Experience a Tour of Zoroastrian Holy Sites with Darwan Tour

A short account of sites included in the program

Every year hundreds of Zoroastrians from all over the world make their pilgrimage to the holy site of Chak Chak. Chak Chak which in Persian means drop-drop, is located 52 Km to the northeastern of Yazd. It attracts many Zoroastrian pilgrims for the annual festival which last for ten days from the beginning of the third month after Now Rooz (Iranian new year, around 21st of March each year). The festival usually begins as of June 14, or 15 each year.

According to a Zoroastrian tradition, when Arab army had pursued Nikbanoo, the daughter of King Yazdegerd the Third, she prayed to Ahoora Mazda, to protect her against them. When she approached the mountain where Chak Chak is, suddenly the mountain miraculously opened and let her in. The mountain is said to had been closed behind her.

Chak Chak

Each year Zoroastrian pilgrims visit the temple of Pir-e- Sabz. They begin by making an stop in the village of El Abad, located at north of Yazd. As a matter of respect for the temple, the pilgrims stop the very moment they see the slight of Pir-e- Sabz and then continue the remaining distance to the temple on foot. There are number of shelters built in order to accommodate the pilgrims.

The root and traces of Zoroastrians can be found in their holy book, the Avesta, and their prophet Zoroaster (P.B.U.H). Inscriptions found at the ancient sites, suggest that his birthplace being in northwestern of Iran, and between the years 583-660 B.C. The religion itself is based on three principles namely; good words, good deeds, and good thoughts. In the Zoroastrian faith, fire is a source of life and thus scared. Zoroastrians believe that fire would pervade the other six principal of creations namely; earth, cattle, man, plants, sky and water.

Itinerary:

Recommended for Spring and Summer
In: March 31, 2009   Out: 11 April, 2009
      April 13, 2009    Out: 24 April, 2009


Duration: 13 days and 12 nights visiting cities and regions of Tehran, Shiraz, Persepolis, Necropolis, Firooz Abad, Abadeh, Chak Chak, Abarkooh, Yazd, Isfahan, Tabriz, Oroomiyeh, Miandoaab, Shahin Dezh, Takab, and Takht-e- Soleiman


Day 1, TEHRAN- SHIRAZ, Arrive at Tehran, reception by our tour guide, transfer to the Hotel. After breakfast, fly to Shiraz, arrive at Shiraz, check in Hotel. City tour including a visit to Saadi and Hafez Mausoleums (two of the great Persian Poets of 13th and 14th centuries), Arg-e- Karimkhani Citadel, and Nasirol Molk Mosque, overnight at hotel./BLD

Day 2, SHIRAZ- PERSEPOLIS, After breakfast, drive to visit Takht-e- Jamshid (P{ersepolis), Naghsh-e- Rostam and Naghsh-e- Rajab (approx 2500 years old), return to Shiraz, a visit to Aboo Nasr Castle (belong to Partian period approx 2000 years old). Overnight at hotel./BLD

Day 3, SHIRAZ- FIROOZ ABAD, After breakfast, drive to Firooz Abad to see the Sassanid monuments (approx 1700 years old) including Ardeshir Castle, Gour city, lunch and returning to Shiraz. In the afternoon, a visit to Eram Botanical Garden, Khajoo-ye Kermani Tomb, and Bazaar, overnight at hotel./BLD

Day 4, SHIRAZ- ABADEH, After breakfast, drive to Abadeh to see nomads, overnight at nomad tents./BLD

Day 5, ABADEH- ABARKOOH- YAZD, After breakfast, driving towards Yazd, en route a visit to 4000 years old Cypress tree, arrive at Yazd, check in Hotel. After lunch, city tour including a visit to silent tower, Cham traditional village, fire temple, Amir Chakhmagh Mosque, overnight at hotel./BLD

Day 6, YAZD- CHAK- CHAK, After breakfast, drive towards Ali Abad. After lunch we drive towards Chak Chak to see the Zoroastrian temple, overnight at Chak Chak./BLD

Day 7, CHAK CHAK- ISFAHAN, After breakfast, driving towards Isfahan, arrive sat Isfahan, check in Hotel. After lunch, a visit to Naghsh-e- Jahan square, Sheikh Lotfollah and Imam Mosques, Ali Qapou Palace, Forty Columns and Eight Paradise, overnight at hotel./BLD

Day 8, ISFAHAN- TEHRAN, After breakfast, a visit to Vank Church, Jame Mosque, shaking towers, pigeons nest, and fire temple of Sassanid periods. After lunch, a visit to Ali Minaret, Zoroastrians House, Sio-Se-Pol and Khajoo Bridges. Transfer to the airport for flying to Tehran, check in Hotel, overnight at hotel./BLD

Day 9, TEHRAN- TABRIZ, After breakfast, Fly to Tabriz, check in Hotel. After lunch, a visit to Kabood Mosque, Shahriyar (one of the famous Persian Poets) Mausoleum, and Bazaar. Overnight at hotel./BLD

Day 10, TABRIZ- OROOMIYEH, After breakfast, drive to Oroomiyeh. En route visiting Lake Oroomiyeh (The second largest salt lake in the world), arrive at Oroomiyeh, check in Hotel. City tour, overnight at hotel./BLD

Day 11, OROOMIYEH- SHIZ, AZARGASHB- TAKHT-E- SOLEIMAN- OROOMIYEH, After breakfast, drive to see Shiz, Azargashb fire temple and Takht-e- Soleiman. En route, visiting cities of Miandoaab, Shahin Dezh, and Takab (Sassanid periods), returning to Oroomiyeh, overnight at hotel./BLD

Day 12, OROOMIYEH- TEHRAN, Optional city tour of Tehran. Transfer to the airport for flying back home (depending on the departure time). The tour ends here./BLD

(B) Breakfast       (L) Lunch       (D) Dinner


Services included:

*Tourist Visa (landing permission only), 12 nights accommodation in 4, 3 and 2 star hotels in a double room with private facilities and breakfast, English speaking tour guide in accord with the above itinerary, all entrance fees as per itinerary, transfers and transportation in accord with the itinerary, lunch and dinner everyday, and domestic Air tickets.

Services not included:

All optional excursions, long distance telephone calls, laundry, travel insurance and tips (optional).

 

*Granting visas is at the discretion, and subject to approval, by Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
** Single room available upon request.

***Available through Darwan Tour & Travel Co. Ltd.