Persia's Nomads

The nomads of Iran are a fast disappearing race, yet in a few areas the nomadic way of life still somehow co-exists with modern influence. Magic Carpet Travel is in contact with several nomadic tribes including the Qashqaii in the south west of Iran, the Bakhtiari in central Iran and the Kurdish Zaferanlou in the north east. We can arrange for you to spend one or two nights living with the nomads as an add-on to your existing itinerary or, if you prefer, we could tailor-make a whole visit for you to stay with and observe the different tribes.

You will, naturally, be living under canvas. Not the woven goat-hair shelters favored by the nomads themselves, and neither will you be expected to sleep under rough woolen blankets. but for a couple of days your life will be transformed as you watch these busy, colorful people going about their daily business. Often said to be the true Persians the Qashqaii nomads still dress in their colourful tribal costumes. They speak a Turkic dialect: conversation with the people is both possible and welcomed, and can be carried out via our local guides, who will accompany you on your trip and ensure you have everything you need.

A typical day will start at sunrise about 4 a.m. when the women will be starting to knead the dough for the fragrant flat bread that will be eaten hot from the mud ovens before the sun creeps higher and starts to bake the land. As the day progresses, you can watch the women spinning the wool from their sheep and weaving it on looms into the traditional rugs they sell at the market in Shiraz. The children tend the animals, which need to be watered, grazed and milked. The women are busy from dawn to dusk with cooking and weaving, fetching the water, sweeping and tent keeping. The men keep watch, their rifles by their sides.

Day	City	Details
1	London - Tehran	Depart Heathrow Terminal 3 on direct Iran Air fight at 17.00
2	Tehran	Arrive 02.10 and transfer to hotel. Morning rest. After lunch visit Sa'ad-abad Palace complex, one of the Royal Family & court's former residences. On to the Carpet Museum.
3	Tehran	Visit the Archaeological and Glass Museums with their fine collection of antiques. Lunch at a traditional teahouse. Visit the stunning Crown Jewels held in the vaults of the Central Bank.
4	Tehran - Yazd	Morning flight to Yazd. This desert town, famous for its wind towers, is the Zoroastrian centre of Iran. Visit the Atashkadeh Fire Temple. Although the temple is modern (1940), the sacred fire has been burning since 470 AD. On to Alexander's Prison and Jame'h Mosque.
5	Yazd - Shiraz	Morning visit to the Towers of Silence, ancient Zoroastrian burial grounds. Afternoon drive to Shiraz.
6	Shiraz	In Shiraz visit Narenjestan Palace and the holy shrine of Shah Cheraq (King of the Light), Eram Gardens, and the mausoleums of the Persian mystics and poets Hafez & Saa'di.
7	Shiraz - Persepolis	Excursion to the wind swept ruins Persepolis & Naghsh-e-Rostam, the tomb of the three powerful Achaemenian Kings carved into huge rocks, overlooking one of the oldest Zoroastrian fire temples in Iran.
8	Shiraz - Firuzabad	Drive to Firuzabad near Shiraz, winter quarters of the Qashqaii nomads. Visit the fire temple & Palace of Artaxeres. Dinner & overnight with Qashqaiis. Overnight in tents.
9	Firuzabad - Yasuj	Breakfast with the Qashqaiis. Drive to Kazerun, home to many of the Qashqaiis. Visit the silent ruins of the old city of Shapour and its rock carvings dating back to the Sassanian period. Drive to Yasuj, the main nomadic centre of Iran.
10	Yasuj - Isfahan	Drive to Isfahan. This route rarely taken by tourists offers scenery beyond imagination. Land of Waterfalls, as this region is referred to, offers the traveller a most memorable image.
11	Isfahan	Tour of Isfahan's magnificent buildings, some of the greatest examples of Islamic architecture, including the Royal (Imam) Square, the Shah & Seikh Lotf-Allah Mosques, Ali-Qapu Palace. After dinner evening tour of Isfahan including Si-o-Se & Khaju Bridges.
12	Isfahan	Visit Chehel Sotun (Forty Columns) and Hasht Behesht (Eighth Heaven) Palaces. On to Jolfa, the Armenian quarters south west of the city, to see Vank Cathedral. Visit the Shaking Minarets. In the evening visit a Zoorkhaneh (House of Strength) to watch this traditional Iranian sport - a combination of physical and spiritual aerobics, with participants chanting to the powerful drums of their master.
13	Isfahan	No trip to Isfahan would be complete without a visit to its famous bazaar, spanning 5km. Free time to shop.
14	Isfahan - Kashan - Tehran	Drive to Kashan via Abyaneh - a picturesque village dating back to the Sassanian period, it is protected by UNESCO as a world heritage site. Kashan is an oasis town famous for its beautiful Fin Garden, Agha-Bozorg Mosque & House of Borujerdi. Evening arrival in Tehran. Finish the evening with a traditional Persian dinner.
15	Tehran - London	Depart for London 09.00, arriving Heathrow |Terminal 3 at 11.45

15 DAY TOUR:
Package price per person £2095
Single room supplement £340
Visa consular fee £73

The cost of the tour includes:
Direct return economy flights on Iran Air between London and Tehran*, UK airport tax, arranging tourist visas, accommodation in three/four/five star hotels in twin bedded rooms with private facilities, full board throughout (breakfast, lunch and dinner every day), sightseeing visits & all entrance fees as per the itinerary, English speaking national guide throughout the trip, all transfers, land transport & internal flights including local taxes.

The cost excludes:
All personal extras such as laundry, tips and porterage, all optional excursions, tours and visits, travel insurance - available through Magic Carpet Travel.

*Magic Carpet Travel acts as agents of Facts Travel Ltd ATOL 4109 for the international flight component of this tour at £345 including taxes. Land-only price is £1750, should you wish to join the tour in Tehran, or arrange your own flight.

Direct flight on Iran Air - Heathrow terminal 3 6-hour flight
London/Tehran IR 710 Depart 17.00 Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays arrive 02.10
Tehran /London IR 711 Depart 09.00 Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays arrive 11.45

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