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:USD exchange rate. Our trip pricing is determined by what the exchange rates are at the time of publishing the trip.

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

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.

This is the most frequently asked question we get!

Nearly everyone is in their 50s and 60s, with some people above and below (but of course, everyone is welcome!)

Most Patchies come alone and are matched with a room-mate. Remember, you don’t need to pay for a single supplement if you come solo. We will place you with a similarly-aged roommate.

The typical Patchie has travelled a LOT, is a well-seasoned adventurer, and is not easily thrown by small things. However, many Patchies tell us that this is their first ever group tour. Many of our guests have avoided tours to this point as they’re not attracted to being herded around in large groups.

Oh, and one last thing:

Patchies are warm, generous, and kind. We knew it would be like this, but we weren’t expecting it to be *quite* like this. We’re so blessed as a business to have the customers we do; we consider ourselves to be some of the luckiest people in the world.

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.

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.

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!

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!

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.

The opportunity to do laundry during your trip is possible and best left for stays that are for more than one night. Your guide will be able to assist with recommendations during your trip.

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.