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Compulsory Guide for Iran Compulsory Guide for Iran
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West and South Asia From Turkey to Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Ladakh and Bangladesh
Photo by George Guille, It's going to be a long 300km... Bolivian Amazon

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by George Guille
It's going to be a long 300km...
Bolivian Amazon



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  #46  
Old 4 Mar 2014
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Question Plan B .. and 'C'
I haven't heard back yet from my agent with a definitive answer. She thinks there's an outside chance that, because I submitted my request for an authorisation code way back on 10th February, I might be able to 'slip under the net' using the former unrestricted travel rules. But I’m not holding my breath!

I was only ever going away for 2-3 months on this next trip in any case, starting April-6th (from Nepal). If my up-and-coming plans get scuppered, bearing in mind my Indian tourist visa restrictions and carnet constraints, I can:

Plan B - See a bit more of India than I have been planning for. Eventually arriving in Mumbai (or Delhi), then either:
  • B.1 Store the bike in Mumbai /or Delhi somewhere. Come back home to the UK. Return to Mumbai/Delhi during September when the Iranian visa situation may have changed (reverted). If not, I’ll still have time – seasons-wise – to head-up north with the aim of potentially crossing the Stans at that time of year; or
  • B.2 From Mumbai/Delhi, air-freight to either Oman or UAE. Explore some desert; maybe ride up to Qatar and Bahrain. Definitely look around Dubai's Metropolis. Leave the bike there for three months. Return in September and review the situation. If Iran is still a no-go zone (for independent travel) then I'll onward air-freight to either Ankara or Istanbul; head across to Georgia /Armenia before looping back through Turkey → Bulgaria, then south → into Greece for some late summer sunshine .. on a beach!


-----------------------------------------------

There is, however, a third option:

Plan C

Q. Are there any other overlanders out there willing to share the cost of a local Iranian guide? Duration about 18 days – starting mid-late September. Itinerary:

Ferry from Sharjah, UAE to Bandar Abbas, Iran.

Bandar Abbas → Shiraz → Persepolis → Abarkouh → Yazd → Na’in (Naein) → Isfahan → Abyaneh Village / Kashan → Qom → Tehran → Ramsar (Caspian Sea) → Rasht → Tabriz → Norduz.

Exit Iran at Norduz into Armenia.

Anyone interested?

.
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Last edited by Keith1954; 4 Mar 2014 at 14:35.
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  #47  
Old 4 Mar 2014
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Hi to all...
Hardly waiting for some new experiences about the guide ...just recently asked STAN-TOURS and they told me as some of you wrote- you can not go to Iran with your motorcycle...

I am planning a trip from Slovenia across the countries to Turkey, Iran, Turkmenistan and upwards to Pamir and Kazakhstan, Russia, Mongolia, Russia - - -HOME
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  #48  
Old 5 Mar 2014
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I just got my MFA code via Stantours this week and I am applying for my Iranian visa in Canberra on Friday. There is no mention on the application regarding method of transport...
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  #49  
Old 5 Mar 2014
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Car or Bike??

GRTZ,

JP
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  #50  
Old 5 Mar 2014
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I wonder what the deal with transit visas is. I'm pretty sure that all the Turkish / Kazakh / Afghan truck drivers hauling goods across Iran are not taking guides??
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  #51  
Old 5 Mar 2014
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Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Hi all!
I have contacted the MFA of Iran in Tehran and talked to the person responsible for the visas / residence permits of us foreigners (non-diplomats) here.
She checked with the other departments in the ministry and then told me frankly that there is absolutely NO legal requirement to employ a tour guide for entrants with vehicles!!
She said, upon applying for the visa the applicant shall name brand and plate of the vehicle as well as point of entry plus have a CdP (!) - and that's all!!

Hope this decreases the uncertainty - and increases the interest in coming to visit this amazing country!!

Greets from (as almost always) sunny Tehran,

Daniel
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  #52  
Old 5 Mar 2014
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Great news. I guess we just keep quiet about the vehicle, then once in Iran, everything is normal... unless you have a British or Canadian passport.

Applying for my authorisation tonight.
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  #53  
Old 5 Mar 2014
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Quote:
Originally Posted by danielsprague View Post
... unless you have a British or Canadian passport.
What should be wrong/abnormal with British or Canadian Passports?
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  #54  
Old 5 Mar 2014
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FLH80 View Post
What should be wrong/abnormal with British or Canadian Passports?

They are now subject to the same restrictions as Americans, must be on a tour.

Just remember don't blame the Iranian government, blame the yanks, and the UK/Canadian governments as their closest allies for their dubious foreign policy.
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  #55  
Old 6 Mar 2014
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Americans etc.
@liammons:
When I asked the responsible lady in the MFA here in Tehran she made no restriction regarding nationality of the travelers.
To my knowledge only groups of tourist travelling through Iran (as soon as you need a bus to travel, i.e. more than 5 foreigners) need a tour guide, as buses are regularly subject to controls in the country.
But individual travelers - no matter of which nationality - are not restricted in this regard.
Nevertheless, I will have a double check on Sunday (now the offices are closed due to weekend) and keep you posted.
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  #56  
Old 6 Mar 2014
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Hi Daniel

Have a look at this thread and the links to the Lonely Planet and Trip Advisor Forums...

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...s-aiming-74847

Also this thread:

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntre...63656#21263656
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  #57  
Old 6 Mar 2014
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MFA
I've talked to MFA staffs in Tehran and here is summary of their answer :
At the moment British and Canadians have to go on organized tours or hire a guide just for themselves like Americans and since about 10 days ago this rule came into effect. So this means no more independent travellers from mentioned nationalities.
BUT they mentioned other nationalities still can get the visa and travel to Iran by their own vehicle, indeed officially a guide is required if entering on your own vehicle, but nobody checks and you should be alright if you don't mention it as many others did the same process in the past years.

Greetings !
Last edited by soleyman; 6 Mar 2014 at 10:27. Reason: Re correcting the information
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  #58  
Old 6 Mar 2014
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Organized Tours
Hi,
I have checked with the MFA again as well as with the Embassy in Germany:
"Organized Tour" or "Tour Guide" or "Travel Agency" does not necessarily mean that you have to join a group or that you have to accept company by a guide in person.
They informed me that what US-, British, Canadian citizens could also do is to contact a Travel Agency in Iran, let them have the travel details (Name, Passport number, make of vehicle, license plate, point of entry, planned route etc.) and they will send a note (certainly not without fees) to the border police (its recommended to have a copy with you for confirmation).
With this the traveler may enter and travel without further restrictions in the sense of Tour Guide company...
As many of the visa applicants (even Americans, Brits, Canadians) use an Travel Agencies anyhow to get their reference number from the MFA for the visa, this step should be done by the agency.
All in a nutshell: Tour Guide is not a person on your rear seat, it's rather a form or letter in your wallet!
The rest is up to case by case negotiation with the guy in charge!
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  #59  
Old 6 Mar 2014
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FLH80 View Post
Hi,
I have checked with the MFA again as well as with the Embassy in Germany:
"Organized Tour" or "Tour Guide" or "Travel Agency" does not necessarily mean that you have to join a group ...
Thank you for doing your best to clear-up the situation Daniel. Your information is very valuable.

All the best

Keith
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  #60  
Old 6 Mar 2014
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FLH80 View Post
She said, upon applying for the visa the applicant shall name brand and plate of the vehicle as well as point of entry plus have a CdP (!) - and that's all!!
Thanks Daniel. That's really helpful and good news. Sorry if I'm making you state the obvious - but does this mean that no carnet is required after all?
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