16 Day – Iran Biblical Tour

Welcome to Iran!

Upon your arrival at Tabriz International Airport, our representative will warmly welcome you and transfer you to your hotel in Tabriz, the historic gateway to northwestern Persia.

Relax and prepare for your journey through the lands of the Bible and the ancient Persian Empire.

Overnight: Tabriz

Armenian Christianity & Historic Tabriz

Begin your biblical journey by exploring the rich Christian heritage of Tabriz.

Visit Saint Mary Church, the oldest and largest Armenian church in the city and an important spiritual center for Iran’s Armenian Christian community.

Continue to Saint Sarkis Church, another beautiful example of Armenian ecclesiastical architecture that reflects centuries of Christian life in Persia.

Next, admire the magnificent Blue Mosque (Kabud Mosque), one of the masterpieces of 15th-century Islamic architecture, famous for its breathtaking turquoise tilework.

Conclude the day at the beautiful El Goli (Shah Goli) Park, one of Tabriz’s most beloved public gardens.

Overnight: Tabriz

UNESCO Armenian Monasteries & Silk Road Heritage

Travel northwest through the dramatic landscapes of Iranian Azerbaijan to visit the magnificent Monastery of Saint Stepanos, one of the UNESCO-listed Armenian Monastic Ensembles of Iran. Nestled among rugged mountains, this medieval monastery has served as an important pilgrimage site for Armenian Christians for centuries.

Return to Tabriz and explore the Grand Bazaar of Tabriz, another UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the oldest covered bazaars in the Middle East. Once a thriving commercial hub along the Silk Road, its maze of caravanserais and vaulted corridors continues to preserve centuries of Persian trade and craftsmanship.

End the day at the imposing Arg-e Alishah, the monumental remains of a 14th-century structure that later served as a military fortress during the Russo-Persian Wars.

Overnight: Tabriz

Takht-e Soleyman & the Legends of Solomon

Journey south to Takht-e Soleyman, one of Iran’s most extraordinary UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Once the principal fire temple of the Sassanian Empire, this ancient sanctuary is surrounded by legends linking it to King Solomon. According to local tradition, the nearby Zendan-e Soleyman (Prison of Solomon) was where Solomon imprisoned demons, giving this remarkable volcanic crater a unique place in Persian folklore.

Spend the evening in a traditional village ecolodge surrounded by spectacular mountain scenery.

Overnight: Village Ecolodge

Hamedan: Esther, Mordechai & Ancient Ecbatana

Travel to Hamedan, the ancient city of Ecbatana, once the summer capital of the Achaemenid Empire.

Visit one of the most important Jewish pilgrimage sites in the world—the Tomb of Esther and Mordechai. According to Jewish tradition, Queen Esther and her cousin Mordechai were buried here after saving the Jewish people during the reign of the Persian king Ahasuerus, as recorded in the Book of Esther.

Continue to the impressive Mausoleum of Avicenna (Ibn Sina), honoring one of history’s greatest physicians, philosophers, and scholars.

Overnight: Hamedan

Prophet Habakkuk & Khorramabad

This morning, travel to Tuyserkan to visit the Tomb of the Prophet Habakkuk, one of the Twelve Minor Prophets of the Old Testament and traditionally regarded as the author of the Book of Habakkuk.

Continue south to Khorramabad, where you’ll explore the magnificent Falak-ol-Aflak Citadel, a towering fortress overlooking the Zagros Mountains and one of western Iran’s most iconic historical landmarks.

Overnight: Khorramabad

Susa, Prophet Daniel & Ancient Elam

Today is one of the highlights of your biblical journey.

Arrive in Susa (Shush), one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and one of the capitals of the Achaemenid Empire.

Visit the revered Tomb of the Prophet Daniel, one of the Bible’s greatest prophets, whose visions and prophecies shaped Jewish and Christian traditions.

Explore the archaeological remains of Ancient Susa and its museum, where you’ll discover artifacts spanning thousands of years of Persian history.

Continue to the magnificent Chogha Zanbil Ziggurat, the best-preserved ziggurat in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating back over 3,200 years.

Finish the day in Shushtar, where you’ll explore the extraordinary Historical Hydraulic System, another UNESCO World Heritage Site that showcases the engineering genius of ancient Persia.

Overnight: Ahvaz

Bishapur & Sassanian Persia

Travel toward Shiraz, stopping first at Bishapur, one of the greatest cities of the Sassanian Empire.

Founded by Shapur I after his victory over the Roman Emperor Valerian, Bishapur beautifully combines Persian and Roman architectural traditions.

Nearby, admire the impressive Tang-e Chogan rock reliefs, among the finest surviving carvings from the Sassanian period.

Overnight: Shiraz

Shiraz: Gardens, Poetry & Islamic Heritage

Discover the elegance of Shiraz.

Visit the famous Nasir al-Mulk Mosque (Pink Mosque) before the morning sunlight transforms its colorful stained-glass windows into spectacular patterns of light.

Explore Narenjestan Garden, Vakil Bazaar, and the beautiful UNESCO-listed Eram Garden.

Visit the peaceful Tomb of Hafez, Persia’s greatest lyric poet, before concluding your day at the dazzling Ali Ibn Hamzeh Shrine, admired for its remarkable mirror-work.

Overnight: Shiraz

Cyrus the Great, Persepolis & Pasargadae

Today’s journey explores the heart of the Persian Empire.

Visit Persepolis, the ceremonial capital founded by Darius the Great, where magnificent palaces, monumental staircases, and exquisite reliefs once welcomed delegations from across the known world.

Continue to Naqsh-e Rostam, where the monumental tombs of Darius the Great and three other Achaemenid kings overlook the ancient landscape.

Finally, visit Pasargadae, the first capital of the Persian Empire and the resting place of Cyrus the Great. Mentioned in the Bible as God’s anointed ruler who allowed the Jewish exiles to return from Babylon and rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem, Cyrus remains one of history’s most admired kings.

Continue to Yazd.

Overnight: Yazd

Yazd: Crossroads of Ancient Faiths

Explore UNESCO-listed Yazd, one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities.

Visit the Tower of Silence, the Zoroastrian Fire Temple, the Amir Chakhmaq Complex, the magnificent Jame Mosque, and the beautiful Dowlat Abad Garden.

Learn how Yazd became a crossroads where ancient Persian, Islamic, and Zoroastrian traditions coexisted for centuries.

Overnight: Yazd

Desert Heritage & Arrival in Isfahan

Travel through Iran’s central desert, stopping at Meybod to visit a beautifully restored Safavid caravanserai, an ancient ice house, and the historic pigeon tower.

Continue to Naein, home to one of Iran’s oldest mosques, before arriving in magnificent Isfahan, the Safavid capital famously known as “Half the World.”

Overnight: Isfahan

Armenian Isfahan & UNESCO Heritage Sites

Visit the UNESCO-listed Jame Mosque of Isfahan, often described as the encyclopedia of Persian Islamic architecture.

Continue to New Julfa, the historic Armenian quarter, where you’ll explore the magnificent Vank Cathedral, one of the most important Christian churches in Iran and a remarkable blend of Persian and European artistic traditions.

End your evening at the beautiful Si-o-se-pol and Khaju Bridges, where locals gather to socialize and sing beneath the arches.

Overnight: Isfahan

The Splendor of Safavid Isfahan

Spend the day exploring the magnificent Naqsh-e Jahan Square, one of the world’s largest historic public squares and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Visit the spectacular Shah Mosque, the elegant Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, the magnificent Ali Qapu Palace, and the bustling historic bazaar.

Conclude your exploration at Chehel Sotun Palace, another UNESCO-listed Persian garden renowned for its royal frescoes and graceful architecture.

Overnight: Isfahan

Kashan & Return to Tehran

Travel to the historic oasis city of Kashan.

Visit the beautiful Fin Garden, one of the finest examples of the Persian concept of paradise and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Continue to the elegant Boroujerdi House, famous for its windcatchers, stained-glass windows, and exquisite Qajar architecture.

Later, continue to Tehran.

Overnight: Tehran

Christian Heritage & Departure

Begin your final day with a visit to Saint Sarkis Cathedral, the spiritual center of Tehran’s Armenian Apostolic community.

Continue to the magnificent Golestan Palace, Tehran’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site and the former royal residence of the Qajar kings.

Explore the bustling Grand Bazaar of Tehran before visiting the National Museum of Iran, whose extraordinary archaeological collections provide the perfect conclusion to your journey through biblical Persia.

Later, transfer to Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA) for your departure, taking home unforgettable memories from the lands of Esther, Daniel, Habakkuk, Cyrus the Great, and the ancient Persian Empire.