STANFORD TRAVEL/STUDY Images of IRAN MOSQUES AND MONUMENTS OF PERSIA April 13 to 29, 2012 a program of the stanford alumni association Few countries in the world spark the imagination — or create misconceptions — in the minds of Americans as does Iran. In the past six years, Stanford has led numerous groups of educational travelers to this cultural and historical gem, and time and again, they return with stories of the country’s amazing sights and of the Iranian people’s incredible warmth and hospitality. “Eye- opening,” “humbling,” “extraordinary” and “not to be missed” are just some of the glowing terms Stanford travelers have used to describe this exceptional destination. Join us and Iran expert Shahzad Bashir in 2012 as we delve deep into a country that is at once full of — and ever on the verge of making — history. We hope you join us. Brett S. THOMpson, ’83, Director, Stanford Travel/Study PERSEPOLIS ENTRANCE GATE Highlights VIEW priceless archaeo- STROLL through PONDER the past logical treasures, including peaceful gardens where amid the ruins of legend- the Iranian crown jewels Sufi poets meditated in ary Persepolis, Darius I’s and a collection of rare medieval times, and marvel ceremonial capital and miniatures, in the muse- at the tiled mosques and one of the best-preserved ums of Tehran. squares of Esfahan. sites remaining from the ancient world. KHAJU BRIDGE ON THE ZAYANDEH RIVER, ESFAHAN Caspian Sea Tus Mashhad Tehran I RA N Esfahan Yazd Pasargad Kerman Persepolis Mahan Persian Shiraz Gulf Rayen Wednesday, APRIL 18 bathhouse museum, depart by MASHHAD / TUS coach for Yazd, passing through Itinerary Take a day trip to Tus and visit many pistachio orchards and the mausoleum and birthplace stopping at a picturesque Friday & Saturday, APRIL 13 & 14 of Ferdowsi, one of Iran’s most caravanserai en route. MOSHIR DEPART U.S. / famous poets and author of TEHRAN, IRAN GARDEN HOTEL (B,L,D) Depart on an overnight flight the epic poem, Shahnameh. HOMA HOTEL MASHHAD (B,L,D) to Iran, arriving late Saturday Sunday, APRIL 22 evening or early Sunday morning, YAZD THursday, APRIL 19 Once a major stop on the and transfer to our hotel. MASHHAD / KERMAN LALEH HOTEL Visit the Khawje Rabie caravan routes to Central mausoleum and cemetery, then Asia and India, Yazd contains Sunday & Monday, APRIL 15 & 16 fly to Kerman and view the city’s some of the finest examples of TEHRAN traditional Persian architecture. Enjoy two full days in Iran’s many ancient monuments, which Visit the 14th-century Friday vibrant capital city, concentrating reflect the various cultures and Mosque with its elegant portal on its world-class museums. dynasties that have ruled here and dazzling tile work, as well Visit the Archaeological over the centuries, including as the beautiful Dowlatabad Museum with its fine collection Arabs, Buyids, Seljuks and Gardens. Learn about the area’s of treasures from Persepolis; Mongols. PARS HOTEL (B,L,D) Zoroastrian history and visit the the Reza Abbasi Museum with Atashkadeh, a fire temple whose its dazzling array of Persian Friday, APRIL 20 KERMAN / RAYEN / sacred flame is said to have miniatures; and the Bank Milli MAHAN remained burning since 470 AD. Iran, which exhibits the precious Travel outside Kerman to MOSHIR GARDEN HOTEL (B,L,D) Iranian crown jewels. LALEH Rayen, a preserved medieval HOTEL (B,L,D—BOTH DAYS) city molded from the red clay Monday, APRIL 23 of the surrounding desert. After YAZD / PASARGAD / Tuesday, APRIL 17 lunch drive to Mahan, the final SHIRAZ TEHRAN / MASHHAD resting place of the Sufi saint Drive to Shiraz, stopping Fly to Mashhad, a holy city and and poet, Shah Nematollah Vali, en route in Pasargad where place of pilgrimage for Shi’ite who died in the 15th century. the white limestone tomb of Muslims from around the world. PARS HOTEL (B,L,D) Cyrrus the Great stands among Visit the shrine complex of the scattered remains of gardens, tomb of Imam Reza, who died Saturday, APRIL 21 palaces and temples. Continue in the 9th century, and view a KERMAN / YAZD to Shiraz and enjoy dinner at After a morning exploration of rich library of manuscripts and our hotel. HOMA HOTEL (B,L,D) handwritten books. HOMA HOTEL Kerman’s bazaar and a former MASHHAD (B,L,D) Caspian Sea Tus Mashhad Tehran I RA N Esfahan Yazd Pasargad Kerman Persepolis Mahan Persian Shiraz Rayen Gulf NASIR AL-MULK MOSQUE, SHIRAZ Tuesday, APRIL 24 from 1598 to 1722. Begin SHIRAZ / PERSEPOLIS in the Maydan-e Shah, or Spend the morning exploring What to Royal Square, stopping at the monumental ruins at the exquisitely tiled Lotfallah Persepolis, the city begun by Expect Mosque, the Ali Qapu Palace Darius I in the 6th century BC and the towering portal of and destroyed by Alexander Past travelers report that Iranians the Shah Mosque. Visit the Great in 330 BC. Examine are very curious about, and ex- three of the five bridges that tremely welcoming of, American this archaeological wonder’s cross the Zayandeh River, tourists. Travel in Iran does re- major ruins, including the Gate including the beautiful two- quire an open mind and a sense of All Nations, the Hall of a story Khaju Bridge. Celebrate of adventure, and all participants Hundred Columns and the the end of our journey at a are expected to adhere to local Treasury. Continue to nearby farewell dinner. ABBASI HOTEL customs and laws, details of Naghsh E Rostam with its which will be sent to registered (B,L,D—BOTH DAYS) elaborately carved tombs. travelers. Women in Iran must Return to Shiraz and explore wear a headscarf and loose- Saturday, APRIL 28 its bazaar, one of the finest in ESFAHAN / TEHRAN fitting clothing that fully covers Iran. HOMA HOTEL (B,L,D) Depart Esfahan and drive the arms and legs, and alcoholic back to Tehran, stopping en beverages are strictly prohibited. Wednesday, APRIL 25 route at the mountain village We consider this to be a moder- SHIRAZ / ESFAHAN of Abyaneh where the villagers ately strenuous program that is at Explore Shiraz, the city of times physically demanding and still wear traditional dress. poets, including the Fars busy, with some long travel days. While here, learn about the Museum, the elegant Nasir- Average drive times range from 4 area’s agrarian practices. al-Mulk Mosque and the to 8 hours, with rest stops. Daily Return to Tehran where day- tomb of the celebrated poet excursions may involve one to rooms are reserved until our Hafez. Continue by coach to three miles of walking, often on departure late this evening. Esfahan and check in to our uneven terrain, such as at large LALEH HOTEL—DAYROOMS (B,L,D) historic hotel, a converted archaeological sites or in older city quarters with uneven or un- caravanserai. ABBASI HOTEL Sunday, APRIL 29 paved streets. In many instances, (B,L,D) TEHRAN / U.S. stairs do not have handrails, Depart Tehran on late-evening and most buildings do not have THursday & Friday, or early-morning flights back APRIL 26 & 27 elevators. Participants must be ESFAHAN to the U.S. physically fit and in active good Enjoy two full days exploring health. We welcome travelers this beautiful city, Iran’s capital 15 years of age and older on this program. NOT INCLUDED Information International and U.S. domestic airfare Passport fees Visa fees for non-U.S. citizens DATES Immunization costs Meals and beverages April 13 to 29, 2012 (17 days) other than those specified as included Private transfers Trip-cancellation/interruption and SIZE baggage insurance Excess-baggage charges Limited to 35 participants Personal items such as email, telephone and fax calls, laundry and gratuities for COST* nongroup services $7,895 per person, double occupancy $9,195 per person, single occupancy AIR ARRANGEMENTS *Association nonmembers add $200 per person International and U.S. domestic airfare is not included in the program cost. Round- INCLUDED trip, economy-class airfare on Lufthansa 14 nights of best-available hotel Airlines from San Francisco to Tehran is accommodations, plus use of a dayroom approximately $1,342 as of June 2011 and is in Tehran on April 28 14 breakfasts, 14 subject to change without notice. Information lunches and 14 dinners Visa fees for U.S. on recommended flight itineraries will be sent citizens Bottled water on excursions and at by our designated agent. all group meals Gratuities to porters, guides and drivers for all group services Internal flights within Iran All tours and excursions as described in the itinerary Airport transfers and baggage handling for all participants Minimal medical, accident and evacuation insurance Educational program with lecture series and pre- departure materials, including recommended reading list, a selected book, map and travel information Services of our professional tour manager to assist you throughout the program SHAH MOSQUE, ESFAHAN Terms & Conditions Deposit & Final Payment Acts if you postmark your insurance All such losses or expenses will A $1,000 deposit is required to payment within 15 days of the date have to be borne by the passenger hold space for Images of Iran. Final listed on the confirmation letter. as tour rates provide arrangements payment is due 120 days prior to only for the time stated. We reserve departure. Eligibility the right to make such alterations We encourage membership in to this published itinerary as may Cancellations & Refunds the Alumni Association as the be deemed necessary. The right is Deposits and any payments are fully program cost for nonmembers reserved to cancel any program prior refundable, less a $500-per-person is $200 more than the members’ to departure in which case the entire cancellation fee, until 120 days prior price.