With the outbreak of conflict in 2008 in the Caucasus, Dragoman has re-routed our Istanbul to Ashgabat trip to avoid Georgia and Azerbaijan, and instead incorporated Iran, a country that we are very pleased to be returning to. The trip is aptly renamed "Turkic and Persian Splendours", as it covers the lands of these two great peoples.Turkey and Turkmenistan are the two most westerly of the Turkic nations, joined by a distinctive culture. Beginning in Turkey we overland through Cappadocia, visiting the underground cities of the Goreme Valley before heading east to the Lake Van region. We cross into the Persian empire at the border with Iran - an amazingly friendly country with a great tradition of hospitality, as anyone who has been there will tell you. We visit the stunning Islamic architecture of Esfahan and explore the ancient capital Persepolis, following in the footsteps of Alexander the Great. We head to the present capital Tehran, then on through the north of the country. Leaving Iran we cross back into the Turkic world: Turkmenistan, isolated for many years, but now accessible to travellers. The trip ends in the surreal city of Ashgabat, an oasis of modernity in a desert of antiquity.

To an armchair traveller, a journey across Turkey, Iran and Turkmenistan would be the realm of Micheal Palin but for Dragoman it's business as usual. With the outbreak of trouble in 2008 in the Caucasus, Dragoman has re-routed our Istanbul to Ashgabat trip to avoid Georgia and Azerbaijan and instead incorporated Iran, a country that we are very please to be returning to. The trip is aptly renamed "Turkik and Persian Splendours", as it covers the lands of these two great peoples.

Itinerary:

Nights 1-6: Western & Central Turkey 3 nights to discover Cappadocia's Goreme Valley and underground troglodyte cities and caves 2 nights to discover the Ottoman splendour of Istanbul. Nights 7-9: Eastern Turkey & Anatolia Visit to Ishak Pasha Palace near Dogubayazit on the Iranian Border Overland into Eastern Turkey via ancient trade routes Nights 10-16: Western & Southern Iran Guided exploration of the Ancient ruins of Persepolis Persian Ruins Overland through the mountains of Western Iran 3 night stay and guided tour of Esfahan to explore the beautiful squares and blue tiled Mosques Trawl the souks and Bazaars of Esfahan Time to explore stunning Islamic Shiraz, its citadel and mosques Nights 17-19: Eastern Deserts Overland across the eastern deserts of Iran 2 night stay in the oasis city of Yadz, the Iranian centre of Zoroastrians. Nights 20-23: Northern Iran Time to explore the southern end of the Caspian Sea and the beautiful Alborrz Mountains 2 nights in cosmopolitan Tehran Nights 24-25: Turkmenistan Discover the bizarre modern city of Ashgabat with its great hotels and restaurants The morning to explore, shop and haggle at the vast Tolkuchka Sunday Market

Optional Extras

• Take a hot air balloon above the lunar landscape of Goreme

Accommodation: Small hotels as well as a couple of stunning hotels, remote wildcamps and a couple of campsites.(50% camping, 50% hotels)
Meals: All food is covered by the kitty while camping.
Vehicles: Overland expedition vehicle.
Crew and Guides: 2 or 3 crew depending on country, local guides as necessary.
Notes: Visas for this trip can take many weeks to be issued - BOOK EARLY. Because of the nature of the area that we travel through the itinerary may vary. Kitty does not cover food while staying in hotels and hostels.US CITIZENS:We have been informed be our Iranian agent that it is unlikely that theIranian authorities will issue US citizens visas to travel across Iran. Evenif US citizens are granted a visa, it is now compulsory for them to beaccompanied by a personal Iranian guide. This makes it impractical for US citizens to travel with Dragoman through Iran. We therefore suggest that you look at another of our Central Asia Trips.
Reverse Itinerary: trips that run in reverse are specified with an "R" in the dates and prices table below.