Our Iran TV program has inspired many people to ask how they too can travel in Iran. Travel to Iran is as straight forward today as Americans traveling to the USSR was back in the Cold War Days: you must get a visa which is granted only if you take a tour.
In spite of many requests, I am not interested in organizing tours to Iran myself. There are already plenty of fine, well-established companies that do that. Each work with Iranian ground operators and have a different style. With this page I let other tour organizers connect with our travelers.
I do not endorse any of these organizations. These companies are listed at their request. (Tour companies interested in joining this list, please email ashley@ricksteves.com with a 20 word description of your company and your web address.)
For more information, the most comprehensive and up to date book for learning about Iran from a traveler's point of view is the excellent Lonely Planet Iran. The U.S. Department of State also has a travel warning page that lays out the U.S. government's official position on travel to Iran.
We hope this is helpful for people inspired to see Iran for themselves.
Best wishes,
Rick
Abdi was my partner in our "Rick Steves Iran" TV production. He will personally lead a few tours and delegations to Iran in 2010 and 2011.
A Seattle-based company helpful to Rick in planning his shoot, has led several annual Iran tours for years.
Join Distant Horizons, pioneers in travel to Iran since 1997, on a scholar-led program through this country of soaring minarets.
Far Horizons has been in business since 1983 and has been sending groups to Iran since 1999. Take a look at their 17 day tour.
Geographic Expeditions was the first American company to run trips to Iran after the 1979 revolution and still sets the highest standards for group and custom-tailored travel to Iran.
Norma Lee Nichols-Mahdavi, an American sociologist who has lived in Iran, speaks Farsi and has considerable experience traveling to Iran, offers safe, enlightening and affordable experiences to travelers who wish to visit Iran.
At Iran Traveler we are Americans and Iranians who support and help arrange individual & group travel to Iran for US citizens and residents who want to experience the real Iran for themselves and help build bridges of citizen diplomacy between Iran and the USA.
With 22 years of experience, Seattle-based MIR Corporation offers creative small group tours and handcrafted private journeys to Iran and throughout Central Asia.
You may know us as Travel Concepts International, celebrating 25 years of travel to "forbidden" destinations. We'll make your trip to Iran a most satisfying, memorable and safe experience. Our small groups of no more than fifteen bring together the best travelers and guides for incredible experiences visiting Iran's fabulous sites and meeting the warm, wonderful Persian people.
The World Affairs Council has been offering tours for more than thirty years. Many trips include access to political leaders and local experts with lecturers accompanying.
Zagros Limited offers tours for travelers who aspire to discover the treasures of Ancient Persia and Modern Iran.