The supreme guide To Backpacking Iran

Without a doubt, Iran is one of the most fascinating, friendly and exotic countries that you will ever visit. In this guide, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about backpacking Iran and even share some secrets that you won’t find in your guide-book.

Iran is officially an Islamic Republic, so women travelling here will have to cover their hair with a head scarf (as well as the rest of their bodies), but don’t worry ladies, these days the head scarf laws are pretty unwinded and you’ll get away with it being practically around your neck.

IMPORTANT: Since February 2014, the guidelines for Americans have been extended to include British and Canadian passport holders. This implies that Canadians, British and Americans need to be accompanied by a guide while they are in Iran. contact a trip operator to talk about an itinerary. 

Jump To: Must-see places | must-have Experiences | Off The Beaten path | Pros | Cons | transport | Visas | health | weather | much more IRAN BLOGS

[widget id=”text-70″]
How much will Iran Cost?

**BELANGRIJK**

You will need to bring cash (US dollars Only) with you into Iran to cover the full cost of your trip. ATM’s will not work for foreign debit or credit report cards. 

Budget: $71/day for 2 people

Backpacking Iran is extremely inexpensive these days, with the street rate for the Iranian Rial being around 31,850 / $1 USD (Click here for official / street exchange rate history). Iran is a country that provides great value for money, even much more so these days.

The official rate of exchange is 26,827, so rather than exchanging your us dollars at an official bank, you’re much better off heading to a legal street stall and exchanging your money there (which is completely legitimate).

$71/day is a good budget for two people (around $40/day for a solo-traveller). This will afford a good double room in a budget hotel, good local meals, the occasional taxi and tour, and taking first class buses all over (1st class is only a couple of dollars much more than lower classes).

Budget Accommodation: (Average $36 / night with breakfast)

The hotels and guest houses we stayed at cost between $20 – $40 and many included breakfast, while some even included a delicious dinner. All were beautiful budget hotels and numerous were built out of old homes that have been standing for centuries. You won’t find too numerous dorms in Iran, but we were at one hotel in Yazd that provided single rates for solo-travellers. While we did stay in good double rooms, that’s the budget standard in Iran and you won’t find anything much cheaper.

Hotels We Stayed In

Mashoud

Garmeh

Yazd

Kerman

Shiraz

Esfahan

Tabriz

Tehran

Hotel Meraj

Ateshoonie G.H

Koshan Hotel

Akhavan Hotel

Niyayesh hotel

Stayed With Friends

Morvarind Hotel

Golestan Hotel

$33 2bedroom apartment, wi-fi, kitchen

$35 per person w/breakfast, dinner, wi-fi, shared

$20 w/ breakfast, private restroom & wi-fi

$36 w/ breakfast, dinner, private bathroom, wi-fi

$25 w/ breakfast, wi-fi, private bathroom

VRIJ

$24 w/ breakfast, wi-fi, private bathroom

$36 w/ breakfast, wi-fi, private bathroom

Eating: ($2-$7 / meal)

There are some cheap street meals to be had for backpackers in Iran and in some cases (especially during Ashura), you’ll find totally free meals all over the place! but eating a good meal in your hotel restaurant or at a restaurant in town will likely cost between $5 – $10. Food in Iran is delicious and well worth every penny! Don’t miss the date milkshakes!

Entrance Fees: (Free – $10/person)

The entrance fee to Persepolis (one of Iran’s premier historical sites) is around $10. many people join a trip from Shiraz for around $20 – $25. Some mosques and mausoleums will charge around $3 – $5 for entrance, while parks and some museums are free.

Alcohol: (GOOD LUCK)

No reason to really put a budget for this here because alcohol is illegal for all Muslim Iranians, and you won’t likely see too much of it, let alone be able to purchase it. If you’re really desperate for a drink, you can find red wine in Shiraz. expect to pay around $10 / plastic bottle, but keep it low-key and remember, it’s illegal!

Tipping:

Tipping
Tipping is not customary in Iran but services that accommodate tourists will expect a gratuity. If you’ve hired a guide, a porter or a driver, expect to give a suggestion at the end. A few dollars ought to be fine.

Some restaurants, particularly in larger hotels, will add a 10% service charge to the bill. In other places, away from traveler areas, servers will be pleasantly amazed by any change you leave.

If you stay with a local family in Iran (which you many likely will), it’s a good idea to leave a small gift. Something from your home country would be ideal, or you can purchase a good item from the market to thank your hosts (pottery, a vase, artwork, etc.) Stickers, pens and notepads from your home country are great to give to kids when jij gaat.

Geld:

Current exchange Rate:

$1 = 31,850 Rial

**BELANGRIJK**

You will need to bring cash (US dollars Only) with you into Iran to cover the full cost of your trip. ATM’s will not work for foreign debit or credit report cards. 

The exchange rate in Iran is always changing rapidly and has gone through some pretty unstable moments in recent years. In July 2013, after the Rial plummeted to its all-time low of around 40,000 to 1 us dollar, the central bank of Iran upgraded its official exchange rate from 12,284 to a much more sensible 20,750, and again in August to 24,500 to the USD, but this is still well below the street exchange rate (which is 31,850 Rial to 1 USD)

Basically, if you go into a bank to exchange your American dollars into Rial, you will be paying a lot much more than if you went into one of the numerous (legal) street stalls. The most affordable time to backpack Iran was certainly July 2013, but it is still a very cost effective place to travel.

Click here For current exchange rates (Street vs. Bank)

[widget id=”text-83″]

Must-See places in Iran

There are far too numerous “must-see places” to list here. We spent a lot of time in this country and we still have much to see. While we do love seeing sites, the true charm of Iran is in its people (more about them below).

Jump To: must-have Experiences | Off The Beaten path | Pros | Cons | transport | Visas | health | weather | much more IRAN BLOGS

Mashhad & The Shrine of Imam Reza:

The city of Mashhad provides little for backpackers, but the immense labyrinth of the shrine complex including Imam Reza’s mausoleum, (read much more about Imam Reza on Wiki here), makes a trip to the city well worth while. It is the largest mosque in the world by dimension and the second largest by capacity (next to Mecca in Saudi Arabia).

Also contained within the complex are the Goharshad Mosque, a museum, a library, four seminaries, a cemetery, the Razavi university of Islamic Sciences, a dining hall for pilgrims, large prayer halls, and other buildings.

A visit here is an immensely powerful experience as numerous people sob and cry out to their lost hero, Imam Reza. Travellers are required to have a guide with them in purchase to enter this massive complex. We went two times, once by ourselves and once with a guide. It really just depends on how the people at the entrance gates are feeling on that particular day. Also, tourists are not implied to enter the shrine itself, but if you are respectful you may be invited in. women should wear a chador (which will be offered to you at the entrance) and no cameras are allowed. Entrance is free.

We recommend a late evening stroll, as the shrine is open 24/7. Seeing the numerous mosaics and elaborate carvings on archways and walls, dimly lit by the late evening moon, is a certain highlight.

Garmeh:

While you’re backpacking Iran, you’ll probably want to experience the desert, and there is no better place to do so than in Garmeh. stay at the Lonely planet recommended Ateshooni Guest house (they certainly got this one right), and meet Maxiar, a true desert man. explore this lush, palm shaded oasis with hikes up to lookouts, waterfalls and farmlands.

Maxiar can organize trips to the nearby salt flats, sand dunes and villages, but the true appeal to Garmeh is at Ateshooni itself, where Maxiar will play various unique instruments and treat you like a VIP family member.

The Lonely planet makes getting here sound a bit confusing, but call Ateshooni and they’ll clear everything up for you.

The phone number is: +98 324 443 2156 or +98 913 223 0874 and they have a website: www.ateshooni.com

For our experience, check out: Delightful Desert Days: We love Iran!

Yazd:

With a population of nearly a half a million people, Yazd is an average-sized city for Iran and it’s the center of the Zoroastrian religion. This labyrinth town of mud and brick is one of the most interesting places in the country. get lost in narrow alleyways, where the golden walls seem to close in on you, just before opening up into a beautiful park or mosque courtyard.

Head to the roofing system for an unforgettable sunset, when the entire city becomes illuminated and the rooftop bagdirs (ancient Iranian air conditioning towers) glow and change colour with the falling sun.Zorg ervoor dat je een dagtocht maakt naar de omliggende site van Chak-Chak, het verlaten modderdorp Karnaq en de stad Meybod.

Sommige van de historische sites om te zien in Yazd:

Fort -moskee

Vestingwerken van yazd

Haj YouSef Reservoir

Huis van Arabisch’ha

Huis van Larry

Huis van Malek Al Tojjar

Huis van Mortaz

Huis van Rasoulian

Iran Shahr School

Jame Moskee of Yazd (Grand Moskee of Yazd)

Khan Bazaar

Mausoleum van Sahl Ibn Ali

Mausoleum van seyed rokn al din

Mausoleum van Seyed Shams al Din

Mullah Ismail -moskee

Masoudi -reservoir

Rig -moskee

Sheikh Ahmad Fahadan Mausoleum

Shah Tahmasb -moskee

Zargari Bazzar

Ziaiah School

Kerman:

Deze fantastische, minder bekende stad heeft eigenlijk nogal wat te zien. Bekijk de 1200 meter lange “end-to-end overdekte bazaar”, waar u kruiden kunt proeven en winkelen voor aardewerk, waterpijp en textiel. Hoewel Kerman een goede stad is, is de hoofdtekening voor het komen hier de Kalut Desert (Dasht-E LUT) die ongeveer 100 km ten noordoosten van Kerman (2 uur rijden) ligt.

Blijf bij Mr. Akhavan in het Akhavan Hotel en hij zal alles voor u opzetten. Voor slechts $ 36 / nacht, inclusief ontbijt en diner, is deze plek zeker een goede deal!

Huur een taxi en gids (ongeveer $ 30) in en ga naar de torenhoge zandformaties van de Kalut -woestijn voor zonsondergang. Sommige van deze windgesneden zandkastelen zijn 10 verdiepingen hoog en hun grillige formaties nemen een verleidelijke gouden tint aan bij zonsondergang. Je kunt ook organiseren om de avond in de woestijn door te brengen.

Kom hier niet in de zomer of overdag, want dit is waar de heetste temperatuur ooit op aarde is geregistreerd (70,7 ° C)

Geiten Opmerking: de politieke situatie verandert altijd in Oost- en Zuidoost -Iran. Zorg ervoor dat u controleert of het stabiel is voordat u hier een reis plant.

Shiraz:

De vijfde veel dichtbevolkte stad Iran en de hoofdstad van de Fars -provincie, Shiraz is een van de belangrijkste steden van Iran voor backpackers om te bezoeken. Deze plaats is al duizenden jaren een essentiële handelsstop en wordt beschouwd als een van de oudste steden in het oude Perzië.

Hier kun je verblijven in wat misschien wel het mooiste oude hotel in het land (het Niyayesh Hotel) is en genieten van alles wat deze ietwat liberale stad te bieden heeft. Shiraz staat bekend als de stad van dichters, literatuur, rode wijn en bloemen. Er zijn enkele prachtige parken, UNESCO bekende tuinen en spectaculaire moskeeën. Mis het Ali Ibn Hamza -heiligdom niet met zijn interieur van glinsterende gespiegelde muren en plafonds.

Shiraz is ook waar Hafez (de bekende Iraanse dichter) werd begraven, dus bekijk zeker zijn graf en laat je toekomst een van zijn prachtige poëzieboeken doorlezen.

Persepolis:

Deze uitstekende ruïnes bevinden zich in een enorm, stadsachtig complex en werden meer dan 2500 jaar geleden gebouwd. Ze zijn te vinden in de buurt van de stad Marvadasht, maar veel mensen maken dagtochten om hen te bezoeken van Shiraz ($ 20- $ 25). Deze oude stad werd ooit in brand gestoken en geplunderd door Alexander de Grote, en nog meer vernietigd door daaropvolgende Arabische indringers, maar ondanks het rotsachtige verleden blijft Persepolis een van de meest suggestieve locaties in het land en een symbool van de Iraanse nationaliteit.

Esfahan (Isfahan):

Esfahan is de derde grootste stad in Iran met tal van interessante bezienswaardigheden om te zien. Neem uw keuze tussen parken, vierkanten, paleizen, bruggen, mausoleums, kerken, kathedralen, graven, moskeeën, musea en bazaars!

Zorg ervoor dat je de Khaju -brug ziet, de 17e -eeuwse Shahi Bazaar, de Shah Moskee & Shah Square. Naar de Armeense wijk (New Julfa) gaan wordt ook aanbevolen. Er zijn een aantal geweldige restaurants, de prachtige Vank -kathedraal en interessante straten om te verdwalen. Er zijn zo talloze locaties te zien in Esfahan dat