Young Pioneer Tours
Kuwait and Iran Persian Gulf Combo
On this tour, we will take in all the main sites of Kuwait city, have lunch in the Kuwait Towers with great views of the city, stroll around the Grand Mosque on a Saturday morning and see a modern remembering of traditional Bedouin culture, as well as seeing a fair amount about the Iraqi invasion. We’ll also spend a day on Failaka island, the perfect contrast to Kuwait City’s modern urban environment, an island of quiet local life, tradition and archaeology.
We’ll then head to Iran to visit all of the major sites in Tehran as well as the ancient capitals of Shiraz and Esfahan. On top of the rich history of the region, this tour also offers lots of opportunities to interact with locals, and witness the visual reality of what is the Iranian Revolution. On the trip itself and through our local guides, we will be doing lots of hidden extras (not published on the itinerary!) and where possible we will show you every side of this unique and majestic country.
We offer visa support for people of all nationalities (except for Israel) under the following deadlines: March 28th (US/British/Canadian Nationals) and April 13th (All other passports).
Thursday 19th April
- Morning arrival in Kuwait City
- Meet at 11am for a pre-tour briefing and to get to know your guide and fellow travellers
- We head out on a tour of Kuwait city, we take in the marina and the Science Centre
- Lunch at the Kuwait Towers with great views of the city
- After lunch we head to the traditional fish market and Dhow harbour
- Visit Sadu house, where we can see a traditional Bedouin Kuwaiti house and culture and stop by the National Museum
- Head for dinner and then watch the sunset over the Arabian Sea
- Overnight in Kuwait City
Friday 20th April
- After breakfast we’ll head out early to avoid the mid-day heat, for a morning of museums. Visit the Maritime museum and also the classic car museum
- Then we head to the must-see museum of Kuwait which is not for the faint-hearted, the War Museum which depicts the Iraqi invasion
- Lunch at the Mubarakiya Souq in the Kuwaiti Restaurant
- After lunch and a bit of a rest/siesta we head out to the Tareq Rajab museum of Islamic art and calligraphy. This private collection is one of the best not only in the country but of the whole region and a must-see if you’re an art afficianado
- Head back to the hotel and go on an evening exploration of the city
- Overnight in Kuwait
Saturday 21st April
- Visit Kuwait’s Grand Mosque, proper dress for women can be borrowed from the gatehouse. This huge mosque is fairly unique in the region for its Andalusian architectural influence
- Check out the Museum of Modern Art then head for lunch at the Mais al Ghanim
- Leave behind the concrete jungle of Kuwait City and head to the House of Mirrors, a unique artistic installation of light and reflection
- Stroll around Al Shahid Park, a newly rebuilt park in honour of the martyrs of the Iraqi invasion and a perfect place to see Kuwaitis relaxing from their dayjob
- Dinner and overnight in Kuwait City
Sunday 22nd April
- Sunday morning will see us take a boat out to Failaka Island in the Persian Gulf, about 20kms from the mainland
- The island is totally different from the mainland, and we’ll explore the archaeological sites and beaches
- Lunch on the island
- Check out the local markets, very quiet compared to the mainland but seeming a lot more genuine
- Relax on the beaches with the locals, or do a spot of fishing.
- Take the boat back to Kuwait City
- Head out exploring on our last night in the country, dinner and overnight in Kuwait city
Monday 23rd April
- Morning and afternoon arrival by flight.
- Free afternoon to walk around Tehran, get to know your group.
- Visit National Jewellery museum – the contents of this place actually back up the Iranian currency, a truly amazing experience and certainly one of the highlights of the trip regardless of if you are a jewellery fiend or not!
- Visit to the heart of Old Tehran to soak up the night time atmosphere, drink some local tea and people watch.
- Overnight in Parastoo Hotel.
Tuesday 24th April
- Drive through Tehran past anti-US propaganda and the US embassy (possibility of actually seeing inside the embassy, something which was considered impossible only a couple of years ago!).
- Visit Saad Abad & Niavaran palaces, the last Palaces of the last Shah of Iran. Lunch at Darband hills.
- One hour free time or tea by the river.
- Shopping in the Tajrish Bazaar of Tehran and visit a nearby mosque. One hour free time.
- Traditional Iranian dinner of kebabs at famous restaurant Ayaran restaurant, near Ferdosi square.
- Evening walk around the city, with us taking the opportunity to try some shisha, fresh juice bar, and mingle with locals.
- Overnight in overnight in Parastoo hotel.
Wednesday 25th April – Tehran/ Shiraz
- Check out of hotel for morning flight Shiraz.
- Visit the citadel in the centre of the city and mingle with locals.
- Visit Grand Bazaar for some shopping and photos. Chance to buy old anti-American stamps from a local shop owner and collector.
- Lunch in Saray E Mehr restaurant in the middle of bazaar for traditional Di Zi dish.
- Free walk around the bazaar or relax with tea and shisha at poets house/tea house. Great chance to mingle with local students.
- Dinner at hotel or out to a fast food joint for burgers, falafel, and sambusas.
- Overnight at Parsian hotel.
Thursday 26th April – Shiraz/Persepolis
- Up bright and early to visit the colour stained mosque when the morning light shines through spectacularly.
- Late morning drive to Persepolis.
- Lunch at traditional restaurant called “Paradise” on the way to Necropolis tombs.
- Visit the botanic gardens of Shiraz.
- Stop for traditional Shiraz ice cream at a famous local shop.
- Visit a famous Hafeizieh Iranian poet’s park and tomb. Great opportunity to mingle with locals and take photos.
- Dinner at hotel.
- Exploring the streets. Shopping for military hats and patches.
- Overnight in Parsian hotel.
Friday 27th April– Shiraz/Esfahan
- Drive to Esfahan with stop at Cirus’s tomb, an old fortress on the way. Tea time break.
- Lunch in a restaurant in one of the smaller cities on the way.
- Go to the famous old Khaju bridge.
- Walk across bridge and mingle with locals. Short rest at hotel.
- Walk for a dinner at local restaurants.
- Visit one of the oldest carpet shops. Explanation on a variety of Persian carpets and opportunity for a purchase. The presentation involves a show how carpets are made and explanation of 30 different styles of carpets.
- Evening visit to the 300 year old Abbasi Hotel for traditional Iranian tea.
- Overnight at the centrally located Esfahan tourist Hotel.
Saturday 28th April – Esfahan
- Visit the beautiful Safavid Chehelsetoon Palace.
- Sheikh Lotfollah mosque and Ali-qapoo palace.
- Lunch in a traditional restaurant at the square.
- Visit to Shah Mosque.
- Free time to see square and shop for gifts at surrounding bazaar.
- Chance to change money for small crisp rial denominations. There is an official change place with good rates but they also have a stack of small denominations that they hold. (They remembered us from last time and changed some money for the group).
- Optional visit to Iran/Iraq war museum.
- Visit Zurkhane gym to watch an ancient Persian sport workout, a strength building exercises done with traditional drum and bell music.
- Overnight at the Tourist Hotel.
Sunday 29th April– Esfahan/Tehran
- Morning flight to Tehran.
- Visit Mausoleum of Ayatollah Khomeini.
- Visit the Revolutionary Martyrs Cemetary.
- Stop at the Shah’s Monument AKA Revolution Monument for photos on the way from the airport.
- Check into Asareh Hotel.
- Farewell meal at the Armenian Club. Armenians are the main ethnic Christian minority in Iran.
- Opportunity to have a drink of Armenian wine and vodka, the only legally allowed place to have alcohol in Iran.
- Overnight in Parastoo hotel.
Monday 30th April – Tehran
Morning
- Free morning to do last minute shopping.
- Departure by flight or continue with Armenia extension.
Price Inclusive of:
- Visa (invitation letter)
- 7 nights accommodation in mentioned hotel on TWIN sharing basis B/B
- A/C comfortable coach with professional driver throughout trip
- Iranian and Western English Speaking Guides
- Entrance fees for all mentioned monuments
- Portage at hotels and airport
- Tehran/Shiraz domestic flights
Price Exclusive of:
- Fee for issuing Visa (at Iran embassy)
- International air tickets
- Tips for the guide and driver
- Any personal expenses & services not included in the above itinerary
- Meals (around 7 Euro per day)
Tour Extensions
Want to extend your YPT adventure? Join one of our great tour extensions
