Iran (Tehran, Shiraz, Persepolis, Isfahan, Yazd & Qavzin) - March 2018

" Whoever you are, whatever your race or religion, be sure you are eagerly welcomed here - the Holy Shrine of Shah-eCheragh, Shiraz"

" It is obligatory for all women to wear Chador (Islamic veil) " 

" Iran is also known as Persia prior to 1935. Persian New Year, Nowruz falls on 21 March 2018 - the first day of Spring " 

Iran generally has a poor image overseas. There were unfavorable views of Iran expressed by international media especially on issues relating to personal freedom, human rights & nuclear ambitions etc. 

As a consequence, my perception of Iran was very much influenced by these reportings hence  it took me quite awhile to decide to pluck up enough courage to undertake this free & easy visit to Iran. 

But upon my first arrival in Tehran, my perception of Iran has changed somewhat as people here were generally very friendly, approachable & helpful ! Streets were clean & public transport was efficient & orderly ! This brightened up the remaining of my travel days in Iran after visiting their major cities eg Shiraz, Isfahan, Persepolis, Yazd & Qazvin. 

Although I am a seasoned traveler but my first visit to Iran was really a blessing in disguise without realizing that the Air Asia ticket I bought coincided with the celebration of the Nowruz - Persian New Year starting from 21st March 2018 !. My main concern was buying bus tickets for my inter-city travels from Tehran to Shiraz, Isfahan & Yazd etc. But booking train tickets for outstation travels was a major issue unless you book weeks in advance prior to the New Year. So no luck for me to experience their local train rides for this trip ! Using a combination of public transport ie Metro, long distance buses & shared taxis, it was quite easy for me to get around the various places within each city & beyond. 

Though Tehran on the 1st Day of New Year was totally deserted but the sky was clear & blue; their Metro was fully operational; experiencing lesser crowds in major tourist sites and making my first 3 days in Tehran less stressful ! 

Due to the long holidays, there was a large exodus of Tehran people leaving the city driving their family cars to visit friends, relatives & popular tourist destinations in the outstation cities of Shiraz, Isfahan, Persepolis, Yazd and other nearby cities .... 

The early Spring weather in Iran was cool ie 6c to 17c so it was very pleasant to move around places especially in the evening ! Cities near the dessert area eg Yazd was hot & dry especially during the day ! 

The hostels I stayed in various cities were conveniently located near the old town & tourist attraction areas & ideal for backpackers like me and most were very helpful in providing local tourism information, arranging side tours & taxis to bus terminals for morning  departures etc. 

Iran currently has 22 UNESCO World Heritage sites. For this exploratory visit, I am glad that I was able to visit 5 of their UNESCO sites, but I yearn to see more hopefully in another visit in the near future ! I was very much impressed after seeing the major historical & religious sites in the 5 cities I visited for this trip. Cities like Kashan, Mashhad & Tabriz have UNESCO sites so you may like to consider visiting when in Iran ! 

1) Golestan Palace, Tehran
2) Naqsh-e-Johan Square, Isfahan
3) Persepolis
4) The Persian Garden
5) Historic City of Yazd

" My 13 days free & easy solo visit to Iran (Tehran, Shiraz, Persepolis, Isfahan, Yazd & Qavzin) from 20/3 - 2/4/2018 coinciding with the celebrations of the Persian New Year 2018 (Nowruz) starting from 21st March " 

Total expenses incurred (13 days): Euro$549 = Rm2,679

Air Asia ticket (includes travel insurance): Rm1,424 (Euro$292)

Flight details: Kuala Lumpur > Tehran 19.05 >23.15; Tehran > KL 01.05 >12.45

Travel Insurance for Foreign tourists on arrivals: Euro$14

Airport Taxi : 750,000 Rials (Euro$12.90)

Hostels (11 nights) : Euro$130
- Tehran Heritage Hostel (5 nights x Euro$10 dorm)
- Taha Hostel, Shiraz (2 nights x Euro10 dorm)
- Seven Hostels, Isfahan (2 nights x Euro$15 dorm)
- Badgir Hostel, Yazd (2 nights x Euro$10 dorm)
Long distance bus : 1,910,000 Rials (Euro$33)

-Tehran > Shiraz - 680,000 Rials

-Shiraz > Isfahan - 350,000 Rials

-Isfahan > Yazd - 220,000 Rials

-Yazd > Tehran - 500,000 Rials

-Tehran > Qazvin > Tehran - 160,000 Rials

Entrance fees : 1,750,000 Rials (Euro$30)

Shared Taxi : 640,000 Rials (Euro$11)

Metro: 205,000 Rials (Euro$3.50)

Day tour (Persepolis) : Euro$9 (shared taxis)

Food & groceries (own prepared meals) : 750,000 Rials (Euro$13)

Exchange rate : Euro$1 = Rm4.88

Iranian Currency (Rials) - Euro$1 = 58,000 Rials; Rm1=11,880 Rials

Travel Itinerary : Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia > Tehran, Iran > Shiraz / Persepolis > Isfahan > Yazd > Tehran > Qazvin > Tehran > Kuala Lumpur

Tehran > Shiraz - 932km

Shiraz > Persepolis - 60km

Shiraz > Yazd - 323km

Yazd > Tehran - 622km

Tehran > Qazvin - 153km 

Travel Highlights : The Iranian cities I visited for this 13 days trip

1) Tehran, Iran

Azadi Tower, Tehran 

2) Shiraz, Iran

The Citadel of Arg of Karim Khan, Shiraz

3) Persepolis, Iran

Persepolis

The Tombs of Naqsh-e Rustam, Persepolis

4) Isfahan, Iran

Naghsh-e-Jahan Square, Isfahan

5) Yazd, Iran

Dowlat Abad Garden, Zard

6) Qazvin

The natural inland scenery of Iran's country side 

Now that I had visited Iran, my future visit will most likely to focus on a number of Caucasus countries in Central Asia ie Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan & Uzbekistan & revisiting Iran, Kazakhstan & Kyrgyzstan if I have the "Fu" or fortune in me to do this fascinating trip one more time !