Iran Guide Situation

[Andrew Susi and the Kids]

Hi all,

We are currently in India, part way through our trip from Australia to the UK. We are now in the process of arranging our Pakistan and Iran Visa's. Does anyone have any recent experience with Iran? We are Australian and are being told that we require a guide to come with us, a recent 'MFS' change in rules.

Would be great to hear of recent experience.

Andrew

[globatrol]

Hi there,

The ever changing game of jumping through hoops! I know of 1 Aussie registered vehicle that crossed Iran in the second half of last year without a guide and 1 Russian vehicle that crossed mid January 2015 also without a guide. Seems the Russians are subject to the same rules regarding Iran but I guess if the rules have changed since January then it's an issue! The Aussies site is - Down Under, Up Over, 2014 - Home - just in incase it's of use..

You could try using the search tab incase you haven't already on the Hubb, there are quite a few hits under this topic.

Hopefully someone can give you a definitive answer!

Anyway nice to see another Australian vehicle heading overland, never know we might see you somewhere on the Med latter this year.

Look forward to hearing how it works out with the guide situation..

Take care and good luck

Globatrol - AUSTRALIANS TRAVELLING OVERLAND FROM VLADIVOSTOK TO THE UK, USA AND SOUTH TO CAPE HORN

[Zapp]

I crossed Iran in December, 2014 on the motorcycle, on the road from Azerbaijan to Pakistan. Independently, without escort.

[Dave Nunns]

As far as I know, it is only UK, USA and Canadian citizens that need a guide through Iran. Everyone else should be ok.

It has been suggested on other threads that the authorities don't check. But is it worth the risk... Time in an Iranian police / prison cell doesn't appeal...

I'll be there May 4th to 15th going West to East (Turkey to Pak) and will report what I find.

Dave

[Wheeliedreams]

I'll be crossing east to west in September, maybe October. Very interested to see what the situation is. Soon!

rtw, from Vancouver, currently in Australia.

[eurasiaoverland]

As has been mentioned endless times on this forum, the need to have a guide is down to your vehicle.

Don't tell your inviting agency about your vehicle = no guide

Only UK, US and Canadians actually need a guide.

[Andrew Susi and the Kids]

Sorry for the delayed reply. The current situation is (entered April, 2015) that all agents are saying that if you declare that you are bringing your own vehicle (bicycle, motorbike or car), a guide is required, I believe irrespective of nationality. We travelled through on second visa attempt without issue (not rejected, just insisting that we would need a guide confirmed before application). Once visa is issued, you are on your way. There are no problems at customs or immigration on the border or at any checkpoints within Iran. We used a very popular agent first, but encountered a very bureaucratic attitude. Switched and not much communication, but approval numbers issued within 10 working days. Let me know if you require details. Andrew

[Bensouthall]

Hey Andrew and other Hubbers,

Would be great to hear your experience and me (UK) and my wife (Aus) want to travel from east to west across Iran in late July.

If there are any others who need to have a guide (UK, US and Canada) from what I read it'd be great to join together so we can share the high cost of a guided trip.

It would reduce our crossing to around 10 days (which seems a real shame with somewhere as amazing as Iran but thats overland travel!)

Drop me a line when you can, good luck!

Ben

[pheasant56]

Hi Ben

My wife and I (both British) are looking to travel through Iran around early August and may be interested in a guide share as we are unable to get a visa without booking a tour.

Have you been in touch with anyone about a guide?

Thanks
Jaime

[Andrew Susi and the Kids]

Hi Ben,
We are keeping a blog at www.mitchellsoverlandadventure.wordpress.com
Let me know if you need any specifics on the Iran situation. I have heard from some very well travelled overlanders that there is no way around the UK, US and Canadian guide position. Good luck with forming up a group. I think that Iran is worth the effort.
Andrew

[Bensouthall]

Hey Jamie

Sorry for the delay in getting back to you! Life on the road is a good enough excuse

I’m very curious to hear if, how and where you applied/will apply for your Pakistan visa? I have tried today at the embassy here in Kathmandu but received a definite ‘no’ from here and only really have Delhi left as an option. Knowing the relationship between India and Pakistan I don’t hold out too much hope!

‘If’ we manage to get ours we were hoping to get through Pakistan around the middle of July as we’ll have spent around two months in India by then and the monsoon will have chased us out I imagine.

Not been in touch with a guide yet but have a couple of companies I’ve approached - Stan Tours and Persian Voyages - a while ago. Will drop them a line again this week,

Send me an email when you can ,

Ben

[pheasant56]

Hi Ben

Apologies I have completely mis-read your previous post. We are going West to East.....

I thought you could only get your Pakistan visa issued from the embassy in your home country which is what we are doing. I'm sure someone else could advise if this is not the case?

I've been been in touch with a couple of people regarding guides for Iran and although it is quite expensive, Iran is on of the countries I really don't want to miss out so I think we are going for it.

Hope you get sorted with your visa, we may end up crossing paths down the road.

Cheers
Jaime

[Uselessbaba]

I’m very curious to hear if, how and where you applied/will apply for your Pakistan visa.......................................


Yep, me too, it appears from the post that you are a Brit and an Aussie applying in Delhi, I would very much like to know how that worked out !

[Andrew Susi and the Kids]

We also attempted to get our Pakistan Visa in Kathmandu. After four visits and two days in the embassy, we cut our losses. It may have been possible, but risking 4-6 weeks for their process and then potentially not having it issued would have caused us some schedule problems. We ended up getting processed in Australia (where we are from) and it was turned around in two days. I have heard that someone had it done in Delhi, but I wouldn't count on it.

[Vince_WA]

Hi Andrew & others - I should have read this thread before submitting a request yesterday to Key2Persia for visa reference numbers for Karen & myself, as we've just ran into the 'guide required' brick wall. Does anyone have any suggestions on reputable alternatives to Key2Persia (next time I'll forget to mention the motorbike).

Thanks in advance,

Vince
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