Indigo Traveller, a vlogger and travel influencer who We are travels to the “misunderstood parts of the planet showing the human side of what we recommended read in the headlines”, has recommended us to travel to Iran with, through his words in his YouTube channel: by Indigo Looking to travel in Iran? Visit this website for information: https://gate-of-nations.org Such an honor to be Traveller! introduced by him! See this video Why Iran? TABLE OF CONTENTS What can you expect from traveling to Iran? With the mainstream media profile of this “just another mid- dle-eastern country”, many may think that they have a 6 Who are we? pretty clear image of Iran. But does the media show you the whole picture of Iran? 8 Why Gate of Nations? These are our choices of 5 top reasons for traveling to Iran: 12 Cultural Tours HISTORY AND ARCHITECTURE. Almost every great city 13 The Week of Persia in Iran has been the capital in a certain period and a rich and colorful history brings with it rich and colorful 17 The Pure Persia historic buildings, palaces and monuments. Even if you The True Persia just consider one element in the history of architecture 21 in Iran, gardens, for example, you can see the history 25 The Perfect Persia reflected in them. There is Taagh Bostan in Kermanshah and Pasargadae Garden as part of the Pasargadae 31 The Mysterious West complex in Fars province from the pre-Islamic era, to 33 A Journey to the Southern Islands Safavid Gardens of Isfahan and Ghajar Gardens and modern gardens of Tehran. Iranian history can be seen 37 On the silk road in palaces and mansions and traditional houses all over the country. Our CULTURAL TOURS covers this most 40 Geo Tours famous reason of traveling to Iran. EXOTIC NATURE. From the lush jungles of the northern 41 The Geo-Archaeo Face of Iran side of Alborz mountain range to the Lut desert, the 45 The Geo Face of Iran’s Islands Masoud Esmaeeli center of which has been recorded as the hottest place on earth, you can find great geographical diversity in 48 Natural Tours FOUNDER & MANAGING DIRECTOR Iran. In our GEO-TOURS we will show you the natural With a knowledge on financial accounting and tourism phenomena you have rarely seen! 49 The Spectacular North management, Masoud Esmaeeli founded Gate of Nations PEOPLE. A cliché about Iran is right: the exuberant hos- in 2018. Knowing where to invest and put his asset, he pitality. Whether an invitation to chai (the Persian word 52 Active Tours for tea) or to dinner – the Iranians want to take care soon began to base the company’s development on the of everything. The famous Persian kindness will surely 53 Damavand Volcano 5671 meter gathering of a team- reliable, potent, creative, each expert touch you. Most Persians are incredibly generous. Our 55 Biking in Persia in what they do and with a desire to experience more and TOURS are a chance to mingle with people and locals in more (know more about our team on page 72). homestays and local houses. 57 Skiing in Iran! FOOD. “If you’re in a big city go for complicated foods, Moreover, as a lover of Persian culture and art (He plays 59 Trekking in Alborz range the piano and knows the Persian Traditional Radifs: the those in which the cook should be experienced not those which are based on the freshness of ingredients. collection of old Persian melodies), he is leading Gate of And if you were in a village, go for the simplest and 62 Daily Tours Nation’s vision to be a united organization, introducing freshest dishes.” I guess this can be true everywhere but 63 Daily Excursion to Alisadr Persian music by holding concerts and tours, Persian ar- in Iran, it means that you can find heavy Beryun in Isfa- tifacts, cousins, and other artistic aspects of Iran, because han or when you are in golden beaches of the Persian 64 Daily Excursion to Bishapur Ancient Site we are a “Gate” to the great land of Persia. Gulf you can get a bite of the freshest fish; or pure or- 65 Daily Excursion Around Mount Damavand ganic honey and butter for your breakfast in Azarbaijan. Direct Contact: [email protected] We take care of your stomach wherever you go! 66 Daily Excursion to Maranjab Desert SAFETEY. “Iran is generally a very safe place to travel, so much so that many travelers describe it as the ‘safest 67 Daily Excursion to Kharanaq Village and country I’ve ever been to’, or ‘much safer than traveling Chek-Chek Zoroastrians Temple in Europe’. Violent crime against foreigners is extremely rare and, indeed, if you do your best to fit in with local 68 An Excursion to Visit the Old Face of Capital customs, you are unlikely to be treated with anything 69 An Excursion To Visit the Modern Face but courtesy and friendliness – that applies to Ameri- cans, too. We have hitchhiked across deserts, stayed in of the Capital the homes of strangers and left bags in restaurants and cafes without any problem”. Says Lonely Planet, now 70 Daily Excursion to Qazvin one of the most reliable sources for the travelers. Check also Travel Risk Map to be sure of it: https://www.travel- 71 Testimonial riskmap.com/#/planner/map/security. OUR FIRST AND 73 Gate of Nations’ Other Services FORMOST CONCERN IS YOURS SAFETY. 74 Our Team 4 [email protected] www.gate-of-nations.com 5 Gate of Nations is a German-Iranian tour oper- of Nations, named after an ancient gate for wel- ator providing escorted tours and self-guided coming guests from the whole world to the tours with the destination of Iran and even famous paradise of Persepolis, consists of our more, its neighboring countries. main office located in Germany and the young With the precision and the sense of responsibil- aspiring team working in our office in Tehran, ity you could expect from the Germans, we Iran. guarantee the complete safety, ease of booking and traveling, and affordable prices. Gate 6 [email protected] www.gate-of-nations.com 7 Why Gate of Nations? CUSTOMIZED TOUR ple, in the case of bankruptcy, the payments will be with years of experience in their fields. Our tour operators and itinerary planners, experts refunded or if insolvency occurs after the start of the Best Hotels and Accommodations package holiday and if the transportation is part of The benefit of having us at your side is summarized at what they do, will customize the best tours based Passengers will be accommodated in suitable cen- in the fact that we are one team in Germany and Iran. on the tourists’ specific preferences. No matter how the package, the return of passengers is guaranteed. trally-located three-star or four-star hotels. Gate of This, mostly, results in cheaper prices due to doing long it takes and how many revisions it needs, the Nations also presents local and traditional homestays, OUR SERVICES AND STANDARDS the services ourselves, and better quality due to result of their efforts will always be to the passengers’ caravanserais and eco-lodges throughout Iran, which having a thorough knowledge of the tourism of Iran. satisfaction. Variety of Tours are one of the best options for self-guided tours. The Moreover, there is no trouble transferring money We are proud to present our guests the best variety stay in VALUING THE PASSENGERS’ MONEY between the two countries, which unfortunately of tours, from the Iranian classic ones to tours de- These accommodations will be among the highlights many tour operators face these days. Variety of tours We are one team in Germany and Iran. We are signed for specific tastes and interests like wildlife of the trips, for the passengers will experience very and first-hand knowledge of Iran are also among the free of the need to make contact with mediators. That fans, geology, sport, and adventure. Our tours are different moments deeply rooted in the culture of advantages. makes us be able to give the cheapest prices all the the products of hours and hours of discussions and Iran. - Here is a complete list of what we can offer you time. As about valuing money, the whole company of collaborations by some of the best itinerary planners Expert and Local Tour Guides as a German-Iranian tour operator: Gate of Nations is insured by R + V Allgemeine and experts in the related subject, some of whom are Our tour guides have been specially trained as guides Versicherung AG per § 651r of the BGB. So for exam- among the famous and reliable practitioners in Iran, 8 [email protected] www.gate-of-nations.com 9 and leaders and will be assisted by local guides if nec- EASE OF BOOKING FROM GERMANY essary. Among them are specially experienced tour Most of the tour operators based in Iran face some leaders with years of experience of leading German troubles in transferring money due to the unfortunate tourists to Iran and working for well-known German sanctions; However, by being located in Germany and agencies. Furthermore, our cohort of tour guides providing the service from there, Gate of Nations has includes a variety of people able to handle different provided ease of booking and purchasing by any glob- types of tours from individuals to group tours. ally accepted means of purchasing and transference. SAFETY AND SECURITY WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT US It is of utmost importance to provide the passengers a We have received some of the greatest feedback from safe and secure travel experience.