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Istanbul to Tehran by Rail
17 days, Istanbul to Tehrān
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You may have made your way into Turkey before, but now it's time to take it a little farther east and discover some of the greatest underexplored territory in the world. This 17-day rail tour will bring you through the Turkish countryside to see the highlights of the Cappadocia region and the elegant, lakeside city of Van. You'll cross into Iran to find yourself in bustling Tehran, roam ancient Persepolis, and sample Shiraz grapes in the city that gave them their name. Take a true adventure and experience a part of the globe that's made for small-group travel.
17 days
Istanbul to Tehrān
Sold Out
There are no departure dates currently available for the rest of this season. Some tours only run during parts of the year.
Trip Code: ETIR
Is this tour for me?
Travel Style: Rail
Get closer to the big cities, isolated communities, and stunning landscapes of the world's greatest destinations via train-based adventures on iconic rail routes.
Service Level: Standard
Comfortable tourist-class accommodations with character; mix of public and private transport.
Physical Rating: 2 - Light
Light walking and hiking suitable for most fitness levels. Nothing too challenging.
Trip Type: Small Group
Small group experience; Max 15, avg 12.
Age requirement: 12+
All travellers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
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Itinerary
Day 1Istanbul
Arrive at any time.
Day 2Istanbul/Ankara
Enjoy an orientation walk around Istanbul before moving on to the capital city of Ankara.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 3Ankara/Göreme
Visit Anitkabir, the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, before driving to the Cappadocia region. Enjoy a home-cooked dinner with a local family.
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 4Göreme
Enjoy an included visit to the Göreme Open Air Museum before free time to explore this unique region. Opt to see it from above on a hot air balloon ride.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 5Göreme/Tatvan
Enjoy one more morning in Cappadocia before driving to nearby Kayseri. Board an overnight train for Eastern Turkey.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 6Tatvan/Van
Arrive to Tatvan and board a ferry for the scenic ride across Lake Van. Arrive to the other side and the town of Van in the afternoon.
Day 7Van
Enjoy a day trip to Mt Ararat with a visit to the Ishak Pasha Palace.
Day 8Van
Use a full day here to enjoy Lake Van. Drive to Gevas for a short cruise to Ahtamara Island to visit a beautiful Armenian Church. Opt to swim at the local beach.
Day 9Van/Tehrān
Enjoy another day in the Van area with a visit to the Van Castle. Board the Trans-Asia train in the evening for the journey to Tehran.
Day 10Tehrān
Spend the day absorbing the scenery from the train, arriving into Tehran in the evening.
Day 11Tehrān/Shiraz
Explore Tehran with a local guide, visiting the Sa’d Abad Palace and National Jewel Museum before boarding an evening train to Shiraz.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 12Shiraz
Arrive in Shiraz in the late morning. Spend the day visiting the Karim Khan Citadel, Vakil Mosque, and the tombs of Hafez and Sa’adi.
Meals included:
Lunch | DinnerDay 13Shiraz
Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Persepolis, the ceremonial palace of Darius, and admire its amazingly well-preserved carvings. Later, wander the streets and mingle with the students in laid-back Shiraz.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 14Shiraz/Isfahan
Stop at the Koran Gate and the UNESCO-listed Pasargadae complex en route to Isfahan, one of the finest Islamic cities in the world.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 15Isfahan/Tehrān
Tour the beautiful city of Isfahan, enjoying the famous square, mosques, and bartering at the bazaar. Hang out on the many bridges that make Isfahan unique, or shop for an authentic Persian rug. In the evening, board a final overnight train to Tehran.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 16Tehrān
Arrive early and enjoy a final day of sightseeing in the busy capital of Tehran. Visit Golestan Palace, the National Museum, and the Carpet Museum.
Day 17Tehrān
Depart at any time.
Meals included:
BreakfastWhat's Included
- Your Local Living Moment: Dinner with Local Family, Çavuşin
- Istanbul orientation walk
- Anitkabir visit
- Traditional dinner with local family (Göreme)
- Open Air Museum visit
- Trans-Asia train
- Mt Ararat day trip (Van)
- Ishak Pasha Palace visit
- Ahtamara Island visit
- Van Castle visit
- Tehran city tour, including Sa'd Abad Palace and the National Jewelry Museum
- Karim Khan Citadel visit (Shiraz)
- Vakil Mosque visit
- Hafez and Sa'adi tombs visit
- Persepolis guided tour
- Naqsh-e-Rostam visit
- Koran Gate visit
- Pasargadae visit
- Isfahan city tour
- Golestan Palace visit (Tehran)
- National Museum visit
- Carpet Museum visit
- Transport between destinations and to/from included activities
Accommodations
Hotels/guesthouses (12 nts), sleeper trains (4 nts).
Meals
9 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners
Allow USD415-540 for meals not included.
Transportation
Trains, private vehicles, ferry, walking.
Staff & experts
Chief Experience Officer (CEO) throughout, local guides.
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Departures
There are no departure dates currently available for the rest of this season. Some tours only run during parts of the year.
Please Contact Us to inquire about dates for next season, or to discuss other tour options.