Istanbul to Tehran by Rail Adventure Tour

You may have made your way into Turkey before, but now it's time to take it a little farther east and discover some of the greatest underexplored territory in the world. This 17-day rail tour will bring you through the Turkish countryside to see the highlights of the Cappadocia region and the elegant, lakeside city of Van. You'll cross into Iran to find yourself in bustling Tehran, roam ancient Persepolis, and sample Shiraz grapes in the city that gave them their name. Take a true adventure and experience a part of the globe that's made for small-group travel.

Itinerary Disclaimer  

While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered.

Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.

A Couple of Rules  

Illegal drugs will not be tolerated on any trips. Possessing or using drugs not only contravenes the laws of the land but also puts the rest of the group at risk. Smoking marijuana and opium is a part of local culture in some parts of the world but is not acceptable for our travellers. Our philosophy of travel is one of respect towards everyone we encounter, and in particular the local people who make the world the special place it is. The exploitation of prostitutes is completely contrary to this philosophy. Our CEOs have the right to expel any member of the group if drugs are found in their possession or if they use prostitutes.

Feedback  

After your travels, we want to hear from you! Your feedback information is so important to us that we'll give you 5% off the price of your next G Adventures trip if your feedback is completed on-line within 30 days of finishing your trip. Your tour evaluation will be e-mailed to you 24 hours after the conclusion of your trip. If you do not receive the tour evaluation link in the days after your tour has finished, please drop us a line at customerservice@gadventures.com and we will send it on to you.

Max Pax  

Group Leader  

Chief Experience Officer (CEO) throughout, local guides.

Travel Insurance  

Travel Insurance: Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your CEO, who will take note of your insurance details. When selecting a travel insurance policy please bear in mind that all clients must have medical coverage and that we require a minimum coverage of USD 200,000 for repatriation and emergency rescue. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. If you have credit card insurance we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage and emergency contact telephone number.

Transport  

Trains, private vehicles, ferry, walking.

My Own Room  

Please note that if you have booked the "My Own Room" option for this tour, you will receive your own single room for all night stops

Local Dress  

While visiting mosques and other religious monuments in Turkey you should dress modestly, cover your shoulders and you shouldn't wear short shorts or skirts. Outside of Istanbul and the more touristic centres in Turkey, local dress is more conservative and as a matter of respect we recommend that both men and women dress modestly in loose-fitting clothes with shoulders covered.

As stated in the Important Notes section, Iran is a traditional Islamic nation and a strict dress code is enforced throughout the country. The code of dress must be adhered to at all times. Please read the Important Notes for information on what to bring.

Your CEO will advise you of what attire is appropriate for which destinations or activities during the welcome meeting. Upon arrival in Iran women not wearing a headscarf, long sleeves, closed shoes and a loose-fitting long skirt or pants may be refused entry into the country (to avoid this problem bring with you a thin full length raincoat if you choose to buy a manteau after you arrive). Men must be wearing long trousers upon arrival and shirts that cover their shoulders, or they to may be refused entry.

Female travellers: Please don't bring tight fitting clothing with you to Iran as it's forbidden to show any hint of the shape of your body. You will see locals pushing the limits of this restriction but best to be as conservative as possible. You may wish to buy local 'manteaus' in country but to be prepared we recommend jeans or loose cotton trousers, potentially a knee-length dress to wear over those pants, Indian-style tunics or a combination of layers that keep you covered the appropriate amount (described in Important Notes). Additionally, a lot of make up is also against the rules, so plan to be as modest as possible. Many locals wear dark colours but there is no law requiring it.

Minimum Age  

You must be 18 to travel unaccompanied on a G Adventures tour. For minors travelling with a guardian over 21 years old, the minimum age is 12.

Important Notes  

ARRIVAL INFORMATION
1. Proof of insurance may be required at the airport to avoid purchasing local insurance.

CULTURE AND DRESS
1. Iran is one of the safest and friendliest places you can travel but it is VERY conservative. It is very important that before you sign up for this tour you are committed to following a strict dress code (particularly for women) in what may be quite warm weather.

2. DRESS CODE: Iran is a traditional Islamic nation and a strict dress code (hijab) is enforced throughout the country. Men must wear long trousers at all times but can wear short sleeved shirts in less strict destinations. Plan to be as conservative as possible when visiting mosques or holy sites. Open toed sandals are now acceptable for men (again, in less conservative areas), though ankles must be covered.

Women must wear a headscarf at all times, apart from in their hotel bedrooms. Hijab for women is a head covering (some hair can show in front), a long shirt with a collar coming to the base of the throat and the bottom reaching to just above the knees, long sleeves (some places three-quarter sleeves are acceptable) and long pants. A typical outfit for stylish Iranian women would be something called a 'manteau' that looks a bit like a trenchcoat over a pair of jeans and converse sneakers. There is no rule for the colour of your outfit as long as it is modest and includes a head scarf. Iranian women are extremely chic and have found ways to follow hijab and still look fantastic. Bring only one or two headscarves as you are SURE to want to buy loads while you're there.

Travellers can easily wear the loose fitting clothes sold from Indian or hippie-style shops where the tops are loose long sleeved (tunics) and cover your bottom and a loose scarf for your head. You can wear any type of pants underneath as long as they cover your ankles. Women are allowed to wear open toed shoes and sandals as long as their ankles are covered. Typically, wearing a dress over a pair of pants works as well, if it follows all the other rules, too. If you are not sure what to bring or wear please email our office and we will be happy to help you out.

ALCOHOL
Alcohol is strictly forbidden in Iran and will be confiscated at customs by anyone attempting to bring it into the country. Drug laws are also extremely strict and travellers face lengthy jail terms if caught. If found, pork, obscene material (even glossy magazines showing people in immodest poses), CDs and controversial literature will all be confiscated by custom officials. Upon leaving the customs hall all passengers are required to put their bags through the X-ray machines for checking.

MONEY
Due to the restrictions on changing money in Iran, only notes/bills printed after 1996 and in good condition will be accepted for exchange. Usually 50 and 100 USD/EUR notes get better exchange rate. We recommend to bring smaller denominations as well as many vendors accept them if you don't have local currency.

Iran is a strictly CASH country. Due to US banking restrictions no foreign credit cards can be used for withdrawing money at Iranian banks and ATMs. The only time you will be able to use your credit card in Iran is if you buy a carpet in a shop that has a bank account in Dubai or UAE. (See more details in Money section of this notes)

What we have found is that the farther from Tehran you travel the less conservative the dressing so while in Tehran please take a bit of care about what you wear. At holy sites female travellers will be given a thin full length abayah (head to toe covering) to use while visiting the mosques. In somewhere like Shiraz there are plenty of fashionable students pushing the limits of hijab. Go shopping!

RAMADAN
According to the lunar cycle, Ramadan will fall between May 15th and June 14th, 2018. Please note that Ramadan is a month of fasting observed by Muslims throughout the world, during which time the followers of Islam should not eat or drink between sunrise and sunset. There may be some limitations to services and disruptions to schedules during Ramadan, but generally our tours still operate effectively during this period and food is available to non-Muslims throughout the day. It is very important to display increased cultural sensitivity during Ramadan. Please wear loose fitting clothes, that cover knees and shoulders, and try to avoid eating, drinking or smoking in public out of respect for those who can't at that time.

TOILETS
Please note that while all accommodation has "western style" toilets, virtually all public toilets available throughout Turkey will be of the Asian squat variety. You are advised to carry tissues for times when toilet paper is not be provided. Expect to pay to use public toilets in Turkey - usually between 0.50 and 1 TRL. Public toilets may sometimes not be at the expected level of cleanliness.

Group Leader Description  

All G Adventures group trips are accompanied by one of our Chief Experience Officers (CEO). The aim of the CEO is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting - we think it's the best of both worlds.

Meals  

TURKEY:
Many breakfasts are included as part of your tour. Turkish breakfasts are very different from your usual nad pretty much universally consist of large slices of fresh "french style" white bread accompanied by slices of tomato, cucumber, cheeses, olives, jam and honey. This is accompanied by tea or coffee (which is pretty much always instant).
You will of course want to sample the famous Turkish coffee, but it is usually after a big lunch or dinner, or in the late afternoon with a pastry.
While we think these breakfasts are absolutely delicious, some travellers do find them a bit repetitive and enjoy buying market fruit the day before and eating this for breakfast.

Lunches
Will usually be simple and on the run. They are a great chance to try Turkey's delicious and healthy array of "fast foods".
This may include, "gozleme", a type of Turkish savory crepe, "chorba", delicious lentil soup, and of course doner kebabs in both beef and chicken varieties. You won't want to miss the chance to try "pide", Turkish pizza, and lahmucan- thin crust pizza you fold greenery into
You may also find "kumpir", Turkish stuffed potatoes.

Dinner
Most Turks start their dinners with a couple of mezzes- small taster dishes such as grilled octopus, aubergine (eggplant) salad, and many more. You could also choose a soup made of fresh local ingredients.
Main courses tend to be based around the ubiquitous kebab- skewers of charcoaled meat which comes on bread with salad. There are plenty of variations of the kebab-many regions have their own speciality so be sure to ask your leader.

Desserts
It's all about the sugar. Baklava is something of a national obsession and it is believed the best comes from the East. There are endless varieties of pastries and you are sure to spend at least some time in a Turkish bakery taste-testing.

Please note it is very difficult to get expresso or filter coffee in Eastern Turkey but of course you can get your caffeine fix with a thick and delicious Turkish coffee.

Alcohol is not readily available at restaurants in Eastern Turkey - do not expect to have a beer with your dinner- but can be purchased from liquor shops or at hotel bars.

IRAN
Persian food is delicious and plentiful. Typically there are two types of food in Iran - homestyle cooking and restaurant food. As a visitor you are likely to get the restaurant food a lot more often though there are occasions to visit restaurants that prepare homestyle food. These two categories are vastly different. Restaurant-style food is incredibly delicious, but by the end of the stay may start to be a bit repetitive. Just enjoy it while you can.

Meals typically consist of massive, delicious kebabs of different varieities, saffron rice, homemade yogurt and warm bread. Usually barley soup is available as well as a variety of "stews". These are prepared in small bowls and served with rice, offering many vegetarian options. Another option is dizi, which has a whole ritual associated with eating it. Your CEO will show you how. The most interesting part about Persian food is the variety of flavours with an abundance of saffron, pistachio, pomegranate, figs, dates and barberries.




Eating is a big part of travelling. Travelling with G Adventures you experience the vast array of wonderful food that is available out in the world. Generally meals are not included in the trip price when there is a choice of eating options, to give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat. It also gives you more budgeting flexibility, though generally food is cheap. Our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other's company. There is no obligation to do this though. Your CEO will be able to suggest favourite restaurants during your trip.

Spending Money  

Every traveller is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary. Some travellers may drink more than others while other travellers like to purchase more souvenirs than most. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping and tipping. Please also remember the following specific recommendations when planning your trip.

Money Exchange  

TURKEY
The local currency in Turkey is the Turkish Lira (TRY).
Almost all local purchases in Turkey (meals, souvenirs, optional activities, etc) will be paid for in TRY.

ATMs are found within main cities in Turkey and will generally accept cards on the Visa and Mastercard networks. It is a great idea to travel with both a Visa and Mastercard if at all possible as while there is no hard and fast rule, some banks seem to only work with one brand of card. Please note, your bank will change a fee for overseas withdrawals.

Cash is recommended for times when ATMs are not accessible. Euros, British Pounds and US Dollars are easy to exchange into Turkish Lira. Please note - while you should bring some cash with you for emergency situations, carrying cash only is a high safety risk. Money on ATM card/s and some cash is the ideal mix.

Cash advances can also be made with some banks but are time consuming and tend to have high fees attached.
Credit cards are in general not very useful in Turkey - they can be used at some larger stores if shopping for big items such as carpets.

As currency exchange rates can fluctuate often we ask that you refer to the following website for daily exchange rates: www.xe.com

IRAN is under sanctions by the USA which means travellers cheques of ANY brand or denomination CANNOT be exchanged in Iran.
CREDIT CARDS & ATM CARDS CANNOT be used in Iran - the only exception if for major purchases (generally USD300+) where the shop has connections abroad and can phone through and have the transaction processed in the UAE in Dihrams. This basically applies to carpet shops and should NOT be depended upon.

US dollars and EURO notes are generally the only hard currencies accepted at Iranian banks and money-changers. Occasionally exchange booths will accept CAD, AUD or GBP, but this is not guaranteed and should not be relied upon.
Banks and money-changers can be found in most of the places that we'll visit throughout the country. The largest Iranian Rial note is the 100,000 IRR note. You can also get a 500,000 IRR cheque, that can be exchanged into small denominations in shops and hotels.

We recommend to bring some of your cash (about 70 USD) in small denominations: 1, 5 and 10 USD notes. If you are not able to get local currency it's always possible to pay in USD or EUR.

Note: you cannot change Iranian Rials into hard currency outside of Iran. Remember if you run out of money while in Iran it is essentially impossible to get more sent to you.

We recommend you take at least $300 US with you for your time in Iran. This will cover basic needs: optional activities, meals, special clothing requirements, some souvenirs and other small items. If you're a big shopper (and there are so many great things to buy in Iran, especially silverware and carpets) we recommend you bring more. Please take into consideration the safety issues of carrying so much cash with you so bringing a money belt with you is absolutely essential for your trip to Iran. Thankfully Iran is one of the safest countries that you'll probably ever visit and crime against foreigners is virtually unheard of.

About Accommodation  

Accommodation in Eastern Turkey is quite different to that in the more "developed" areas of Turkey. Hotels tend to be for businessmen or cater to large groups of domestic tourists.
As a result they tend to be bigger and the rooms more simple. You can expect all rooms to have ensuite bathroom facilities with western style shower and toilet. Often there will be no shower curtain. Soap and towels are provided.
Reception staff will speak very little or no English but will try their very best to help you.
Please do inform your CEO if there are any problems with your room to enable them to help you as quickly as possible.

On this trip you can expect to stay in small family-run hotels or pensions (with the exception of the start and finish hotels, which are often larger city hotels), which will vary a little in standard and facilities: some may not have elevators, air-conditioning or English-speaking staff, but most importantly all are locally-run, with some traditional character, and in excellent central locations to give you maximum time for exploring the sights. Below are details on some of our unique accommodation experiences on this itinerary.

Joining Hotel  

For details of your joining hotel please refer to your tour voucher, G Account, the G Adventures App or contact your travel agent.

Packing List  

Conservative Dress:
• Modest clothing that covers knees and shoulders (Long pants, long skirts, shirts that cover shoulders)
• Shawl or scarf (for temple visits)

Documents:
• Flight info (required) (Printouts of e-tickets may be required at the border)
• Insurance info (required) (With photocopies)
• Passport (required) (With photocopies)
• Required visas or vaccination certificates (required) (With photocopies)
• Vouchers and pre-departure information (required)

Essentials:
• Binoculars (optional)
• Camera (With extra memory cards and batteries)
• Cash, credit and debit cards
• Day pack (Used for daily excursions or short overnights)
• Ear plugs
• First-aid kit (should contain lip balm with sunscreen, sunscreen, whistle, Aspirin, Ibuprofen, bandaids/plasters, tape, anti-histamines, antibacterial gel/wipes, antiseptic cream, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, rehydration powder, water purification tablets or drops, insect repellent, sewing kit, extra prescription drugs you may be taking)
• Flashlight/torch (Headlamps are ideal)
• Fleece top/sweater
• Footwear
• Hat
• Locks for bags
• Long pants/jeans
• Moneybelt
• Outlet adapter
• Personal entertainment (Reading and writing materials, cards, music player, etc.)
• Reusable water bottle
• Shirts/t-shirts
• Sleepwear
• Small travel towel
• Sunglasses
• Toiletries (Preferably biodegradable)
• Watch and alarm clock
• Waterproof backpack cover
• Windproof rain jacket

Health & Safety:
• Face masks (required)
• Hand sanitizer (required)
• Pen (Please bring your own pen for filling out documents.)
• Rubber gloves

Warm Weather:
• Sandals/flip-flops
• Shorts/skirts (Longer shorts/skirts are recommended)
• Sun hat/bandana
• Swimwear

Health  

Please note inoculations may be required for the country visited. It is your responsibility to consult with your travel doctor for up to date medical travel information well before departure.

DRINKING WATER: It is advisable to drink bottled water in Turkey.

There are no specific health requirements for this trip. However, you should consult your doctor for up-to-date medical travel information before departure. We recommend that you carry a First Aid kit and hand sanitizers / antibacterial wipes as well as any personal medical requirements. Please be aware that we are in remote areas and away from medical facilities for some time during this trip, and for legal reasons our leaders are prohibited from administering any type of drug including headache tablets, antibiotics, etc.

International Flights  

Check-in times and baggage allowances/restrictions vary by airline and can change at any time. For the most up-to-date information for your flight, please contact your airline. We recommend checking in online in advance to avoid potential delays at the airport.

Optional Activities  

No optional activities

Tipping  

It is customary in Turkey and Iran to leave a small tip for service providers, such as waiters, if you are pleased with the service (€1-2 or about 10%). Tipping is an expected - though not compulsory - component of your tour program and an expression of satisfaction with the persons who have assisted you on your tour. Although it may not be customary to you, it is of considerable significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels. There are several times during the trip where there is opportunity to tip the local guides. You may do this individually, or your CEO will offer to collect the money and tip as a group. Recommendations for tipping local guides would range from €3-5 per day depending on the quality and length of the service; ask your CEO for specific recommendations based on the circumstances and culture. Also at the end of each trip if you felt your G Adventures CEO did an outstanding job, tipping is appreciated. The amount is entirely a personal preference, however as a guideline €20-25 per person, per week can be used.

Trip Specific Safety  

Like anywhere in the world, major cities have areas safer than others, use common sense, be aware of your surroundings and mind your personal belongings. We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe keeping of your passport, air tickets, cash and other valuable items. Leave your valuable jewellery at home - you won't need it while travelling. Many of the hotels we use have safety deposit boxes which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage.

Solo Travellers  

We believe single travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and single travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.

Accommodation  

Hotels/guesthouses (12 nts), sleeper trains (4 nts).

Laundry  

Laundry facilities are offered by some of our hotels for a charge or ask your CEO where the closest laundromat is. There will be times when you may want to or have to do your own laundry so we suggest you bring non-polluting/biodegradable soap.

Group Size Notes  

Max 15, avg 12.

Meals Included  

9 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners

My Own Room Exceptions  

Nights 5, 9, 11, 15 overnight train.

Arrival Complications  

We don't expect any problems, and nor should you, but if for any reason you are unable to commence your trip as scheduled, as soon as possible please contact your starting point hotel, requesting that you speak to or leave a message for your CEO (if you are not on a group tour please refer to the emergency contact details provided in this dossier). If you are unable to get in touch with your leader, please refer to our emergency contact details.

What to Take  

What you need to bring will vary according to the trip style you have chosen, the countries you are visiting and when you are travelling. Generally speaking though, you should pack as lightly as possible. On the vast majority of our trips you are expected to carry your own luggage (please see below for exceptions), and though you will not be required to walk long distances with your luggage (max 30 minutes) we recommend keeping the weight under 10kg/22lb.

Suitcases are not recommended for G Adventures travellers! Most travellers carry their luggage in a backpack, although an overnight bag with a shoulder strap would suffice if you travel lightly. Smaller bags with wheels are acceptable, although we recommend your bag has carry straps as well, as you may be required to negotiate bus and railway station steps. You will also need a day pack/bag to carry water and a camera etc for day walks and day trips.

What's Included  

Your Local Living Moment: Dinner with Local Family, Çavusin. Istanbul orientation walk. Anitkabir visit. Traditional dinner with local family (Göreme). Open Air Museum visit. Trans-Asia train. Mt Ararat day trip (Van). Ishak Pasha Palace visit. Ahtamara Island visit. Van Castle visit. Tehran city tour, including Sa'd Abad Palace and the National Jewelry Museum. Karim Khan Citadel visit (Shiraz). Vakil Mosque visit. Hafez and Sa'adi tombs visit. Persepolis guided tour. Naqsh-e-Rostam visit. Koran Gate visit. Pasargadae visit. Isfahan city tour. Golestan Palace visit (Tehran). National Museum visit. Carpet Museum visit. Transport between destinations and to/from included activities.

Emergency Fund  

Please also make sure you have access to at least an additional USD $200 (or equivalent) as an 'emergency' fund, to be used when circumstances outside our control (ex. a natural disaster) require a change to our planned route. This is a rare occurrence!

Highlights  

Cover part of the Silk Road by rail, soak in the dramatic scenery of Cappadocia, savour the diverse flavours of Turkey and Iran, absorb the ancient history of the region, marvel at the dazzling bazaars and colourful mosques.