VISA applications now available in UK

Until recently, the Iranian Embassy in London did not offer a visa service for UK citizens and visas had to be obtained via a third party agency at the Iranian Embassy in Dublin or Frankfurt. Whilst a slightly complex process, this remains a possiblilty through specialist visa processing agents such as Travcour. We expect that the process will soon become much simpler as the Iranian Consulate in London announced on 23rd March that they would be commencing a full visa service which we expect to see become fully operational in the very near future.

NOTE: Women, and girls over the age of nine, should wear a headscarf in their visa application photos.

>> Read the latest on the GOV.UK website

NEW! Mount Damavand and the Pearls of Persia

The winds of political change are blowing over the deserts and mountains of Iran. After the FCO lifted advice against travel to most parts of the country in summer 2015, the softening of sanctions and the recent announcement that the Iranian Embassy in London will commence offering a visa service once more, Iran is now firmly back on the travel map. The allure of the highest peak in the Middle East, Mt Damavand, a wealth of cultural treasures and the reputation of its friendly people have meant Iran has long been a destination we have wanted to visit. Now is the time! Join our NEW holiday - Mount Damavand and the Pearls of Persia Sat 02 Sep - Sat 17 Sep 2016

Of course, no KE trip to Iran would be complete without the ascent of the highest peak, and our new tour - Mt Damavand and the Pearls of Persia - includes the ascent of this huge dormant volcano with its lofty summit at 5671m. To maximise the chances of summit success, we are also including a 4 day trek in the stunning neighbouring Alborz Mountains, with an ascent of Iran's second highest peak, Alam Kuh (4850m) as part of the pre-peak training. And of course no trip to Iran would be complete without including visits to the stunning cities of Shiraz, Persepolis and Isfahan, home to some of the greatest treasures of the ancient Islamic world. The Iranian people have a reputation for great friendliness and our first groups are bound to receive a warm welcome.

Why Iran?

"Iran has been a destination we've wanted to visit for a long time - with the highest peak in the Middle East, it was always on our list! Fellow travellers' tales of the friendly people and the mythical status of places like Shiraz, Isfahan and Persepolis had long interested us. Over the last 2 decades the political situation meant that we had been unable to operate holidays here. However, the situation is clearly changing and with the removal of FCO advice against travel, lifting of sanctions and the news about the visa process, we can see that Iran is opening up and we are keen to be there now!" Fiona Marshall - Head of Product