Day 1 To Tehran: Overnight flight from London to Tehran with bmi. Transfer to the Laleh Hotel for 2 nights (including immediate occupancy). (N)

Day 2 Tehran: Morning at leisure. Afternoon tour of the Iranian capital, including the Archaeological Museum and the fabulous Crown Jewels of the Shahs of Iran. (B, D)

Day 3 To Shiraz: Fly to Shiraz and take a tour of the city, including the Nasir-ol-Molk Mosque, the bazaar and the Ali Ibn Hamzeh Shrine. Stay at the Homa Hotel for 2 nights. (B, D)

Day 4 Persepolis & Nagsh-e-Rostam: Full day visit to Persepolis, Darius the Great’s summer capital. Continue to Nagsh-e-Rostam, the site of royal tombs and Sassanian rock reliefs. (B, L)

Day 5 To Isfahan: Drive to Isfahan via Pasargadae, capital of Cyrus the Great. Stay 3 nights at the Abbasi Hotel. (B, D)

Day 6 Isfahan: Full day tour of the city’s monuments, including the beautiful Khaju Bridge, the Vank Armenian Cathedral in New Julfa and the Imam Square. Conclude with a visit to the Ali Qapu Palace. (B, D)

Day 7 Isfahan: Morning visit to the Friday Mosque, with its 476 domes, the Chehel Sotun Palace and Isfahan’s bazaar. (B, D)

Day 8 To Tehran: Drive to Tehran, stopping at Kashan en route to visit the Fin gardens and the former merchant’s house of Taba-Tabai. Stay overnight at the Laleh Hotel. (B, D)

Day 9 To London: Morning transfer to the airport and fly from Tehran to London with bmi. (B)

Note: Iran is an Islamic Republic and visitors are required to conform to the Islamic dress code. For women, it is essential that all the body is covered, except for the hands and face. Please contact Cox & Kings for more details.

Discovery Tour: Cox & Kings uses the best available accommodation in Iran. However, the hotel standard is basic throughout. The tour involves some long drives and walking over rough terrain.