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Istanbul to Tehran by Rail
17 days, Istanbul to Tehrān
Itinerary
Day 1Istanbul
Arrive at any time.
There are no planned activities before an evening welcome meeting.
Day 2Istanbul/Ankara
Enjoy an orientation walk around Istanbul before moving on to the capital city of Ankara.
Istanbul Orientation Walk
Enjoy an orientation walk of Istanbul. Each walk varies, allowing your CEO to show off their favourite spots around the city. Pass by city highlights such as the Topkapi Palace, the Hagia Sophia (also known as the Aya Sofya), and the Blue Mosque. Walks may also include the atmospheric Spice Bazaar or breathtaking Grand Bazaar.
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.
Visit Anitkabir before transferring to the town of Göreme, the base for exploring Cappadocia. With 2.5 days free to explore, there will be plenty of time to tour the area by bike, visit neighbouring villages, trek regional valleys or try a hot air balloon ride.
During one of the evenings, travel to a nearby village and enjoy dinner with a local family.
Your Local Living Moment: Dinner with Local Family
Enjoy seasonal homemade dishes, and talk with friendly hosts about life in rural Cappadocia.
Anitkabir Visit
Visit the monumental tomb of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the republic of Turkey. Learn about his significance to gain more insight into your Turkish exploration.
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.
Outdoor enthusiast? Hire a bike to get around on two wheels or join your CEO on an optional trekking tour through one of the beautiful valleys of the region.
If you want to go further afield, take a local bus to explore nearby villages.
If you pre-booked the Cappadocia hot air balloon ride, you will be flying today (weather permitting).
Göreme Open Air Museum Guided Tour
Be inspired by the natural beauty of the historic Göreme Open Air Museum, a complex of medieval painted cave churches carved out by Orthodox monks. Tour the more than 10 caves on site, and enjoy the color and vibrancy of many of the churches that are up to 1,000 years old.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 5Göreme/Tatvan
Enjoy one more morning in Cappadocia before driving to nearby Kayseri. Board an overnight train for Eastern Turkey.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Overnight Train (beds)
Stretch out and get some well-earned rest en route to the next stop.
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.
Ferry
Get to the next spot on your route aboard a convenient and efficient ferry boat.
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.
Overnight Train (beds)
Stretch out and get some well-earned rest en route to the next stop.
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.
Overnight Train (beds)
Stretch out and get some well-earned rest en route to the next stop.
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.
There is free time to explore the city's beautiful Regents mosque, Nasiralmolk mosque, Khan madrasa, Bagh-e Eram gardens, and perhaps even listen to some poetry being recited at the Hafez tomb.
This vibrant student city is buzzing with life and is a great place to interact with some Iran's youth.
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.
Travel to Persepolis to explore this fascinating sight. On the way back to Shiraz, visit the rock cut tombs at Naqsh-e-Rostam, the burial place of Darius the Great and his successors.
With free time, enjoy the vibe of Shiraz.
Persepolis Tour
Visit the country's premier attraction, Persepolis. In Greek, Persepolis literally means the 'capital of Persia'. It was built in 518 BC by Darius the Great as the capital of the mighty Achaemenid Empire. Alexander the Great burnt the city to the ground in 330 BC, but many remnants of its former glory remain and Persopolis lives on as one of the greatest wonders of the ancient world.
Learn the history of this amazing ancient place and marvel at the stunningly preserved bas-relief carvings.
Naqsh-e-Rostam Visit
Visit the rock cut tombs at Naqsh-e-Rostam, the burial place of Darius the Great and his successors.
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.
Embark on an included visit to Pasargadae and explore the capital and burial site of Cyrus the Great.
Pasargadae Visit
Visit Pasargadae, the capital and burial site of Cyrus the Great. it's a UNESCO World Heritage Site and also an important archaeological site.
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.
Wander the tree-lined boulevards of Isfahan, the jewel of ancient Persia. On a city tour, visit Imam Square and mosque, Sheikh Lotfallah Mosque, and the Ali Qapu Palace. Wander the bazaar and learn the history of Isfahan's bridges.
Stop in a miniatures shop and learn about this intricate art form before sampling some delicious gaz, a candy famous in Isfahan.
Isfahan City Tour
Enjoy a tour of this fascinating city, with its beautiful tree-lined boulevards and an atmospheric bazaar. Start in the world's second largest public square — Imam Square. Learn about life under Persia's greatest ruler, Shah Abbas, and visit the Imam Mosque, Sheikh Lotfallah Mosque, and the Ali Qapu Palace. Imam Square, actually built as a royal polo ground, was once home to entertainers, storytellers, preachers, and Silk Road caravans. Explore the bazaar with its wonderful scents and spices, and watch the locals as they engage in masterful bargaining. You might pick up a tip or two!
Overnight Train (beds)
Stretch out and get some well-earned rest en route to the next stop.
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.
Ramble through the enormous bazaar and visit the Imam Khomeini Mosque. View the many political murals that surround the former US Embassy then relax like the locals do by drinking chai and chewing on dates in a traditional chaikhuneh (teahouse).
Try some more of the fine Iranian cuisine like dizi (stew you crumble bits of bread into and mash up with a mortar and pestle right at the table!) while enjoying traditional music at a local restaurant.
Day 17Tehrān
Depart at any time.