Iran cultural vacation
Highlights
Tehran | Qom | Kashan | Abyaneh | Natanz | Nain | Yazd | Zeinodin | Mahan | Kerman | Sarvestan | Shiraz | Persepolis | Naqsh e Rostam | Naqsh e Rajab | Pasargadae | Isfahan |
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about this vacation or need help finding one we're very happy to help. The Travel Team.
Toll free 1-866-821-6866 Calling from outside the US? rosy@responsibletravel.com
Check dates, prices & availability
Responsible tourism
As the pioneers of responsible tourism, we screen every trip so you can travel knowing your vacation will help support conservation and local people.
Our local partner in Iran is instrumental in developing a regional policy for environmentally sustainable tourism and works very closely with the official bodies in advising them how to best implement this. This includes the preservation of some of key natural attractions and ensuring that the gradual increase in tourism and its associated services does not have a detrimental effect. This is a concept that is still very much in its infancy in this part of the world and we are proud to be working with such a respected pioneer in this field at such a key moment in tourism. This includes such issues as waste management, management of scarce resources such as water, and ensuring that future developments in the tourism sector are carried out in an environmentally sensitive manner.
We work with our local suppliers to highlight best practice in terms of environmental issues, an important effort in a country where the environment is often taken for granted.
The Impacts of this Trip
We only work with operators who are as committed as we are to putting something back into the communities we visit. This may include giving a percentage of the profits from each tour to a foundation to help street children or local conservation projects. Our local supplier in Iran works closely with the government bodies responsible to help protect the impressive archaeological sites to be found here.
Our journey through southern and central Iran takes us through areas which are the summer domain of various nomadic tribes who migrate from lowland pastures in winter to the mountains in the summer. We are careful to respect local customs and culture and our groups are briefed on this aspect of Iran. Travelers also have the opportunity to support local communities by purchasing local handicrafts.
Our groups average only two clients. This has much less impact when traveling through rural areas, reducing our environmental and social affects.
Finally to emphasise our commitment to Responsible Tourism all clients will receive a copy of our Travelers Code of Conduct with their travel documents.
Our local partner in Iran is instrumental in developing a regional policy for environmentally sustainable tourism and works very closely with the official bodies in advising them how to best implement this. This includes the preservation of some of key natural attractions and ensuring that the gradual increase in tourism and its associated services does not have a detrimental effect. This is a concept that is still very much in its infancy in this part of the world and we are proud to be working with such a respected pioneer in this field at such a key moment in tourism. This includes such issues as waste management, management of scarce resources such as water, and ensuring that future developments in the tourism sector are carried out in an environmentally sensitive manner.
We work with our local suppliers to highlight best practice in terms of environmental issues, an important effort in a country where the environment is often taken for granted.
The Impacts of this Trip
We only work with operators who are as committed as we are to putting something back into the communities we visit. This may include giving a percentage of the profits from each tour to a foundation to help street children or local conservation projects. Our local supplier in Iran works closely with the government bodies responsible to help protect the impressive archaeological sites to be found here.
Our journey through southern and central Iran takes us through areas which are the summer domain of various nomadic tribes who migrate from lowland pastures in winter to the mountains in the summer. We are careful to respect local customs and culture and our groups are briefed on this aspect of Iran. Travelers also have the opportunity to support local communities by purchasing local handicrafts.
Our groups average only two clients. This has much less impact when traveling through rural areas, reducing our environmental and social affects.
Finally to emphasise our commitment to Responsible Tourism all clients will receive a copy of our Travelers Code of Conduct with their travel documents.
7 Reviews of Iran cultural vacation
Reviewed on 01 Oct 2019 by Margrethe Gilbert
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Everything from the superb cultural experiences to the hospitality of the fabulous people
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Be prepared for no free time if you are UK, USA or Canada. Totally understandable from the way our governments treat Iran
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Local people yes if you bought lots of handicrafts. We did not reduce our car impact but we walked as much as we could in the cities.
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
An absolute eye opener to see what a superb country Iran is. Evenings are filled with families, youngsters and elderly alike enjoying socialising and food together in an incredibly safe environment. Why Iranians treat us so well is a mystery given our attitude to them....
Reviewed on 01 Oct 2018 by Caspian Richards
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Following rivers up and down their course through a great diversity of stunning landscapes.
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Don't miss the banya at the tourist camps - and don't expect hotel facilities at what is basic accommodation in some of the most beautiful settings.
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes - local guides/drivers used throughout; food and accommodation provided by local people.
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Excellent.
Read the operator's response here:
Reviewed on 29 May 2017 by Mar Thomson
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
1) The beauty, the stunning artistic design in so many aspects -- the carpets, the miniatures, the jewellery, and above all the architecture through the ages. Our
jaws got sore from dropping in awe every time we entered another glorious mosque.
2) The warm welcome we got everywhere from Iranian people.
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Do not believe the negative image of Iran conveyed by Western politicians and media. Be open to the eager interaction which Iranians-on-the-street are
anxious to have.
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Definitely. There was an economic contribution in our staying in local hotels, eating in restaurants, buying pieces of artistic craftsmanship. But further, it
seemed that Iranian people of a broad spectrum were delighted to have the opportunity to share the wonders of their country and dispel the negative image
they feel they have in the West.
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Superb, certainly one of the best traveling experiences we've had over the past decade or so.
Reviewed on 22 Oct 2017 by Laura Cooke
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
All the amazing mosques
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Double the amount of time they say to get a visa. Don't book any other trips 6 weeks before this trip due to visa issues. Ladies can wear long shirts, no need to wear a manteau. Not much opportunity to buy clothes at the start of the trip. Men can wear t-shirts.
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes as visiting sites such as Persepolis shows the importance of conservation. We ate in local restaurants and bought souvenirs supporting local businesses. Did not see any recycling nor notice a reduction in environmental impact. We probably increased waste due to drinking water from small plastic bottles.
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Thoroughly enjoyed it. Vacation for culture hounds but rather expensive for what it was considering the food and sites were so cheap when you got there and hotels were not luxurious.
Reviewed on 22 May 2017 by Mandy Conway
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Esfahan
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
There are lots of options now opening up for Iran. Do you research to make sure the one you pick covers everything you need.
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Hard to comment
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Very good vacation
Reviewed on 30 May 2016 by Danica Trim
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Well, that's difficult! Perselpolis was amazing, but so were many of the Islamic sites, such as Qom and the Sheikh Lotfallah mosque in Isfahan. I also enjoyed visiting the tea houses and bazaars.
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
You need to get used to the different ways in which the Iranian currency is referred to - rials and tomans. It can be a bit confusing at first!
Be aware that you need a lot of cash, as credit cards are not accepted in the vast majority of places.
Be prepared to be welcomed everywhere! The Iranians are delightful people!
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
I think the main benefit overall was to dispel the many myths propagated by the Western media about Iran and its people. It is not an oppressive and dangerous desert backwater. It is a beautiful country, hugely cultured, and its people were some of the most welcoming I have ever met anywhere.
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Fantastic.
Read the operator's response here:
Reviewed on 27 Oct 2014 by Rosemary Rennie
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Isfahan followed very closely by Yazd. It was good to have free time in which to explore the cities and meet the people.
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Iran is not as unsafe as sometimes portrayed in the press and media. The people were very friendly and helpful and there was no obvious police presence.
Dress for women was not as strict as expected and although the headscarf was a given, many wore fashionable clothes in bright colours without being covered by a black chador.
Be prepared for a variable standard of sanitary arrangements. In 3* hotels or higher, the better restaurants and museums they are usually adequate but elsewhere, toilets and washing facilities leave a lot to be desired with fittings missing or broken and smelly/unclean. Definitely pack a universal plug, toilet roll and wet wipes.
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Difficult to know whether or not tourism benefits the local people in general. However, there has been an attempt to involve the nomads some of whom have settled in one place and offer accommodation to visitors.
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
An excellent experience with the right amount of sightseeing and free time.
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