Itinerary

1. Day 1: Fly Ahvaz - Arrive Shushtar

   • Take an early morning flight to Ahvaz. Be escorted from the airport.

   • After breakfast, proceed for a short visit to Ahvaz and Karoon River before setting off on an introductory tour of Shushtar. 

   • Drive to Haft-Tappeh (excavation site, which consists of dozens of hills) and Tchogha-Zanbil (This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a ziggurat of the Elamite domination era). 

   • Tour Shushtar’s historical watermills. 

   • Have lunch in the traditional Mostofi Museum and restaurant. 

   Overnight in Shushtar

2. Day 2: Shimbar - Join Nomads

   • Drive to Negin Bridge and Shimbar Waterfall. 

   • Have lunch in a local home which is the last point we will have electricity.

   • Visit Dezpart Steps. 

   • Hike to reach the Nomad’s black tent in Mt. Zagros.

   • Enjoy the views & lovely weather to conclude your evening.

   • Tonight, under a starry sky, have a hot meal & cosy tent to camp and gather your strength for the next day, which is the day of KUCH (Migration)!

3. Day 3: An Expedition to Nomad Land (Kuch festival, Day 3,4and5)

   • Go on a pilgrimage to the first group of Nomads. They are Bakhtiari Nomads living in the Zagros Mountains ranges, and they are the most authentic Nomads of Iran who do seasonal migrations.

   • Go on the ‘Kuch’ (Migration) with them and ‘Migrating’ and live a nomadic lifestyle for a few days. Soak up a primitive nomadic life, as if you live in the past. It is like a ‘living museum’ of the indigenous people of Iran, and that’s why it is called an ‘Odyssey’ after this series of experiences.

   • Take in the spectacular view of the flock wandering around the surrounding green pastures.

   • Today is the day of Migration: A Great Day for the Nomads. During these three days, you will hike for 42 km overall. ‘Flexibility’ is a keyword since there is no fixed plan due to the Nomads’ flexible routine (sometimes face some unexpected adventures to which you need to adapt yourself).

4. Day 4: An Expedition to Nomad Land (Kuch festival - Day 3,4 and 5)

   • While moving behind the flock in the Zagros mountainous regions, don’t forget to feast on the area's scenic beauty – a view you will never forget. 

   • Take photos and soak up the views of imposing mountains or oak trees with the sound of sheep’s bell in your ears.

   • Halt in the afternoon, when the Nomads stop moving & set up the black tent, take this time to enjoy the spectacular surroundings. 

   • Sleep under the starry sky in the lower mountain for an unforgettable experience. 

5. Day 5: An Expedition to Nomad Land (Kuch Festival Day 3,4 and 5)

   • Have breakfast with your nomad family.

   • Say goodbye & continue your expedition to a fantastic mountain village called Khouye.

   • After three days of migration with the nomads, a comfortable, cosy village house would be a perfect lodge. 

   • Be rewarded with vast fruit gardens and wonderful old village houses. You will also have a fabulous view of the surrounding mountains from the village. 

   • Stay in the village for the night.

6. Day 6: Depart from Nomadic Life - Back to Civilization

   • After breakfast, go through the village.

   • Then after bidding farewell to your host family, go to the historical village of Sar Agha Seyyed.

   • Appreciate the views of the old village houses where the yard is the roof of the other. Zagros has always been the highest and most challenging part of each nomadic migration. For more than thousands of years, Nomads have stopped in this village on their way to summer or winter pastures. 

   • Hike for 15 minutes and visit a salt mine near the village.

   • Continue to Chelgerd, where you will relax at your hotel for some time. 

   • Koohrang Spring is the next incredible destination. It is a giant spring in Iran that is rarely visited by passengers due to the exposed nature of the place & the rough road.

   Overnight at your hotel.

7. Day 7: Go to Isfahan

   • Marvel at the Persian architectural wonders of Isfahan while scanning the entire city in the next two days. 

8. Day 8: Isfahan, Half of the World

   A Persian proverb says, ‘Isfahan is half of the world’, referring to many palaces, mosques, gardens, bridges, etc.

   • Visit some famous places in Isfahan like:

     • Naqsh-e Jahan Square

     • Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque

     • Shah Mosque

     • Ali Qapu.

   • Rest and relax in the afternoon. 

   • Proceed to Chehel Sotoun Palace and Si-o-se-pol Bridge, followed by a visit to the Khaju Bridge. 

   • Prepare for the next day as you relax at your hotel.

9. Day 9: Shiraz

   • Ride to Shiraz and visit the Tomb of Hafez, the most famous Persian poet buried in Hafezieh. People believe Hafez’s poems give them clues to their future. You, too, can try your luck here. 

10. Day 10: Shiraz and Qashqai nomads

    • Visit historical places like Narenjestan & Karim Khan-e Zand Complex, where Karim Khan invited the best architects & artists of the time to work on his citadel. The highlight of the day is the Pink Mosque with its otherworldly colours. 

    • Step inside the mosque. It is not hard to see why people call it Pink or Rainbow Mosque. Nothing is more pleasant to the eye than its vast green gardens in Shiraz.

    • Go and live with the nomads of the area called Qashqai Nomads. They are the second most prominent Nomad Tribes in Iran who speak Turkish.

    • Explore their deeply rooted culture.

11. Day 11: Qashqai Nomads - Perspolis

    • Step back in time and explore another main ethnic group in Iran. 

    • Move to Naqsh-e Rostam & Persepolis, the ancient capital of the Achaemenid Empire, located in Kuh-e Rahmat (Mountain of Mercy). It is among the world’s greatest archaeological sites.

12. Day 12: Meymand

    • Bid farewell to Shiraz and head for the last group of Iran Nomads who live in one of the most fantastic authentic villages of Iran; Maymand. This village is registered in UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

    • Stay with semi-nomadic agro-pastoralists villagers in an unusual form of housing, which you’ll find quite wonderful. The hand-carved cave dwellings are extraordinary since they remind us of ancient times when people inhabited caves. These semi-nomads do semi-migration (Kuch) with their livestock to some surrounding pastures.

    • Spend the night in these serene and tranquil caves in Maymand Moon Ecolodge.

13. Day 13: Kerman - Mahan

    • In Kerman, the city's historical past is represented in the Ganjali Khan Complex in the old center of the town, which is a fantastic example of Persian architecture of the Safavid era.

    • Proceed to Jabalieh Dome, the following ancient national monument.

    • Visit to know more about the history and architecture of Kerman.

    • Have a wonderful time wandering around the ancient bazaar of Kerman. The age of this grand bazaar goes back to 600 years ago. 

    • Reach Mahan District and visit Shah Nematollah Vali Shrine & Mahan Garden, which is the garden of Prince Mahan. Apart from the historical point of view, what is so unique about this garden is the contrast between the lush green environment of the garden and the desert-like environment of the outside.

14. Day 14: Go Back to Tehran

    • Fly to Tehran & prepare for your onward journey. 

    • Visit Golestan Palace, Grand Bazaar of Tehran, Melli Garden, Jewelry Museum and Tabi’at Bridge if time permits.