Gutsy Small Group Iran Tours
Eldertreks Offers Older Tourists Persian Holiday Plus Jordan
Sep 11, 2007
You have got to hand it to Eldertreks, Geographic Expeditions, Absolute Asia and its clients. These well-known travel outfits now offers extensive trips during 2009 to Iran. Eldertreks has an extension to Jordan.
The main trip from Eldertreks is a 21-day journey of "Persian Highlights" starting at $5,395.per person . 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
The Eldertrek trip is limited to 16 people. It starts and ends 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.
The Jordan trip, which starts from Amman, can be added on. It includes Petra, considered "a must see for any visitors to this area," The group also visits the ruins at Jerash, a Roman City built on a site dating back to the Neolithic Age.
Georgraphic Expeditions notes that the governments of the U.S. and Iran are not exactly friendly with one another. "But since we began our groundbreaking trips to Iran in 1993, our many travelers have been deeply grati?ed by the openhearted, open-minded welcome of the Iranian people," says the compan\ny. "Geopoliticians we’re not, and our warm people-to-people encounters in Iran remind us that we made the right career choice."
Not Budget Travel
Visiting these Middle East locates doesn't come cheap. The 21-day Eldertreks excursion is usually priced at about $6,000. The September '09 departure is at the reduced price of $5,395. The 6-day Jordan add-on begins at $1,775. Both Geographic Expeditions and Absolute Asia are more expensive. GeoEx has a 22 day tour starting at $6,795, and Absolute Asia has custom tours in Iran starting at about $7,995 for 17 days..
The latest State Department travel warning, current as of February '09, 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.
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