Iran: Wonders of Persia

8/9/2019 Iran: Wonders of Persia

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IRANWONDERS OF PERSIA


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DEAR ADVENTURER

I invite you to explore with us one o the oldest civilizations on Earth: Persia. Over several

millennia, it has contributed remarkable treasures to the world o art, poetry, architecture

and, most notably, history, and is oten regarded as the seat o civilization.

Trough the exploits o such leaders as Darius, Xerxes, and Cyrus the Great, the modern

worldas we now know itrst emerged. Formerly known as Persia, Iran has had a

turbulent and colorul history. It has been ruled by Assyrians, Babylonians, Greeks,

Parthians, Sassanians, and even the British and Russians. Each conquest let its mark andensured that the Iran o todays world is a cultural treasure house replete with magnicent

ruins o ancient cities, glorious mosques, citadels o breathtaking architecture, and a long

and varied history.

Te Iran o today is very diferent rom the Iran o a couple decades ago. In 1997, over

70 percent o the population voted resoundingly or a reormist president. It is two steps

orward, one step back. But the liberalization process goes on. Even the vigorous dissent

that was expressed ollowing the 2009 elections has demonstrated that Irans contemporary

scene o dynamism and change will continue to evolve, even as its ancient sites remain asspectacular as ever. Meanwhile the Persian peoples warmth and riendliness to visitors,

who come to explore Irans mysteries, remains solid and remarkable.

We have designed an itinerary uniquely varied, and yet well-suited or the season we have

chosen to go: all. Warmed by the sunshine o autumn, in regions known or blue skies,

we will visit the remarkable desert oasis o Yazd, plus the two valley gems o Shiraz and

Esahan. In these ascinating cities we concentrate on cultural and architectural splendors

rom gardens and mosques to bazaars and traditional houses. We also spend time in ehran,

visiting the Saad Abad Palace-complex as well as the National Museum o Archaeology

and the National Jewels Museum.

I am thrilled to lead this journey to Persia. I have been traveling to Iran or over thirty

years. Te greatest surprise to present-day travelers is the warmth and hospitality o the

Persian people themselves. Te people go out o their way to meet Americans. One o my

biggest challenges in Iran is to actually ulll the itinerary, because we get invited into

peoples homes and to weddings so requently that we have to start declining engagements

due to time constraints! O felix culpa! I would claim that the people o Iran are Persiasgreatest treasure.

We invite you to discover or yoursel the Wonders o Persia, a ascinating, hospitable

country where turbaned clerics and carpet-weaving nomads co-exist in the shadows o

the worlds most elegant mosques and architectural masterpieces.

Warm regards,

Gary Wintz

Expedition Leader


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IRANWONDERS OF PERSIA14 DAYS

DAYS 1 & 2

USA / FRANKFURT / TEHRAN

Depart rom the USA or your independent

overnight ight to ehran via Frankurt.

Arrive ehran ater midnight, transer to ourhotel or an overnight.

DAY 3

TEHRAN

Ater breakast we brie you on your expedition,

ollowed by our rst exploration o ehran,

Irans bustling capital o twelve million people.

Included in our tour is a visit to the National

Museum o Archaeology, the National JewelsMuseumpossibly the best in the worldand

the National Carpet Museum. Dinner and

overnight at our hotel.

DAY 4

TEHRAN / YAZD

Ater breakast we depart on our ight to

Yazd. Regarded by UNESCO as one o the

oldest towns on Earth, it was ocially recog-nized or its unique wind-tower architecture,

a natural cooling option in this dry, hot

climate. Yazd is the center or the Zoroastrian

aith, a religion which may predate Judaism.

In this aith, re represents lie and in our

visit to the Zoroastrian re temple we view

a re that has been burning continuously or

over 1,500 years. In the aternoon we visit the

owers o Silence, where in past centuries

Zoroastrians let their dead. Dinner and over-

night at our hotel.

DAY 5

YAZD

oday we set out on an exploration o Yazd.

Passing by the 15th-century Mirchakhmaq

Square, we visit the 14th-century Masjid-e-Jam

Mosque. Crowned by the highest minaretsin Iran, the mosques aade is decorated with

dazzling blue tile work. Aterward we set out

or the old section o the city to what is

known as the Prison o Alexander, actually a

15th-century domed school where legend has

it Alexander the Great imprisoned Iranian elite;

we also visit a 18th-century Lari-ha traditional

house. Enjoy lunch in an 18th-century publicbathhouse converted into a traditional restaurant

and teahouse. In the aternoon we visit the Dowlat

Abad Garden and its loty ventilation tower.

DAY 6

YAZD / PASARGADA / SHIRAZ

Ater breakast we depart Yazd or our drive

to Shiraz, visiting the desert town o Abarqu

on the way. Here we have a picnic lunch undera 4,500-year-old cypress tree. Next we visit

Pasargada, the resting place o Cyrus the

Great and one o Irans ve UNESCO World

Heritage Sites. It is also the site o Paradises,

the ancient Persian royal city-gardens. In the

evening we arrive in Shiraz or dinner and

overnight at our hotel.

DAY 7SHIRAZ

We enjoy a ull day here exploring this truly

ascinating city, once amed or its vineyards

o Shiraz (or Syrah) grapes, and known as the

City o Poets. Tis amazing metropolis ofers

a bewildering selection o shrines, mosques,

gardens, and monuments in addition to tea-

houses, bazaars, and carpet sellers. Highlights

o our visit include the omb and Garden oHaez, a celebrated Persian poet; the Narenjestan

(orangery) garden; Jame Atiq Mosque, one o

the oldest in Iran; Khan Teological School,

and the nomadic bazaar; as well as the charming

Eram Garden where the delightul 19th-century

Ghajar Palace lies alongside a beautiul pool.

Dinner and overnight at our hotel.

DAY 8SHIRAZ / PERSEPOLIS

Rediscovered under desert sands in the early

1930s, Persepolis is one o Persias greatest

treasures. Built over a period o about 150

years, beginning in 512 B.C., it was sacked

and burned by Alexander the Great in 331 B.C.

Known locally as the throne o Jamshid, ater

one o Persias mythical kings, this will be one

o the great highlights o the expedition.

Included in our visit to this Achaemenian

showpiece will be Xerxes Gateway, the

immense Adadna Palace, and the Palace o 100

Columns, probably one o the largest buildings

constructed during the Achaemenian period

and once used as a reception hall or Darius I.

We also visit Naghash- Rostam, housing

our tombs believed to be those o Darius I,Artaxerxes, Xerxes I, and Darius II. We return

to Shiraz or dinner and overnight.

MASJED- IMM


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DAY 9SHIRAZ / ESFAHAN

Ater an early breakast we embark on ascenic 300-mile drive north to the stunning

city o Esahan, the pearl o the Islamic world.

odays impressive journey takes us throughthe lovely Zagross Mountains and includes

the possibility o seeing nomadic tribes. Wearrive in Esahan late in the aternoon ordinner and overnight at our hotel.

DAY 10

ESFAHANEsahan has a wealth o treasures to explore,

we have two days to discover its architecturalwonders. Built by the Saavids between16th and 18th century, the citys greatcourtyard, adjacent mosques, and towering

blue minarets show a lavish delicacy andpatience o both design and execution

unrivaled by Asian and European cratsmen.Perhaps the most imposing edice is the

Masjed- Imm (ormerly known as theShah Mosque). Tis magnicent mosqueis one o the most breathtaking buildings

in Iran, covered inside and out with paleblue tiles and surmounted by exquisitelyproportioned minarets. Te result is a stun-

ningly sophisticated union o grandeur andharmony. Other sites we explore include the

Imm Square, the Chehel Sotun Museum

and Park, and the Vank Cathedral. Dinnerand overnight at our hotel.

DAY 11

ESFAHANContinuing our tour o Esahan we spendanother ull day visiting the highlights

o the city including: Hasht Behesht

(eight paradises) Palace, Naqshe-Jahan(the Royal Square), Ali-Qapu Palace, Sheikh

Lotollah (Ladies) and Imm Mosques,a traditional Su-style teahouse, and thebazaar. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.

DAY 12ESFAHAN / ABYANEH / KASHAN /

TEHRAN

From Esahan we drive along a spiral ruralroad through the Karkas (vulture) Mountains

to visit Abyaneh, a remote village known orits reddish-hued architecture and people whohave maintained their traditional dress and

customs. On the way to ehran we stop inKashan where we view Bagh-e Fin garden,a superb example o a Persian garden; the

19th-century tiled mausoleum o EmamzadehEbrahim; and a traditional 19th-century

house. Ater lunch in Kashan we continue toehran where we have dinner and overnightat our hotel.

DAY 13

TEHRANAter breakast we depart or a tour o theSaad Abad Palace-complex, once the residence

and working oce o Pahlavi kings (Shahs).Following the Islamic revolution, the palaces

were made into ten museums where stunningIranian and non-Iranian artwork is on display.

Te aternoon is at leisure to explore ehranbeore our arewell dinner and a relaxingevening as we prepare or our independentights departing ater midnight.

DAY 14

TEHRAN / FRANKFURT / USAArriving in Frankurt, we continue homeward.

EsfahanYazd

Shiraz

Persepolis

CaspianSea

PersianGulf

Pasargada

Tehran

Kashan

Abyaneh

To/FromFrankfurt

IRANERAM GARDEN

PERSEPOLIS

MAP NOT TO SCALE


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WHAT TO EXPECT

Tis is a journey or experienced travelers only. ravelers on our expedition to Iran should

be aware that the inrastructure is poorly developed and occasional delays and amend-

ments to the program can occur. Accommodations will range rom what Iran tourism

might call ve-star elegance but what we might call three-star comortable and accept-

able to cheerul and rustic in the more remote areas. Some days will also be long, with

bus rides over mostly paved roads that require sitting or long periods. Strict dress codes

in public will be required, including head scarves and a robe-like covering or women,

long sleeves or men, and alcohol is absolutely orbidden. More inormation on the specic

customs and requirements will be sent to you ve months prior to departure. For the

experienced traveler with a sense o humor, a spirit o adventure, and the desire to journey

where ew have been beore, occasional delays, limited ood choices, or rustic hotels area small price to pay or a journey that will take you to the heart o Persia.

Note: We estimate you will be without your passport or one month while we work on

procuring your Iranian visa. Visa kits will be mailed ve months prior to departure.

GARY WINTZ Gary graduated cum laude rom

Duns Scotus College in Michigan with a degree in

philosophy. He has spent most o the past 30 years

outside the US researching, writing, photographing,

and lecturing about distant lands and cultures, and

has traveled to over 215 countries and territories.

Gary has worked on humanitarian projects through-

out Asia and has contributed his expertise to develop-

ment projects in Ethiopia or UNICEF. In 1981 he

taught as a oreign expert at Chengdu Universityo Science and echnology in Sichuan Province in

China. In 1982 he was employed by ibet University in Lhasa, thus becoming one o the

rst Westerners to actually reside in ibet since the communist Chinese occupation. Gary

has met with His Holiness the Dalai Lama many times. Since 1987 Gary has worked as a

consultant with development organizations and or media projects throughout Southeast

Asia and has lectured on contemporary issues at various institutions. Gary continues to

travel the world, lecturing, leading expeditions and tours to exciting destinations, and

sharing his knowledge and experiences o such diverse countries as ibet, Vietnam, Laos,

Cambodia, and many countries within the Middle East and the Stans o Central Asia.

He is a long time member o the Association o Asian Studies, the American Institute o

Aghanistan Studies, and the Central Eurasian Studies Society.

MEET OUR LEADER

NARENJESTAN GARDEN


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Coverphoto:Gordon

Janow(women).

192 Nickerson Street #200 Seattle, WA 98109 USATel:206-285-4000 Toll-free: 1-800-628-8747Fax:206-285-5037 E-mail:[email protected] site:www.zeco.comGiving You the World

TERMS & CONDITIONS

1. RESERVATIONS: 25% o the expedition are, alongwith a completed and signed Reservation Form, will reservea place or you on this Zegrahm Holdings LLC, d/b/a

Eco-Expeditions (ECO), program. Te balance o theexpedition are is due 120 days prior to departure. Air areis also due at this time. All prices are quoted in U.S. dollarsand must be paid in U.S. dollars. Credit cards accepted ordeposit only.

2. CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICY:Notication o cancellation o this program and anyindependent travel arrangements must be received inwriting by ECO. At the time we receive your writtencancellation, the ollowing penalties will apply: 120 or more days prior to departure:

$500 per person

60 through 119 days prior to departure:50% o expedition are 59 days prior to departure through day of departure:

100% o expedition areSome air are may be nonreundable. Once an expeditionhas departed, there wil l be no reunds rom ECO or anyunused portions o the t rip. Te above policy also appliesto all extensions and independent travel arrangementsmade in conjunction with this program.

3. TRIP CANCELLATION AND INTERRUPTION

INSURANCE: We strongly advise that all travelerspurchase trip cancellation and interruption insurance asprotection against an emergency that may orce you to

cancel or leave rom an expedition while it is in progress.A brochure describing coverage will be sent to you uponreceipt o your reservation.

4. SHARE POLICY: Accommodations on all ECOprograms are based on double occupancy. I you are travel-ing alone and wish to share accommodations, a roommatewill be assigned to you whenever possible. When pairingroommates, we will always pair part icipants o the samesex. All shared accommodations are nonsmoking. Uponbooking you wil l be required to pay a Single Supplement,i we are able to pair you with a roommate the supplementwill be reunded. Please note that single accommodations

are limited and cannot be guaranteed throughout.5. MEDICAL INFORMATION:Participation onan ECO program requires that you be in generally goodhealth. It is essential that persons with any medical prob-lems and related dietary restrictions make them known tous well beore departure. We can counsel you on whetherthe expedition you have selected is appropriate or you.

Te tour leader has the right to disqualiy any participantat any time during the tour i he/she eels the part icipantis physically incapable and/or i a participants continuedparticipation will jeopardize either the individual involvedor the group. Tere will be no reund given under these

circumstances.6. LUGGAGE RESTRICTIONS:Luggage size andweight limitations or both checked and carry-on luggage,imposed by the airlines or as an operational requirementdue to type o aircrat, will apply or ights to/rom/withinthis program. Specicat ions will be provided with pre-departure materials.

7. FUEL COST INCREASES AND CURRENCY

FLUCTUATION: In order to keep rates a s low as possible,we do not build into the trip are an allowance to coverpossible increases rom uel costs or currency uctuations.

Tereore, as uel-cost increases may occur and currenciesdo fuctuate around the world, it may be necessary or usto initiate a rate surcharge at any time beore departure

i there are exceptional cost increases beyond our control.

8. ITINERARY CHANGES & TRIP DELAY:Itineraries are based on inormation available at the timeo printing and are subject to change. ECO reserves theright to change a programs dates, staf, itineraries, oraccommodations as conditions warrant. I a trip must bedelayed, or the itinerary changed due to bad weather, roadconditions, transportation delays, airline schedules, govern-ment intervention, sickness, or any other contingency orwhich ECO or its agents cannot make provision, the costo delays or changes is not included.

9. ITINERARY CANCELLATION: ECO reserves the

right to cancel an itinerary beore departure or any reasonwhatsoever, including too ew participants or logisticalproblems such as strikes, wars, acts o God, or any othercircumstances that may make operation o the trip inadvis-able. All trip payments received will be promptly reunded,and this reund will be the limit o ECOs liability. ECOis not responsible or any expenses incurred by trip mem-bers in preparing or the trip, including nonreundable orpenalty-carrying airline tickets, special clothing, visa orpassport ees, or other trip-related expenses.

10. PARTICIPATION: ECO reserves the right todecline to accept any individual as an expedition member

or any reason whatsoever.11. LIMITATIONS OF LIABILIT Y: Tis sectiondenes ECOs responsibility with respect to a ll o ourtrips, including extensions and independent arrangements.Please read it careully.

ECO, its Owners, Agents, and Employees give notice thatthey act only as the agent or the owners, contractors, andsuppliers providing means o transportation and/or allother related travel services and assume no responsibilityhowsoever caused or injury, loss, or damage to person orproperty in connection with any service resulting directlyrom: acts o God, detention, annoyance, delays, expenses

arising rom quarantine, strikes, thets, pilerage, orcemajeure, ailure o any means o conveyance to a rriveor depart as scheduled, civil disturbances, terrorism,government restrictions or regulations, and discrepanciesor changes in transit or hotel services over which it has nocontrol. Reasonable changes in the itinerary may be madewhere deemed advisable or the comort and well-beingo the passengers.

As described in item 7 above, al l prices are subject tochange.

As described in item 9 above, in the event that an expedi-tion must be cancelled, ECO is not responsible or any

personal expenses incurred by trip members in preparingor the program.

On advancement o deposit to ECO, the depositoracknowledges that he/she has read and understands theabove recited terms and conditions, and agrees to bebound by them.

Caliornia Seller o ravel Program Regist ration# 2031043-40

NAQSHE-JAHAN SQUARE


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IRANWONDERS OF PERSIA

ERAN1001

MASJED- IMM MOSQUE INTERIOR

Giving You the World

NOVEMBER 12 25, 2010

NAME #1(as it appears on passport)

(preerred name)

NAME #2(as it appears on passport)

(preerred name)

ADDRESS

CITY STATE ZIP COUNTRY

PHONE(home) (ofce)

FAX E-MAIL

ACCOMMODATIONS:o Twin o Share(roommate to be assigned) o Single

I AM/WE ARE:o Nonsmokers o Smokers

DEPOSIT INFORMATION:

o Enclosed is a deposit check or $ (25% per person o the program are)

o Charge the 25% per person deposit to: o VISA oMasterCard o American Express

Card Number Expires

Authorized Cardholder Signature Date(Note: Credit cards accepted or deposits only)

I/We have read and understand the enclosed Terms & Conditions for this program, and

agree to abide by them.

SIGNATURE DATE

SIGNATURE DATE

Please complete and return this Reservation Form with your deposit to:

Reservation requests may also be made online at www.zeco.com.


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NOVEMBER 12 25, 2010 LEADER: GARY WINTZ

$6,980 per person, double occupancy $980 single supplement*

Limited to 24 expedition members.

INCLUDED: All accommodations and group meals; group transers; guided excursions

as stated in the itinerary; entrance ees or parks, reserves, etc.; all gratuities; domestic air

transportation within Iran.

NOT INCLUDED: Air transportation except as listed above; excess baggage charges;

airport arrival and departure taxes; transers or independent arrivals and departures;

passport and/or visa ees; travel insurance; items o a personal nature such as laundry,

bar charges, e-mail/ax/telephone charges. Please note: alcoholic beverages are strictly

orbidden.

AIR FARE: A tentative ight schedule is available upon request. Eco-Expeditions will

contact you approximately 180 days prior to the departure o this program to fnalize

your ight plans. As o June 2009, the approximate economy air are as listed in the

itinerary is $1,395 or New York/Frankurt/Tehran/Frankurt/New York. Additional

ares rom other cities will be quoted as needed.All rates are per person, quoted in U.S. dollars, and must be paid in U.S. dollars. Rates

and itineraries are subject to change.

A limited number o single accommodations are available.

DATES

RATES

IRAN: WONDERS OF PERSIA

DATES & RATES

PERSEPOLIS

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Documents

Iran: Wonders of Persia