The bustling capital Tehran; deserted caravanserais once used by traders along the silk road as recovery places; impressive mosques appearing in mythic colors at dawn; atmospheric tea houses along narrow side alleys o colourful bazaars; splendid oases in otherwise vast deserts; shepherds taking care o their sheep in rugged mountain ranges with snow covered mountain peaks – these are only a few o the fantastic highlights that can be encountered in contrast-rich Iran. Yet, stunning sights and wonderful nature are only one part o what makes this country so unique. Much o visiting Iran is about encountering the welcoming hospitality o the people and their endless curiosity towards foreigners.
This 16 day trip will bring us to various regions of the country. We will visit some o f the must-see places and also places which are less travelled to. Our encounters will help us to better understand the country and its people
and reveals the complex and long history o f this area. We will gain insight into ancient cultures and traditional life and link it to the modern lifestyle that takes place on the streets of Tehran and Esfahan. On this trip, we will feel the hospitality of the people and their welcoming attitude. This will not be without uncovering their endless curiosity towards westerners and their interest in learning how we think about Iran and its people. Last but not least, we can see different landscapes and understand how the inhabitants used basic technology and natural elements to master their life in the often harsh environment they are living in.
Our trip starts in Tehran, the capital of the country. We will then continue to see some o f the country’s best highlights by visiting the desert town o Yazd and the beautiful city o f Esfahan with its impressive palaces and mosques. Escaping to the desert for a few days brings tranquility while staying in an oasis and gazing at stars during the crystal clear nights.
5. – 20. May 2016
7 – 10 participants
CHF 4370 in double rooms. Single room supplement is CHF 350 (where possible).
Day 1 – Tehran
We start our trip with a tour around the bustling capital Tehran. By visiting the Bazaar and other sights, we have the opportunity to immerse ourselves into the city life and feel its vibes and contrasts between modernity and tradition as well as between liberal visions and conservative rules.
Day 2 – Tehran to Yazd
In the afternoon we will board the train from Tehran to Yazd. During this comfortable six hour train ride we get a first glimpse of the vast desert landscape which seems to stay the same for hours and hours. In the evening we will arrive in Yazd.
Day 3 – Yazd
We explore the city of Yazd. This oasis city is one of the oldest in Iran. Because of its remote desert location and the difficulty of access, Yazd remained largely immune to large battles and the destruction and ravages of war. Yazd is also an architecturally unique city. The Bādgirs (wind towers) give a distinction to Yazd’s cityscape. The towers are a masterpiece of ancient engineering as they serve as ventilation systems to cool down houses without the need for electricity. We will have a full day to explore the city and its surroundings. In the evening, we will attend a Zurkhaneh training, a traditional sport used to train warriors that is still being practiced.
Day 4 – Farahzad Oasis
Our desert trip starts. We leave Yazd and drive north towards the city of Mesr. On the way we will visit Chack Chack, an an important pilgrimage place for Zoroastrians situated in a spectacular scenery. We will also visit Kharanaq, an abandoned caravanserai, which was previously used by silk road traders to stay overnight and feed their camels.
Day 5 – Exploring the Desert
We venture further into the desert. This time by 4WD and on foot. On our hike, we will learn a lot about the desert itself and how the locals made use of the geological characteristics of the area in order to be able to survive in this hostile place. We will stay overnight in the desert and sleep under the sky – a unique experience to enjoy a magnificent view on the stars in the absence of any light pollution.
Day 6 – Toward Esfahan
We are leaving the desert in the morning and drive towards Esfahan. On the way we will stop at the cultural sights of Jandagh, an archaic desert city and Choupanan oasis situated in a sandy landscape coloured in rose gold.
Day 7 – Esfahan
Esfahan is a unique city with its impressive mosques, palaces and bazaars. Esfahan is also an upcoming economical city with a lot of culture and young, curious students that are eager to bring change to the country. We will spend the day visiting the famous highlights like the Maidan square and Masjed-e Shah mosque and and immerse into the city life. In the evening we can relax along the city’s river as many locals do.
Day 8 – Esfahan to Hamadan
We leave Esfahan in the morning and drive towards Hamadan with many archeological sights on the way.
Day 9 – Hamadan to
Kermanshah
The next few days we will spend in the Kurdish region of Iran. The Kurds have a distinct culture, which differs from the rest of the country. The people, however, are as friendly as everywhere else in Iran and eager to explain their history and culture. After a city tour around Hamadan, we continue towards Kermanshah.
Day 10 – Kermanshah to
Howraman-at-Takht
Today we start our tour to the spectacular Howraman valley. The route goes into the mountain region and follows the Iraq/Iran border for some segments of the trip. In the late afternoon we will arrive in Howraman-at-Takht, a small village situated impressively on the hill side of the valley. A homestay will be our accommodation for the night.
Day 11 – Howraman-at-Takht to Sanandaj
We leave Howraman-at-Takht in the morning and continue our trip through the Howraman valley. By lunchtime, we will arrive in Merivan where we have the chance to have lunch next to the lake. This also marks the end of our trip to the Howraman valley. On our onward journey towards Sanandaj we will stop at Negel to visit the local mosque. While inconspicuous, this mosques exhibits of the oldest Korans in the world. We continue to Sanandaj where we stay for the night.
Day 12 – Sanandaj to Qazvin
Today we will drive from Sanandaj to Qazvin, a busy city in the north, close to Tehran. On the way we will stop at various sites including Soltaniyeh, an impressive mauseoleum in Zanjan.
Day 13 – Qazvin via Alamut to Garmaroud
We leave Qazvin in the early morning and start our trip to Garmaroud. A drive through the mountains over a pass will bring us to this remote place. On the way we will stop and climb to the ruins of Alamut castle, a castle of strategic importance to the Assasines, one of the worst terror groups of the region in the middle ages. We will reach Garmaroud in the late afternoon where we will have time to explore the mountainous surroundings, which are very different from the previous places.
Day 14 – Day 16 Hiking
During the next three days we will be hiking around the Alamut Mountains. We start in Garmaroud, pass the mountain chain and reach the Caspian sea two days later. The scenery is stunning. The landscape dramatically changed from the previous days: The deserts switched to green meadows and alpine rock formations. Snow covered mountain tops become visible. We will stay for two nights in basic accommodations in small settlements.
There is no need to carry all of our luggage as our driver is waiting for us at the end of our hike on the other side. On day 16, we will have time to enjoy and relax around the Caspian sea. This part of Iran is also considered as ‘The Jungle’ as the evergreen forests form a big contrast to the desert-like and mountainous regions covering the rest of the country.
Day 17 – Back to Tehran
We say goodbye to the sea but not yet to the mountains. We drive back to Tehran through the Alamut mountains and arrive in Tehran in the evening where our trip ends.
Guidance
The tour will be guided by a Swiss guide of Beyond Travel. A knowledgeable, local, English speaking guide and a driver will assist us during the trip.
Preparation & Physical
condition of participants
Some activities require specific clothes and a good physical condition. We will provide a detailed packing list so that customers can prepare accordingly. A solid fitness is required for the hikes. The professionals who accompany the participants will apply all their skills to lead the group towards the realization of their objectives in the best possible conditions of safety.
Political situation & change of program
Participation is at your own risk. Due to changing political situations, a modification of the program might be necessary even on short notice. At the time of writing this document, the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs did not issue a warning for most of the regions which will be visited during this trip. A visit to the Iran-Iraq border region is not recommended by the FDFA. Our trip to Howraman valley will pass along a short segment of the border. We will constantly evaluate the situation.
Meteorological conditions, the conditions of the ground, the physical shape of the participants and their capacities are crucial elements which can lead to any modification or reevaluation of the excursions.
The passage from Garmarud to the Caspian sea might still be covered in snow. Under these circumstances, an alterantive route will be chosen.
Visa
Swiss citizen and many other nationalities require a visa to enter Iran. Please inform yourself in advance how to obtain a visa. Beyond Travel can provide support.
Individual arrival & departure
Our tour starts and ends in Tehran. Participants are asked to book the flights by themselves. Beyond Travel will provide recommendations on connections. Usually, Pegasus Air (www.flypgs.com) from Zurich via Istanbul and Iran Air (iranair.com) from Frankfurt have good connections. Our tour is scheduled to meet Iran Air’s flight schedule. Please contact Beyond Travel for further information.