9 Day Light of Persia: Isfahan, Yazd & Shiraz

A full day timed to the light, all on foot or with short city transfers. Naqsh-e Jahan Square (UNESCO) at first light, before the crowds; then the interiors of the Sheikh Lotfollah and Shah mosques as the sun moves across the tilework, and the view from the Ali Qapu terrace. Rest at the hotel through the harsh midday light. Afternoon in the bazaar's shafts of light, the Armenian quarter of Jolfa with Vank Cathedral, and a craft workshop, then sunset over the domes from a rooftop above the square. Overnight: Isfahan.

Morning drive east across the desert plateau to Yazd (about 320 km, 4–4.5 hours with stops), breaking at Nain for its 10th-century Jameh Mosque and a tea stop. Check in around mid-afternoon, then the old city's adobe lanes (UNESCO) at golden hour and Amir Chakhmaq at blue hour, when its façade is lit. Overnight: Yazd.

Dawn over the windcatchers from a rooftop in the old quarter, then the Jameh Mosque's tilework and portal. After a midday break, the Zoroastrian Fire Temple, whose flame is said to have burned for over 1,500 years, and the Towers of Silence on the edge of the city at dusk. About 6 hours of shooting in total, with short drives between sites. Overnight: Yazd.

An early start for the drive into the desert. South-east to Kerman (about 370 km, ~4.5 h), lunch in town, then over the mountains to the oasis of Shahdad and the edge of the Lut desert (UNESCO), about 130 km and 2 hours more. Roughly 500 km and 6.5–7 hours of driving in total, with stops every couple of hours. You reach camp in the late afternoon, in time to shoot the sculpted kaluts at sunset. First night at the private desert camp. Overnight: Desert camp.

No long drives today, only short 4x4 hops around the camp. Sunrise on the sand ridges, then back to camp to rest through the heat of the day. Late afternoon among the kaluts in long side light. After dark the Lut has one of the clearest night skies on Earth, and your guide helps with tripod, settings and framing for astrophotography (the Milky Way is best around the new moon). Second night at the camp. Overnight: Desert camp.

The longest road day, so we leave camp at first light with a packed breakfast. Back through Kerman, then south-west via Sirjan and Neyriz to Shiraz: about 690 km and 9–10 hours of driving, with a proper lunch stop and short breaks every two hours. Arrival in Shiraz around early evening, with dinner near the hotel. Overnight: Shiraz.

We are at the door of Nasir-al-Mulk, the Pink Mosque of Shiraz, when it opens in the morning, as the low sun fires the stained glass across the carpets (the effect is strongest from October to March, when the sun sits lower). Late morning in the Eram garden (UNESCO), a rest in the afternoon, then the tomb of Saadi and the tomb of Hafez at sunset, when local families gather to read his poetry. Farewell dinner. Overnight: Shiraz.

A free morning, or the Vakil bazaar with your guide. Check out at noon; your luggage stays in the vehicle. In the early afternoon we drive to Persepolis (UNESCO, about 60 km, ~1 hour) and shoot the palaces and reliefs in the late-afternoon light, with Naqsh-e Rostam's royal tombs 6 km away. From there it is about 1 hour to Shiraz International Airport (SYZ), which suits flights leaving after about 21:00. If your flight is earlier, we switch Persepolis to the morning and transfer you to the airport in time. Departure day.