Gutsy, Costly Senior Trips to Iran
Eldertreks Offers Adventurous Older Tourists Persian Holiday
Despite U.S. State Department warning, respected senior outfitter Eldertreks posts two itineraries for a tourism adventure in Iran in 2008
You have got to hand it to Eldertreks and its clients. The well-known travel outfit now offers expensive and extensive trips during 2008 to that famed "axis of evil," Iran. The trips are limited to 16 persons each.
One adventure travel seniors trip from Eldertreks is billed as "an epic 27-day journey" and the other as "a 19-day Persian Highlights Adventure." Eldertreks describes Iran as "an ancient land filled with bustling bazaars, historic sights, superb architecture, parched deserts and beautiful, snowcapped mountains."
Persian cities, UNESCO sites
Both trips start and end in Tehran and include stops at numerous UNESCO World Heritage sites in this history-laden country. Among the highlights are stops at Persepolis, the "City of the Persians;" and a stay in Yazd, said to be the "second most historic city in the world." Eldertreks newsletter does not say what the first is, but the first one that comes to mind is Jerusalem.
Another highlight: walking over the "famous bridges of Isfahan" and a drive along the Caspian Sea. In Tehran, tourists will get to visit the National Jewels Museum. Eldertreks says hospitality comes "second nature" to Iranians.
Not Budget Travel
Visiting this Middle East hotbed doesn't come cheap. The 27-day excursion, which takes place in October, is priced at $6595. The shorter Iran trip is in April and is priced at $4995. Under "comfort level," the company notes merely than there are some long drives. If you want to compare itineraries, Geographic Expeditions and Absolute Asia are American companies that also offer tours in Iran.
What none of the Iran tourist literature mentions (at least this reporter could not find this information) is that Iran has been on the U.S. State Department's "travel warning" countries for some time. The latest warning, issued last May, urges U.S. citizens "to carefully consider the risks" since "some elements of the Iranian regime and the population remain hostile to the United States."
The State department says "American citizens may be subject to harassment or arrest in Iran, and that various Iranian-American academics, journalists and others have either left voluntarily, or have been detained and imprisoned.
Sounds like trip insurance is mandatory for this one. And the address and phone number of the U.S. Interest section of the Swiss Embassy, since the United States does not have representation in Tehran. It should also be noted that other countries frequently visited by Americans, including Israel and Kenya, are also on the same State Department Travel Warning list.
