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.
Mid
dle
East
1–©2011AustralianWorldExpeditionsPtyLimited-KateHarper23Jun201113:28:59
australian museum members ancient iran
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
2–©2011AustralianWorldExpeditionsPtyLimited-KateHarper23Jun201113:28:59
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.
3–©2011AustralianWorldExpeditionsPtyLimited-KateHarper23Jun201113:28:59
australian museum members ancient iran
A fascinating journey tracing the magnificent legacies of the Persian Empires
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:
Iran
Visas:Yes*
Vaccinations:Pleaseconsultatravelvaccination
specialistforuptodateinformation
Private Groups:Privategroupoptionsarenot
availableforthistrip
Singles:Asinglesupplementisavailableforthistrip*
Leader:Expertlocalleader
Brochure Reference:JourneysofDiscovery
*Askourstaffformoreinformation.
4–©2011AustralianWorldExpeditionsPtyLimited-KateHarper23Jun201113:28:59
australian museum members ancient iran
A fascinating journey tracing the magnificent legacies of the Persian Empires
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
5–©2011AustralianWorldExpeditionsPtyLimited-KateHarper23Jun201113:28:59
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.
australian museum members ancient iran
A fascinating journey tracing the magnificent legacies of the Persian Empires
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
6–©2011AustralianWorldExpeditionsPtyLimited-KateHarper23Jun201113:28:59
australian museum members ancient iran
A fascinating journey tracing the magnificent legacies of the Persian Empires
important noteThesetripnotesrepresentthemost
currentinformationforthisitinerary,andmaysupersedeanyinformationinthe
currentbrochure,includingbutnotlimitedtotheitineraryandprice.Theitinerary
shouldbeseenasaguideonly.Thisitinerarymaychangeatanytimeduetoinclementweather,forcesofnatureand
othercircumstancesbeyondourcontrol.
PleaseNote:ThisisanAustralianMuseumMembersTourandparticipantsarerequiredtobecurrentMembers.ForfurtherdetailsaboutMembership,pleasecallAustralianMuseumMemberson(02)93206225.
7–©2011AustralianWorldExpeditionsPtyLimited-KateHarper23Jun201113:28:59
australian museum members ancient iran
A fascinating journey tracing the magnificent legacies of the Persian Empires