Aslam u Aliekum everyone; few months ago, I posted here about my experience of getting Iranian visa. Now, I am going to share with you about my one month journey to the Iran.I went to the Iran on Nov 17, 2013 and came back on Dec 16,2013. I had a plan to go to the Iran through road from Lahore. So, here was a my plan.From Lahore to the Quetta = Rs 3500. Quetta to the Taftan = Rs 1500
So, I could reach to the Iran in just Rs 5000. But thanks to the Terrorists who blow up my plans.When I bought a ticket for train, bomb blast near Quetta hit train and killed 10 passengers. Later on,Bus going to the Iran was attacked by suicide bomber. Bus remain saved but 3 Para military soldiers were martyred. As a result, My mother didn?t allow me to go to the Iran via road. So, I had to buy a ticket of Shaheen air ways. I paid Rs. 40,000 for return ticket. Just because of the terrorists, I had to pay Rs.30,000 extra for my journey and it sucked.
So, here was a my actual Itinerary.
Lahore to Mashhad = Shaheen Air line return ticket = Rs 40,000
Spend 3 days in Masshad (Visited Holy Shrine of Hazret Imam Ali Raza (Peace be upon him)
Mashhad to Tehran 925 km= Train= 39,000 Toman in 4 seats cabin = Rs 1500
Spend 8 days in Tehran
Tehran to Qom 160 km = Flying coach= 6000 Toman = Rs 250
Spent 2 days in Qom and visited Holy Shrine of Hazret Fatima Masooma (Salam ullah Aliey)
Qom to Isfahan 315 km = Flying coach= 10,000 Toman= Rs 400
Spent 4 days in Isfahan
Isfahan to Shiraz 500 km = Flying coach = 12000 Toman= Rs 450
Spent 4 days in Shiraz
Shiraz to Kerman 570 km = Flying coach = 12000 Toman= Rs 450
Spent 3 days in Kerman
Kerman to Mashhad 920 km = Train (6 seats cabin)= 30,000 Toman= Rs 1100
Spent 5 days in Mashhad
Mashhad to Lahore, Pakistan= Shaheen Airline.So, I spent 29 days in Iran.
Total Cost excluding air ticket = Rs 40,000
Here is a break up for my expenses.
Food Cost = Rs 15000
Traveling within Iran (Train,Coach,Local Buses, Taxi & Metro train ) = Rs 6000
Entrance Fee in different historical places (It's suck, because it is many times more to Foreigners ) = Rs 10,000
I stayed 8 days in hotels ( Rs 800 each night in Qom & Shiraz) = Rs 6400
Misc. expenses = 2500
My TOTAL EXPENSES = Rs 40,000 for 29 days.I travelled alone, hence I spent that amount. Simple rule apply here too. More friends, less expenses. If I had any friend or friends with me then my expenses would be lower.
I visited the 6 cities and lived with local Iranians and observed following main points.
1) People are friendly and warm hearted except minority baloch people of Kerman and majority baloch people in the Zahidan cities.
2) Females are graceful and beautiful. They have the dominance in that society. They love to change their hair color into the Blonde. They are fashionable and elegant. Inside the house, they don?t wear Abbaya or cover their heads. They like to wear jeans or tights. When they go out side of the house, then they cover their body with scarf and mantos/long caot other wise, inside the house?.they live in their own way.
3) In Iran, public buses had two portions. Front portion is for men and back portion is for females. It is very convenient to travel in the public buses. Men are not allowed to enter into the Female section but Females are allowed to sit in the men?s section if female portion is already full. Number of females every where is much more than males.
4) Interaction with females in the Iranian society is easy. Any man can talk to any female there without any problem. In the same way, Females do talk to the males without any hesitation but they don?t shake the hands with each other .
5) Iranians are friendly to each other too and do care of each other in the daily life.
6) In Tehran, traffic is terrible because there are many cars on the roads?..so, every road remain full and jam. It takes many hours to reach from one place to the another in the Tehran but metro underground train system is excellent. It can take you in the short time. Metro train remains full of the people (females and males) from morning till the night. I loved to travel in it. In other cities, traffic is much better. Local and inter cities bus services are also excellent.
7) Iranains love to spend the money. They love to arrange the Parties. They love outings. They love hiking, walking, trekking and camping.
8) Iran is full of the Parks, fountains and beautiful statues on every round about and at important or busy public areas. People love to spend a time in the parks.
9) Iranian nation is a peace loving Nation. They do have ethics and manners which they show in their daily life activities.
10) Clean and Halal food is available every where.
11) Education level is high in Iran. I saw educational institutes full of male and female students.
12) International Travelers including single female travelers are common in the Iran because it is a safe country due to the strict Islamic laws.Iranians hotels and hostels are also safe for females.
13) Safety and security level is excellent in the Iran. I didn?t see any security guard in front of the any bank. Whether it is a day or evening or night or late night. Males and females both are safe. I even didn?t find the police in big number. Only usually, I saw a Traffic police in the Iran or Police in the old part of the Kerman city.
14) Taxi Drivers are Rascals. They try to make you fool and rip you off but bus drivers are friendly. I travelled a lot on the local buses.
15) Bus drivers are friendly.
So, based on my observations??..I would like to recommend every one to visit Iran. If law and order situation gets better in the Balochistan then from Lahore, it just need Rs 5000 to reach in Iran by road. If there are 4/5 friends then they can even take their own car because inside Iran, petrol is between 10-15 RS pr liter. So, quite cheaper and safe traveling inside the Iran. I do hope that my this sharing will be help full for the members and readers