Day 1 Meeting at the airport Helsinki – Baku
Meet the tour leader at Helsinki-Vantaa airport. Direct flight with Qatar Airways Doha at 23:20, connecting flight Baku 07:20.

Day 2 Baku,Pearl of the Caspian (I)
At 11:20 we arrive in Baku, a city of more than 2 million inhabitants on the shores of the Caspian Sea, whose skyline is dominated by the Flame Towers and modern, even futuristic architecture. Accommodation in a hotel. Rest at the hotel. Free time.

In the evening, you can wash off the dust of your journey at the traditional Taza Bay hamam near the old town, where you can hire your own bath attendant http://www.tazebey.az/homeen.htm Dinner together and overnight at a hotel in Baku.

Day 3 City of Eternal Fire, Baku city tour (A, I)
After breakfast, we set off to explore the city. The city is fantastically beautiful: a bay lined with the most beautiful coastal boulevards, lots of stunning parks, monuments, fountains and modern fashion boutiques. But the spirit of the city is primarily the people who live and work there. Known for its wow architecture, Baku is a curious blend of modern urban culture and a traditional old town, a UNESCO protected site. We wander along the narrow alleys, to its many attractions such as the Tower of Nido, mosques and caravanserais (inns).

We will take a guided tour of the carpet gallery. The wealth brought by oil is now a prominent feature of Baku’s cityscape, which since the 19th century has made its living mainly from the oil industry. In the afternoon we visit the Ateshagh Fire Temple. Since the time of the Zoroastrians, a powerful burning source of natural gas rose from the temple site. The place has been a famous shrine for fire worshippers. Dinner together. Overnight in hotel in Baku.

Day 4 Baku-Gobustan-Lankaran (A, I)
After breakfast, we depart Baku for Lankaran via Gobustan National Park. Gobustan is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with many rock carvings that are examples of rock engravings and drawings that date back thousands of years. They tell of a time when the local climate was more benign and the vegetation more lush.

We continue our journey to Lankaran. Lankaran can be considered one of the oldest settlements in Azerbaijan and the area was inhabited as early as the Bronze Age. Of course, when we visit Lankaran we will taste the export product of the region, Lankaran tea. Tea is so popular in Lankaran that a themed museum has been established in the town. After the tour of the city, we check in to the hotel and enjoy dinner together. Overnight in Lankara

Day 5 Lankaran – crossing the border into Persia – Caspian Sea Astara (A, I)
After breakfast, we will visit the present-day town of Astara, which was not an important trading area until the Safavid era (1501-1736). Astara flourished after the signing of the Treaty of Gulistan between the Russian and Persian empires in 1811, under which Astara was divided into two parts and the Aras River became the border between the Russian and Persian empires. Arrival and check-in at the hotel.Overnight stay and dinner in Astara.

Day 6 Day 2 Astara – Fishermen’s Bandar-e Anzali (A, I)
After breakfast we drive to Bandare-e Anzali. On the way we will stop at Talesh. Bandar-e Anzal was originally developed by the Russians. Now it is the largest Caspian port in Iran. We arrive in Bandar-e Anzal and enjoy a boat ride in the Anzali lagoon. This freshwater lagoon covers an area of 120 square kilometres in spring and winter, 80 square kilometres in autumn and summer. The water depth in Anzali is about 2.5 metres in spring. A variety of amphibians and fish species lay their eggs in Anzali Lagoon, and it is also a refuge for local and migratory birds, some of which are endangered. Anzal has over 100 species of birds, 50 species of fish and hundreds of different plant species. The lagoon is also home to lotus flowers, which are considered sacred in many Asian cultures. Many of Iran’s ancient historical sites, such as Persepolis, are decorated with lotus engravings. Fishing is the main livelihood in Anzal, which is the main producer of Iranian caviar. The city’s fishing association was established 150 years ago. Rice farming and agriculture are other traditional livelihoods of the people of Anzal. Dinner together and hotel accommodation in Bandar-e Anzal

Day 7 Bandar-e Anzali – beautiful Qazvin (A, I)
After breakfast, visit the fish market in Bandar-e Anzali, then towards Qazvin. Pleasant Qazvin was the ancient capital of the Persian Empire now known as the calligraphy capital of Iran. The most famous calligrapher was Mir Emad Qazvini Dehkhoda, who wrote the Persian Dictionary. The city’s most atmospheric areas include bazaars and colourful alleys. One of the most beautiful cities in Iran, Qazvin stands out for its numerous historical sites, incredible landscapes and unique works of urban art. We visit the Caravanserai of Sa’d al-Saltaneh and free time in the Bazaar. Dinner together. Hotel accommodation and overnight in Qazvin.

Day 8 Qazvin – Kashan of Silk and Roses
After breakfast, drive to Kashan of Rosewater – a traditional oriental town whose centre still consists of small mud buildings and bazaars. The roads and streets are narrow, beautiful and peaceful. Kashan is so enchanting that Shah Abbas I wanted to be buried there instead of Isfahan. Kashan used to be a holiday resort for the rich.

We will explore the historic sights of this city, including the UNESCO-listed Fin Garden gardens, and also visit a fine 19th-century merchant house known as Taba-Tabai, with a beautiful stucco dome and inlaid mirror work. It was designed by the Persian architect Ustad Ali Maryam. The house was built in the traditional Persian style by a famous carpet maker. The building covers an area of about 4 700 square metres and has 40 rooms. The house is divided into three parts, an andarun for family members, a birun for guests and a servants’ area. The house is decorated with stone carvings and stained glass windows. Hotel accommodation in Kashan and a communal dinner.

Day 9 Yazd-Avikkokaupadt (A, I)
After breakfast we travel towards Yazd. Our stop on the way is one of the oldest and most interesting villages in Iran, Abyaneh. It is a mixture of cobbled alleys and ochre-coloured houses with lattice windows and cobbled wooden balconies. A few vehicles disturb the quiet of the village. Most of the inhabitants were Zoroastrians who later converted to Islam. The village, with a total population of only a few hundred, is beautifully situated at the foot of the Karkas Mountains. The city of Yazd, whose Persian architecture has adapted to its desert environment over several generations and has developed into a city all its own. Yazd has retained its authentic charm with its narrow labyrinthine alleys, bazaars and squares. Yazd’s architecture is the most Persian of all, protected for centuries by a warm climate and sparing from enemy attack. After arriving in Yazd, we visit the Chakhmaq complex, a symmetrical mosque. It is famous for its alcoves, which are illuminated after dark. Dinner together and hotel accommodation in Yazd

Day 10 Yazd and the mystique of Zarahustra (A, I)
After breakfast, explore the city’s main attraction: the Old Town with its narrow, labyrinthine streets and atmospheric terraces. While in Yazd, you cannot miss the Temple of Fire, a sacred site of the Zoroastrians, where a sacred fire has been burning since 470. Zoroastrians from all over the world come to see it. Earth, water, air and fire are the four ancient elements. All these elements have been used in funeral menus from culture to culture and from age to age. The air burial is perhaps the most exotic. In Yadz, you can visit the Tower of Silence. The deceased were taken to the towers and the birds ate the skeletons clean. A small village church was located near the Tower of Silence. This is where the relatives of the deceased lived until they could take the cleaned bones with them. The practice was based on the Zoroastrian idea that the corpse would contaminate the earth. Among the must-see attractions of Yazd are the Dowlat Abad Garden with its 17th-century feudal hexagonal house with the tallest badguir, or wind tower, in Iran and a beautiful palace. Together we will enjoy dinner and overnight at a hotel in Yazd.

Day 11 Yazd- Esfahan, a paradise in Persia (A, I)
After breakfast, we drive towards the masterpiece of Iran, the jewel of Persia and one of the finest cities in the Islamic world. Esfahan, according to the Iranian saying, is half the world. Once we arrive in Esfahan you will understand why.

Esfahan is a major physical legacy of the Safavid dynasty. The dynasty created the most magnificent and monumental capital of the Islamic world, with new mosques, baths, colleges and caravanserais. The caravanserais are inns that also serve as commercial and information centres.

Once in the city, we experience the Zayandeh River’s most spectacular old arched bridges; Sio Se Pol and Kaju. Locals spend a lot of their free time socialising and playing music on these.

The next attraction is the Armenian Quarter, founded in 1606 by order of Shah Abbas I. The ruler settled more than 150,000 Armenians from Julfa in the area. The Armenians fled to Esfahan to escape the persecution of the Ottoman Empire, but according to historical sources, Abbas the Great hoped to benefit from Armenians as experts in the silk trade. The Armenian colony developed an impressive trade network over the centuries. Jolfa is still home to one of the largest ethnic Armenian communities in the world. We visit the old Cathedral. Dinner together and overnight in a hotel in Esfahan.

Day 12 Esfahan, Majestic Square and meet the locals (A, I)
Full day city tour of the bustling bazaars and historical heritage of Esfahan. Today we take a closer look at the impressive Naqsh-e Jahan Square – or the Square of the Imam, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The area is also home to the Imam’s Mosque, Sheikh Lotfullah Mosque, Ali Qapu Pavilion, Chehel Sotou Palace (40 columns) and Gheysariyeh Bazaar, all of which we will explore on our tour. Free to shop in the huge bazaar, or enjoy the atmospheric cafes. Locals come to socialise and picnic in the square and often curiously strike up a conversation with tourists, inviting them to eat and chat with them. Dinner together.

Day 13 Return home
Transfer to Isfahan airport for flight to Doha at 06:05 We arrive in Helsinki at 14:25.

Flight path:
QR 308 12.04.2020 23:20 – 05:30+1 Helsinki – Doha
QR 351 13.04.2020 07:30 – 11:20 Doha – Baku
QR 471 24.04.2020 06:05 – 06:20 Eshafan – Doha
QR 301 24.04.2020 08:30 – 14:25 Doha – Helsinki