Experience one of Central Asia’s great journeys from Tashkent to Shiraz along the Persian Royal Road.
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The Royal Road
Follow the western line of the Silk Road along the trade routes between Tashkent and Shiraz.The Persian Trilogy is an ideal touring style programme for travellers who want to experience one of Central Asia's great stories; the influence of Persian culture on the great civilizations of central Asia.
Our programme traces the path of migration, trade and conquest between Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Iran where we explore ancient Persia's cultural heritage.
ARRIVE EARLY ~ STAY LONGER
Talk to us about things to do if you would like to arrive in Tashkent a day or two earlier, or stay a little longer in Shiraz at the end of our tour.
2020 group departure dates and price to be confirmed.
Tailor make this experience – contact us for options
Price is all inclusive and based on twin share and minimum of 2 travellers.
Single Room Supplement available
Escorted by SRA local professional tour leader
Trip duration
22 days
22 days
TEMPERATURE
10℃ - 25℃
10℃ - 25℃
ACCOMMODATION STYLE
Hotels
Hotels
MEALS INCLUDED
TRAVEL STYLE
Tourist coach, soft sleeper berth train
Tourist coach, soft sleeper berth train
SIGHTSEEING
Included
Included
DATES
Commences Tashkent
18 April 2019
Concludes Shiraz
9 May 2019
Commences Tashkent
18 April 2019
Concludes Shiraz
9 May 2019
GROUP SIZE
Max 8
Max 8
Itinerary at a glance
Day 1 - Tashkent
Arrive Tashkent. Our itinerary commences with dinner tonight.
Day 2 - Tashkent
Sightseeing to include the Applied Art Museum, Hastiman Complex and Chorsu bazaar. Lunch and dinner at local restaurants.
Day 3 - Tashkent to Samarkand
Morning fast train to Samarkand. Sightseeing this afternoon and tomorrow will include Reghistan Square, Bibi Khanum Mosque and bazaar, Gur Emir mausoleum, Shahki Zinda mausoleum and the observatory of Ulug Bek and Afrasiab Museum.
Day 4 - Samarkand
Continue sightseeing in Samarkand.
Day 5 - to Bukhara
Morning fast train to Bukhara. Lunch in Bukhara and commence sightseeing including the Lyabi Hause complex and puppet workshop.
Day 6 - Bukhara
Full day city sightseeing will include a visit to the key sites in Bukhara including the Ark fortress, Minaret Kalyan (great minaret), Trade Domes, Ismail Samani mausoleum and Chashmai Ayub. Evening folk show at Nadir Divan Begi Madrassah.
Day 7 - Bukhara
This morning visit the Naqshbandi complex on the outskirts of Bukhara and later this am, visit the small Chor Minor mosque. Free time this afternoon to relax, retrace yesterday’s route to the historic buildings, or re-visit the Trade Domes and the myriad of shops.
Day 8 - Bukhara to Mary
Depart for 2 - 3 hrs drive to the Uzbek/Turkmen border. After completing border formalities, transfer to Turkmenistan transport to continue to Mary.
Day 9 - to Gonur Tepe/Merv
Today we are off into the desert in 4X4 cars to visit the Margush Site and the recently excavated ruins of the 2000BC city of Gonur.
Day 10 - Merv/Merv
Full day visit today to Merv, the ancient oasis city located 25km from Mary. Sightseeing will include the mausoleum Sultan Sanjar (XII century), Kyz Kala, Bola Kala, Gyaur Kala and Erk Kala.
Day 11 - to Mashaad via Sarakhs border
We depart for Mashaad Iran today. It's 200km to the Sarakhs border and a further 200km to Mashaad.
Day 12 - Mashhad
Full day sightseeing will include the Bazaar-e-Reza spice bazaar, Imam Reza Shrine and Astan-e Ghods-e Razavi, and Gombad-e Sabz (Green Dome). This evening flight to Tehran.
Day 13 - Tehran
Sightseeing in Tehran to include Sad Abad Palace, the local Bazaar at Tajrish, and the National Jewels Museum.
Day 14 - Tehran - Drive to Kashan
This morning visit the National Museum of Iran and the Glass museum. Afternoon drive via the Imam Khomeini Mausoleum and Qom to Kashan. Overnight in a traditional house.
Day 15 - Kashan
Sightseeing in Kashan including the ancient bazaar of Kashan and Tabatabaeis' traditional house. Overnight in a traditional house.
Day 16 - Drive to Esfahan
This morning drive south to Esfahan. Enroute visit Abyaneh Village and the Jame Mosque in Natanz.
Day 17 - Esfahan
A full day sightseeing around Esfahan is planned for today - including Naghsi-I Jahan Square, Iman Mosque, Sheikh Lotf Allah Mosque and the bridges of Esfahan. We also plan to visit Esfahan bazaar.
Day 18 - Esfahan
Sightseeing today will include the Jame Mosque, Vank Cathedral, Chehel Soutoun and Hasht Behest.
Day 19 - Drive to Shiraz
Full day's drive today to Shiraz. We have time to visit the old Caravanserai at Izadkhast and Pasargad UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Day 20 - Shiraz
Sightseeing today will include Narenjestan (Qavam House), Nasir mosque, Vakil Mosque, Bazaar, Shahe Cheraq, Eram Garden, Sadi tomb, Karimkhan citadel.
Day 21 - Shiraz - Persepolis
Full day visit to Persepolis including Naqsh-e rajab and Hafez tomb.
Day 22 - depart Shiraz
Transfer to airport for departure flight.
Arrive Tashkent. Our itinerary commences with dinner tonight.
Day 2 - Tashkent
Sightseeing to include the Applied Art Museum, Hastiman Complex and Chorsu bazaar. Lunch and dinner at local restaurants.
Day 3 - Tashkent to Samarkand
Morning fast train to Samarkand. Sightseeing this afternoon and tomorrow will include Reghistan Square, Bibi Khanum Mosque and bazaar, Gur Emir mausoleum, Shahki Zinda mausoleum and the observatory of Ulug Bek and Afrasiab Museum.
Day 4 - Samarkand
Continue sightseeing in Samarkand.
Day 5 - to Bukhara
Morning fast train to Bukhara. Lunch in Bukhara and commence sightseeing including the Lyabi Hause complex and puppet workshop.
Day 6 - Bukhara
Full day city sightseeing will include a visit to the key sites in Bukhara including the Ark fortress, Minaret Kalyan (great minaret), Trade Domes, Ismail Samani mausoleum and Chashmai Ayub. Evening folk show at Nadir Divan Begi Madrassah.
Day 7 - Bukhara
This morning visit the Naqshbandi complex on the outskirts of Bukhara and later this am, visit the small Chor Minor mosque. Free time this afternoon to relax, retrace yesterday’s route to the historic buildings, or re-visit the Trade Domes and the myriad of shops.
Day 8 - Bukhara to Mary
Depart for 2 - 3 hrs drive to the Uzbek/Turkmen border. After completing border formalities, transfer to Turkmenistan transport to continue to Mary.
Day 9 - to Gonur Tepe/Merv
Today we are off into the desert in 4X4 cars to visit the Margush Site and the recently excavated ruins of the 2000BC city of Gonur.
Day 10 - Merv/Merv
Full day visit today to Merv, the ancient oasis city located 25km from Mary. Sightseeing will include the mausoleum Sultan Sanjar (XII century), Kyz Kala, Bola Kala, Gyaur Kala and Erk Kala.
Day 11 - to Mashaad via Sarakhs border
We depart for Mashaad Iran today. It's 200km to the Sarakhs border and a further 200km to Mashaad.
Day 12 - Mashhad
Full day sightseeing will include the Bazaar-e-Reza spice bazaar, Imam Reza Shrine and Astan-e Ghods-e Razavi, and Gombad-e Sabz (Green Dome). This evening flight to Tehran.
Day 13 - Tehran
Sightseeing in Tehran to include Sad Abad Palace, the local Bazaar at Tajrish, and the National Jewels Museum.
Day 14 - Tehran - Drive to Kashan
This morning visit the National Museum of Iran and the Glass museum. Afternoon drive via the Imam Khomeini Mausoleum and Qom to Kashan. Overnight in a traditional house.
Day 15 - Kashan
Sightseeing in Kashan including the ancient bazaar of Kashan and Tabatabaeis' traditional house. Overnight in a traditional house.
Day 16 - Drive to Esfahan
This morning drive south to Esfahan. Enroute visit Abyaneh Village and the Jame Mosque in Natanz.
Day 17 - Esfahan
A full day sightseeing around Esfahan is planned for today - including Naghsi-I Jahan Square, Iman Mosque, Sheikh Lotf Allah Mosque and the bridges of Esfahan. We also plan to visit Esfahan bazaar.
Day 18 - Esfahan
Sightseeing today will include the Jame Mosque, Vank Cathedral, Chehel Soutoun and Hasht Behest.
Day 19 - Drive to Shiraz
Full day's drive today to Shiraz. We have time to visit the old Caravanserai at Izadkhast and Pasargad UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Day 20 - Shiraz
Sightseeing today will include Narenjestan (Qavam House), Nasir mosque, Vakil Mosque, Bazaar, Shahe Cheraq, Eram Garden, Sadi tomb, Karimkhan citadel.
Day 21 - Shiraz - Persepolis
Full day visit to Persepolis including Naqsh-e rajab and Hafez tomb.
Day 22 - depart Shiraz
Transfer to airport for departure flight.
Central Asia
Our select escorted Central Asia tours and trips for independent traveler will take you to the Silk Road and beyond to the four corners of the 'stan's. With our extensive Asia experience you can experience Uzbekistan's Silk Road cities, discover the ruins of Turkmenistan’s ancient civilizations, explore the mountainous heart of Kyrgyzstan and travel Kazakhstan’s wide open spaces.
Our select escorted Central Asia tours and trips for independent traveler will take you to the Silk Road and beyond to the four corners of the 'stan's. With our extensive Asia experience you can experience Uzbekistan's Silk Road cities, discover the ruins of Turkmenistan’s ancient civilizations, explore the mountainous heart of Kyrgyzstan and travel Kazakhstan’s wide open spaces.
