Local Costs

	UK	Iran
Tea/Coffee	£1.50	$0.80
Soft Drink	£1.50	$1.00
Bottled Water	£1.50	$1.30
Bottle of Beer	£3.50
2 Course Meal*	£15.00	$10.00
3 Course Meal**	£20.00	$15.00
Bottle of Wine	£14.50
Breakfast	£5.00

*Cheap local fare in a small cafe or restaurant.
**Typical food in a simple, reasonably comfortable mid-range restaurant.

Important Information

Travel Insurance

It is a condition of joining any of our tours that you must have valid travel insurance. It must indicate that you have cover for (at least) medical expenses and emergency repatriation in the event of illness or injury. We also strongly recommend your policy includes cancellation protection as all deposit paid are non-refundable.

If you require travel insurance for your tour, Explore Worldwide is an appointed representative of Campbell Irvine Limited, who is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services authority. Our travel insurance policy is specially tailored to the needs of the adventure traveller and will cover you for any included activity on any Explore trip. You can either purchase this at the time of booking or call us 0844 499 0901 after you have booked.

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Please note: If you are getting your insurance cover through your own private insurance company, please make sure you are covered for the high altitude on this trek (maximum altitude of 5671m).

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Visa Requirements

IRAN Entry visas are required by all nationalities. Passport information and a clear photocopy of the photo page of your passport must be forwarded to Explore with booking details. 2 photos are required for visa applications; women should wear a head scarf for these photos.

A prior authorisation is requested directly with the Embassy in Tehran by Explore. Please ensure Explore have received all requested information by 9 weeks before departure. Explore will provide you with the authorisation number once received so you can apply for your visa. The Iranian Embassy are no longer allowing third parties to process visa applications, but are instead insisting that all visa aplications for UK passport holders be made in person to the Consulate section of the Iranian Embassy in London. Please note that there is a £20 express service available should you require. Visa Swift (our recommended visa service provider) can collect your passport once it has been submitted to the Embassy and fingerprints have been taken, which is part of the application procedure. They would require the original collection ticket and letter of authorisation from the applicant to allow the representative from Visa Swift to collect the visa. You will also need a pre-paid special delivery envelope that can be perchased at any post office.  If you can collect the visa yourself then the Embassy will tell you when you need to return. Please note that the Consulate section of the Iranian Embassy is close to High St Kensington station at 50 Kensington Court, London W8 5DB. You will need to attend the Embassy at 9am to gain an appointment and then re-visit the Embassy at your appointed time (some time after 12.00 noon when it officially opens). Please also note that ladies are advised to take a head scarf. Any other nationalities should contact their local Iranian Embassy for details as to what they should do.

Due to the additional requirements for this visa we advise all of our passengers not to book any prior travel until you have received your Iran visa.

Important notes: If you wish to travel in Iran for any longer than the standard 15 days of this tour then we will need to apply for an extension of the standard visa authorisation. This extension will cost you an additional £25. Please let us know at the time of booking so we can arrange in advance.

Visa applications may take up to 4 weeks to process, so we recommend you book early. Clients travelling on a ‘land only’ basis should advise their booking office of their international flight details as soon as possible after booking.

Women not wearing Islamic head cover, long sleeves and with covered legs may be refused entry on arrival in Iran.

Any passport that has an endorsement or a visa for Israel, either valid or expired, will not be accepted. Nor will immigration accept the passport of anyone who has travelled to Jordan or Egypt via Israel, even without gaining a stamp from the Israel/Jordan or Israel/Egypt border as this implies entry via Israel.

All American travellers must be accompanied by a local guide whilst in Iran. Please ask for further details when making your booking. All nationalities should consult the relevant consulate.

All visa information is subject to change. You should confirm all visa related issues with the relevant Embassy prior to departure.

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All visa information is subject to change. You should confirm all visa related issues with the relevant Embassy prior to departure.

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Vaccinations & Protection

Nothing compulsory, we recommend protection against malaria, typhoid, tetanus, diphtheria, polio and hepatitis A. Consult your travel clinic for latest advice on different prophylaxis available against malaria.

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The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at http://www.explore.co.uk/Travelhealth/ and from your local healthcare provider.

Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure.

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Know before you go

We strongly recommend that you check your government’s travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination: safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs, including advice re: the legality of and local attitudes towards same-sex relationships. For UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office Advice follow the link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/

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Preparing for your tour

Walking Grades and Fitness

Grading is a somewhat difficult topic as much depends on the individual’s own perception of his or her abilities. The following is intended as a general guide to our walking grades. This tour is rated Tough.

Tough: Requires that you are very fit; previous trekking experience is strongly advised. Tours include long walks with steep uphill/downhill gradients. There may be extremes of altitude (up to 7000m) and severe weather conditions. Will involve several long days (up to 8/9 hrs of continual trekking with no rest day.

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Altitude

The altitude of Damavand makes this trip more suitable for the serious walker with previous experience of hill walking. We have included time for acclimatisation and extreme cases of altitude sickness are rare, but if it becomes necessary for someone to abandon the trek in the interests of safety the tour leader’s decision is final.

Medical Examination

You should visit your GP and specifically mention the maximum altitude the trek reaches, i.e. 5671m.

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Altitude: On Trek

Gradient Chart

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Climate

Summer temperatures in Tehran can reach the high 30s centigrade and the rainfall is minimal, whilst the higher slopes of the Alborz Mountains can receive up to 2000mm of rainfall a year (mostly as snow). The best season for the climb up Mount Damavand is from June to September, when conditions are relatively stable (although snowfall is still a possibility). Up to date detailed information about weather on Damavand can be found at- http://www.snow-forcast.com/resorts/Damavand/6day/mid

 

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Seasonal weather patterns can be unpredictable. For up-to-date information on the weather worldwide please visit www.bbc.co.uk/weather.

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Packing for your tour

To assist with packing for your tour, we have detailed some of the essential items you should take with you. 

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Luggage

Unfortunately it does occasionally happen that luggage does not always reach its destination on the same flight as its owner, or possibly it may be damaged in transit. If you are unlucky enough for this to occur, it is important that you file a PIR (Property Irregularity Report) with the airline before leaving the airport. This is essential when you come to make a claim either against the airline or from your travel insurance company

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One main piece and a daysac. Total allowance: 44lbs/20kgs. Remember, you are expected to carry your own luggage – so don’t overload yourself. During the course of a trekking day, you do not have access to your main luggage, your daysac, therefore should be large enough to carry the things you will need for the day. Most people normally find that this adds up to about 2 to 3kg. It is usually more comfortable to carry a larger pack than one which is overfull or with bits tied to the outside – aim for a 30- 35 litre capacity pack. We advise you to line the sack with a large plastic bag to keep the contents dry.

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Clothing

Dress Code in Iran

This dress code applies to all places in Iran except in your hotel bedroom

Head
A headscarf must be worn by women at all times, preferably tied under the chin. Some hair can be shown.

Arms
Must be covered by long sleeves

Feet
Any comfortable footwear is acceptable

In cold weather
It is useful to have a cardigan which you can wear over your manteau and easily remove

Manteau – long coat/shirt
The Manteau should be dark coloured and unpatterned, hiding the shape of the body and must be knee length. It can be bought in Tehran at the beginning of the tour for about £20 up to UK size 14. We recommend one cotton or linen length manteau for the south and a warmer one for the north. However, if not possible to purchase long dark shirts/ coat will suffice.

Legs
Legs should be covered by trousers of a long skirt below the manteau

Underneath the ‘manteau’ anything can be worn!
April to September can be hot (approx. 30 degrees plus) – A bra and light cotton trousers/skirt is sufficient.
March, October, November can be cold (approx. 12 degrees) – warmer clothing is needed.

Note: The ‘chador’ – black ‘coverall’ – is only worn at holy shrines and can be borrowed locally. Dress code is more relaxed in some towns and brighter garments are being worn by young locals. A long baggy mens shirt can be used instead of an overcoat, but the above principles must apply.

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In Tehran, from April to September pack essentially for ‘Hot Conditions’. From October to March pack as for ‘All Tours’. Lightweight clothing is essential in midsummer, with a sun-hat and neck protection. For the mountains pack for essentially for 'All Tours' plus ‘Mountain Treks’.

we recomend:

- A wind and waterproof jacket is essential

-gloves

-scarf (to cover face)

-warm hat or balaclava

-fleece

-long trousers

- down jacket

- A tracksuit or thermal underwear

- Gortex outershell jacket

- Waterproof/ gortex trousers

-Fleece and/or down jacket

- lightweight waterproof/ windproof jacket

- Light weight walking trousers

- trekking socks.

Important: Iran is a traditional Islamic country and a strict dress code is enforced throughout the tour. Men must wear long trousers. Shortsleeved shirts are acceptable. Women must wear ‘hejab’ at all times, apart from their hotel bedrooms. ‘Hejab’ consists of a long (preferably dark coloured) coat plus a headscarf. The long coat (called ‘manteau’ or ‘ropush’) can be bought in Tehran at the start of the tour, costing approx GBP20 size 14 and upwards can be more difficult to find locally. However, as ‘hejab’ must be worn upon arrival at Tehran airport you should pack in your hand luggage a full length raincoat if intending to buy a ‘manteau’ locally. The most comfortable clothing to wear underneath the ‘manteau’ are full length, lightweight cotton garments (trousers or skirt are acceptable). Long baggy shirts can be used instead of a coat. 

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Please note: You may find when you arrive in Iran that some local Iranian's do not dress as traditionally or strictly as we have suggested above. Explore feels that it is socially correct for our travellers to be responsible in the way they travel and respect all country traditions so we would advise that you try to stick to our advice below as closely as possible and then once in Iran you can make your own decisions as to how much is appropriate to cover. Your tour leader can also advise you on this in each location. Once on the trek and further away from civilisation, you may be able to be a bit more relaxed with this dress code but this will all depend on the feelings of your local trekking crew and the number of people trekking at the same time. Once again we would urge you to stick as closely to these guidelines as possible and listen to the advice of your tour leader.

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Footwear

It is essential that you have waterpoof walking boots with good ankle support. We also suggest some sort of trainers or sandles for relaxing around camp in.

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Equipment

Additonal items:

- 3-4 season sleeping bag (essential)

- Heavyweight waterproof gloves (essential)

- Sunglasses with UV protection (essential)

- Warm hat/ balaclava (essential)

- Headlamp/ torch

- Thermarest

- Light weight gloves

- Scarf

- High factor suncream

- Lip protection

- Antiseptic hand gel

- Gaiters

- Walking poles

Sun hat

- 2 x liter water bottles

 

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Need help on Clothing or Equipment?

Then we suggest you contact Nomad Travel, our equipment partner, who specialise in kitting people out for adventurous travel. You receive a special 10% discount in-store or online. Visit one of their stores, phone 0845 260 0044, or visit their website www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore for further information.

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General Information

Trip Summary

Steeped in mythology, the towering slopes of Mount Damavand presents us with the highest peak in Iran, an iconic volcanic giant that nestles amongst the snow-capped Alborz Mountains to the north of Tehran. This exhilarating adventure takes us from the vibrant streets of the Iranian capital, into the dramatic landscapes of Persian folklore, as we scale the heights of both Damavand and the neighbouring peak of Mt Touchal, on a journey into a harsh mountain terrain of frozen waterfalls and sulphurous fumaroles. With time set aside to explore something of the ancient heritage of Persia and Islamic Iran, this incredible odyssey takes in some of Iran’s most spectacular natural and cultural highlights.

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Please note:

Important note: Alcohol is strictly forbidden in Iran and possession carries severe penalties so under no circumstances should you bring any with you.

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RAMADAN 2010 11th August – 9th September

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 restrictions to services and minor amendments to the itinerary. Restaurants may have limited supplies of fresh food available during this period.

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Electric Supply & Plugs

For comprehensive information regarding voltages and plug types in use in the countries visited, follow the relevant link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/

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