JOURNEY TO PERSIA

Make sure you try the dish with Walnut and Pommegranate sauce dish with chicken or lamb! To die for.  Esfahan is best for shopping and make sure you bargain for the carpets. I knocked $200 off mine!  Hotels were of very good standard and staff welcoming and friendly. Go for a walk along the bridges in Esfahan and mingle with the locals. Dont' be afraid to chat and have tea. Everyone wants to talk to you and also to reassure us that Iranians are good people, which they are!! Credit cards are now accepted for Carpets and some major stores. 

Louise Leonard - Exodus client

Nearly all nationalities need a visa for Iran; this is arranged through an invitation from our Iranian partners. The cost depends on nationality: for British passport holders applying in the UK it is currently £95 plus a service fee of £30.00 including VAT and £5 for post & packaging (if using Travcour). Authorisation for your visa has to be applied for 8 weeks before departure and details of the procedure are sent upon booking. Please note that visa regulations can change at short notice and without warning and are outside our control.

The Iranian Government also require all applicants to attend the Iranian Embassy in London in person to take an individual fingerprint. This is now a part of the application process for British Nationals.

Rebecca Caldicott - Iran Operations

Please visit the Exodus Travel Guide to Iran where you can find out what plugs they use, as well as more detailed Country information in the menu on the left of the page.

Iran is an Islamic Republic, and as such Islamic dress code is a legal requirement when vsiting.

Women will need to wear a headscarf, baggy trousers and a long top to the knees, or a light, long-sleeved dress over trousers with socks. All over garments must at least reach the knee.

Men must wear long trousers but short sleeve shirts and t-shirts are permissible.

Iran is not a country where you can try to 'get away' with wearing less than is suitable. You are advised to purchase and travel with suitable, preferably lightweight clothing.

Jim Eite - Product Manager

US $ cash is best, and Euros are also changeable. The local currency is the rial or toman, and you'll get used to having a bulging pocket of notes at all times! Iran is a very safe country, as long as you excercise the normal degree of common sense you would at home, and carrying cash is fine to do. ATMs are in most town but are not compatible with western cards.

Brendan Phelan - Customer Operations

Please note that the holy month of Ramadan will take place from the 20th of July to the 18th of August 2012 (dates can shift slightly). This is a time when followers of Islam do not eat or drink between sunrise and sunset. This can sometimes affect the opening hours of certain tourist sites. However we will ensure that that the itinerary is affected as little as possible if you travel during this period. Food and drink is available to tourists during the day.

Brendan Phelan - Customer Operations

In an area like Iran, the situation can change on a regular basis and we do watch events closely. We will never send clients out if we think for a second it is in any way dangerous, but at the same time we try to get past a lot of the media hype which can sometimes cloud matters.

Iran has some of the friendliest people I have ever met, always coming up to say hello, take your picture, ask about your home and family and one of the things that becomes very apparent very quickly is how you can't judge a people by their goverment. While it's important to be aware of the current situation if you are thinking of going there, you should always try to speak to someone who has been there, for some first hand knowledge as well.

Brendan Phelan - Customer Operations

All the staff at Exodus share a passion for adventure travel, and are always happy to answer any questions you may have. You can find an expert for the area you are interested in here and can contact them to get further information. If you don't see your specific country listed, please email customerops@exodus.co.uk and they will get the answers you need!