Iran vacation, Persian Explorer

Peel back Iran's veil and discover a breathtaking country uniting an ancient Persian empire and stupendous Islamic architecture with a vibrant, cosmopolitan and friendly present-day.
Shiraz Persepolis tomb of Cyrus the Great at Pasargadae Yazd Isfahan Tehran Achaemenid tombs at Nagsh e Rostam
Price
US $3656 excluding flights
Duration
10 Days
Type
Small group
Reviews
More info
Price includes all activities/equipment, tour leaders, local guides and drivers, meals, transport, accommodation and entrance fees as outlined in the itinerary.
Optional Single Supplement: from $744.
Please note some itineraries are reversed.
Make enquiry

Description of Iran vacation, Persian Explorer

Map

Iran: Persian Explorer Map

Price information

US $3656 excluding flights
Price includes all activities/equipment, tour leaders, local guides and drivers, meals, transport, accommodation and entrance fees as outlined in the itinerary.
Optional Single Supplement: from $744.
Please note some itineraries are reversed.
Make enquiry

Check dates, prices & availability

Travel guides

Iran
The words of Rumi, the Persian poet whose verses remain popular eight centuries after his death, are strangely prescient of modern day Iran, a country...
Adventure

Vacation information

Pricing:
The currency converter above works on today’s interbank exchange rate. We do take bookings in a variety of currencies, but the rates are often set months in advance and may therefore differ from those shown above which are for guidance purposes only. Please inquire for details.

Reviews

2 Reviews of Iran vacation, Persian Explorer

4.5 out of 5 stars
SHOW
1
1
0
0
0

Reviewed on 13 Jan 2016 by

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?


Forget any concerns about Iran being dangerous, hostile of unfriendly. Highlights are numerous: Shiraz's blue mosques with amazing mekhana, after which, it being New Years Eve, we had blue cocktails and a blue cake (thanks to our guide, Mark). Persepolis's reliefs, Towers of Silence where Zoroastrians left their dead for birds to pick their bones, wind towers to cool houses, mud merchant houses in Kashan, pistacio icecream sandwiches at a service station, watching at a Zurkhanah where men showed their muscles in a sweaty ritual, accompanied by chanting and drumbeats, old men singing love songs to each other by Khaju Bridge in Isfahan, the complicated but worthwhile procedure for buying wonderful sweets at Hodj Kalife Rahiber's sweetshop, the views from The Art House Cafe in Khasan (no wifi- lets pretend it is 1995 says their notice) and carpet shops, mosques and more mosques....

2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?


Dress is more liberal than you might expect. Hair covering is compulsory but hair can show, and a wooley hat or turban covering a reasonable amount of hair is fine. Tight trousers are fine if worn with a top that covers your bottom - mid-thigh length tunics are ideal. Take wet wipes for toilets.

3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?


Local people were delighted to see us and give a good impression of their country. We bought pottery and other crafts from the people who made it - pottery students and local craftsmen.

4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?


Outstanding guides, hotels good on the whole but but rather drab in Shiraz.

Reviewed on 09 Jan 2016 by

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?


Learning about the culture

2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?


Women - make sure you follow the dress code. as it gets hot in the summer months it might be better to do this trip in January when it is cooler. We only had 1.5 days of rain the other times we had lovely blue sky.

3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?


Yes

4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?


Very good

Responsible Travel

As the pioneers of responsible tourism, we've screened this (and every) vacation so that you can travel knowing it will help support the places and people that you visit, and the planet. Read how below.

Planet

By keeping the group size to a maximum of 12, we can also minimise the human impact on the fragile sites and ecosystems we visit.
We attempt to reduce plastic bottle use wherever possible by promoting use of reusable and filtered water bottles. Our partnership with Water-To-Go provides a discount on filtered water bottles to our clients. We do not provide water from plastic bottles to our clients in country but always ensure there is regular access to drinking water on our tours.
We are promoting the natural beauty and ancient heritage of Iran through visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Golestan Palace and Persepolis. UNESCO Sites are chosen by the UNESCO committee and must "bear a unique or at least exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or to civilisation", "an important interchange of human values" or be outstanding examples of major stages of Earth's history or ecological and biological processes in evolution. Visiting such sites helps sustain the traditions and natural ecosystems of Iran through tourism.
Throughout most of the trip we will be traveling in minibuses. Traveling as a group in a small bus contributes less pollution than a multitude of vehicles. We will also be exploring many areas on foot, to not only soak up the amazing sights at a slower pace, but to reduce our environmental impact and footprint along our journey. Slower travel also allows for more chances to interact with people from another culture.

People

On each Group tour we use local ground handlers. This means that all operational costs go directly into the local economy and help improve employment opportunities in remote regions. Such support can also be seen in our incorporation of homestays, locally owned hotels, family run restaurants and the services of local guides and drivers into our itineraries, which ensures that the money you spend with us goes directly into the local economy and local community.

Popular similar vacations

Iran tour, the best of Persia

Iran tour, the best of Persia

From 960 7 days including domestic flights only

Join us to discover Iran's rich culture and history

Iran in depth tour, 2 weeks

Iran in depth tour, 2 weeks

From 1690 15 days including domestic flights only

Join us, we show you the secrets of this fascinating country

Iran vacation

Iran vacation

From US $5619 15 days excluding flights

Discover the rich culture and famed hospitality of Iran