Iran Info, Please

Old Jun 12th, 2009, 09:55 AM
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Iran Info, Please

Hi-

I have suddenly been beseiged by an overwhelming desire to go to Iran. This started formulating a few weeks ago, and after recieving Newsweek with Iran on the cover and the next day seeing the NBC program on Iran, followed by Rick Steves (!!!) in Iran on PBS the following evening-it just seems like it's meant to be. However, my vacation time is at the end of July, and I know that is not the best time to go. For those of you who have been, can you recommend a tour company? Is just over a month enough time to arrange visas? Is there any compelling reason NOT to go in July? I may be able to delay until next spring but I hate to do that. Richard Kapuscinski's Shah of Shahs just arrived in the mail from Amazon and I can't wait to go home and read it.

If not Iran in July-where else would you recommend for two moderately adventurous types? We are also considering Japan.....

Thanks,
Jen
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Old Jun 12th, 2009, 01:22 PM
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Jen,

there are a number of people on the Africa board that have recently been to Iran - if you click on our profiles I think we all have trip reports up (although I still have not finished mine!)
The two others are jsmerkle and julia1. Jennifer (jsmerkle) and I both used Gashtours - Their contact info is in the beginning of my trip report I believe. Nimbus, another poster on here is getting ready to leave for Iran, but I can't recall what company he is using.

I'm not sure if you could get a visa in time, however if you are seriously thinking about it I would email Gashtours or whatever company you want to use immediately. Although I think it would be extremely exciting to be there so soon after the election, spring would just be so much nicer weather wise. I did go to the middle east once in late July though, and I survived! keep us posted!

oh - one of the best books I read last year was "Iran Awakening" by Shirin Ebadi. I couldn't put it down. If you are looking for more books on Iran I highly recommend it.
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Old Jun 15th, 2009, 06:51 AM
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Hi Jen:

I used LetGoIran and they have so far been wonderful through the planning process, always very responsive to my emails. Like a lot tour agencies, they are the middle men, so to speak, who contract the actual touring out to other providers.

I am leaving the 26th for just one week there. I am staying in Turkey for a couple days as well.

I have to warn you that it will take some time to get a visa -took me 45 days. The tour agency you use will handle the visa application process, being american it is a much more involved process. Once the authroization number is issued, your agent will tell you the number. You will have to send or hand deliver your passport to the Iranian interests section of the Paki embassy in DC. I used a service to handle all this for me and it worked well. All of this assumes that you are american.
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Old Jun 16th, 2009, 01:03 AM
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In view of the problems in Iran post election, I'd check with Tour Operators etc for guidance before I'd want to go at this time.
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Old Jul 7th, 2009, 06:29 AM
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Hi-thanks so much for your replies. Due to our lack of planning and the election upheaval we've decided to go next spring so I can relax and plan to my heart's content. Thanks for the book recommendation Maxwell, I will definitely get that. Nimbus-please post back on your trip!

We've decided to go to Costa Rica for the time being....
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Old Feb 27th, 2015, 09:58 AM
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hi
I'm from Iran jenski, want any informataion , Ask me
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Old Feb 28th, 2015, 12:44 AM
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WE were in Iran in 2003 so my Fodors trip report may be a bit out of date! However, I just wanted to chime in and say you'll have a wonderful time in the country. The historical sites are extraordinary and we found everyone very friendly, it was also a very reasonably priced destination. WE had no problems with the visa (through the Iranian Interest Section at the Pakistani Embassy in DC) though it took time to get the paperwork together.

We visited Tehran, Shiraz, Isfahan, Yadz, Bam (before the Earthquake) and Kerman. WE also camped overnight with a nomadic group which was fascinating. I'm sure you'll have a great time next Spring.
WE combined the trip to Iran with a stop in Armenia which made for a great combination.
FYI we booked with Gashtours and they were great.
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Old Feb 28th, 2015, 07:21 AM
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>>I'm from Iran jenski, want any informataion , Ask me>WE were in Iran in 2003 so my Fodors trip report may be a bit out of date!
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Old Feb 28th, 2015, 01:13 PM
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I've been on Fodors since 2003, you would have thought I'd remember to check to see if someone else topped an old thread before replying, lol!
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Old Mar 1st, 2015, 11:33 AM
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I singed up one week ago , I didn't paid attention to your post date
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