12 Day Iran Adventure

Prior to the payment of your full balance, the final price may change if there is significant variation in the AUD:EUR exchange rate. Our trip pricing is determined by what the exchange rates are at the time of publishing the trip.

The pricing on these trips is based on the following exchange rates:

8 October 2023 departure: 1 AUD:0.64 EUR

21 April 2024 departure: 1 AUD:0.61 EUR

12 May 2024 departure: 1 AUD:0.61 EUR

A deposit of $1,650 is required to hold your spot. Payment can be made by credit card (fees apply).

There is a cooling-off period of 2 weeks. (Applicable to all bookings made 110 days in advance.)

We have implemented a ‘lifetime deposit’ guarantee. Deposits are not refundable, but they are transferable at any time, right up until the first day of the trip.

The final balance of the trip is required 120 days in advance of the departure date. Our suppliers require upfront payment well in advance to guarantee availability.

Please refer to the full terms and conditions for further information.

Reserve your place at Patch Adventures.com.au or email contact@patchadventures.com.au! There is a maximum group size of 12.

This tour doesn’t have any dedicated exercise component. If you’re able to walk for several hours with breaks around a town, you’ll be fine. This trip is not appropriate for those who need to use walking aids: in signing up, you confirm that you have the basic fitness level required to do a 2-3 hour walking tour.

Airfares are not included. 

There are several code share flights departing from Australia and New Zealand for Tehran in Iran via Doha, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Istanbul. Similar routes are available for the return trip from Shiraz. That’s an exotic list of locations if you fancy a layover to break the journey!

Most of our trips have a tip kitty because many cultures have interesting and diverse rules when it comes to tips. We’ve found it to be the easiest way to combat over-tipping, under- tipping or having the tip fall into the wrong hands. However, in the case of your trip in Iran, a tip kitty isn’t necessary because we have already included tipping for hotels, restaurants and other services in your tour package, because unlike many other countries we visit, in Iran you won’t have access to extra cash withdrawals.

At the completion of your trip, we recommend the following tips for your outstanding guides and driver.
Guides (2): $70 to $150 USD per guide / per person (or equivalent in Euro)
Driver: $70 to $100 USD per person (or equivalent in Euro) Any questions, just ask!

Yes, there are two available. This condition is placed by our accommodation providers and is charged strictly at cost. Please get in touch with us to check details and single supplement availability. 

Iran is a country that feels as safe as Australia and even safer than other popular destinations such as Italy or Spain. Iranians are very grateful for their growing tourism industry and are determined to prove that the world’s perception of their country is wrong. Don’t take our word for it; Google it and you’ll find hundreds of travel blogs saying the same thing. As with all travel, you need to keep your head on your shoulders and take all normal necessary precautions.

Yes, although in Iran it’s more like a loose scarf than the hijab you might be familiar with.  This is compulsory, as is wearing a long blouse that covers your bosom and, yes, the shape of your bottom (seriously!)

Iranians in general are very forgiving regarding these rules, as they are fully aware just  how unusual it is for foreigners to adapt to this. 

Hollywood has created images in people’s minds that with a tiny slip of cultural norms by tourists, a nasty man will come up to you and berate you in front of others. This is the exact opposite of the truth. If needed, you may be asked very kindly, discreetly to adjust your hijab or blouse. That really is it all there is to it. 

You’ll need to have a hijab with you for arrival at the airport, but don’t worry about buying one: a hijab is included in the trip price and we’ll send it to you in the mail. If you have any questions about any of your clothing or blouses, you can send any questions or photos through to us for assistance.

Please understand that I was also nervous before going to Iran the first time. I wished I had someone that I could check in with regarding the cultural rules – at Patch, we’ll be that someone for you.

In all public places, yes.

Unfortunately, to keep with cultural and legal norms in Iran, it is not possible to offer this trip as a mixed group. We will, however, from time to time offer some mixed group trips. Keep an eye on the website for more.

Yes, unless you take the single supplement option. You do not need to book with a friend. If there are spots available, feel free to book immediately.

Our guide will assist you to change money while on the ground. It’s also possible and recommended to change at least some money at Tehran airport on arrival. Money changers are both present and reputable.

Iran does not have access to ATMs, therefore you need to bring sufficient cash with you for personal expenditure and incidentals. $500 AUD (equiv) approx will be much more than enough in nearly all circumstances, unless you come planning to buy things to take home.

I had no intention of buying a rug.

Then, I spent $300 AUD on a beautiful (small) Persian rug of my own. Next time I visit, I plan on buying another. The rugs are, in a word, ‘amazing’, and will attract even the most hardened, anti-souvenir warrior. On the day that I spent $300, I saw someone gladly hand over $1,600 for one of the most beautiful creations I’ve seen in my life.

Our guides will help you get the right deal, and they do notreceive commissions. Don’t be concerned about rip-offs or fakes – our capable team will take care of you.

We will manage the process alongside you. Australian and NZ passport holders generally find it simple to acquire an Iranian visa. It’s a 2 step process where we organise a  ‘Visa Grant Notice’ for you. This is issued by the Iranian government, and then you apply for your actual visa.  Australian passport holders  can obtain their visa at the Embassy in Canberra or choose an eVisa option at Tehran Airport. This is the most popular option. The current cost is: 138 Euros for Australians.

USA, Canada, and UK passport holders should check in with us regarding visa requirements before booking.

So long as you have a general level of health and fitness, you’ll be fine. There will be days where you’ll be walking and spending a lot of time on your feet. Daily activities may include a 3-or 4-hour city walk. There will be times when you’re required to walk on uneven and undulating ground, as well as getting on and off various forms of transport.

You should be able to easily ascend a flight of stairs and access a shower over a bath. From time to time, you must be ok with using a squat toilet – we do our best to accommodate what you’re used to (hotel rooms usually have sit-down toilets) but when you’re on the road, sometimes it’s the only choice available.

All activities are optional, meaning that if you don’t feel like it, you can skip it, but it will be impossible to enjoy your trip if you’re not able to do a walking tour for a full afternoon. Unfortunately, this tour cannot accommodate people requiring walking aids.

In the unlikely event of a health or security related incident during a trip, we’ve engaged a local partner to assist. From our experience, there is not one framework that fits all, and every incident is unique and requires a different approach. With all trips, your guides are your day-to-day support. While behind the scenes, there is an active line of communication – between your guide, the on-ground support team, and Australian Ops.