16-DAY TOUR OF THE ARMENIAN MONASTIC ENSEMBLE, ANCIENT CHURCHES, MONASTERIES, AND SACRED SHRINES OF IRAN

A journey through one of the world’s most ancient cultures.

OUTLINE & HIGHLIGHTS

Category:
Zhivar Travel Agency

Duration

16 Days

Group Size

Small & Large Groups: (6-14) and (15-25) Guests

Physical Rating

Normal – Easy

Best time to travel

Spring and Fall Season

START

Tehran

DURATION

15 Days

Finish

Tehran

The presence of Christianity in Iran goes back to the early periods of Christian history, although scholars do not know when exactly it first arrived.

Since the origins of Christianity and certainly since the 7th century, the Armenian monasteries of Iran have borne continuous testimony to Armenian culture in its relations and contact with the Persian and later the Iranian civilizations. They bear testimony to a vast and refined panorama of architectural and decorative content associated with Armenian culture in interaction with other regional cultures: Byzantine, Orthodox, Assyrian, Persian, and Muslim. The monasteries have survived some 2,000 years of destruction from human origin and natural disasters. They have been rebuilt several times in keeping with Armenian cultural traditions.

The Armenian Monastic Ensembles of Iran, in the northwest of the country, consists of three monastic ensembles of the Armenian Christian faith: St Thaddeus and St Stepanos and the Chapel of Dzordzor. These edifices – the oldest of which, St Thaddeus, dates back to the 7th century – are examples of the outstanding universal value of the Armenian architectural and decorative traditions.

This magnificent 16 Day journey will take you through 21 historic churches, chapels, monasteries, and biblical shrines dating back from the 7th to 17th centuries and up to the 19th century, along with visits to biblical and hellenistic sites such as the tomb of Esther and Mordechai and the Temple of Anahita along with some of the most valued historical and archeological sites of ancient Persia (9 UNESCO World Heritage Sites).

This once-in-a-lifetime journey will take you into the heart of the ancient world in the footsteps of some of history’s most famed travelers, adventures, kings, mystics, and conquerors such as Alexander the Great, Darius The Great, Marco Polo, Avicenna, Rumi, and Hafiz and more. At the same time, you witness some of the most magnificent mosques and fascinating architectural marvels and Bazaars of the Muslim world while you journey through one of the world’s most ancient cultures.

Tour Highlights

  • Explore 7th century St Thaddeus and St Stepanos and the Chapel of Dzordzor (UNESCO World Heritage Sites)
  • Stroll through The Historic Bazaar of Tabriz, one of the oldest bazaars in the Middle East and the largest covered bazaar in the world dating back to the 16th Century (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
  • Visit the Tomb of Shams-i-Tabrīzī the spiritual instructor of the famed poet Rumi.
  • Explore The Church of St. Mary in Urumieh which is considered by some historians to be the second oldest church in Christendom after the church of Bethlehem on the West Bank.
  • Visit the remains of the Temple of Anahita, the ancient Persian goddess of fertility, water, health and healing, and wisdom, built around the lake mainly by the Sassanians in the 3rd century A.D
  • Explore the Tomb of Esther & Mordecai, believed by some to house the remains of the biblical Queen Esther and her cousin Mordecai, it is the most important pilgrimage site for Jews in Iran.
  • Excursion to Persepolis, one of the most important sites of the Ancient World, the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid kings.
  • Journey through 21 historic churches, chapels, monasteries, and biblical shrines, some dating back to the 7th century.

  • Explore some of the most valued historical and archeological sites of ancient Persia (9 UNESCO World Heritage Sites).

Itinerary Outline:

Departure Istanbul – Pre-booked hotel rooms.

Arrival at Tabriz International Airport; later in the morning city tour of Tabriz

Tabriz-Excursion to Maku: Saint Thaddeus – Dzordzor – St. Anerevut

Tabriz- Excursion to Jolfa to visit St. Stephanus

Early morning drive to the City of Khoy – Full day visits in Khoy

Early morning drive to the City of Urumieh – full day visits in Urumieh

Early morning drive to Takab, overnight stay in Hamadan

Full day visits in Hamadan – overnight stay at hotel

Early morning drive to Isfahan, en route, visit the City of Kashan, overnight in Isfahan.

Full-day tour of the city of Isfahan

Another full-day tour of Isfahan

Early morning drive to Shiraz, en-route visit Pasargadae, overnight in Shiraz

Transfer to IKA airport for departure flight.

Full-day tour of the city of Shiraz

Shiraz – Excursion to Persepolis and Naghsh-e-Rostam, overnight in Shiraz

Morning flight to Tehran, visit some of Tehran attractions, overnight in Tehran

In the morning transfer to IKA airport for the departure flight.

Departure: Transfer to IKA airport for departure flight back home.

What’s Included:

  • Applying for visas
  • Accommodation in 3-4* or 4-5* hotels, All land transportation in A/C sedan/ Mini Van/Bus
  • All transfers to/from airports, from/to hotels
  • All portages and entrance fees for main sites and excursions
  • English, German, Spanish, French, or Italian-speaking national guide
  • Meals: BB/HB/FB
  • Domestic Flight from Shiraz to Tehran

Not Included:

  • International Flight
  • Visa application fee

contact us

To request a detailed itinerary and pricing for this tour please contact us at info@Zhivar.net or b.tehrani@zhivar.com

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