Yeilagh The Nomads of Spring and Summer
Yeilagh is the mild regions the nomads select for the habitation of spring and summer. Ghashghai and Bakhtiari nomads are two outstanding tribes of Iran whose territory of spring and summer is the eastern outskirts of Zagros Mountains.
These holders of a rich culture and astounding music and dance, wear the well-famed, eye-catching, colorful outfits in the lush and fertile spring and summer when the weather goes extraordinarily fine due to the abundant precipitation of last winter. As thanksgiving they sing the liveliest songs and play the most exquisite music.
The excellent weather and fertility makes Yeilagh the best opportunity for the nomads to revitalize the life by marriage. All in all, visiting the nomads means getting familiar with a world of attractions.
Day 1:
Upon your pre-dawn arrival to Imam Khomeini Airport (IKA), you will be cordially received by your tour guide carrying our logo show card (transfer information). Accordingly transfer to Mahalat famed as the city of flowers in Iran. Start a breath-taking visit of the waterfalls and the floricultural fields. The other big plus of today's tour is the small nomadic family located around Mahalat. In the evening, utilizing the spas in mahalat is an option.
Day 2:
Today en route to Chelgerd region, we will pay a short visit to the historical remains of ancient Gougad citadel, Golpaygan city, well known for its cheese and diary and Khansaar, the city of honey.
Along the rivers and the springs in this direction several Bakhtiari families set up their tents, so we will take an apportunity to rub elbows with them.
The great Bakhtiari tribe is divided to 5 sub tribes, 32 Tirehs and 294 Tashs, among those the most famous is Haft Lang and Chahar Lang tribes. Bakhtiaries' race is Lori and consequently the spoken language is Lori. The approximate population of this tribe exceeds 150000 persons. As a highlight we will be a lucky guest to stay overnight in one of the tents in Chelgerd region.
Day 3:
Waking up in a completely inexperienced atmosphere, we will stroll among the Bakhtiari families to get acquainted with the customs, living and clothing style, the economy, grazing the herds and producing diary and art crafts. Next on the agenda is a visit to the water systems of Kouhrang tunnel.
Day 4:
Set out to Lordegan region via passing Boroujen. Along the way get familiar with the Bakhtiari tribes. Stay overnight in a tent in Lordegan and get known to the customs by different possible programs.
Day 5:
Today depart to Yasouj via Semirom and Padena regions where we will visit the Ghashghai nomads. Ghashghais are the Turkish spoken nomads. This outstanding tribe is divided into 5 great Tayefehs of Dareh Shouri, Farsi Madan, Kashkuli-e Bozorg, Shesh Bolouki and Amaleh. Mostly these nomads, in spring and summer, live on the outskirts of Zagros Mountains in the north of Fars province and in autumn and winter migrate to Boushehr province and the southern Fars province. Ghashghais are the holders of an unrivaled culture, history, music and dance. In this tribe, men and women work mutually to display a constructive correlation with the Mother Nature. Stay overnight in Azadi hotel in Yasouj to get ready for another part of our nomadic trip.
Day 6:
Drive to Komehr region via visiting the renowned Margoon waterfall and the Ghashghai families who are dispersed on the outskirts of Zagros Mountains. Stay overnight in a black tent in Komehr.
Day 7:
Today's agenda starts by visiting the nomads in Komehr region to get acquainted with their culture and customs, dance and music, living and clothing style, baking bread, grazing the herd and weaving the carpet and producing the art crafts. Ghashghai carpet which is unique in the globe consists of the firm interlaced patterns and designs emanating of the ghashghai weaver mind. Stay overnight in a black tent in Komehr.
Day 8:
Start off today's tour hitting the road towards Sedeh, Aaspaas and Sarhad-e Chahar Dangeh region and then transfer to the Namdoun plain to reach the Kashkuli tribe, a branch of Ghashghai. Stay overnight in the black tent and get familiar with this tribe as well.
Day 9:
In the morning we will head for Shiraz. En route visit Persepolis and Necropolis and meet some of the Ghashghai families from Namdoun plain toward Persepolis.
Persepolis is the gem of ancient Persia which dates back 2530 years ago is the result of the exquisite works of a conglomeration of fine artists and architects from various nations under the Achaemenid Empire.
Next, you will visit Koh-e-Rahmat which is sided east of Persepolis and considered as a sacred mountain in ancient Persia.
Followed by Necropolis where you will marvel at the massive tombs of Old Persian kings. Necropolis is a collection of a variety of awe-inspiring historical relics from different pre-Islamic eras.
The excellent weather and fertility makes Yeilagh as the best opportunity for the nomads to revitalize the life by marriage.
All in all, visiting the nomads means visiting a world of attractions.
Day 10:
Shiraz is crowned as the heartland of Persian culture and this city of sophistication will never fail to conjure up images of roses and nightingales, gardens and poetry. This gorgeous city in the province of Fars is home to famous poets such as Hafez and Sa'adi and historical sites from different eras stretching back 6,000 years ago can be found.
Early in the morning, relish in the highlights of Shiraz when it was the capital of Iran during the Zand Dynasty. Be inspired by the glorious Karim Khan palace, the splendid Vakil mosque, Vakil Bazaar and Saray-e-moshir with its splendid architecture and interesting ethnic souvenir shops, Nasir Almolk mosque.
Next, you will stop for a mouth-watering Iranian lunch at one of the traditional restaurants of Shiraz (Hammam-e-Vakil if possible).
In the evening, you will visit Ali-Ebn-e-Hamzeh and be prepared to marvel at its beauties. Take a stroll through the Jahan Nama Garden and witness its tall and proud cedars.
Not forgetting the two famous Persian poets, Hafiz and Sa'adi, whose mysterious poems are everlasting in the Persian language, you will get a chance to pay homage to their tombs.
Finally visit the Delgosha Garden and Khajoy-e-Kermani tomb from where the perspective of the mysterious city of Shiraz will perpetuate in your mind. At night have dinner in a nomadic restaurant (Yord cultural complex) and immerse yourself in the world of the valiant Persian nomads. Stay overnight in Shiraz.
Day 11:
Today depart Shiraz to Firouz Abad. En route we will visit Ghal'e Dokhtar, Ardeshir fortress and the great museum of the Ghashghai nomads. In the evening, transfer to the airport to fly to Esfahan.
Day 12:
Isfahan, the legendary city which never fails to enchant its visitors, is the pearl of traditional Islamic archeology. This city is revived by the works of contemporary artists.
Isfahan prides itself in having fascinating historical garden palaces. Legend has it that the city was founded at the time of Tahmourass or Keykavous and because of its glories has been entitled “Half the World”.
Your full day tour includes the famed Imam Square (Naqsh-e-Jahan), a huge square second in the world to Beijing's Tiananmen Square. Tour the architectural marvels of Sheikh Lotfollah and Imam Mosques, Aliqapu Palace, Chehel Sutoon and Hasht Behesht Palaces, and also visit one of the most famous bazaars in Iran, where you can purchase the arts & crafts for which Isfahan is so well renowned. Stay overnight in Isfahan.
Day 13:
Isfahan’s Jameh mosque holds in itself the passage of several centuries of historical Islamic evolution. This mosque is a gallery of Islamic architecture in which the progress of the architecture from the outset of Islam till recent times is evident. Then we will visit Vank Church which is one of the most beautiful Armenian churches in the world and will undoubtedly capture the attention of every Christian.
Your day will conclude with a visit to Monar Jomban, the tomb of a Sufi with its shaking minarets and some historical bridges. Fly to Tehran.
Day 14:
Tehran, a modern megalopolis, prides itself in having unique museums with immense and unrivaled collections and artifacts dating from the earliest onset of history to the present era.
Your tour begins with a trip to the Archeological Museum, one of the rare places in the world where you will have the special opportunity of visiting and experiencing the “evolution of mankind” through the marvelous display of historical relics.
Next on the agenda is your very much-awaited chance to savor the distinctive flavor of Iranian cuisine. Lunch will be set in an exquisite traditional Iranian restaurant where you will sample a wide range of delightful Persian dishes and desserts.
Afterwards, you will visit a world of jewels in a priceless Crown Jewels Museum one of which is one of the two greatest diamonds, Darya-e-Noor (sea of light).
At the end of the day, you will get a chance to see a variety of Persian hand-woven carpets and rugs in the Carpet Museum which houses more than 100 spectacular pieces from all over Iran. On top of that, you will also be given an insight into the history of these carpets. Stay overnight in Tehran.
Day 15:
Embark on a tour to the Golestan Palace, known as the "Rose Garden". Constructed as a residence during the Qajar Dynasty, the Palace complex offers an oasis of silence and shade in the heart of Tehran. The last two Pahlavi Kings coronation ceremonies were held in the Palace, and much of its former splendor is on display. Then visit Sa'ad Abad Complex with an immense 1,100,000 square meters and 18 magnificent historical palaces (2 of which you will visit) will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression on you.
Day 16:
Early in the morning depart Iran – the land of warmth and hospitality with fond memories.
