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18Oct to 1 Nov 2018 (15-days) Iran - Classic Route with Kerman & Abyaneh
Trip Ground Cost Rm6,900 (per pax for group of 12-13 pax) & Rm6,600 (per pax for group over 14 to 18pax) - WITH YONGO TRIP LEADER & IRAN TOUR LEADER.
Trip Ground Cost Rm8,600 (per pax for group 6pax), Rm8000 (7pax group), Rm7500 (8pax group) - WITHOUT YONGO TRIP LEADER & WITH IRAN TOUR LEADER.

Based on USD1.00 = Rm4.10 Cost will be adjusted accordingly depending on rate in Sept 2018
COST EXCLUDES OMAN AIR FLIGHTS & 1 DOMESTIC TEHRAN-KERMAN Flight estimate USD75-100.

Update 5 Jul 2018 We have a small group 6-8 pax interested and will run the trip without a Yongo Trip Leader but with a Iran local Tour Leader. If group size is 12 pax or more, we will have a Yongo Leader go with the Group.
Update 27 April 2018 AirAsia has cancelled flights to Tehran from April onwards. Please take note of new flight timings with Mahan Air below. Flight fares & taxes is about RM1,845 today.
Update 8 Dec 2017 AirAsia PROMO fares as at TODAY is Rm879 flight plus taxes. Additional Rm210 for 20kg check-in luggage two ways. October is a pleasant month to visit Iran because of the cooler climate and less busy tourist season.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: This is meant to be a "free and easy" adventure trip. Participants should be relatively fit, with a good sense of humor, and above all, have the right attitude for close travel with others through possibly some trying times. Most definitely, this is not a trip for prudes, whiners, fussy-pots, and other similarly assorted types! We had a couple of those before and it wasn't pleasant for us or them. Although every effort will be made to stick to the given itinerary, ground conditions may change and cause some disruption and/or deviation from the norm. Otherwise, have fun !

 
Colourful tiles adorning mosques / Locals are friendly

Iran - Is it Safe? Surprisingly this question will never pop up again when you arrive to this peaceful country filled with many friendly and curious people. Be amazed by its majestic architecture built by great sultans hundreds years ago, bazaars filled with colourful produce and wonderful smells, and witness the changes in the environment as we travel through the central regions.

We stay in budget hotels and local gueshouses with breakfast provided. We have chartered transport for most of our journey. As usual, you pay for your own meals, entrance fees, within-the-town taxis/trams and other activities, unless stated otherwise. A group fund of Rm500 is collected from each participant to pay for the high entrance fees. Excess will be returned and if insufficient, members will top up. IMPORTANT - ladies are required to cover their heads with scarves in compliance with local customs. Both men and women must be conservatively dressed - long pants and arms must be decently covered.

Day 1 Plane - Tehran: Assemble in KLIA by 8:00PM THURS 18 Oct 2018. We take Mahan Air W5082 11:15PM flight time 8hr arriving Tehran 2:45AM next day.

Day 2 Tehran: After arrival at 2:45AM, transfer to hotel. After short rest & breakfast, our Tehran tour begins at the northern part of Tehran, which is considered more beautiful and dominated by the more affluent society. We will visit Sa'dabad and Niavaran Palace Complex to view the luxurious lifestyle of the previous sultans and leaders. We end the evening with a short walk up Darband, at the foothill of Alborz Mountain. This is a popular place for the locals to hike or just relax with tea. Return to hotel for our 2nd night in Tehran. O/N Tehran

Day 2 Tehran: After breakfast, we begin our city tour around the capital city of Tehran. WIth a population of about 9million, this vibrant city balances its historic legacies with new modern developments. Today our tour concentrates on the southern side where one finds the UNESCO listed Golestan Palace and National Museum for quick introduction of Iran's long history. Opportunity to taste some local food for lunch at the huge Grand Bazaar and wander around its twisting lane. Overnight (O/N) Tehran

 
Combination of Old & New at Tehran city / Golestan Palace and modern Azadi Tower

Day 4 Kerman & Shahdad Desert: We proceed to Mehrabad airport for our domestic flight from Tehran to Kerman flight time 1hr40min. Today we have a day excursion to iconic Shahdad Desert, one of Iran's UNESCO World Heritage site. These fantasy like natural formations called kalouts are formed by years of water & wind erosion. We will get chance to walk amongst these desert formations and enjoy sunset before returning to Kerman for our 2 nights stay. O/N Kerman

Day 5 Rayen Citadel & Kerman: After breakfast, we drive about 110km south towards Rayen citadel. This mud brick ctiadel is believed to be at least 1000 years old housing governor's citadel, houses and other structures. We return to Kerman to explore the Ganj'ali Khan complex which includes an interesting bazaar, school and hammam or bath-house. O/N Kerman

Day 6 Yazd: After breakfast, we drive about 355km north-west towards Yazd, another desert trading city. Along the way, we shall stop at a unique round-shaped caravanserai built during the heydays of the Silk Road trading. Stay first of 2 nights in Yazd.

Day 7 Yazd: After breakfast, we walk around the twisting alleyways of Yazd old city to uncover various places of interests, including Jam-e- Mosque, Water Museum, Amir Chakhmaq complex and local bazaar.  This city has adapted well to the dry and arid environment with its ingenious windcatchers and qanat (underground water channels). We also learn more about the Zoroastrians by visiting the Tower of Silence on the outskirts of Yazd and a Temple of Fire. During the evening, optional visit tot Zourkhaneh or ancient Iranian gym sport for where athletes perform various movements to the rhythmn of live music. Stay 2nd night in Yazd.

 
Modern n traditional headscarf / Zoroastrian landmarks around Yazd

Day 8 Shiraz :Today we drive about 440km southwest towards cultural city of Shiraz. Along the way, we will have a short stop at Abarkuh to visit the ancient cypress tree which is one of the oldest living tree in the world today at about 4,000 years old. Next we visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Pasargad. Here we will learn more about Cyrus the Great at his tomb. Proceed towards Shiraz, the cultural capital of Iran for our next 2 nights stay.

Day 9 Shiraz: We start the day with visit to the colourful Nasir-ol Mulk Mosque, or more famously known as the Pink Mosque. After that, we continue to visit other important sights such as Karim Khan Citadel, Vakil complex and Par Museum. Shiraz is famous for two important poets, and we will learn more about one of these great poets at Hafez Mausoleum. We also visit Eram Garden, which is also part of the group of Persian Gardens listed under UNESCO World Heritage sites. Stay 2nd night at Shiraz.

Day 10 Persepolis & Esfahan: After breakfast & check-out, we proceed about 1 hr north towards Persepolis, another UNESCO World Heritage site to learn about the ancient Achaemenian empire at the ruins & royal tombs. The Achaemenid capital was destroyed by Alexander the Great in 330BC, but we can still marvel at some of the remains still standing today and imagine how powerful the kingdom must have been. We also visit nearby Necropolis where several kings are buried. We finish the day with a long drive 5hr towards Esfahan for our next 3 nights stay.

Day 11 Esfahan: Described in the past as “Esfahan is half the World", we will discover why during our full day tour by foot to the many architectural wonders. We start at UNESCO World Heritage sites of Naqsh-e Jahan Square and its surrounding mosques and Ali Qapu Palace built by the great Shah Abbas during the 16th century. The other important site is Chehelsotoon Palace with its intricate frescoes displaying the splendour during Shah Abbas rule. Spend the afternoon exploring the local bazaar famous for quality handicrafts and souvenirs. Option to walk & visit the famous Esfahan bridges that have inspired our modern bridges at Putrajaya. O/N Esfahan

Day 12 Esfahan: For another view of Esfahan, we proceed south across the Zayande river to learn more about the Armenian Christians. Visit Vank Cathedral famous for its extensive mural paintings and its attached museum which houses rare artefacts, such as the smallest bible in the world.. Option to visit the highly rated private Music Museum to learn more of the Iranian musical instruments and also listen to some live music. Rest of afternoon free & easy for final shopping or exploration. Final night in Esfahan

 
Esfahan is pleasant city for strolling & blessed with a colourful Grand Bazaar

Day 13 Abyaneh & Kashan: Our chartered transport brings us about 2 hours north towards small village of Abyaneh. This small village is popular because of its reddish hue mud buildings and women with distinctive flowery scarfs. We finish our drive 80km north towards Kashan. This city is home to several historical houses such as Borujerdi and Tabatabatee built by rich merchants during 19th century. Stay final night in Kashan.

Day 14 Kashan: After breakfast, we visit the famous Fin Garden, one of the 9 Persian gardens under the UNESCO World Heritage listing. We continue our exploration of Kashan by visiting one of the beautiful merchant house and colourful local hammam or bath house. Spend rest of the afternoon to explore the smaller but quiant local bazaar. We finish the day with a drive about 210km north towards the Imam Khomeini International airport for our late night flight 8hr Mahan Air W5083 10:00PM back to Kuala Lumpur.

Day 15 Plane - Home: We land KLIA at 10:20AM 1 Nov 2018 THURSDAY.

  
Iranian staple bread / Beauty and tranquility at Kashan / Famous Fin Garden n Tabatabatee House

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

1. Cost cover accommodation with breakfast, chartered transport to sites mentioned above and English speaking tourist guide.
2. Cost does not include return Mahan Air KUL-Tehran about Rm1845, 1 domestic flight Kerman-Tehran, other meals not stated above, entrance fees to places not covered and Local Guide Tips (Yongo encourages group members to reward good service and amount should commensurate with services rendered).
3. Accommodations will be in doubles or twins with private bath/shared bath in budget hotels or guesthouse. Breakfasts will be provided at all accommodation places.
4. Not covered are meals (Rm70 x 12 day = Rm840) and entrance fees which is quite high (Rm500). We will collect an entrance fees pool of RM500 as part of the trip costs. Members will be refunded for unused entrance fees or to top up if the entrance fees insufficient.
5. Cost is subject to change depending on fluctuations in exchange rates and/or airfares. Ground costs calculated based on USD1.00 = MYR4.10
6. A deposit of Rm1,300 will be payable to confirm your place.

Email wyeyim@gmail.com or yongo123@gmail.com
Phone Wye Yim 012 233 4717
Phone Lee Min 016-220 9033 or 603-4031 6225
Address No 19 Lorong Air Bersih Tiga, Air Panas, 53200 Kuala Lumpur