Turkic & Persian Splendours

All content by Intrepid

26 days (ex Istanbul)

Destinations visited: Iran, Turkey, Istanbul, Turkmenistan, World

Physical rating:
Culture shock rating:

Physical Ratings

The physical rating gives you an idea of how much huffing and puffing you can expect on the trip. While generalisations are always tricky, a summary of our ratings follows:

Rating 1

These trips are a relaxing break. You don't have to worry about doing anything physically demanding unless you want to.

Rating 2

Some easy physical activities included in your trip. No physical preparation is required to make the most of the journey.

Rating 3

This trip will raise your heartbeat. Moderate physical activities are included and a good level of fitness is required.

Rating 4

Be prepared for some serious physical activity. The majority of activities included on this trip will be challenging. The fitter you are, the more you will enjoy your holiday.

Rating 5

Intrepid’s highest physical rating. Get ready for a heart-pumping adventure with plenty of challenges and some extreme conditions. You will be required to be seriously fit for this trip as difficult activities are included.

Culture Shock Ratings

The culture shock rating considers the level of development in the location, the area's infrastructure and how easy it is to access services. It also takes into consideration how different the food and customs are and whether English is widely spoken. While generalisations are always tricky, here’s a summary of the ratings:

Rating 1

This is the least confronting of Intrepid's product range. English is the native language and the food, customs and access to services will be familiar to you.

Rating 2

You will probably have experienced food like this in restaurants back home and English is commonly spoken. Services are available most of the time but there may be some cultural differences.

Rating 3

Expect some culture shock. You will be exposed to signs of poverty and access to services may be sporadic. The food will be quite different to home and English speakers harder to find. Respecting the local culture will make it easier to fit in and really experience the location.

Rating 4

The comforts of home are more of a rarity. English is not common and the food will be quite different to what you are used to. It is important to observe some of the local customs to not cause offence. Many of the locals' standard of living may be confronting.

Rating 5

You're really out there! You'll need to pay specific attention to health and hygiene. A large proportion of locals' living conditions are a world away from standards you are used to. You may have difficulty finding an English speaker and there is little or no access to services. Paying heed to local customs is essential.

from USD$2,050

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Description

Visit Turkey, Turkmenistan and Iran, a fascinating collection of nations joined not only by land but by distinctive cultures and charms. Beginning in Turkey, travel overland through Cappadocia; visit the underground cities of the Goreme Valley and explore the Lake Van region before crossing into Iran - an amazingly friendly country with a great tradition of hospitality. Visit Esfahan and explore the ancient capital Persepolis, following in the footsteps of Alexander the Great. Travel to Tehran, then on through the north of the country, crossing into Turkmenistan, a once-isolated land that is now proudly accessible to travelers. Your expedition through Turkic and Persian splendours ends in the surreal city of Ashgabat, an oasis of modernity set among a desert of antiquity.

Highlights

Wonder at Ashgabat's futuristic architecture.
Munch on a kebab in Yazd.
Search for Noah's Ark in Anatolia.
Visit Istanbul and see the Blue Mosque.
Make camp in the wilds of Iran.
Explore the ruins of Persepolis.
Experience the beauty of Esfahan.

Itinerary

Days 1-2 Istanbul

Welcome to incredible Istanbul! Have your fortune told in the Taksim, bargain up a storm in the Grand Bazaar or admire the imposing Blue Mosque.

Day 3 Tuz Golu/Bush Camp

Visit Turkey's salt lake, Tuz Golo, which provides 63% of Turkey's salt. Bush camp in the evening.

Days 4-5 Goreme

Discover Cappadocia's Goreme Valley and underground troglodyte cities, fairy chimneys and caves.

Days 6-7 Bush Camp

Travel overland into Eastern Turkey via ancient trade routes. Camp under skies that have been gazed at for centuries by fellow travellers.

Day 8 Dogubeyazit

The town of Dogubayazit is at the foot of Mount Ararat, reportedly where Noah's Ark came to rest after The Flood.

Day 9 Kandovan

Enjoy the first night in Iran at Kandovan, an ancient village of caves built into the volcanic rock - and where locals still live.

Day 10 Zanjan

Explore Zanjan's delightful bazaar and check out the beautiful handicrafts on sale here - perhaps answer the question: does a handcrafted rug fit in a backpack?

Days 11-12 Tehran

Travel to Tehran and be awed by this vibrant city where ancient meets modern. There is plenty of time here to explore the incredible Golestan Palace.

Days 13-15 Esfahan

Spend three days in this breathtaking city and take time trawling the souqs, bazaars, beautiful squares and blue-tiled Mosques of Esfahan.

Days 16-17 Persepolis/Shiraz

Explore the ancient ruins of Persepolis, Persia, and visit the stunning Islamic Shiraz - discovering its impressive citadel and mosques.

Day 18 Zein-o-din Caravanserai

Feel transported back in time while staying in a traditional caravanserai in the Dasht-e Lut desert.

Days 19-20 Yazd

Wind through the old city of Yazd - reputedly one of the oldest towns in the world.

Day 21 Dasht-e Kavir Desert/Khoor

Travel through the Dasht-e Kavir Desert, which lies in the middle of the Iranian plateau, to the tranquil oasis of Khoor.

Day 22 Damghan

Explore Iran's oldest surviving mosque - dating back to the 1st century - in Damghan.

Day 23 Shirvan

Relax by Shirvan's Atrak River, which gives this small town a lush and peaceful feel.

Days 24-26 Ashgabat

Say goodbye to Iran and travel into Turkmenistan. Conclude the adventure among the futuristic architecture of Ashgabat.

Group Size

Maximum of 19 travellers per group

Accommodation

Hotel (15 nts), Bush camp (no facilities) (5 nts), Hostel (2 nts), Camping (with facilities) (2 nts), Caravanserai Zein-o-Din (1 nt)

Transport

Overland vehicle

Budget

Allow USD $800 for meals not included.

Check dates and prices
Book this trip with Intrepid Travel on their site

from USD$2,050

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