Iranian Holiday Package: Horse Riding and Sightseeing in Persia

A 16 days horse riding tour and visiting the major sights of the great cities of Tehran, Isfahan, and Shiraz

Horse riding holiday in Iran is simply, unique. It take place in the Tukoman Stepper to the North East of the Caspian Sea and in the National Golestan Park. This is an area of extraordinary historical/cultural and natural interest. The area particularly is famous for its horses and their mythical speed, endurance and beauty. Turkmans are a semi-nomadic tribe who originated in the Central Asian steppes, archetypal nomad warriors and horse breeders. The stamina of Turkman raceshorses is legendary, The Turkmen horse valued above all other possessions by the kings, emperors and aristocrats of three continents throughout three millennia of history. Alexander The Great captured hundreds of the horses to return to Eourpe after his Persian Campaigns, and the modern Thoroughbred owens everying to Turkmans blood bred directly and indirectly through the great lines. This tour is a unique opportunity to ride the world's original hot-blooded horses, and visit Turkoman tradition, carpets, clothes lifestyle and ceremonies and ejoying thier hospitality and food. The riding will be in and around the Iran's oldest National Park at Golestan. This mountainous region provides a magnificent diverse natural habitat for animals including leopard, gazelle, wild sheep, ibex, wild boar, birds such as the colourful kingfisher, the Siberian and wild flowers. The rides will be organised by Mrs Louis Firouz an American who breeds Turkomans and has lived here for the past forty years. Louise is a leading expert on the evolution of the oriental horse and knows these horses the best. One of the great achievement of Louse Firouz is reviving the breed of Caspian horses, and ancient breed of miniature horse which had been extinct for 1.500 years, and is considered by many to be the missing link in the evolution of the horse, far pre-dating the ancient Arab, which had dies out in Sassanian times. Your riding would be based on her stud farm and you would be using horses she had selected.. The stud farm is near the Turkman village of Ghara Tappeh Sheikh produces some of the finest Turkman horses in the world. You will explore the north of the country to the east of the Caspian Sea where the Elborz Mountains form a fertile green belt. The rides will be 6 to 8 hours a day in a wide circle through the forested slopes and open plateau of the Golestan National Park over various terrain. There will be frequent breaks to rest both the riders and the horses. The itinerary includes an optional tour after the ride to the important historical sites of Shiraz, Persepolis and Isfahan. You can either join in our set tours with the set dates commencing on 24 May 2004 and 27 September 2004 or we can plan an itinerary to match your aspirations and requirement. This allows you to explore your own interests backed by our specialist ITINERARY Day 1, Tehran - Ghara Tappeh Sheikh. Upon early-morning arrival in Tehran, you are met at the airport and drive to village of Ghara Tappeh Sheikh and the horse farm to meet our horses and guide. Overnight in tent. Days 2-7, Horse Riding - Six full days riding through mountain landscape and into the Golestan National Park, with spacious horizons and beautiful scenery. Visit Turkoman villages along the way. Seven nights camping. Day 8, Tehran - Drive to Tehran. Overnight at 5* Laleh hotel. Day 9 Transfer to the airport for the return flight back home. SIGHTSEEING EXTENSION Day 1, Tehran - Sightseeing in Tehran. Overnight at Laleh hotel Day 2, Tehran/Shiraz - Early start flight to Shiraz. An excursion to Persepolis, Naghesh-e-Rajab and Naghesh-e-Rostam. Back to Shiraz. Overnight 3* Eram hotel Day 3, Shiraz - Visiting Eram Garden, the Shah Cheragh shrine, Hafez and Saadi Tombs, and the lively Bazaar. Our overnight stay in Shiraz is at the Eram hotel Day 4, Isfahan - We drive to historic city of Isfahan, visiting Passargade on the way. Dinner at Abbasi hotel. Overnight we stay at the 4* Sadaf hotel. Day 5, Isfahan - A full day sightseeing, visiting Imam , Sheikh, and Lotfollah Mosques, the Aliqapou Palace, Vanak Church, the Shaking Minarets, and the Fire Temple. Dinner at Abbasi hotel. Overnight stay is Sadaf hotel Day 6, Isfahan - Sightseeing in this fascinating city continues with the Friday Mosque, Chehel Sotoun, Hasht Behesht Palace and Khajou Bridge. Day 7, Isfahan/Tehran - Drive to Tehran. Overnight Laleh hotel Day 8, Tehran - Transfer to the airport for the return flight back home.

HORSE RIDING AND SIGHTSEEING IN PERSIA REF: 15 HRSP DURATION: 16 Days Dates 2008 17 Apr - 24 Apr Horse riding 24 Apr - 01 May Extension Historical sites TOUR COST: Horse riding tour: £1350 Optional historical sites: £720 Single supplement: £180 Accommodation: 8 nights in 5*, 4* ,3* hotels, 7 nights camping accommodation. Equipment: Group camping equipment is provided. Please bring your own sleeping bags if you wish to have a personal one. Transport: Four-wheel-drive vehicles are used in the remoter areas, and cars or a minibus in the cities. There is a back-up vehicle which carries the luggage and support crew. Partners or friends who do not who do not want to ride can take a different route in 4WD vehicles and meet up with the riders for some of the breaks. Please note: Our routes tend to change a bit depending on the weather. If its raining we go one direction - if the weather suddenly becomes hot we take the alternative route. You should be a competent rider, confident outdoors at all paces. The pace varies with the terrain. The riding varies from walk to canter. Fast riding across the steppes gives way to slower paces as the horses climb into the mountains. The saddles are comfortable old army style saddles which are perfect for long distance riding. What is included in the tour prices: Six days' guided riding itinerary; seven nights camping/rural . Accommodation (sharing in twin room), Airport transfers, Breakfast, lunch, dinner Car/minibus/coach/4WD All excursions and sightseeing Entrance fees, Porterage English speaking guide What is not included: International flight (£350-£450) Visa fee (£68 for British nationality)