From Ukraine to Iran by land

In Romania we will see the grand capital and the world-famous Transylvania. In Bulgaria - old districts of Sofia and one of the most ancient cities on Earth! Next - all iconic sights of Istanbul, wonderful Cappadocia and remote Kurdistan. Finally, we reach mysterious Iran to explore unique landmarks. All this - in the unique trip from Ukraine to Tehran by land!

Day 1

Arrival in Chernivtsi. Breakfast, exploring the city center. Train trip to Suceava, Romania (3 hours on the way). Short walk in the historical center. Dinner. Night train to Bucharest.
Day 2

Arrival in Bucharest, checking into a hotel. Breakfast and train to the ancient colorful city of Brasov (3 hours on the way). Half a day we will spend studying the story and rumors of "Dracula Castle" in a small town of Bran. We will devote another part of the day to a walk along Brasov. Evening train to Bucharest (3 hours on the way).
Day 3

We explore Bucharest - Romanian cuisine, the Cathedral, the largest building of Parliament in the world, huge squares, parks and other legacy of Soviet times. After lunch we will travel to Bulgaria, one of the oldest cities in the world - Veliko Tarnovo by a hired vehicle (4 hours on the way). Checking into a hotel.
Day 4

Veliko Tarnovo was founded more than 4500 years BC by people from the Neolithic Age! Romans built their fortress here in the XI century, the city was the second most important in the region after Constantinople, and in 1908 the independence of Bulgaria was proclaimed here. By evening train we go to Sofia (3 hours on the way) and check into a hotel.
Day 5

After breakfast we will explore several districts of Sofia on foot and then take a train to Plovdiv (about an hour and a half on the way). The main attraction here is the Roman-built theater with a capacity of 6,000 people, which was "accidentally found" during a landslide in 1970. After walks around the city, we will take a comfortable night class train to Istanbul.
Day 6

Early arrival in Halkali, one of the stations near Istanbul. Moving to the city and checking into a hotel. We visit Topkapi - the main palace of the Ottoman Empire, Hagia Sofia cathedral and the hamam. Relax in the local tea shop and get lost in a row of famous Beyoglu bars.
Day 7

Morning in Istanbul should start with hot coffee and simit (Turkish bagel) on the waterfront! We will ride the Bosphorus by boat, visit the Prince's islands, try traditional sandwiches with mackerel and rice in mussels and visit an authentic Turkish bazaar.
Day 8

In the first half of the day we continue to explore Istanbul, visiting places that we did not have time to see on the previous day. After dinner, we head off on a comfortable high-speed train to the capital of Turkey - Ankara, where we have dinner in a traditional restaurant and check into a hotel on the way to Cappadocia.
Day 9

Cappadocia is a place where the incredible topography coincided with human history. Churches carved in stone, open-air museum, rocky monastery in Zelve, Uchisar castle, accommodation in a hotel as in a real cave - our plans for one and a half days here. Those interested can try a balloon flight.
Day 10

We continue to explore Cappadocia, then take a bus to Kayseri where we board a night bus to Kurdistan.
Day 11

Arrival in Van, checking into a hotel. The city is located on the shore of a picturesque lake. 3000 years ago, it was the capital of the Armenian kingdom, and the ancient inhabitants called it "the place of heaven on Earth." We will visit Van Kalesi - the ruins of an ancient city-fortress of Armenians and stroll along the picturesque lake coast.
Day 12

Morning departure to Tabriz in Iran by bus (7 hours on the way). Arrival in Tabriz, checking into a hotel. We will visit the grand bazaar, try some street food and drink tea in the traditional teahouse.
Day 13

Tabriz is one of the oldest cities in Iran and is considered the capital of the Azerbaijani part of the country, therefore we will visit the Ethnographic Museum of Azerbaijan, admire folk crafts - ancient ceramics, glassware, historical maps, household items. We also visit the famous 600 years old "Blue Mosque" (Kabud Mosque) with azure ornaments on the walls and ceiling. Stroll around a square lake in Shahgoli Park and drink a fragrant tea in an open-air cafe. Evening departure to Tehran by train.
Day 14

Arrival in the capital of Iran and checking into a hotel. Breakfast. Visit to the museum of National treasures in the safe depository of the Central Bank of Iran. Collections of jewelry, inlaid with precious stones and precious metals weapons, clothing and furniture, is more than 500 years old! Among the unique exhibits are the rulers' thrones, the golden globe and others. We will visit the royal residence of the Golestan Palace, visit the marble throne room, the diamond hall, the mirror room, get acquainted with the collection of clothes, dishes and weapons of the rulers of the country. After lunch we walk through the Grand Bazaar - the largest indoor market in the world and the historical center of Tehran. Walk around the city. Dinner, return to the hotel.
Day 15

Visiting the modern capital's symbols - the Freedom Tower on Azadi Square and the Milad TV tower. Dinner. Departure to Isfahan (about 6 hours on the way). Arrival in Isfahan at night, checking into a hotel.
Day 16

We will visit the Imam Square, which is surrounded by several ancient mosques and is one of the largest squares in the world, and dine in the restaurant of traditional cuisine. We take a stroll through the Persian park Chekhel Sotun, built by Sheikh Abbas II in the XVII century. The highlight of the park is a palace, the name of which is translated as "Forty Columns" - 20 columns are real, and another 20 are reflected in the lake. We will also see the famous Isfahan bridges, in particular, the famous Joubi - 147-meter-long bridge of the XVII century, and also attend an improvised concert in the evening.
Day 17

We will visit the Armenian quarter with numerous cozy coffee places, visit the orthodox Vank cathedral of the XVII century and admire its unique frescoes. South of Esfahan, Mount Sophe, is a favorite place of rest for the inhabitants and guests of the city. We will climb the funicular to its summit and admire the views and see how the lights of the night city light up.
Day 18

Bus to Shiraz, a cultural capital of Iran with more than 4,000 thousand years of history (6 hours on the way). Checking into a hotel. We will visit the place of Iranian pilgrimage - the tomb of the famous Persian poet Hafez. Free time.
Day 19

We will visit the famous Pink mosque, where we will see amazing mosaics, and admire the colorful rays of the rising sun through the stained glass and see the XIV century mausoleum of the Shah-Cherah mirrors.
Day 20

Early departure to Yazd, one of the oldest cities in Iran, known from the third millennium BC (6 hours on the way). On the way, we arrive at Persepolis, the "City of Persians," the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid state of the VI century BC, built by the Persian king Darius and destroyed by Alexander the Great. We will also visit Pasargadae - ruins of the city that was the capital of Persia before Persepolis. Evening arrival in Yazd, checking into a hotel.
Day 21

Yazd, first of all, is known for its ancient districts, which are more than two thousand years old, as well as what is considered the center of one of the oldest world religions - Zoroastrianism. We will visit the local Zoroastrian temple and the Towers of silence - the places of Zoroastrian burials, walk in the main mosque of the XVI century and take a stroll through the colorful local bazaar.
Day 22

Morning bus to Kerman (4-5 hours on the way). Lunch, trip to the Kaluts Desert, the sunset in the desert and checking into the guesthouse, run by the local family, dinner.
Day 23

We watch lovely dawn in the desert, and return to the hotel for breakfast. Then we take a trip to the picturesque Mahan, where we enjoy the magnificent views of boulders and rocks shaped by thousands of years of winds. Return to Kerman, walks in the city, night train to Kashan.
Day 24

In the morning we arrive in Kashan, check into the hotel, have breakfast. Then we go to the village of Abyane in the mountains (about 2 hours on the way). Abyane is a real Iran, as it was thousands of years ago. The village is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. We stroll through the narrow winding streets, between the houses of red bricks and admire ancient architecture. In the evening we go back to Kashan and enjoy views of the city from the roof of an old hammam.
Day 25

An ancient city, famous for its silk and carpets, Kashan is considered one of the most beautiful ancient cities in Iran. We take a stroll through the old neighborhoods and visit the traditional houses of the local nobility. Bus to Tehran (about 3 hours on the way). Checking into the hotel.
Day 26

We will visit the northern part of the capital of Iran, and Sa'adat Abad districts with many palaces and museums. Sa'adabad is now the official residency of the incumbent president. We also take a walk in the park on Mount Darband. Flight back home.

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Trip code: DFAK

Tour leader

Nadiya Chernysh

At a Glance

"Dracula's castle", 11th century Roman fort, Topkapi palace and temples of Istambul, Landscapes of Cappadocia, Van Fortress, Blue and Pink mosques, Golestan palace, Persepolis and Pasargadae, Zoroastrian shrines, Iranian desert

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Group size 12 persons.

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Is this trip for you?

This trip is of light physical grade. It includes rides in buses, trains and rented transport, as well as five overnight trips in comfortable night buses and trains. We will also take walks in cities and towns, and move around in public transportation in the cities. Accommodation in double/twin rooms of tourist class hotels and guesthouses.

The price of the trip includes:

All transportation including buses, trains, public transport, taxis and other;
Accommodation during the entire trip;
Breakfasts in all Iranian hotels and some hotels in other countries;
Professional guiding services.

To be paid separately:

Flight to Chernivtsi and from Tehran back home;
Insurance (mandatory);
Food;
Entry tickets to museums, parks and other places of the interest;
Visas.

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At a Glance

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Citizens of many countries do not need a visa to enter Ukraine. Citizens of many countries can obtain visa on arrival.

Citizens of many countries do not need a visa to Romania and Bulgaria. Those who need a visa should apply in the embassy of their country of residence before the trip.

Citizens of most countries do not need a visa to Turkey.

Citizens of most countries can get Iranian visa in the embassy of their country of residence before the trip. Visa is valid for one month and costs $75-95.

We provide free visa consulting for clients.

At a Glance

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