IRAN,
THE LAND OF
PERSIAN FAIRY TALES
IRAN,
THE LAND OF
PERSIAN FAIRY TALES
April 24 – May 07, 2019
There is a huge gap between how Iran is perceived from outside and how it is in reality. In our expedition we are intending to dispel common misconceptions and discover real Iran full of wonderful surprises: UNESCO world heritage sites, fantastic nature, ancient and sophisticated culture, and, most importantly, people and their charming hospitality.
A book of verses underneath the bough,
A jug of wine, a loaf of bread and thou
Beside me singing in the wilderness,
And wilderness is paradise enow.
~ Omar Khayyam, Rubáiyát
A jug of wine, a loaf of bread and thou
Beside me singing in the wilderness,
And wilderness is paradise enow.
~ Omar Khayyam, Rubáiyát
Meeting people is the best experience in Iran. Iranians are charming, warm, welcoming and curious about the outside world. They take their role as hosts very seriously, putting others' needs first and striving to please guests whenever possible. During the trip we will have many opportunities to experience ta'arof, the Iranian code of courtesy, first hand and learn about local life behind the official facade of censorship and pressure. We will stay with locals at their apartments and traditional houses, visit underground art galleries and intellectual meetings at book shops, cook and party together, share conversations, listen to poetry and traditional music. It is these experiences that will long stay with us.
Expedition Route
Expedition Itinerary
Day 1-3: Tehran
Tehran is the throbbing heart of Iran. This is Iran's most secular and liberal city with lots of things happening around. We will need a few days to soak up the major sights, including the Golestan Palace, Tehran Bazaar, national theater, museums and art galleries. To get deeper inside the real Tehran we will chill out in cafes and teahouses, stay with locals, check out the rooftop studio of the famous jewelry and sculpture artist, and listen to the Iranian national epic and Hafez poetry. Another beautiful opportunity to connect with Teheranis is Persian cuisine workshop-dinner party, organized by a local family to greet us in Iran.
Day 4: Shiraz
Shiraz has been the heartland of Persian culture for more than 2000 years. It has become synonymous with education, poetry and local wine. It has exquisite architecture, splendid gardens, and traditional bazaars. We will spend most of the time in the historical part of the city and learn more about great spiritual traditions of ancient Iran – Zoroastrianism and Sufism.
Day 5: Rosewater-making ceremony
On this very special day we will visit Meymand village to collect herbs and flowers and to participate with locals in Golabgiri, the traditional ceremony of making rose water that is held once a year in springtime.
Day 6: Pasargad
We will spend the day visiting the most impressive historical sight in all of Iran, the Legendary City of Persepolis, the former capital of Darius the Great, the rock tombs of necropolis where Darius and his successors are buried, and the beautiful palace of the ancient city Pasargadae. These sites are extraordinary in their magnitude and sheer ambition. Another highlight of the day is a lunch stop at local nomad families.
Day 7: Yazd
Enchanting desert trading city of Yazd is the oldest continuously inhabited town of Iran. It has been known for its silks and other fabrics since before Marco Polo passed through. It is also home to Iran's Zoroastrian community. To learn more about this ancient pre-Islamic spiritual tradition we will climb the Tower of Silence and the still-active Zoroastrian Fire Temple, which sacred flame has been burning for the past 1,500 years. We will also have a great opportunity to witness Zurkhane Sahebozaman, a unique mix of sport, theater and religion that dates back thousands of years.
Day 8: Ardakan
We drive to isolated Ateshkadeh temple deep in the desert. Often referred to as the Zoroastrian Fire Temple, this building has impressive steep cliffside location with dramatic views, and is Iran's most important Zoroastrian pilgrimage site.
Day 9-10: Isfahan
"Isfahan is half the world" was the phrase used to describe the city in the 16th century when the capital was moved there. It is still possible to see the grand vision of that place. We will mainly be focusing on Imam square, one of the largest squares in the world, which provides breathtaking views of the most majestic collection of buildings in the Islamic world. In the evening we will visit a traditional music gathering at a private house.
Day 11: Red village, the oldest city in the world, salt lake and the desert
Today we are going to see a fair share of fantastic places: the ancient village of Abyaneh and its steep, twisting streets and crumbling red mud-brick houses with lattice windows and fragile wooden balconies, the oldest city in the world, Tepe Sialk, Salt Lake and Maranjab desert. We will spend this night under millions of stars in the desert.
Day 12: Maranjab and Nooshabd
We have a fantastic experience visiting Maranjab castle and Nooshabd underground city. And afterwards we'll enjoy a traditional bath and a special massage at a local hamam.
Day 13: Kashan
We will spend a day in Kashan, a town originally famous for its textiles and ceramic production, but now better known for the World Heritage-listed Fin Garden, its extensive bazaar and many hamams.
Day 13-14: Tehran
On our two last days in Iran we will have several special experiences: visiting informal weekly meeting of intellectuals at a bookstore, taking part in a dialogue with contemporary writers, participating in the calligraphy workshop at Iran Calligraphers Association, and being invited to the first Iftar, the meal eaten by Muslims after sunset during Ramadan.
Expedition Team
Facilitator: Michael Yoshpa
Michael holds a PhD. in Pharmacognosy and Medicinal Chemistry, and Masters Degrees in Biology and Education. He is a photographer and facilitator of inner development retreats.
Michael is an author and facilitator of several self-learning laboratories: LifeStream, MySelf, Living Science, and Living Dreams. He teaches meditation, qigong and martial arts.
Michael holds a PhD. in Pharmacognosy and Medicinal Chemistry, and Masters Degrees in Biology and Education. He is a photographer and facilitator of inner development retreats.
Michael is an author and facilitator of several self-learning laboratories: LifeStream, MySelf, Living Science, and Living Dreams. He teaches meditation, qigong and martial arts.
Organiser, guide, interpreter: Yana K.M
Yana is a photographer and holds a Master's Degree in Fine Arts from the State University of New York. She taught photography at the university, organized art workshops for children and adults, and took part in numerous exhibitions and festivals worldwide.
Over the last 15 years, Yana has visited more than 35 countries. She speaks fluent Russian, English, French and Indonesian.
Yana is a photographer and holds a Master's Degree in Fine Arts from the State University of New York. She taught photography at the university, organized art workshops for children and adults, and took part in numerous exhibitions and festivals worldwide.
Over the last 15 years, Yana has visited more than 35 countries. She speaks fluent Russian, English, French and Indonesian.
Organiser, guide, interpreter: Zara Alizademadani
Zara is a Modern Persian Calligraphist. Her multifaceted nature helped her earning degrees in both Graphic Design and CIW (Certified Internet Web Professional) fields from Tehran University of Iran and Microsoft UAE. While living in Tehran she worked as a graphic designer for a publishing studio and a music magazine. In 2012 Zara moved to Russia to work on her Masters degree in Fine Arts at BSPU, and founded IRAL center, providing cultural exchange programs for Iranian and Russian artists. She also organized educational courses and workshops at various colleges and museums throughout Russia. Zara is fluent in Persian, English and Russian.
Zara is a Modern Persian Calligraphist. Her multifaceted nature helped her earning degrees in both Graphic Design and CIW (Certified Internet Web Professional) fields from Tehran University of Iran and Microsoft UAE. While living in Tehran she worked as a graphic designer for a publishing studio and a music magazine. In 2012 Zara moved to Russia to work on her Masters degree in Fine Arts at BSPU, and founded IRAL center, providing cultural exchange programs for Iranian and Russian artists. She also organized educational courses and workshops at various colleges and museums throughout Russia. Zara is fluent in Persian, English and Russian.
FAQ
How are Living Myth Expeditions different from other tours?
Our expeditions are not your usual travel agency tours. We try to stay away from the crowds and venture to remote destinations. We would love your 100% participation and involvement in co-creating the journey together with us. And what is even more important is that we travel not only far out, but also deeply within. We study and learn how the outer influences the inner and vice versa. We have daily practices cultivating conscious and caring attitude toward ourselves, the group and the world around us.
How many people are in the group?
We travel in small groups of 10-15 people. It is important for us to be aware of every participant and give everyone our full attention. We also invite in an atmosphere of friendship through co-creative teamwork, supporting and helping one another during and after the journey.
Why Iran?
Traveling to Iran feels really adventurous. It offers an abundance of history, culture and challenges. There is so much to see and discover: rich heritage left from the years when Persia was a great world power, atmospheric teahouses and bazaars, deserts with historic oases and rugged mountain ranges. And there are amazing people and culture very different from the rest of the world. Throughout several devastating invasions of the past, and nowadays' isolation due to international sanctions, Iranians have been keeping their own unique culture intact. Journey to Iran can definitely be considered one of the greatest cultural pilgrimages of our time.
Do I need a visa?
Yes, citizens of all countries need visas to Iran. We work with an agency that will help expedition participants get an official invitation to visit Iran. Making the invitation takes approximately one month, plus a few weeks are needed to apply for and get the visa. That is why it is absolutely essential to confirm your participation in the expedition as soon as possible, and have enough time to get the visa.
Can American citizens participate in the expedition?
Yes, but American citizens traveling to Iran have to be accompanied by a special guide. For our expedition we are hiring an Iranian tour guide who is licensed to work with Americans. It allows all our American friends, who want to visit Iran, to do it in the most convenient and inexpensive way.
Where are we going to live?
We found many great places so that the expedition participants could experience Iran from different sides. We will be staying at unique cozy hotels, traditional houses run by welcoming families, local apartments of our friends, and camp in the desert.
And what about food?
Iranian food is one delicious surprise after another. Iranian cuisine is diverse and distinct. It has great regional variations depending largely on locally available produce – camel kebab and dates in the desert, fish on the Gulf coast, and a huge variety of vegetable dishes in the central part. To enjoy the best of cooking we will be invited into Iranian homes. Be prepared to drink plenty of tea. Socialising in Iran always involves chay (tea).
What about transportation?
A comfortable minibus will take us around during the trip.
What should I take with me for the trip?
Please, pack light, comfortable clothing and footwear, suitable for walking and easy trekking. Iran is a Muslim country, please, choose clothing, which will not be disconcerting to locals. It is also a hot country, so your outfits should be light and provide good air circulation.
Like all females, women travelers will need to wear hijab while in Iran. That means covering hair, arms and legs and wearing clothes that disguise your body shape when in public. As for men, the main dress restrictions are that your knees and shoulders should be covered.
We will send you a detailed list of everything needed after you register for the expedition.
Like all females, women travelers will need to wear hijab while in Iran. That means covering hair, arms and legs and wearing clothes that disguise your body shape when in public. As for men, the main dress restrictions are that your knees and shoulders should be covered.
We will send you a detailed list of everything needed after you register for the expedition.
How to make a payment for the expedition? Do I pay in US Dollars or Rubles?
You can make a downpayment of $350 in US Dollars in person, through PayPal or to our bank account. The remaining amount is paid in cash on the first day of the trip. We encourage you to make a downpayment as soon as possible, so you could take advantage of all early booking benefits, such as:
– The best price with maximum discount for "early birds"
– Guaranteed place in the program
– Possibility to get the best airfare prices
– Sufficient time to get an invitation and a visa
Participants are strongly requested to pay in US Dollars with new, unmarked and undamaged bills! If you pay with other currency, marked or damaged bills, an additional fee of 10% of the trip price will have to be paid.
– The best price with maximum discount for "early birds"
– Guaranteed place in the program
– Possibility to get the best airfare prices
– Sufficient time to get an invitation and a visa
Participants are strongly requested to pay in US Dollars with new, unmarked and undamaged bills! If you pay with other currency, marked or damaged bills, an additional fee of 10% of the trip price will have to be paid.
Pricing
April 24 - May 7, 2019
14 days
14 days
«Early Bird» Discount
The discount is valid only if a nonrefundable
downpayment of $350 is paid by January 31, 2019.
downpayment of $350 is paid by January 31, 2019.
Regular Price
A nonrefundable downpayment of $350
must be paid by February 28, 2019.
must be paid by February 28, 2019.
What is included?
- Invitation
- Insurance
- Accommodations
- Transportation
- Some meals
- Tehran - Shiraz train ticket
- Admission to sites and museums
- Cultural events
- Major workshops
Not included:
- Visa
- International airfares
- Meals in big cities
- Additional workshops
To book a place in the expedition you need to pay $350 downpayment.
Attention: $350 is a nonrefundable downpayment. We use this money to book lodging and meals for you. If you decide to cancel your participation, the downpayment will not be returned.
Attention: $350 is a nonrefundable downpayment. We use this money to book lodging and meals for you. If you decide to cancel your participation, the downpayment will not be returned.
Embark on the Expedition to Iran,
the land of Persian fairy tales
the land of Persian fairy tales
Book your trip and send us your requests
