Before leaving Semnan, we have a city tour there. The first place would be Jame mosque of Semnan, the oldest monument of the town. There is a story about this mosque that there was a fire temple and in 7th century, when Arabs conquered Iran and changed the religion to Islam, a plain mosque was built on the ruins of the fire temple. But the current monument goes back to Seljuq era in 12th century and completed in Timurid dynasty in 15th century with a high Iwan (porch) with calligraphy. Also, the mosque has a high brick-made Minaret with 31m length. The next place in Semnan is Arg gate. This gate is the lonely monument left from the governmental citadel in 19th century. The gate is attractive with colorful mosaics and painted tiles. On the way to Tehran, we stop in Garmsar to visit a cistern from Qajar era (19th century). Before Tehran, we have a drive to Kavir national park to visit one of the oldest Caravansary of Iran, which is called as the mother of Caravansaries in Iran. Dayr-e Gachin Caravansary is a heritage from Sassanid era (3rd to 7th century) and renovated in Safavid era (17th century). Dayr-e Gachin is one of the largest caravansaries in Persia, and, apart from the usual accommodations, includes some uncommon features. Inside the enclosure each corner was built on a different plan for a specific function. In the northwest corner there is a mill, in the southwest a small courtyard with a bathhouse and kitchen. The northeast corner was built as a private apartment around a small courtyard and must have been intended for the use of royalty or high-ranking officials. A mosque was constructed in the southeast corner of the enclosure; it is square in plan, and in the center of the sanctuary there are four massive piers of Sasanian brick, arranged as in a Chartaqi. As with the rest of the structure, the original roof has been replaced by later Islamic vaults, but it is likely that the mosque is on the site of a Sasanian fire temple that had a domed Chartaqi in the center. Before Tehran, the day be completed by visiting another old monument, Jame mosque of Varamin. This mosque was built in Ilkhanid era (14th century) by the order of Oljaito (the famous king of Ilkhanid) with a four-Iwan (porch) plan. The mosque has a high porch and dome made of brick with Ilkhanid-style stucco and calligraphy. For most contemporary architectural historians, Jame mosque of Varamin continues to epitomize the first crystallization of a four-iwan (porch) mosque by the Il Khanids, but also a monumentality achieved by the delicacy of ornament, the display of rich materials, and the play of light and shadow of the sculptural architectural elements. You will see: Jame mosque of Semnan, Arg gate, Garmsar’s cistern, Dayr-e Gachin Caravansary, Jame mosque of Varamin You will Experience: Visiting an old Caravansary in desert Distances: Semnan to Tehran via Dayr-e Gachin Caravansary is 300km (about 4 hours) Accommodation: A 4star hotel in Tehran

Day 7 :

Driving to Hamedan via Lalejin