Thursday 10^th March – Manama (Bahrain)

Morning

• Arrive at your convenience into Manama – the capital city of Bahrain which is well connected from many countries. Transfer to our centrally located hotel.
• Pre-tour meeting will be held at the lobby of our hotel at 1:00pm to discuss tour itinerary and to meet your fellow travellers and YPT guide.

Afternoon

• Lunch at Al-Abraaj which offers all manner of Middle Eastern food from Lebanese to Persian!
• Our first visit is to the 11^th century Al Khamis Mosque  which is believed to be the first mosque in Bahrain. There’s also a museum for us to visit to learn more.
• Explore the ancient Dilmun burial mounds – this UNESCO World Heritage site dates back to the Dilmun and the Umm al-Nar culture which from 4000 years ago.
• Dinner along the King Fahd Bahrain/Saudi Causeway.
• After dinner we’ll head south to the Formula 1 circuit, hopefully for some go-karting!
• Visit the oil museum which details the first oil well drilled on the island.
• In amongst the oil infrastructure we can see the Tree of Life – this tree stands unique in the desert, covered in graffiti, and the size of it makes an impressive sight in amongst the oil wells and desert, especially considering it doesn’t have an obvious water source!
• Drive back to Manama
• Bahrain is one of the only places in the region where alcohol is permitted, and we’ll go out to rub shoulders with Saudi holiday-makers and expats alike
• Overnight in Manama

Friday 11^th March – Manama

Morning

• Our first stop is the impressive Al Fateh Grand Mosque – built in 1988, it is one of the largest mosques in the whole world which can hold over 7000 worshippers at a time
• We head to the Al Fateh Corniche to check out the Bahrain National Museum – the corniche itself is a great place to walk along the seaside and take in the day with the Bahraini people
• Visit the Abu Mahir Fort – otherwise known as the Muharraq Fort – which offers the best views over the whole of Manama

Afternoon

• Lunch at the 1950s Haji’s Café
• Explore Manama Souq – the largest bazaar in the city
• Enjoy the sunset from the top of the Qala’at al-Bahrain, the Bahrain Fort. Built on Dilmun settlements over 3000 years old, it was built during the 14^th century but has since been renovated. The fort is located just outside of Manama and offering stunning views of the area.
• Dinner in town at Bahrain Block 338
• Overnight in Manama

Saturday 12^th March – Manama – Riyadh (Saudi Arabia)

Morning

• Wake up early as we board our 9:40am flight to Riyadh in Saudi Arabia.
• Transfer and check into our hotel

Afternoon

• Lunch in town and a free day to explore the metropolis of Riyadh at your own pace.
• Meet the newcomers joining for our Saudi Arabia part of the tour before we head out for dinner.
• Overnight in Riyadh

Sunday 13^th March – Riyadh

Morning

• Breakfast at hotel
• We begin today by heading straight to Al Masmak – this clay and mud brick fort in Riyadh city centre is one of the most iconic part of Saudi. Its location was centre stage for the restoration of the House of Saud.
• Visit the Grand Mosque – not only the largest active place of worship in Riyadh, it is one of the largest mosques in Saudi Arabia and seats up to 17,000 worshippers.
• Explore Dheera Souq – located in the old part of the city, this market has a plethora of little shops arranged in rows along narrow streets selling carpets, gold, silver, souvenirs, antiques, traditional clothes, accessories and even furniture. Most of the shop owners here speak English and welcome good hagglers.
• Stop by the Dukhanah and Athomairy Gate
• Dinner and overnight in Riyadh

Afternoon

• Lunch in town
• Visit the National Museum of Saudi Arabia – first opened in 1999, the design of this museum was inspired by the form and colours of the sand dunes of the “Red Sands” located outside Riyadh. The museum showcases 14 pre-Islamic Arabian kingdoms that had existed in the Arabian Peninsula from 5 BC till 700 AD.  It also includes a unification hall which shows the establishment of modern Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by King Abdul Aziz Al-Saud after he captured Riyadh. A hand written Quran is also in display.
• Stop by the Al Muraba Palace – the former home of King Abdul Aziz.
• Visit Kingdom Centre Tower and go to the highest observation deck – this building is a 99 stories, 302 metres tall and the countries fifth tallest tower. Below is one of Saudi’s most popular malls.
• Dinner and overnight in Riyadh

Monday 14^th March – Riyadh – Edge of the World

Morning

• Early wake up and breakfast at hotel
• Begin our two and a half hour drive to the Edge of the World – an unexpected and dramatic geological wonder within the rocky desert northwest of Riyadh. This area got its unique name because from atop the escarpment, you have an uninterrupted view of the horizon.

Afternoon

• After lunch we’ll continue to where it all began at Diriyah – this area was the original home of the Saudi royal family, and served as the capital of the Emirate of Diriyah under the first Saudi dynasty from 1744 to 1818. It is now recognised as a UNESCO heritage site.
• Return back to Riyadh
• Dinner and overnight in Riyadh

Tuesday 15^th March – Riyadh – Qassim – Haʼil

Morning

• Breakfast at hotel
• Check out of the hotel and head to Riyadh railway station which first opened in 1981.
• Board our train departing at 9:30am to Qassim, arriving at 12:00pm.

Afternoon

• On arrival we’ll have lunch
• Begin exploring the Al Mothnb Mud Village – the village was built from the pre-tenth Hijri century using raw materials such as clay, plaster, stone, tamarisk wood and palm leaf.
• Visit the heritage museum and tour around the local palm tree, fruits and vegetable farms
• Explore the local souq and the nationally famous date market.
• As the end of the day approaches, we’ll watch the sun set over an expanse of sand dunes whilst sipping Saudi coffee. The locals drive their pickup trucks to these locations and drive like a madmen up the dunes at breakneck speed.  If you’re nice/silly enough, they may even take you for a spin!
• Drive for 3 hours northwest through the desert to Ha’il
• Dinner on arrival in Ha’il
• Overnight in Ha’il

Wednesday 16^th March – Haʼil – Um Sanman Mountain

Morning

• Breakfast at hotel
• Explore the gorgeous town of Ha’il – Ha’il is an oasis town famous for its natural beauty
• Visit the Al Qashlah Fort – located within the city centre, the fort was built during the 1940s.
• Explore Earf Castel as well as the local souk

Afternoon

• Lunch of local dishes
• Drive out to Um Sanman Mountain – located west of Jubba city in the middle of the Nafud desert, these sedimentary rocks feature impressive illustrations, carvings and inscriptions that tell historical stories about their ancestors, showcasing Ha’il’s beauty and history. This tall mountain is considered a prominent landmark that dates back to around 7,000 BC.
• Return to Ha’il for dinner and overnight

Thursday 17^th March – Ha’il – Jeddah

Morning

• Wake up early and breakfast at hotel
• Depart on our 6:30am flight to Jeddah, the second largest city in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and a port city on the Red Sea.
• On arrival check into our hotel and head straight out to explore Jeddah, taking in the city centre and old Jeddah – al Balad.
• Explore the old city gates and traditional markets in this labyrinthine part of the city. This is where traders from all over Arabia and Africa live and work in a surprisingly colourful world.

Afternoon

• Lunch in town and continue to the most famous architecture are Jeddah’s coral houses, these still stand in various states of disrepair.
• Stroll along the beach and view the ‘floating’ mosque, before a walk along the Jeddah Corniche for great views of the Red Sea
• Seafood dinner in one of the cities famous seafood restaurants
• Overnight in Jeddah

Friday 18^th March – Jeddah – Ta’if

Morning

• Breakfast at hotel
• Drive 2 hours to Ta’if located within the Mecca region and one of the oldest towns in Saudi Arabia – famous for its rose production
• Visit the Al Katib and Kaaki House – The house boasts its architecture, which combines Roman style with Islamic motifs.
• Drop by the Bin Abbas Mosque and then explore the local souq

Afternoon

• Lunch in Ta’il
• Tour the Al Gadee Factory and learn how roses are distilled to produce rose water and oil
• Visit the Al Koaa Mosque and Dam
• Drive out to the Al Shafa mountains and visit a local rose farm
• Bin Abbas Mosque and city centre souk
• Overnight in Ta’if

Saturday 19^th March – Jeddah – Kuwait City

Morning

• Breakfast at hotel and begin drive back to Jeddah
• Optional extra – snorkelling in the Red Sea!

Afternoon

• Enjoy a late lunch in Jeddah to celebrate our time in the country
• Tour concludes with airport drop-off arranged according to your flight details – YPT is also able to arrange advice for flights.
• Board our 8:15pm flight arriving into Kuwait City at 10:20pm

Sunday 20^th March– Kuwait City

Morning

• Breakfast at hotel
• Our first stop is the must-see museum of Kuwait, which is not for the faint-hearted, the War Museum which depicts the Iraqi invasion during the Gulf War.
• Visit Kuwait’s Grand Mosque – a dress code is required for women visiting which can be borrowed from the gatehouse. This enormous mosque is fairly unique in the region for its Andalusian architectural influence.

Afternoon

• Lunch at the Kuwait Towers with great views of the city
• Explore the traditional fish market and Dhow Harbour
• Visit Sadu House – a traditional Bedouin Kuwaiti house and culture
• Visit the National Museum which houses the knowledge of the Arabian peninsula, the geography, history and civilization.
• If we have time we’ll head 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 aficionado
• Head for dinner and then watch the sunset over the Arabian Sea
• Overnight in Kuwait City

Monday 21^st March – Road Trip

• Breakfast at hotel
• Board our private cars and set off to see parts of the country outside Kuwait City
• We stop off at, you guessed it, an oil refinery to get some classic Kuwait oil photos

Afternoon

• Lunch in Ahmadi
• Head towards the Iraqi border on Highway 80, the road the invading armies entered Kuwait on, now known as the Highway of Death
• Get some shots of the desert which makes up most of this country
• Head back to Kuwait City
• Farewell dinner and overnight in Kuwait City

Tuesday 22^nd March – Kuwait City – Tehran (Iran)

Morning

• Breakfast at hotel
• You can choose to enjoy a rest or explore more of Kuwait City some more before we head to the airport to catch our flight to Tehran, Departing at 12:10pm and arriving into Tehran at 2:30pm
• Transfer to our hotel

Afternoon

• Visit to the heart of Old Tehran to soak up the night time atmosphere, drink some local tea and people watch.
• Traditional Iranian dinner of kebabs at famous restaurant Ayaran restaurant, near Ferdosi square.
• Overnight at New Naderi Hotel

Wednesday 23^rd March – Tehran

Morning

• Breakfast at hotel
• Head out on our day tour of the main sights of Tehran with first stop being a visit the Mausoleum of Ayatollah Khomeini – the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the leader of the 1979 Iranian Revolution.
• Head on to the Revolutionary Martyrs Cemetery, expect to see a lot of locals around paying their respects
• Visit the Azadi Tower – formally known as the Shahyad Tower or Shah’s Monument, standing 45 meters high, it is one of the most iconic landmarks of Tehran. The tower is located at the west entrance of the city and was built by the last Shah of Iran to mark the 2,500th year of the foundation of the Imperial State of Iran in 1971.
• We’ll drive through Tehran passing anti-US propaganda slogans and posters, as well as stopping by the former US embassy to visit in the inside.

Afternoon

• Lunch downtown to sample incredible local Iranian dishes
• Visit the Ebrat Museum which displays atrocities carried out by the Shah’s secret police during the 1970s within a former prison. Heavy doses of brutality and propaganda, not for the faint-hearted!
• Explore Tajrish Bazaar – this covered bazaar has ancient architecture and structure with some part of it being built more than 200 years ago back during the Qajar dynasty.
• Visit a nearby mosque in the old district.
• Dinner at the Armenian Club. Armenians are the main ethnic Christian minority in Iran.
• Overnight in New Naderi Hotel

Thursday 24^th April – Tehran – Esfahan

Morning

• Breakfast at hotel and begin our drive to Esfahan located in central Iran, mostly known for its Persian architecture. We’ll arrange plenty of stops for breaks and photos on the way (4-5 hours).
• Lunch in a restaurant in one of the rural towns on the way.

Afternoon

• Visit the famous old Khaju Bridge – the bridge was built around 1650, under the reign of Abbas II. One would think the primary function of a bridge would be to cross it, for this unique structure it was to hold public meetings in the past.
• 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.
• Dinner at a popular restaurant that prepares the best Chelow kabab – the national dish of Iran.
• Evening visit to the 300 year old Abbasi Hotel for traditional Iranian tea.
• Overnight at the centrally located Esfahan Tourist Hotel.

Friday 25^th March – Esfahan

Morning

• Breakfast at hotel and head straight to the majestic Ali Qapu Royal Palace – this palace served as the official residence of Persian Emperors of the Safavid dynasty dating back to 1597 CE.
• Visit the Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque – this is considered one of the masterpieces of Iranian architecture that was built during the Safavid Empire in 1619.
• Explore Naqsh-e Jahan Square which translates into “Image of the World Square” –  it is the largest square in Iran of a total area of 89,600 square metres. The square is depicted on the reverse of the Iranian 20,000 rials banknote.

Afternoon

• Lunch at a traditional restaurant by the square.
• Visit the Imam Mosque – famed for its traditional architecture which includes seven-colour mosaic tiles and calligraphic inscriptions. The mosque was previously called the Shah Mosque before the revolution.
• We’ll visit an official money exchange place located by the square that will give you the best chance to receive crisp rials for money collectors.
• Visit a Zurkhaneh Gym to watch an ancient Persian sport workout – a strength building exercises done with traditional drum and bell music.
• Dinner in town
• Overnight at the Tourist Hotel.

Saturday 26^th March– Esfahan – Yazd

Morning

• Breakfast and check out of hotel
• Begin our 4 hour drive to Yazd, formerly also known as Yezd – a 5000 year old city located southeast of Esfahan. It is the centre of Zoroastrian culture and in 2017 the city was granted World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Afternoon

• Lunch on arrival in town
• Visit the must-see Amir Chakhmaq complex and nearby mosque – during the Iran-Iraq War and the Iraq War with the US and Afghanistan, many Iraqis and Afghanis fled here.
• Explore the old city, the Jame Mosque and we’ll then head to Rafieian’s Old House – over 250 years old and a great example of traditional architecture in the region
• Dinner at the local kebab house in one of the old-fashioned Persian restaurants in the city
• Overnight in Yazd

Sunday 27^th March – Yazd-Shiraz

Morning

• Breakfast at hotel and head to the beautiful Dolat Abad Garden – built in 1747, this walled complex includes the country’s tallest wind catcher, orchards & fountains.
• Visit the Zoroastrian Fire Temple – a place of worship for the followers of Zoroastrianism, the ancient religion of Iran.
• Explore the Yazd Tower of Silence – The Zoroastrian tradition is that once someone has passed away, their body is immediately contaminated by demons and made impure. So to prevent this, the Zoroastrians purified the dead body by exposing it to the elements on top of these towers called dakhmas in the desert.

Afternoon

• Lunch in Yazd and then we hit the road for a 5 hour drive to Shiraz located south central of Iran.
• On arrival we’ll visit the citadel within the centre of the city to mingle with locals.
• Have free time to walk around or relax with tea and shisha at a tea house.
• Dinner in Saray E Mehr restaurant in the middle of bazaar for traditional Di Zi dish
• Overnight in Parsian hotel.

Monday 28^th March – Persepolis – Shiraz

Morning

• Wake up bright and early to visit the colour stained mosque when the morning light shines through spectacularly.
• Drive to Persepolis, the ancient capital of the Persian Empire during the Achemaenian era and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, burned to the ground by Alexander the Great but the ruins are one of the top sights in the whole of Iran.
• Lunch at traditional restaurant called “Paradise” on the way to Necropolis tombs – a collection of ancient Iranian rocks cut into the face of the mountain which contains the final resting place of four Achaemenid kings.

Afternoon

• Persepolis covers a vast area and we will explore the palaces, forts and treasury along the way.
• We’ll head back to Shiraz where we will 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 or out to a fast food joint for burgers, falafel, and sambusas.
• Overnight in Parsian hotel.

Tuesday 29^th March – Shiraz

Morning

• Tour concludes. YPT can arrange your onward travel back to Tehran if required, or airport transfer to Shiraz International Airport.
• Group members of our Caucasus Unrecognized Countries Tour continue on!

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