13 Day The UNESCO Grand Tour: Tehran, Zanjan, Hamedan, Kermanshah & Isfahan

Drive north-west on the motorway to Soltaniyeh (about 290 km, ~3.5 h with a stop) for the colossal Mongol dome (UNESCO), then the last 40 km on to Zanjan, arriving in the evening. Overnight: Zanjan.

The longest driving day. Mountain roads from Zanjan via Dandi to Takht-e Soleyman (about 190 km, ~3 h), then two hours at the Sassanid fire sanctuary (UNESCO) around its volcanic crater lake. Afterwards south via Takab and Bijar to Hamedan (about 270 km, ~4 h). Around 460 km and 7 hours of driving in total, with stops. Overnight: Hamedan.

Morning in ancient Ecbatana at Hamedan: the Hegmataneh mound and Avicenna's tomb (about 3 hours). Then west to Bisotun (about 155 km, ~2 h) for Darius's rock reliefs (UNESCO), and the last 30 km into Kermanshah. About 185 km of driving. Overnight: Kermanshah.

A long road day south-east through the Zagros valleys to Isfahan (about 600 km, 7–8 hours of driving with lunch and rest stops). Arrival in the evening for a first look at the river bridges. Overnight: Isfahan.

A day on foot in the centre, with no long drives: Naqsh-e Jahan Square and the Jameh Mosque (both UNESCO), the Ali Qapu terrace, the Chehel Sotoun garden pavilion and the bazaar (about 6 hours, with short city transfers between sites). Overnight: Isfahan.

Drive east to Nain (about 140 km, ~1.5 h) for a stop at its old Jameh Mosque, then on to Yazd (about 175 km, ~2 h): roughly 320 km and 4–4.5 hours in total. Afternoon in the historic adobe city (UNESCO) and the Dolatabad garden with its tall windcatcher at golden hour. Overnight: Yazd.

South out of Yazd to the Pahlavanpour garden in Mehriz (UNESCO, about 30 km), then on to Kerman (about 340 km, ~4.5 h). Continue 35 km to Mahan for the terraced Shazdeh garden (UNESCO) in the late afternoon, then back to Kerman. About 440 km and 5.5–6 hours of driving in total. Overnight: Kerman.

The long desert road south-west via Sirjan and Neyriz to Shiraz (about 570 km, 7–8 hours of driving with lunch and rest stops). Evening at leisure in Shiraz. Overnight: Shiraz.

North to Pasargadae (about 130 km, ~1.5 h) and the tomb of Cyrus (UNESCO). On the way back south, Persepolis (UNESCO) and the royal tombs of Naqsh-e Rostam nearby, with the reliefs and palaces in detail, then the last 60 km to Shiraz (~1 h). About 265 km and 3.5 hours of driving. Overnight: Shiraz.

Eram Garden (UNESCO) and a last Shiraz morning. Transfer to Shiraz airport (about 20 minutes) for the domestic flight to Ahvaz (included, about 1 hour in the air), then a short transfer to your hotel on the Karun. Overnight: Ahvaz.

North to the Elamite ziggurat of Chogha Zanbil (UNESCO, about 120 km, ~1.5 h), then 60 km on to Shushtar (~1 h) for the Historical Hydraulic System (UNESCO), its weirs and watermills on the Karun, and back to Ahvaz (about 90 km, ~1.5 h). About 270 km and 4–4.5 hours of driving. Overnight: Ahvaz.

Breakfast and check-out. Private transfer to Ahvaz International Airport (AWZ), about 15–20 minutes from the hotel, timed to your flight: we pick you up about 3 hours before an international departure, or 2 hours before a domestic one. If you fly home via Tehran, we can book the Ahvaz → Tehran connection on request (not included). Departure day.