Ardeshir I (226-241 AD), founder of the Sassanian dynasty, and Shapur I depicting his celebration of his military victory in 244 over the Roman Emperor, Valerian. Return to your hotel in Shiraz for dinner and overnight.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
Homa or Pars Hotel (or similar)
KDay 11Drive to Isfahan
This is a day of mostly driving through scenic countryside to Isfahan (approximately a 4-hour drive). Isfahan, known as “Nesf-e-Jahan” to the Persians, means “Half The World” due to its beautiful hand-painted tiling and magnificent public square. It is considered to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world and its architecture, tree-lined boulevards and relaxed pace make it one of the highlights of Iran.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
Abbasi or Kowsar Hotel (or similar)
LDay 12Isfahan
Today is dedicated to exploring the many beautiful sites of Isfahan. Begin with the magnificent Friday Mosque, with the famous Uljaitu Mihrab (Prayer Niche) from the Il-Khanid period. This Friday Mosque is considered a museum of a thousand years of Persian religious architecture and is truly one of the world’s greatest mosques. Also visit the Harun-e-Velayat Shrine and the Ali Minaret. From here drive to the Chehel Sotun Palace, built by Shah Abbas II in the 17th century. Twenty wooden columns reflected in the surface of the pool give rise to its name, “The Palace of Forty Columns.” Finally, visit the Hasht Behesht pavilion built in 1670 by Shah Solayman and known as the Pavilion of Eight Paradises or the Palace of Nightingales. This small but intricate building is elegantly sited among tree-lined alleys with a reflecting pool and water falls. Afterwards, return to your hotel where you can spend some time relaxing in the hotel’s garden.
Lodging
Abbasi or Kowsar Hotel (or similar)
MDay 13Isfahan
Enjoy another full day of sightseeing in Isfahan beginning with visits to the city’s famous bridges including the 14th century Pol-e Shahrestan (The Shahrestan Bridge), one of the oldest surviving bridges in Iran; Pol-e Khaju (Khaju Bridge), perhaps one of the finest bridges in Isfahan. It was built by the Safavid king Shah Abbas II around 1650 and originally ornated with artistic tile works and paintings (at one point it even served as a teahouse); and Si-o-Seh Pol (The Bridge of 33 Arches), one of the most famous examples of Safavid bridge design. There may or may not be water in the river, but look for wading birds.
Tour the Armenian Quarter including the important Cathedral of Vank, which includes a good museum with a section on the Armenian genocide. In the afternoon, visit one of the world’s grandest squares, the Maidan-e-Naghsh-e-Jahan. Admire the Ali-Qapu Palace with its enchanting music rooms and balcony overlooking the Maidan, from where the Safavid Kings watched polo games. You will see two of the Islamic world’s greatest mosques—the Sheikh Lotfollah and the Imam—with magnificent architecture and tilework. End the afternoon with a visit to the Qeisarieh Bazaar with hundreds of shops displaying the arts and handicrafts for which Isfahan is world-famous (closed on Fridays).
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
Abbasi or Kowsar Hotel (or similar)
NDay 14Drive to Kashan via Natanz
Depart early for the drive to Kashan (approximately 3-4 hours of driving), with a stop at the charming town of Natanz. There, visit a beautiful Islamic complex including the Friday Mosque, Monastery, and Tomb of Sheikh Abdol Samad Isfahani. This is also the location of a contentious (former) underground nuclear site. You will drive by the entrance, but are not allowed to take photos. Continue on to Kashan to visit the historical garden of Fin, first planted during the Safavid period and kept alive with water from the nearby Sulaimanieh Spring. This beautiful garden was expanded by the Zand and Qajar monarchs, with many open pavilions added. You will also visit a fine example of a 19th-century merchant residence known as Taba-Tabai House with its beautiful stucco dome and inlaid mirror work, plus some of the best examples of “badgirs,” or wind-catchers.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
Kuhrang Hotel (or similar)
ODay 15Kashan to Tehran via Qom
After breakfast, your tour of Kashan continues with a visit to the Kashan Bazaar, Agha Bozorg Mosque, and the important archaeological site of Tepe Sialk. The Kashan Bazaar, known for it’s impressive mud-brick architecture, is thought to have been built during the Seljuk period. Be sure to notice the intricate designs in the dome of Timche-ye Amin Od-Dowleh. Agha Bozorg Mosque was built in the late 18th century by master architect Ustad Haj Sa’ban-ali. This was where Ustad Ali Maryam began as a pupil and started his career as a brilliant architect, responsible for the architectural style of Taba-Tabai House and Boroujerdi ha House. At Sialk Hill you’ll find the remains of an ancient city containing the world’s oldest zigurat, which dates back to 3000 BC. The oldest settlement in Sialk dates back to 5500-6000 BC! It is thought that Sialk was settled due to the fresh water sources that run down from the nearby mountains. These pristine water sources still continue to run today.
After lunch at a local restaurant, continue with the drive back to Tehran (approximately 3-4 hours of driving) via Qom, Iran’s second holiest city. The city is the largest center in the world for Shiʿa scholarships and is an important destination of pilgrimage. On arrival back in Tehran, check in to your airport hotel and enjoy a final dinner with your group.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
A local airport hotel
PDay 16Depart Tehran
Your representative will meet you at the hotel and assist with your early morning transfer to the airport for your departure flight. Expec to depart your Tehran hotel at least three hours before your flight departure time.
Meals
None
Lodging
None
Anticipated plan; actual route and program may vary.
Iran, the modern incarnation of Ancient Persia, offers travelers a wildly enigmatic, exceptionally hospitable, savory experience of history, traditional culture, good food and beautiful scenery. You will meet local people eager to hear about your life in America and eager to demonstrate that Iranian citizens, regardless of government statements, really like Americans.
Ancient Persia has been the seat of many civilizations delivering major contributions in poetry, art, architecture, science and history. You will visit many of the country’s archaeological gems that have been well preserved and portray Iran’s rich historical heritage. Your tour will not only explore ancient ruins and colorful cities but also exotic bazaars, old baths, mountain landscapes and nomadic camps. You will marvel at ancient monuments and beautifully tiled mosques. You will stroll through medieval bazaars that remain much as they were centuries ago. You will visit local nomadic tribes when driving across the vast country. Your journey will take you to Mahan (often associated with Sufism), to Yazd (the center of Zoroastrian culture) and to Shiraz (city of poets with major Jewish and Christian communities). You will also explore the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Isfahan, Pasargadae and Persepolis.
Your leadership team will include a very experienced Iranian guide, as well as drivers who share in the delight of revealing their country to you.
Your arrival in Tehran will be either very late this evening or very early the following morning. On arrival, expect to spend at least an hour or more getting through immigration and customs. Iran requires customs agents to fill out additional forms for Americans, so it generally takes longer than European travelers. After passing through customs, a representative will be waiting for you just as you exit the airport. He or she will assist with the transfer to your hotel, which is about an hour away.
Meals
None
Lodging
Espinas Hotel (or similar)
BDay 2Tehran City Tour
You’ll have a chance to rest up before heading out on a leisurely tour. Visit some of Tehran’s major museums, including Iran’s National Museum that displays a precious and spectacular collection of pre-historic and ancient artifacts with pottery dating back to 6-7 millennium B.C. and dioramas depicting more than 300,000 years of human occupation of Persia. Also visit the Abguineh (Glass & Ceramics) Museum, with a valuable collection of pre-Islamic and Islamic glass and ceramics beautifully displayed and located in an elegant and architecturally unique early 20th-century mansion.
Return to your hotel, or spend more time at the bazaar. If you like, your guide will take you on a visit to the Carpet Museum, with an extensive collection of old and new Persian carpets and rugs from the major carpet-weaving centers of Iran. (Carpets are a major theme in Persian history and this is the place to understand and appreciate their cultural, historic and material significance. If you’re thinking of purchasing a Persian carpet, this is the place to learn about metrics and aesthetics of fine craftsmanship. You cannot purchase a carpet at the museum.)
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
Espinas Hotel (or similar)
CDay 3Tehran's Palaces & Bazaar
Today, visit a few of Tehran’s famous and opulent palaces. The oldest of the historic monuments, Golestan Palace, is a world heritage site. The next oldest is the Saadabad Palace Complex, founded in the 19th century under the Qajar Kings and the Palace of Niavaran, and is one of the most impressive Pahlavi palaces. After, enjoy some time at bazaar Tajrish to pick up some scarfs or tunics to wear during your trip.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
Espinas Hotel (or similar)
DDay 4Flight to Kerman
What’s unique about this mosque is that it has no minarets and you can enter the mosque either from the Kerman Bazaar or from Shohada Square. Next, visit the Ganj-Ali Khan Complex, a Safavid-era structure also containing a school, a mosque dating back to the 11th century, a square, a caravanserai, a bath house, a water reservoir, a mint, and a bazaar. The bath house was built in 1631 and is decorated with beautiful Safavid era paintings. The bath house contains alabaster panels that glow when the sun hits it at a certain time, giving bathers an idea of the time. It has now been turned into an anthropological museum. You’ll have some time to explore the bazaar before being transferred to your hotel where you settle in for the night
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
Kerman Pars Hotel (or similar)
EDay 5Excursion to Rayen and Mahan
Today is a full day as you spend time exploring the village of Rayen where you will visit the Arg-e-Rayen Citadel, a miniature version of the Arg-e-Bam, once the largest adobe building in the world. Despite many natural disasters that have destroyed similar structures, the Rayen Citadel is well preserved and contains all the architectural elements of a deserted citadel. It is believed to be about 1,000 years old and was one of the trading centers on the trade routes. This is probably one of the most interesting sites in Iran.
On the return back to Kerman, stop in Mahan, famous for the tomb of the great Sufi leader, Shah Nematollah Vali and the Shazdeh Garden. The Shah Nematollah Vali Shrine is a historical complex containing the remains of the famous Iranian poet, who died in 1431. The Shazdeh Garden (Prince’s Garden), is a fine example of a Persian garden originally built for Mohammad Hasan Khan Qajar Sardari Iravani around 1850. Today it is listed as a magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
Kerman Pars Hotel (or similar)
FDay 6Drive to Yazd via Zein-o-Din Caravanserai
Drive to Yazd (approx. 5 hrs), stopping en route at the 16th century Zein-o-Din Caravanserai, located in the middle of the desert. A caravanserai was a roadside inn where travelers (caravaners) could stop and rest while traveling the trade routes.
On arrival in Yazd, you will have some free time this afternoon to relax. Yazd is the capital of Yazd Province and recognized as a World Heritage Site due to its unique Persian architecture. This town has a history that dates back over 5,000 years, and because of its remote desert location and difficult access, Yazd was often overlooked by conquerers. To tolerate the extreme hot summers, many old structures in Yazd have impressive wind towers and large underground areas and even contain many yakhchals, otherwise known as “ice houses,” that were used to store ice retrieved from the glaciers of the mountains.
You’ll overnight in a beautiful traditional style hotel with modern amenities.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
Moshir Garden or Safaieh Hotels (or similar)
GDay 7Yazd City Tour
Enjoy a full day sightseeing in Yazd, the center for Iran’s fast-disappearing Zoroastrian community. Visit one of the two Zoroastrian abandoned Towers of Silence (Dakhma), dating back to the 18th century, and the active Zoroastrian Fire Temple, the fire of which has been burning for about 1500 years. View the immense Friday Mosque (1324 A.D.), with the highest portal and minarets in Iran. Other notable Islamic period monuments in Yazd include the Seljuk shrine dedicated to the Twelve Shi’ite Imams, and Ziaieyeh Theological School, known as Zendan-e-Eskander or Alexander’s Prison. You can stroll past the many beautiful old homes in Yazd, among them the Dowlat-Abad Garden, with an 18th-century feudal hexagonal house.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
Moshir Garden or Safaieh Hotels (or similar)
HDay 8Yazd to Shiraz via Pasargadae
Today you make the approximate 6-hour drive through desert mountain terrain to Shiraz. En route, visit Pasargadae, a site pre-dating Persepolis. Pasargadae was the capital of the Achaemenid Empire under Cyrus the Great who had it built between 559 and 530 BC. Cyrus is the Founder of the Persian Empire, and at Pasargadae, you’ll see his simple but impressive tomb. You’ll also see the remains of his palaces, all located in the vast plain of Dasht-e-Morghab.
Continue on to Abarkuh, a charming desert town, for a tea break under the shade of a supposedly 4,000-year-old Cyprus tree, then continue to Shiraz for your overnight.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
Homa or Pars Hotel (or similar)
IDay 9Shiraz
On a full-day city tour of Shiraz, visit some of the famous gardens of this city of “roses and nightingales,” including the Eram Garden and the tombs of Iran’s greatest lyric poets, Hafez and Sa’adi. See the pink-tiled 19th-century Nasir-ol-Molk Mosque and the Arg-e-Karim Khan 18th-century citadel, sites which invite creative photography. The dazzling Nasir-ol-Molk Mosque, also known as the “Pink Mosque” due to its pink colored tiles, contains an extensive colored glass that acts as a keleidescope when the sun shines in. The Arg-e-Karim Khan was built during the Zand dynasty in 1180 AD and served as Karim Khan’s living quarters. It was even once used as a prison, but today is a museum, operated by Iran’s Cultural Heritage Organization.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
Homa or Pars Hotel (or similar)
JDay 10Ancient Persepolis
Today’s adventure takes you out to the ancient city of Persepolis, the magnificent springtime capital city of the ancient Achaemenid Empire (550-330 BC). The city is known for its spectacular reliefs and towering columns built by Darius I. It is thought that Alexander the Great burned the great palace after invading Persepolis in 330 B.C. Some of its objects from Persepolis can be seen at the National Museum of Tehran.
This afternoon, visit the rock-cut tombs of the Achaemenid kings including Darius I at Naghsh-e Rostam. Nearby is the Cube of Zoroaster (Kaba-ye Zartosht), a 5th century B.C. Achaemenid square tower. Also visit the Sassanian reliefs at Naghsh-e Rajab where you will see the inscription of Ardeshir I (226-241 AD), founder of the Sassanian dynasty, and Shapur I depicting his celebration of his military victory in 244 over the Roman Emperor, Valerian. Return to your hotel in Shiraz for dinner and overnight.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
Homa or Pars Hotel (or similar)
KDay 11Drive to Isfahan
This is a day of mostly driving through scenic countryside to Isfahan (approximately a 4-hour drive). Isfahan, known as “Nesf-e-Jahan” to the Persians, means “Half The World” due to its beautiful hand-painted tiling and magnificent public square. It is considered to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world and its architecture, tree-lined boulevards and relaxed pace make it one of the highlights of Iran.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
Abbasi or Kowsar Hotel (or similar)
LDay 12Isfahan
Today is dedicated to exploring the many beautiful sites of Isfahan. Begin with the magnificent Friday Mosque, with the famous Uljaitu Mihrab (Prayer Niche) from the Il-Khanid period. This Friday Mosque is considered a museum of a thousand years of Persian religious architecture and is truly one of the world’s greatest mosques. Also visit the Harun-e-Velayat Shrine and the Ali Minaret. From here drive to the Chehel Sotun Palace, built by Shah Abbas II in the 17th century. Twenty wooden columns reflected in the surface of the pool give rise to its name, “The Palace of Forty Columns.” Finally, visit the Hasht Behesht pavilion built in 1670 by Shah Solayman and known as the Pavilion of Eight Paradises or the Palace of Nightingales. This small but intricate building is elegantly sited among tree-lined alleys with a reflecting pool and water falls. Afterwards, return to your hotel where you can spend some time relaxing in the hotel’s garden.
Lodging
Abbasi or Kowsar Hotel (or similar)
MDay 13Isfahan
Enjoy another full day of sightseeing in Isfahan beginning with visits to the city’s famous bridges including the 14th century Pol-e Shahrestan (The Shahrestan Bridge), one of the oldest surviving bridges in Iran; Pol-e Khaju (Khaju Bridge), perhaps one of the finest bridges in Isfahan. It was built by the Safavid king Shah Abbas II around 1650 and originally ornated with artistic tile works and paintings (at one point it even served as a teahouse); and Si-o-Seh Pol (The Bridge of 33 Arches), one of the most famous examples of Safavid bridge design. There may or may not be water in the river, but look for wading birds.
Tour the Armenian Quarter including the important Cathedral of Vank, which includes a good museum with a section on the Armenian genocide. In the afternoon, visit one of the world’s grandest squares, the Maidan-e-Naghsh-e-Jahan. Admire the Ali-Qapu Palace with its enchanting music rooms and balcony overlooking the Maidan, from where the Safavid Kings watched polo games. You will see two of the Islamic world’s greatest mosques—the Sheikh Lotfollah and the Imam—with magnificent architecture and tilework. End the afternoon with a visit to the Qeisarieh Bazaar with hundreds of shops displaying the arts and handicrafts for which Isfahan is world-famous (closed on Fridays).
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
Abbasi or Kowsar Hotel (or similar)
NDay 14Drive to Kashan via Natanz
Depart early for the drive to Kashan (approximately 3-4 hours of driving), with a stop at the charming town of Natanz. There, visit a beautiful Islamic complex including the Friday Mosque, Monastery, and Tomb of Sheikh Abdol Samad Isfahani. This is also the location of a contentious (former) underground nuclear site. You will drive by the entrance, but are not allowed to take photos. Continue on to Kashan to visit the historical garden of Fin, first planted during the Safavid period and kept alive with water from the nearby Sulaimanieh Spring. This beautiful garden was expanded by the Zand and Qajar monarchs, with many open pavilions added. You will also visit a fine example of a 19th-century merchant residence known as Taba-Tabai House with its beautiful stucco dome and inlaid mirror work, plus some of the best examples of “badgirs,” or wind-catchers.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
Kuhrang Hotel (or similar)
ODay 15Kashan to Tehran via Qom
After breakfast, your tour of Kashan continues with a visit to the Kashan Bazaar, Agha Bozorg Mosque, and the important archaeological site of Tepe Sialk. The Kashan Bazaar, known for it’s impressive mud-brick architecture, is thought to have been built during the Seljuk period. Be sure to notice the intricate designs in the dome of Timche-ye Amin Od-Dowleh. Agha Bozorg Mosque was built in the late 18th century by master architect Ustad Haj Sa’ban-ali. This was where Ustad Ali Maryam began as a pupil and started his career as a brilliant architect, responsible for the architectural style of Taba-Tabai House and Boroujerdi ha House. At Sialk Hill you’ll find the remains of an ancient city containing the world’s oldest zigurat, which dates back to 3000 BC. The oldest settlement in Sialk dates back to 5500-6000 BC! It is thought that Sialk was settled due to the fresh water sources that run down from the nearby mountains. These pristine water sources still continue to run today.
After lunch at a local restaurant, continue with the drive back to Tehran (approximately 3-4 hours of driving) via Qom, Iran’s second holiest city. The city is the largest center in the world for Shiʿa scholarships and is an important destination of pilgrimage. On arrival back in Tehran, check in to your airport hotel and enjoy a final dinner with your group.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
A local airport hotel
PDay 16Depart Tehran
Your representative will meet you at the hotel and assist with your early morning transfer to the airport for your departure flight. Expec to depart your Tehran hotel at least three hours before your flight departure time.
Meals
None
Lodging
None
Anticipated plan; actual route and program may vary.
Iran can get extremely hot, so we recommend packing light, breathable clothing and scarves to be as comfortable as possible.
We are happy to have you participate in a Journeys International program!
Please read these terms and conditions thoroughly. They contain information that will be important to your planning and guide how we will handle any circumstances that may change in the midst of planning or while a program is underway. If after reading our materials and talking with our staff you decide to participate in a Journeys International program, please send us your deposit along with your completed Reservation Form and Explorer Information Forms. Important: Your booking is only complete once we receive your deposit, completed Reservation Form, and completed Explorer Information Form, and once we have confirmed that space is available.
Pricing and Payment
We will confirm your reservations once we receive a non-refundable booking deposit, a Reservation Form signed by each person responsible for payment, and an Explorer Information Form signed by each participating adult or the guardian for each participating child, and if space is available. Custom programs during holiday seasons may require a deposit prior to confirmation. The deposit contributes to non-recoverable costs of holding space and servicing your booking through the stages of preparation, execution, and follow-up and cannot be refunded if you choose to cancel.
We charge an additional planning fee of $250 per program for preparing customized proposals. This fee may be credited to your total cost upon booking, but it is non-refundable if you choose not to finalize your reservation.
Prices are stated in U.S. Dollars, based on double room occupancy, unless otherwise noted. We will send an invoice for your total estimated cost when we send your reservation confirmation. The balance as shown on your invoice is due 60 days prior to your program start date regardless of whether any arrangements are still pending. Although we do our best to avoid increasing prices after we receive your deposit, in some cases it may be necessary to adjust pricing after we receive payment to allow for changes in group size, rooming status, currency exchange rate fluctuations, fuel surcharges and/or other circumstances attendant to the challenges of adventure.
Late payments may jeopardize confirmation of your program participation and in some cases may result in additional fees. If we have not received final payment 30 days prior to departure, then your reservation may be canceled subject to our Cancellation & Refund Policy stated below.
Payment for airfare is required at the time of ticketing. Discounts that may be available are not available toward bookings made through third-party travel agencies, advisors, or planners.
We accept payments by Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or check drawn on a U.S. bank account. Paying by credit card offers you certain consumer protections, including the ability to initiate a chargeback if you believe we have committed consumer fraud. You may not use credit card chargeback as an alternative to compliance with your agreement with these terms and conditions.
Late Signups
Early reservations are encouraged! Some programs and flights fill several months in advance. We can confirm your space once we receive your deposit and signed Reservation and Explorer Information Forms. We try, but cannot guarantee, to accept late signups. In the event that we are able to accept reservations fewer than 60 days before a program’s start date, additional fees may apply to cover administrative costs necessary to expedite your reservation confirmation and transmit your program materials. For reservations made fewer than 60 days in advance of your program’s start, full payment is due at the time of booking.
Program Changes
We understand that circumstances arise that lead you to inquire about changes to your custom program, and we aim to satisfy your requests. Once activities and accommodations have been confirmed, we charge a $50 change fee, in addition to the difference in costs for the services booked. When changes are requested less than one week before your program’s start, the change fee is $100. For changes requested after a program has begun, the change fee is $200.
Journeys International reserves the right to change or reprice any program due to acts of insurrection, strikes, weather, road conditions, acts of God or government, or any other force majeure or cause beyond the company’s control. Journeys International cannot guarantee conformity with the provided program plan at any point in time. Among other things, if necessary Journeys International may change the scheduled dates of a program; omit or alter sections of the plan; substitute lodgings, leaders, or conveyances; or change meals, activities, or waypoints; all without notice and without allowance for refunds and with participants bearing the responsibility for increased costs, if any. Should this become necessary, Journeys International will not be liable for extra costs that participants may incur as a result of changes, including but not limited to flight change fees, additional meal costs, or additional accommodations. We strongly recommend that participants purchase Travel Protection Plans, or travel insurance, adequate to cover such costs.
Cancellations & Refunds
If you must cancel before your program begins, please notify Journeys International in writing by emailing info@journeysinternational.com or writing to your adventure specialist directly. You may request a refund according to the following schedule. Some programs require additional non-refundable payments beyond this schedule, as noted in the program description. In the case of cancellation, such amounts are withheld in addition to the amounts listed here.
Days Prior to Departure
Cancellation Penalty
61 or more
Non-refundable booking deposit and planning fee, if applicable
31-60
Non-refundable booking deposit and planning fee, if applicable, plus 50% of total land costs above amount of initial deposit
0-30
100% of total land costs
Please note: cancellation of airfare, other transit, lodging, and ticketed tours and activities is subject to the policies of the individual carriers or providers and is not included in the schedule above. Additional cancellation fees are the responsibility of the traveler. We strongly recommend that all participants purchase Travel Protection Plans, or travel insurance, that includes coverage for trip cancellation or interruption and that may reimburse you for cancellation penalties and extra expenses should a circumstance force you to cancel or interrupt your participation.
Departure is defined as the date on which travelers will leave their home state, province or city, or the program start date as indicated on the program description, whichever comes first. Cancellation date will be considered the date that we receive written notification of your intent to cancel according to the local time observed in Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.
Payments due at the time of cancellation remain the responsibility of the participant. No partial refunds are possible for unused hotel rooms, air or land travel, program days, or other sight-seeing arrangements included in the land cost.
If Journeys International cancels or postpones a program before the program starts for reasons completely within its discretion, such as but not limited to insufficient group size, all money for services described in the program description will be refunded in the form of credit towards a future program with Journeys in the same location originally planned, less unrecoverable fees and penalties already paid to airlines, accommodations, or other service providers, or the client may submit a written request for a refund to the original form of payment. If a program’s cancellation is necessary due to acts of insurrection, strikes, weather, road conditions, acts of God or government, or any other force majeure or cause beyond the company’s control, credits and refunds will be issued according to the standard cancellation schedule, less unrecoverable fees and penalties already paid to airlines, accommodations, or other service providers, without regard to whether client or company initiates cancellation or postponement. Once a program begins, there are no refunds for unused goods or services.
Air Fares
We can help you to secure air travel arrangements for Journeys International programs. We work with an airfare consolidator to assist in booking the flights that suit your needs. Journeys International and/or the airfare consolidator may charge a ticketing fee for this service. For group programs, if you prefer to fly on dates other than those listed as program dates, or if you arrive at your destination other than at the group arrival time, then you may incur additional fees to cover the separate transfer, contingency, and coordination costs which frequently arise from arrival and departure on flights different from our regular bookings. We will let you know about these fees ahead of time, if they apply. If you must change your air routing after ticketing, there is a charge of $50 per change, in addition to change or cancellation charges levied by the airline.
If you decide to make your own flight arrangements, you must provide Journeys International with a complete copy of your itinerary showing departure and arrival flights and times. You should plan to arrange your own air travel if you are using mileage credit or originating outside North America, but please be in touch with our office before you finalize ticketing so that we may help you to coordinate the correct arrival and departure dates and times. If you arrange your own flights, we can book ground transfers to meet you on arrival in your destination if you wish, and you agree to pay additional costs, as applicable.
Transfers Between Programs
You may transfer between some programs upon written request. More than 60 days before your program start date, the deposit transfer fee is $100 per person plus any cancellation fees charged by airlines, hotels, or ground service providers. 60 days or fewer before the program start date, full cancellation penalties from the original program apply. In the event that Journeys International cancels a program, you may transfer the full amount of your payments to another program without penalty, subject to availability.
Expenses Covered
Normally, our stated total costs include the costs of all guides, leaders, facilities, permits obtained after arrival, lodging accommodations, costs of described activities, food as specified, and all surface transportation associated with the activities described in the itinerary. We do our best to avoid increasing prices after receipt of your deposit, but factors beyond our control might require us to change our prices without prior notice, even after you have signed up.
Expenses Not Covered
Costs not included in the price may include: meals not indicated as included in program descriptions; meals prior to arrival in starting cities; transfers, if not arriving or departing on the scheduled group flights; soft drinks, bottled water, and alcoholic beverages; medical expenses, costs of hospitalization, or evacuation from remote areas; laundry; airport departure taxes not included on your airline ticket; accommodations en route to starting cities; visas; airfares; gratuities; and insurance.
If a program must be modified due to medical emergency, acts of insurrection, strikes, weather, road conditions, acts of God or government, or any other force majeure or cause beyond the company’s control, then the participant may incur additional costs that are not included in the program price. We strongly recommend that all participants purchase Travel Protection Plans, or travel insurance, to cover these risks.
Travel Insurance
Journeys International strongly recommends that you purchase a Travel Protection Plan, or travel insurance, sufficient to protect your investment in travel, personal assets and health during your program. Doing so will mitigate a significant amount of financial risk and decrease your need to worry about things beyond your control. We do not require you to purchase such travel insurance; however, we know many travelers who have benefited from purchasing travel insurance because the insurance carrier assumed risks that would otherwise have been the risk of the traveler. Travel Protection Plans often cover things like theft, baggage loss, trip interruption or cancellation, emergency evacuation, emergency medical treatment, flight delay or cancellation, airline or service provider bankruptcy, jury duty, personal or family sickness leading to cancellation, U.S. Department of State Travel Warnings about terrorism issued for the destination, and other risks as described in the insurance policy. In particular, consider the availability of higher-cost “Cancel for Any Reason” and/or “Interrupt for Any Reason” policies that may allow policy-holders to recoup a significant portion of trip costs under a much wider range of circumstances than standard policies may allow; we have seen travelers benefit from this selection when public health crises, personal turmoil, and civil unrest arose in their destinations. Please note that while we at Journeys will do our best to help you to have a pleasant and successful experience, Journeys International assumes no liability for many of the types of losses described above. If you choose not to purchase travel insurance and you suffer a loss, then you will be responsible for the associated costs.
For your convenience, we will provide a recommendation for an insurance carrier that offers competitive rates and has proven reliable, fair, and prompt in responding to claims, but we can offer no guarantee that our recommended carrier will meet your needs and you are welcome to contact any insurance carrier that you prefer. It is important to obtain insurance immediately upon signing up for your program in order for problems arising from pre-existing conditions to be covered.
All participants must be covered by a current major medical insurance policy that covers you while in your travel destination for the duration of your trip. For some individuals or for some destinations, it may be advisable to purchase a supplemental policy. Contact your provider for coverage details.
Group-Sized Pricing & Group Minimums
Many programs are guaranteed to depart at prices published on our website with as few as two participants. In some cases, it may become necessary to increase prices depending on the size of the group. We do everything we can to make a program operate as planned even with a single participant. Additional costs for small groups vary from program to program. When pricing for a group program is based on the number of participants, staff and guests of Journeys International (such as topic experts, journalists, photographers, leaders-in-training, or others) are not included in the numbers counted to determine the price. Final decision to cancel a program due to insufficient signups is made at least 60 days prior to departure.
Lodging Accommodations
Lodging accommodations are usually double occupancy in hotel rooms, tents, or other facilities as described in trip itineraries. Please contact our office to discuss pricing and availability of alternative accommodations, if desired. We try to honor specific requests for lodging, but in some cases, we may have to book and confirm equivalent-standard accommodations. In rare cases it may become necessary to make same-day or out-of-class substitutions.
If you are joining alone for a group program but would prefer a roommate, then let us know! We are often able to match solo participants. If a roommate is not available or if you prefer single accommodation, then you must pay the Single Supplement, if one applies. For some programs it is not possible to guarantee single accommodations.
Assumption of Risk
Throughout any program of Journeys International, certain risks and dangers may arise. These include, but are not limited to, travel by train, foot, automobile, aircraft, raft, boat or other means of conveyance; the hazards of traveling in rough or mountainous terrain; high altitude; undeveloped areas; the forces of nature; civil unrest; terrorism; labor interruption; close proximity to fellow program participants; exposure to illness or virus; and accident or illness in remote areas without means of rapid evacuations or availability of medical supplies and facilities. The unique nature of adventure programs entails inherent risks that may be involved in unique program activities and travel away from home and, in fact, the specific nature of these activities is often a reason for participation. Even if a trip or program is rated “easy” these dangers and risks are present. Journeys International and its agents and operators will have no liability regarding emotional distress, equipment, access to, or adequacy of medical care, evacuation plans, or emergency supplies that may be provided. When you sign the Explorer Information Form, you agree to participate in these activities with full knowledge of the dangers and risks involved and agree to assume all risks, including trauma, sickness, injury, and death.
While Journeys International intends that your experience be safe and comfortable, Journeys does not have legal or operational control or ownership of facilities, staff, services, or transportation providers and acts only as agent for the owners of such facilities, staff, services, and transportation. Journeys International is not responsible for any negligent or willful act or failure to act by any such person or entity, nor for any act or inaction of any third party not under its control.
In consideration of the right to participate in Journeys International programs and the service arranged for you by Journeys International and its agents and representatives, you unconditionally and fully assume all risks of bodily injury, death, emotional trauma, property damage, and/or theft, however caused, including those mentioned above, as a result of participation, and release Journeys International, its agents, and its representatives from any and all liability, actions, causes of actions, suits, debts, demands that you may have, including for bodily injury, death, or property damage, loss of income, and other claims.
Fitness to Join
Good physical and mental health are essential for the enjoyment of Journeys International’s programs. It is your responsibility to select/design a trip appropriate to your own abilities and interests. You are responsible for being in sufficiently good health to undertake your trip, and for consulting with your physician for medical advice regarding travel. On some Journeys International programs, participants travel in rugged areas remote from modern medical facilities. Good physical conditioning is recommended as preparation for all programs, especially those involving hiking or trekking. Most programs require some walking. By signing the Explorer Information Form, participants certify that they are fit for rigorous activity and do not have any physical, mental, or other condition that would create a hazard for him/herself or other participants. It is essential that any participant with a medical condition requiring regular treatment or which may be affected by vigorous activity, prolonged travel, high altitude, heat, cold, natural phenomena, or particular foods, notify Journeys International in writing prior to booking. We assume no responsibility for medical care, and we cannot guarantee meeting special dietary requirements or vegetarian needs. Participants may be required to furnish a physician’s statement of good health for some programs.
Journeys International’s or the individual group leader’s or guide’s judgment shall provide the ultimate determination of an individual’s fitness to embark upon, or to continue, a program. Journeys International reserves the right to refuse reservations or deny participation to anyone whom it deems unsuitable for a program or certain activities. Once a reservation has been confirmed, medical circumstances will not be considered as exceptions to our cancellation policy. All participants must be covered by a current major medical insurance policy for the duration of their participation. Proof of such coverage may be required.
Personal Conduct
You are responsible for acting in a manner considerate and respectful of fellow group members and local culture in areas visited.
You are responsible for reading all health-related information provided in advance of the program, adhering to all guidance given by guides and site staff, and conforming to the established standards of personal hygiene to minimize risk of disease. This may include a requirement to wear a face mask when in proximity to other people, whether indoors or outdoors, or other measures intended to limit the spread of disease; failure to do so when requested may result in your dismissal from the program.
Certain activities included in your program may require specific safety precautions. You are responsible for listening to instructions, adhering to guidance, and following the protocols provided for safety throughout the program. If you are unsure about safety precautions, you are responsible for seeking advice. If guides or staff perceive your behavior as risky, uncooperative, or otherwise unsafe, they may remove you from an activity for the safety of yourself and others.
Smoking or vaping are not permitted in buses, cars, below decks on boats, in tented camps, in designated non-smoking areas, or during guided tours and activities. Participants agree not to consume cannabis for the duration of the program and understand that possession or use of cannabis may be illegal and subject to severe punishment in some destinations. Participants agree to follow all local laws in the jurisdiction(s) where the program takes place and acknowledge that Journeys International cannot be responsible for ensuring participants’ compliance nor for any costs or consequences of non-compliance.
Sexual harassment or misconduct of any sort by Journeys program participants is not tolerated. You may not make jokes or sexually suggestive comments or gestures regarding the bodies or bodily activities of fellow participants, program staff, site staff, or any people you encounter during your program. You may not touch fellow participants, program staff, site staff, or any people you encounter during your program unless invited. You may not solicit sexual services during the dates of your participation in a Journeys program.
Environmental Stewardship
Journeys International believes that we have a responsibility to protect the earth for future generations. Tourism may be responsible for up to eight percent of annual worldwide emissions of greenhouse gasses. Journeys International advocates that adventure travelers who make environmentally conscious choices when selecting their destinations and activities should also make the environmentally conscious choice to offset the carbon footprint of their travel to compensate for their personal contributions to global climate change. Every Journeys International invoice includes an optional donation to the Earth Preservation Fund’s carbon offset program to be used to purchase and permanently retire certified carbon credits to offset the carbon footprints of Journeys’ program participants. The Earth Preservation Fund purchases carbon credits that have been certified under a reliable third-party standard. Participants who choose to make this donation may also be eligible to claim a tax deduction. There is no penalty for opting out of this donation.
Recording
Journeys International may take photographic, audiographic, and videographic recordings during your program, and may use your image and voice for promotional and commercial use without compensation.
Planning & Preparation Services
We look forward to working with you! After we receive your deposit, we will send you a planning packet containing things like medical and immunization information, visa and other permit forms, a recommendation for travel insurance, packing checklist, reading list, cross-cultural information, and an initial invoice for the balance due. About 3 weeks before your program begins, we will send you a final notes packet including last-minute reminders and contact information for your program. You are responsible for reading all information provided, and for bringing all clothing and equipment noted on the packing list. If you are leaving home before the scheduled trip departure date, please let us know how we can best reach you in case any details change in the days immediately prior to your program’s start.
Please call our office at any time if you have questions about your trip or for additional information.
Duration 16 Days
The number of days, or duration, in a destination corresponds with the itinerary as published. This is the time period covered by the land cost. The total number of days includes the time required to travel between the USA and the destination country.
Group Size 6 - 12
The stated range indicates minimum required for guaranteed departure and maximum accepted on the scheduled dates. Exceptions can often be made for private departures.
Comfort Level
Superior
Most hotels are 4/5 star or best available
Activity Level
Active
Some steep stair climbs, hot climate
Why Journeys International
Our purpose is to understand the journey you are on – not just the vacation you want to take – and to help you on your way.
We are here to help you plan the trip that will move you closer to your goals and help you fulfill your dreams.
We are here to help you plan a more inspiring, more provocative, more breathtaking, more transformational adventure.
We say “adventure” and not “trip” because, for us, a trip is just going someplace else, but an adventure is an experience that takes you someplace beyond your comfort zone – and therefore maximizes the potential for wonder, discovery, and potentially transformation.
Why trust Journeys to plan that kind of experience with you?
Journeys is an award-winning industry-leader with more than 40 years in business planning creative and thoughtful adventures in interesting places around the world
Our staff is professional and devoted, with adventure specialists in Ann Arbor and guides in the field who take pride in traveler satisfaction; many stay with us for decades
Our Ecological Code of Ethics has long stood as a model for others, and our Earth Preservation Fund puts our money where our mouth is
We go to the farthest corners of the earth – you’ll see some pretty remote destinations on our list, and if you want to challenge us with something new, we’ll likely be willing (though we’ll make sure you know if we’ve never experienced it firsthand)
We’re real people like you, starting with the real person who will answer the phone, right through the owner, Robin Pollak, who you can talk to any time you want (or even her parents, Joan & Will Weber, who started the company!)
We ask lots of questions and get to know you as well as possible to we can design the best experience for YOU
Your unique itinerary includes sites, accommodations, activities, and meetings with people hand selected for personal goals, passions, interests and abilities
Your personal adventure specialist stays with you from trip planning through departure to answer all your questions – promptly – and make sure every detail is handled so you are well prepared for your trip
Our partners on the ground in your destination will welcome you as a friend of a friend; we’ve been working with many of them for ages
We’re open and clear, and offer a complete picture of what you can expect while traveling. We don’t want to make an easy sale; we want to make an honest one.
24-hour emergency phone support while traveling
We’ll be excited to hear about the trip when you get back, and take all feedback seriously
Our travelers come back again and again, for five, ten, or more adventures — and they trust us enough to send their friends to us, too
We love what we do, and we love sharing our common passion with you.
Activity Level
Match the trip’s intensity to your ability and motivation.
Gentle
Easy walking, with opportunities for low-key physical activity.
Active
Energetic exploration with optional day hikes, leisurely cycling, or light canoeing.
Vigorous
Day-long active excursions and options for demanding activity in varied environments.
Challenging
Strenuous hiking or other intense activity that may be at high altitude or over rough terrain.
Demanding
Multi-day trekking and other activities requiring endurance or strength. Steep trails. No technical expertise necessary.
Comfort Level
Choose accommodations and amenities that fit your personal style
Simple
Our most natural accommodations. Bath facilities often shared, sometimes rustic.
Delightful
Comfortable and especially personal. Small to mid-sized lodges, typically with private bath.
Superior
Lodges and hotels with additional amenities, refined artistry, or extra-special settings.
Deluxe
Exclusive or luxury lodges, hotels, or safari camps with fine dining options.
Uncommon
The most indulgent accommodations arranged specially for private trips.
Single Supplement
The single supplement is applicable if a roommate is not available or if single accommodation is specifically requested. While single accommodation is not available on all trips, we will try and honor this request whenever possible.