Trip Overview
This 12 day overland tour journeys from Istanbul to Tehran through Iran, Turkey
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80% Highlights
Guided tour of Golestan Palace in Tehran
Learn about Iran's fascinating history at the National Museum
See the spectacular Dome of Soltaniyeh
Wander through the ancient bazaar of Tabriz, the largest covered market in the world
Overnight in the Kurdish town of Doğubeyazıt
Overland Eastern Turkey and wild camp en-route
Guided tour of the valley of Cappadocia
Take an optional balloon ride over Cappadocia
Visit the incredible Blue Mosque
Explore the many amazing sites of Istanbul
SHOW MORE HIGHLIGHTSBorder Information: if joining in Istanbul, you will most likely enter Turkey at Istanbul Atatürk Airport (IATA code: IST).
There will be a pre-departure meeting at 10:00am - on arrival please look out for a note from your leader with more information about this important meeting.
If you are travelling beyond Tehran, your tour leader will need to carefully check your visa situation for your entire trip - if anybody that has arranged to apply for an Iranian visa in Istanbul, we will visit the Iranian embassy immediately after our meeting. the rest of the day will be free to explore the incredible city of Istanbul.
In Istanbul we will stay in dorm accommodation in a fantastic hostel with good facilities, which is a 5 minute walk from the Blue Mosque.
Please note that many of the options listed below will only be possible for those with extra time in Istanbul before the start of your trip with us - please contact the Sales team if you would like to book pre-tour accommodation with us to have extra time exploring Istanbul.
*Important note - do not bring any medicines containing tramadol, codeine, temazepam, morphine or opiates to Central Asia. These are illegal in all circumstances in most of Central Asia and you will risk arrest. If in doubt about a particular medicine, please do not bring it. See the notes at the bottom for more details.*
Today we will have a free day to explore the myriad of highlights in the old Byzantine and Ottoman capital. There are many places to visit, such as the spectacular Blue Mosque, the colossal Hagia Sophia, the bewildering Grand Bazaar, the phenomenal Topkapı Palace, and a ferry cruise on the Bosphorus river.
Daily Activities
These activities are not included in the itinerary, however they are available to book and/or payable locally.
Guided city tour of Istanbul
Visit the incredible Byzantine cathedral of Hagia Sophia, built in the 6th century
Explore the atmospheric underground Basilica Cisterns, built by the Byzantines in the 6th century
Visit the Çemberlitas Baths, a traditional Turkish Hammam, for a bath and massage!
Explore the phenomenal Blue Mosque, built by the Ottoman Sultan Ahmed I - a stunning icon of Istanbul
See the splendour of Istanbul from a boat trip on Bosphorus Strait, which marks the boundary of Europe and Asia
Explore the majestic Topkapı Palace, the huge palace of the Ottoman Sultans for over 400 years
Today we start our journey with a full day's drive east to Göreme, a small enchanting town in the heart of the Cappadocia mountains.
In Göreme we will stay in a well-equipped hostel - please note that dorm beds are sometimes used here.
Estimated Drive Time - 10-11 hours (please note that all drive times given here are the approximate number of hours that the truck will be in motion only, and does not include any time taken for coffee or lunch stops, border crossings, photo stops, activities en route, comfort breaks, shopping stops, toilet stops, etc. The times given are approximate estimates only and whilst given with the best of intentions, the drive times are heavily dependent on traffic, road conditions, weather, police roadblocks, and many other factors - flexibility is essential on any overland trip!).
We will have a 2 full days to explore Göreme, including a guided tour of the enchanted valley of Cappadocia. There will be an opportunity for a magical optional balloon ride over the valley during our time here.
Daily Activities
Explore the Early Christian underground cities of Derinkuyu or Kaymaklı, used as a hiding place from persecutions for centuries
Walk through the beautiful ancient valley of Ihlara, containing the beautiful rock-hewn churches built by the Cappadocian Greeks during the Byzantine era
These activities are not included in the itinerary, however they are available to book and/or payable locally.
Take a hot air balloon flight over Cappadocia
Guided tour of Cappadocia and underground troglodyte cities and caves
Explore the ancient pre-iconoclastic Byzantine rock monastery of Zelve
Learn how to make the traditional Central Turkish dishes of dolma and sarma at a Turkish cooking class
Take an Oriental Dancing (belly dancing) class to learn the techniques of this beautiful form of dance
Drive through the stunning landscape of Cappadocia on an ATV quad biking trip
Discover the incredible scenery of Cappadocia on horseback
Discover the ancient techniques of Cappadocian pottery at the village of Avanos
Head out for a fun evening of dinner and various Turkish dancing displays
Witness the hypnotic Sufi Whirling Dervishes ceremony at an ancient caravanserai near Göreme
Over the next two days we will travel through the stunning landscapes in eastern Turkey towards the Kurdish town of Doğubayazıt.
We will aim to wild camp or stay at a basic local campsite near Sivas on the first night, and near Erzurum on the second.
Estimated Drive Time - 5-7 hours each day.
Today we will complete our drive to the Kurdish town of Doğubayazıt. On arrival we will have an included visit to the Ishak Pasha Palace and enjoy the spectacular views of the surrounding landscapes and the nearby Mount Ararat.
In Doğubayazıt we will stay in a basic local hotel.
Estimated Drive Time - 4-5 hours.
Daily Activities
Visit to Ishak Pasha Palace near Dogubayazit on the Iranian Border
Border Information: Exit Turkey at Gurbulak, enter Iran at Bazargan.
Today we will drive across the Iranian border to the city of Tabriz, where we will have free time to explore some of the sights of the old town.
In Tabriz we will stay in a local hotel.
Estimated Drive Time - 5-7 hours.
Daily Activities
These activities are not included in the itinerary, however they are available to book and/or payable locally.
Wander through the ancient bazaar of Tabriz, once one of the most important commercial centres on the Silk Road and the largest covered market in the world
Visit the Constitution House of Tabriz, where the Persian Constitutional Revolution of 1905-1907 was launched, which established the Qajar Dynasty and the country's parliament
Learn all about the vast history of Tabriz and the Iranian province of East Azerbaijan in the Azerbaijan Museum
Visit the beautiful Blue Mosque of Tabriz, built in 1465 and refurbished in 1973
See the grave of Shahriar, the beloved local poet whose Azeri-Turkish and Persian literature has been translated into more than 30 languages across the world
Today we will continue our journey east to the small town of Zanjan, where we have free time to explore and possibly visit the fascinating historical laundry hall of Rakhatshor-Khaneh.
In Zanjan we will stay in a local hotel.
Estimated Drive Time - 5-6 hours.
Daily Activities
See the spectacular Dome of Soltaniyeh, the huge mausolem of the Ilkhanate (Mongolian) emperor Öljeitü built in the 14th Century and the 3rd largest dome in the world behind the Cathedral of Florence and the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul
These activities are not included in the itinerary, however they are available to book and/or payable locally.
Visit the historical underground hall of Rakhatshor-Khaneh, once used as the entire city's laundry-place
Today we will have an included visit to the impressive Dome of Soltaniyeh, just outside of Zanjan. The 14th-century mausoleum is the 3rd largest dome in the world.
After our visit we will continue our drive to the buzzing and chaotic Iranian capital of Tehran.
In Tehran we will stay in a local hotel.
Estimated Drive Time - 5-6 hours.
Border Information: If leaving in Tehran, you will most likely exit Iran at Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport (IATA code: IKA).
This morning we will have an included tour of the stunning Golestan Palace and the fascinating National Museum of Iran.
Today is the end day for passengers finishing their trip in Tehran. Please note there is no accommodation included on the trip tonight.
Please note that due to restrictions on citizens of the UK, USA and Canada being permitted to remain unaccompanied in Iran, we will only be able to book one extra night of accommodation in Tehran for these nationalities at the end of this trip. You will also be required to book an airport transfer in advance via Dragoman. Please ensure the correct dates for your plans are clearly stated on all your visa applications.
Daily Activities
Explore the former royal complex of Golestan Palace, a huge site built in the 16th century and Tehran's oldest monument
Learn all about Iran's rich and fascinating history at Tehran's National Museum of Iran
These activities are not included in the itinerary, however they are available to book and/or payable locally.
Visit the Iranian Artists' Forum in Tehran, a large gallery for the country's best young artists to feature their work
Explore the S'ad Abad Museum in the spectacular mountainside near Tehran, once a royal summer home during the Pahlavi period
Visit the shocking Ebrat Museum, once the prison used by the Shah's brutal secret police before the revolution of 1979
See Tehran's iconic Azadi Tower, the inverted Y-shaped memorial built in 1971 to commemorate the 2500th anniversary of the first Persian Empire
See Tehran's Museum of the Islamic Period and its interesting collection of artifacts from various stages of Iran's history (when open)
Visit the viewing tower at the top of the iconic Milad Tower, one of the world's tallest towers at a height of 435 metres
Visit the Laleh Park in central Tehran, an oasis of calm and a well-designed green space to observe local life pass by
See some of Iran's most precious treasures at the Treasury of National Jewels, including the 182 carat Darya-ye-Nur (Sea of Light) which is thought to be the world's largest uncut diamond, and the phenomenal 34kg Globe of Jewels, made with over 51,000 precious stones
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DATES & PRICES
This group overland journey has multiple departures.
Please refine your search by selecting your preferred dates of travel.
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