AN EXPLANATION OF THIS JOURNEY
A journey through Iran is not an all day journey you ‘just simply’ make. It is a journey, which requires a thorough preparation from both of us, as well the organisation, as you as a participant.
The main goal of this journey is not to enjoy a relaxing holiday, but to get to know and experience the wealth and treasures of the nation and culture of the country where we will travel through. We are above all travellers. You will get in contact with many different ethnic and local people, who each have their own way of life. These local people are very friendly, welcoming and curious about you, as well in rural as urban areas.
In the countries we will visit and the areas, where we will be travelling through there is little to none tourism, so that the local people respond spontaneously to the arrival of us as visitors.
You drive this journey with your own vehicle at your own risk.
TRAVEL ORGANISATION
To make this journey with your own motorhome not only to a beautiful adventure, but also organizational to a good result, we use during this journey the guidance of a good and knowledgeable team of highly experienced overland travellers. The guidance will be assisted by local guides and interpreters where necessary and they will possibly travel along with us for a part of the journey.
This journey is organised by Expedition Far East. The terms and conditions of Expedition Fare East are valid.
OUR WAY OF TRAVELLING
Our Individual Guided Adventurous Overland Journeys© goes through countries with very different customs and habits then we are used to. Not often there can be fulfilled to our Western European expectations and standards and there is usually not a luxury campsite available in these countries. Therefore a journey like this demands a flexible altitude of the participants, a good physical and mental condition and health. As well the vehicles have to be in excellent condition.
INDIVIDUALLY AND ALSO GUIDED?
You drive at your own speed and pace. You will receive the Expedition Far East Road-book© with detailed information and the necessary information on attractions and sights and the GPS coordinates to be able to arrive at the next overnight location. We don’t drive convoy, unless absolutely necessary or when it is obliged by the local governments. You can leave in the morning, whenever it is the most convenient for you and stop as often as you like, to have as much individual freedom as possible. Plenty of time to fully enjoy and in the evening you don’t need extra time to search a safe overnight spot, very relaxing!
BENEFITS OF OUR GROUP JOURNEYS
An ‘Individual Guided Adventurous Overland Journey©’ of Expedition Far East has many advantages. One of the most important ones is that we only travel in small groups; maximum up to 12 vehicles, for this journey maximum up to 8. Further advantages are; always a back-up from fellow travellers and the journey guidance, the sense of security far away from home, supported by experienced guidance, difficult border crossings we always take as a group together and when necessary, with the help of local guides, a safe overnight place and from special value, cosy spontaneous evenings together, to share our experiences and adventures.
ROUTE AND DAYSCHEDULE
The route and itinerary are designed with the maximum possible interesting touristic highlights and sites are included on our route. Many are included in the program, others are optional. Of course, we also did take into account the overnight places and we have done our best effort to stay at the most beautiful places and locations. The daily distances range from 75 to 400km per day and are so divided that we have enough time to visit the sights and attractions, to take a break, to do some shopping and to relax. Obviously there are many non driving days, so you will be able to organise your own day. You will receive an Expedition Far East Road-book© with the day schedule and lots of tips and information, interesting sights and the overnight location related information and the required GPS coordinates.
TRAVELDOCUMENTS
For Europeans a valid passport which must be valid for at least 6 months when leaving Turkey. For Iran is a visa required and passport must contain two opposite, empty pages and free from Israeli stamps.
EXPORTS AND IMPORTS TERMS IRAN
According to the import regulations of Iran, it is illegal to import liquor, drugs or “indecent images” in Iran. The export of carpets and antiques is only possible with the proper documents. It is convenient to buy such products in stores with an export license.
DRESSCODE IRAN
Female travellers
In Iran, women are required anytime and anywhere (even in restaurants, lounges, hotels etc.) to wear a headscarf and a long, wide coat or robe down to the knees.
Tehran and Isfahan are modern cities and women are going in relation loosely dressed: a smooth, modern long coat or robe with a loose headscarf. In other places, the dresscode are sometimes stricter. However, the wearing of a chador (the entire black body covering) is not necessary. Only when visiting religious shrines as in Ghom and Mashhad is the chador obligatory in Iran. Thess chadors can be purchased in Iran itself and sometimes they can be borrowed at the entrance of a mosque.
We encourage you to take comfortable clothings f.e in cotton, making the high temperatures a lot more bearable. In Iran, cotton clothes are hardly available. For headscarf applies the same, cotton is more comfortable than synthetic, while you hair less static.
Male travellers
It will not surprise you that men must adhere to the dress code in Iran as well. Shorts and bermudas are strictly forbidden. Also, shirts with long sleeves are highly recommended.
Sometimes in Iran you notice that the dresscode shown above has been changed by actuality. Nevertheless, we believe that it doesn’t hurt to dress more conservatively. The past has been proven that the dresscode can also be suddenly stricter. In addition, you often receive more respect from the local people.
YOUR VEHICLE
This journey can be made with an average camper. It is not necessary to have a 4WD, but of course may be very useful, if you have one. Of course it is recommendable to leave home with a vehicle in a very good technical condition.
SAFETY
The crime rate is very low and the purchasing power of the people is fortunately rising almost everywhere. With our campers we are at no greater risk as when we are travelling through European countries. While we travel through the country, we keep informed during our journey about the security situations in the areas we are going to travel through.
ROADS
Most of the roads on our route are asphalted. Only less than 10% of this journey we drive over unpaved roads. Parts of this are sometimes in very bad or poor condition! Often the roads are to be compared with the roads in Europe, sometimes even better. In the big cities the roads are often very crowded and it is just as back home in the traffic jams!
OVERNIGHT STAYS
We will barely overnight at campsites at this journey, because in the areas we cross, there are none. We will stay at safe overnight places. As far as possible this will be wild camps in free nature and if not possible at hotels, churches, sport complexes or just a parking spot or something similar. Therefore it is necessary that you can be self-supporting for a few days concerning food, bathroom, shower and electricity.
SANITARY FACILITIES
The sanitary facilities, such as toilets and showers are of varying quality and do often not meet to our European standards or are even not present.
EMPTY GREY WATER AND TOILET
On this journey there are almost no facilities, where we can empty our grey water and toilet in a descent and environmentally friendly way. We are often designated to a place in the nature. It is important to do this at a discreet and appropriate manner, which causes no nuisance to the local residents and their live stock and crops. The use of chemical liquids is strongly discouraged. Instead of using chemicals for the toilet, there is a system on the market, called SOG; what is a good alternative to having to use no more chemicals.
ELECTRICITY
The voltage is 220 volts, sometimes a little lower. Electricity is usually present on campsites, but sometimes to a limited extent. At parking lots at hotels we will have to loop often, so the capacity will be very limited. In addition to using gas, solar panels will often offer a simple solution for your own power supply.
MONEY
TURKEY
Getting cash is in Turkey possible at one of the many ATMs with debit or credit card (Maestro logo) except in smaller towns. The Turkish Lira (YTL) is the national currency.
1 EUR = 2,65 YTL | 1 YTL = 0,35 EUR
1 CHF = 2,20 YTL | 1 YTL= 0,45 CHF
1 GBP = 3,45 YTL | 1 YTL = 0,29 GBP
IRAN
In Iran there are no ATM’s, where we are able to take cash. Creditcards are hardly accepted. Euro’s can be changed at banks or exchanges offices.
In Iran the currency is the Rial (IRR). However, in general one calculates in Toman. The price in Toman is nothing else then taking of a zero of the amount, so 10.000 Rial is 1000 Toman. Because of constant devaluation of the Iranian currency, the exchange rate changes continuous. For one euro you receive je 35.000 rial (mai 2016).
1 EUR = 32.180,00 IRR | 10.000 YTL = 0,35 EUR
1 CHF = 31.360,00 IRR | 10.000 YTL= 0,32 CHF
1 GBP = 41.980,00 IRR | 10.000 YTL = 0,24 GBP
COMMUNICATION
The network for mobile telephony and the Internet is widespread and of good quality, especially near to the road and in big cities and in densely populated areas. Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and many other sites are not accessible.
VACCINATIONS
For Iran and Turkey are no vaccinations required but recommended. Think of DTP, Hepatitis A and B, typhoid fever for stays longer than three months, and malaria tablets in certain areas. Check with your doctor or healthcentre for update information for a journey to Iran.
PETS
Taking your pet on this journey is possible, but has to be notified to the travel organisation, before taking part on the journey.
