Middle East australian museum members ancient iran ancie… · Thank you for your interest in the...

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australian museum members ancient iran

Trip Duration 14daysGrade AdventuretouringlevelActivities AdventureTouringAccommodation 11nightshotel

trip highligh tsImamSquareandtheancientbridgesinIsfahan

TheextraordinaryancientcityofPersepolis;thecapitalofthePersianEmpireduringtheAchaemeniddynasty

ThepoetstombsinShirazThedesertcityofYazd

ThesurroundinghillsofTehranTripescortedbytheAustralianMuseumMembers

welcome to World ExpeditionsThankyouforyourinterestintheAustralianMuseumMembersAncientIrantrip.AtWorldExpeditionswearepassionateaboutouroffthebeatentrackexperiencesastheyprovideourtravellerswiththethrillofcomingfacetofacewithuntouchedculturesaswellaswildernessregionsofgreatnaturalbeauty.Wearecommittedtoensuringthatouruniqueitinerariesarewellresearched,affordableandtailoredfortheenjoymentofsmallgroupsorindividuals-philosophiesthathavebeenatourcoresince1975whenwebeganoperatingadventureholidays.Ouritinerarieswillgiveyoutheverybesttravelexperience,designedbypeoplewithincrediblelocalknowledgewhoshareourvisionofauthenticexchangeandrealexplorationwitharesponsibletourismapproach.Whetheryoulikeyouradventurestoincludetrekking,touring,cycling,mountaineering,kayakingorcruisingWorldExpeditionscanmakeithappenforyou.Wehopeyouwilljoinusforalifechangingexperience!!

why travel with World Expeditions?Whenplanningtraveltothefarflungcornersofourglobe,manyfactorsneedtobeconsidered.Ourextraattentiontodetailandoperationsonthegroundensurethatyouwillhaveamemorableexperience.Wetakeeveryprecautiontoensuresmoothlogistics,ourvehiclesandequipmentarethebestavailableonthemarket.Mostimportantly,ouradventureshavealwayssoughttobenefitthelocalpeoplesweinteractwith,safeguardtheecosystemsweexploreandcontributetothesustainabilityoftravelintheregionsweexperience.Youwillbeaccompaniedbyaguidewhoseknowledgeandpassionforthisregionwilladdauniquedimensiontoyourtrip.Theirexperienceandenthusiasmensuresthatwemaintaintheleadingedgeinadventuretravelandthereforeprovidingexcellentvalueformoney.Givenourlocalknowledge,experienceandexcellentleadership,wearequitesurethatthistourwillbeatripofalifetimeandafantasticadventure.

A fascinating journey tracing the magnificent legacies of the Persian Empires

the tripTherearefewplacesintheworldwhichhaveahistoryandcultureasrichasthisremarkablecountryandonthisincrediblejourney,AustralianMuseumMemberswilldiscoverahistorythatprovidesendlessfascinationandanatmospherethatismostdefinitelyrelaxed,andcertainlyenriching.Iranisanancientlandfilledwithbusybazaars,historicsites,stunningarchitecture,desertsandbeautiful,snow-cappedmountains.TherearefewcountriesthathaveahistorythatcancompetewithIran,fromtheancientgemsofPersepolis,andYazd(declaredthesecondmosthistoriccityintheworldbyUNESCO),toincrediblemuseums,mosques,mausoleums,andimpressiveruinswithexquisitecarvings.OurjourneytracesthemagnificentlegaciesofthePersianEmpireswhichwillnotfailtoinspire,yetit’sthesnowcladmountains,vastdeserts,oasistownsandspontaneousengagementwiththelocalsprovidethatsurpriseateveryturn.TravelerstoIran,consistentlyattestthatIranhasoneoftheworld’swarmestandmostwelcomingpeople,makingyoufeelgenuinelyateaseintheircountry.ItwillsurelybeatriphighlightdiscoveringthecultureandtraditionsoftheIranianpeople.WehopeyoucanjointheAustralianMuseumMembersonthisspecialdeparture.

at a glanceDay 1 DEPArTSYDNEYDay 2 ArrIvETEHrANDay 3 FLYTOSHIrAzDay 4 INSHIrAzDay 5 vISITPErSEPOLISDay 6 DrIvETOYAzDDay 7 INYAzDDay 8 TOISFEHANDay 9 ISFEHANDay 10 TOTEHrANDay 11 INTEHrANDay 12 INTEHrANDay 13 EArLYMOrNINGDEPArTUrEDay 14 ArrIvESYDNEYATArOUND0745

what’s included Return economy flights from Sydney to Tehran with Emirates, including taxes 11 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners 4 star hotel accommodation on a twin share basis or best available hotels in remote

towns Sightseeing and entrance fees to monuments listed All internal transport by private bus, jeep or car One way flight Tehran to Isfehan and Shiraz to Tehran English speaking tour guide throughout Entrance fees to museums and sites as detailed Emergency medical kit Arrival and departure transfers if travelling on group flights Assistance in arranging visas Trip escorted by Australian Museum Members

trip dates

2012 01Sep - 14Sep

trip costJoining Sydney minimum 10 people travelling: $7190

options & supplementsSingle Supplement: $725

World Expeditions does not require single travellers pay a surcharge for travelling alone. We will arrange for you to share accommodation with another traveller of the same gender and if we can not match you up we will provide a single room at no extra charge. If you prefer not to share

a single supplement is payable to guarantee your own room. The cost of the single supplement is listed above.

Please note: Airfares for September 2012 have not yet been released. If there are any increases in price

once airfares are released, we reserve the right to adjust the price according to new the new fares.

Local cash payments are becoming increasingly popular with many operators in the adventure travel industry. The policy seems to benefit the tour operators, more than the local economies or travellers, as it avoids local taxes and transfers the cost and risk of cash handling to travellers. In accordance with our Responsible Travel practices we have chosen a policy not to ask for such payments.

detailed itineraryDay 1 Depart SydneyThiseveningyouwilldepartonEmiratesEK413at2110andarriveintoDubaiat0545thefollowingmorningmeals: nil

Day 2 arrive TehranYouwillconnectwithEmiratesEK971,departingDubaiat0745andarrivingintoTehranat1025.OnarrivalinTehran,wearemetbyourlocalguideandtransferredtoourhotel.FirstimpressionsofTehranwillbetherichcultureandhistoryofthisancientland.Thecapitalhassomespectacularmuseums,palacesandgardenswhicharetobeenjoyedindepthonourreturnvisittoTehran.TonightwewillenjoyawelcomedinneratoneofTehran’slocalrestaurants.OvernightinTehranmeals: d

Day 3 Fly to ShirazThismorningweflytoShirazwhichwasoncethecapitalofIran,andhasbeensynonymouswithlearning,nightingales,poetry,rosesandatonetime,wine.meals: b,l

Day 4 In ShirazShirazisknownasthepoeticcapitalofPersia,becausetwoofthegreatestpoetsoftheworld,Hafez(1324-1391)andSa’di(1209-1291),originatedfromthiscity.Simplemausoleumswereconstructedforthemaftertheirdeathsbutlaterbecamecelebratedpilgrimagedestinationsinthe14thcenturywhenthepiousandart-lovingQueenTashiKhatunerectedamosqueandtheologicalschoolbythetombs.OfthetworemarkablemonumentsinShiraz,oneisdedicatedtoHafez,themasterofPersianlyricalpoetry.TheotheroneisdedicatedtoSa’di,theauthorofthefamousGolestan,andabookofsonnetscalledtheGardenofRoses.TherearemanyotherstrikingIslamicbuildingsinShiraz,namelytheSafavidmosquebutmorenotablytheshrineofSyedAmirAhmed,alsoreferredtolocallyastheShahCheraghorthe‘KingofLight’.Thisexquisiteshrineboastsadazzlinginteriorofmirrortiles,displayoffinechinaandglasswareandexquisitelyinscribedoldandmodernKorans.TheEramGardens,famousforitsrosegardenandavenuesofcypresstreesisalsoonourschedule,timepermitting.meals: b,d

Day 5 Visit PersepolisWevisitPersepolisinthemorningwhenthetemperatureismildandthesiterelativelyuncrowded.Acomprehensivetourisprovidedbringingtolifethehistoryofthismagnificentruin.Rulerofthelargestempiretheworldhadeverseen,DariusIstartedconstructingthegreatmetropolistoserveasasummercapitalinaround512BC.SubsequentAchaemeniankings,includingXerxesI,addedtheirownpalacesoverthenext150years.Sitedonavastplatformabovetheplains,Persepolisisnotasubtlemonument.TheGreatPorchofXerxes,flankedbywingedbullsofstone,leadsyouintoamassiveruinedcomplexofroyalpalaces,halls,courtsandapartmentscoveredwithinscriptionsandcarvings.Astunningwallofdetailedbas-reliefsrepresentsthousandsofenvoysfromasfarawayasEthiopiaandArmenia,IndiaandCappadocia,bearinggiftstotheiralmightyruler.AgoodthreehoursisneededtoexplorePersepolis.Ashortdriveawayisthefourimpressiveburialtombs

fast factsCountries Visited:

Visas:Yes*

Vaccinations:Pleaseconsultatravelvaccination

specialistforuptodateinformation

Private Groups:Privategroupoptionsarenot

availableforthistrip

Singles:Asinglesupplementisavailableforthistrip*

Leader:Expertlocalleader

Brochure Reference:JourneysofDiscovery

*Askourstaffformoreinformation.

ofDariusandhissuccessors,Naghsh-eRostam,whichhavebeenhewnfromtherock.Thereisalsoafiretempleatthesite(orsotheybelieve)–thatdatesbacktoAchaemeniantimes.ReturningtoShiraz,therestoftheafternoonisatleisure.meals: b,l

Day 6 Drive to yazdWeembarkonthe425kmdrivefromShiraztoYazd,wherewecrossoverthemountainsanddescendintothevastdesertexpanse.EnroutePasargadaerevealsthetombofCyrustheGreat,thefounderofthePersianEmpireundertheAchaemeniddynastyin500AD.WecontinueontoAbarkutowitnesstraditionalcisterns,ice-storiesanda4500yearoldcypresstree.ThisisoneofseveraltreesinIranthatissacred,andapopularpilgrimagespotwheredevoteesfastenpiecestoitsbranches.WecontinueontoYazdtoourovernightaccommodation.meals: b,l

Day 7 In yazdYazdissituatedatanoasiswheretheDasht-eKavirDesertandtheDasht-eLutDesertsmeet,andiscircledbyamountainrange,thetallestbeing4075m.Duringitslonghistory,YazdadaptedtothedesertsurroundsgracingthecitywithgreatIslamicarchitectureandculture,despiteitbeingafullZoroastriansociety.Whenexploringthecityonegainsasensethattimehasstoppedasthereareplentyofoldtraditionsandbuildingsthatretainthecharacterofthebygoneera.ThechimneylikestructuresontheroofsofYazdies’housesisjustoneexample;infacttheyarenotchimneysbuttheancientventilationsystems.Theygathereventhefaintestbreezesofthedesertandchannelthemintothebuildingbelow.Yazdisfamousforitshandicraftsandinthemarketstherewillbeplentyofopportunitytoshopforrugs,smallbutintricatecarpets,Kilim,Termeh(alovelyhand-madesilktapestry)potteryandceramics.YazdistheholiestcityforZoroastrianswhotravelfromallovertheworldtoseethesacredfireinYazdthathasbeenburningwithoutinterruptionfor1500years.IntheoutlyingsouthernsuburbsoftownaretheZoroastrianTowersofSilence,wherethebodiesofbelieverswereoncelefttothevulturesafterdeath.meals: b,d

Day 8 To IsfehanMorningdrivetoIsfahan(300km),consideredtobeoneofthefinestcitiesintheIslamicworld.OursightseeingwillincludevisitstotheShakingMinaretsandtheancientbridgesovertheZayandeRiver,somedatingbacktothe12thcentury.ManyofthebridgeshaveteahousesbeneaththemandtendtobetheIranianequivalentofthelocalpub(strictlyteaofcourse).AvisittoIsfahanwouldnotbecompletewithoutgoingtoImamKhomeiniSquare.Itissurroundedbytwomosques,apalaceandtheentrancetotheBazaar.Inthemiddleofthesquareisalakewithafountainandstillinplacearepologoalpostsateitherend.TheMasjed-eImam(orImamKhomeiniMosque)isthemostexquisiteexampleofMosaictileworkandthemoststunningbuildinginIran.ItiscompletelycoveredinsideandoutwiththepalebluetilesforwhichIsfahanisfamous.meals: b,l

Day 9 IsfehanOthersightsweplantovisitincludeChehelSotunMuseum&Park–thiswasbuiltinthe17thCenturyasareceptionhall,andhaslovelycolumnsmadeofplanetreewitha110mpoolinthefront.TheVankCathedral–builtinthe17thcentury,hasaninterestingmuseumattached,andshowsthehistoryoftheArmeniansinthearea.Finally,oureveningsmaybespentattheAbbassiHotel-agreatplacetosiponaFarsiColaandwatchtheworldgoby.Alternatively,wemaystrollalongthebanksoftheZayandeRiver,stoppingatthemanyteahousesalongtheway.meals: b,d

responsible travelTheenvironmentswetravelthroughare

fragile.Itisourresponsibilityasvisitorstominimisetheimpactofourpresence.World

ExpeditionsweretheproudrecipientsoftheinauguralAustralianNationalTravel

Industry’sEnvironmentalAchievementawardforourresponsibleTravelGuidebook.This

detailedguidetoresponsibleandsustainabletravelisprovidedtoallWorldExpeditionsclientsbeforetheytravel.Pleaseaskyour

consultantifyouhavenotreceivedyourcopyofourawardwinningbook.Alternatively,

youmayliketodownloadacopyfromourwebsitewww.worldexpeditions.com

trip gradingAlthoughthereisnocommitmenttoextendedwalkingonthisjourneywe

nonethelesswanttokeepthe‘accentontheactive’.Wethereforeadvisethatany

physicaltrainingyoucompletebeforeundertakingthetripwillbetogoodeffect.

adventure travelByitsverynatureadventuretravelinvolves

anelementoftheunexpected.Inremoteanddevelopingcountriesdonotexpect

standardsyouareusedtoathome.remoteareasaresometimesunpredictableand

itinerariesmaybealtered.Togetthemostoutofyouradventureitisimportant

thatyouareflexible,positiveandeagertotakeonallthechallengesthatarise.If

youareuncertainaboutyoursuitabilityforthistripwerecommendthatyouspeak

withyourconsultantortravelagent.

Day 10 To TehranThereisafullmorningoffreetimeinIsfahan.AfternoonflytoTehranandovernightmeals: b

Day 11 In TehranTherearemanygreatmuseumsinTehran.ThismorningweplantoheadtotheNationalJewelsMuseumwhichwillshockyouwithitsostentatiousdisplayofpreciousjewels,manyofwhicharethelargestoftheirkind,namelytheDarya-ye-Nurwhichat182caratsisthelargestuncutdiamondintheworld.Wewillalsoviewthejewelledglobewhichiscoveredin51,363preciousstones.WewillspendtimevisitingtheCarpetMuseum,whichwillillustratethehistoryofIran,itspoetsanditsmythsandtheNationalMuseum(orArchaeologicalMuseum)whichbeginswithexhibitsdatingbacktothe5thand4thMillenniumBCandprovidesafascinatinginsightintoPersianHistory.*PleasenotethatouritineraryinTehranwilldependoncurrentopeningtimes(anddays)ofthemuseumsandthereforetheorderofsightsandthesightsvisitedmayvaryaccordingly.meals: b,l

Day 12 In TehranTodayweplantovisitDarband,adelightfulmountainareainNorthTehran.Darbandisaccessedbychairlift,byfootorbydonkeyandtimepermittingyoucanclimbfurtheruptotheflanksofMountTochal(3933m).Theview,whilstoftenquitehazy,willneverthelessshowthevastnessoftheTehransprawlandtheculinarydelightswaitingatthemanycafeswillmakethehikeupwellworthit.Afarewelldinnerwillbeenjoyedthiseveningtocelebrateourtimespentinthisfascinatingland.meals: b,d

Day 13 Early morning departureOurflightleavesveryearlythismorning,soyouwillbetransferredtotheairportforyourEmiratesEK976flightdepartingat0505andarrivingintoDubaiat0635.YouwillconnectwithEK418departingDubaiat0850andarrivingintoSydneyat0745thefollowingmorning.meals: b

Day 14 arrive Sydney at around 0745meals: nil

ThisitineraryissubjecttochangewithanychangeinCommunityregulationsaswellasGovernmentalchangesandnaturalcircumstancesbeyondourcontrol.

country informationSeventymillionpeopleinhabitthiscountrywhichisnearlythesizeofQueenslandorafifthoftheUnitedStates.Itisdominatedbythreemountainranges–thefertileandvolcanicSabalanandTaleshranges,thezagrosrangewhichtherunsalongthewesternborderandtheAlborzrange,totheNorthofTehranandhometothehighestmountain–Damavand(5670m).TheAlborzrangealsohasthelargestareaofvegetationinIranandthenorthernslopesaredenselycoveredwithdeciduoustrees.Theserangesarealsohometomanymammalsincludingwolf,jackal,wildboar,hyena,blackbearandlynx.ThelowlandsareinhabitedbyPersiansquirrels,mongoose,Persiangazelle,porcupine,badgerandIranianwildass.HoweverperhapsthemostfamousofcreaturesistheAlborzredsheepwithitslongblackbeardandspirallinghorns.NinetypercentofthepopulationpracticeIran’sbrandoffundamentalistShi’iteIslamandthiswillbenoticedbytravellersbythemodestdresscodeandthebehaviouratmosques.AllIranianandforeignfemalesappearinginpublicshouldcovertheirheadandwearadressthatcoversthebodyexcepttheface,toesandhands.Menareadvisednottowearshortsleevesandshortpantsarestrictlyforbidden–referpre-departurenotesforfulldetailsondressrequirements.

Iranhasalonghistoryofalmost7000yearssincetheAryansemigratedhereandgavetheirnametothelandandcalledit“landofAryans”orIran.Achaemenidappearedin550BCandwasthefirstunifieddynastyanduntilitwasconqueredbyAlexanderofMacedoniain330BC,Iranprosperedasthe“GreatPersianEmpire”formorethan2centuries.TherearemanylandmarksleftfromtheAchaemenianperiod,mostnotablyinPersepolis.ManyotherdynastiesandmonarchiessucceededthecountryuntilthePahlavi,whichwasdemolishedin1979bytheIslamicrevolution,changingIranfromaconstitutionalmonarchytoarepublic.ThereisanenormousdiversityofethnictypesinIran,themajorityaredescendantsoftheAryantribes.

climateThetripoperatesinSeptemberwhentheclimateisatitsbest.Daytimetemperaturesaremildtowarmandrangefromzeroto23degreesCelsiusduringthistime.

a typical dayWhentouringincitieswewillmeetourguideearlyinthemorningandfulldayswillbespentsightseeing.

what you carryYouwillberequiredtocarryallyourluggagebetweenhotelsandtransportation.Onsightseeingdaysyouwillberequiredtocarryadaypackwithyourcamera,waterproofclothingandanyotherpersonalitemsyoumayrequireduringtheday.

equipment requiredNospecialistgearisrequiredforthistriphoweverwerecommendcomfortablewalkingshoesandasmallbackpackfortouringdays.Womenshouldwearlongsleevedmidthightopsandlongtrousers.Aheadscarfismandatoryatalltimesforwomenexceptinyourhotelroom(acomprehensivegearlistisprovidedinthepre-departureinformationprovidedonbooking).

what’s not included Meals not indicated in the itinerary Bottled water Aerated and alcoholic drinks Items of a personal nature such as phone calls, laundry, etc. Tips Airport and departure taxes Visa Travel Insurance

how to bookPleasefilloutthebookingformandreturnwitha$400deposittoWorldExpeditionstoreserveyourplaceonthetour.Pleasenotethatallreservationsaresubjecttoavailabilityatthetimeofbooking.Thedepositispayablebycash,cheque,orcreditcard(madepayabletoWorldExpeditions)&isnon-refundable.Pleasesendyourcompletedbookingformtothefollowingaddress:WorldExpeditionsLevel5,71YorkStSydneyNSW2000Ph:(02)82708400Fax:(02)82708401

important noteThesetripnotesrepresentthemost

currentinformationforthisitinerary,andmaysupersedeanyinformationinthe

currentbrochure,includingbutnotlimitedtotheitineraryandprice.Theitinerary

shouldbeseenasaguideonly.Thisitinerarymaychangeatanytimeduetoinclementweather,forcesofnatureand

othercircumstancesbeyondourcontrol.

PleaseNote:ThisisanAustralianMuseumMembersTourandparticipantsarerequiredtobecurrentMembers.ForfurtherdetailsaboutMembership,pleasecallAustralianMuseumMemberson(02)93206225.

Middle East australian museum members ancient iran ancie… · Thank you for your interest in the...

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