MIDDLEEASTOMAN 72 " The soul of the tour was the tour leader who took us to interesting eating spots and opened our eyes. He showed passion and empathy for the local people." Marna Struwig middle east Arabian Quest Imaginative Facts Tour code: ETAQ • Activities: Extensive walking at sites • Accommodation: 7 nights tourist class hotels, 1 night tented camp • Transport: Buses, 4WD jeeps • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader, Omani Local guide DAY 1: MUSCAT- Arrive and transfer to your hotel. ( B) DAY 2: MUSCAT- Enjoy a city tour of Muscat including the Grand Mosque and the colourful Muttrah souq. ( B) DAY 3: SUR - TURTLE BEACH- Take an exciting off road journey along the scenic coast to the ancient port of Sur. The nearby beach is famed for its green turtle conservation project and this evening we may witness them make their solitary journey up the sands to lay their eggs. ( BLD) DAY 4: WAHIBA SANDS- After visiting the fascinating Dhow yards we drive to the beautiful oasis of Wadi Bani Khalid before continuing to our desert campsite in the Wahiba Sands for a camel ride and hopefully a spectacular sunset from the top of the dunes. Enjoy a BBQ dinner under the stars. ( BLD) DAY 5: WAHIBA SANDS - JEBEL AKHDAR-Explore the desert on a roller coaster 4WD with a Bedouin guide. Enjoy the hospitality of a local Bedouin family in their home. Head to the surprisingly lush heights of Jebel Akhdar, the ' green mountain', one of Oman's most spectacular regions. ( BLD) DAY 6: JEBEL AKHDAR- Enjoy a short trek at Wadi Habib past intricate terraces clinging seemingly impossibly to the hillside, mud houses that are still occupied and fertile fruit plantations. ( BLD) DAY 7: NIZWA- Drive to Nizwa, the former capital city, famed for its historical buildings, imposing fort and bustling souq. ( B) DAY 8: AL HOOTA - AL HAJAR - MUSCAT-Visit the second largest natural caves in the world at Al Hoota. Continue to Al Hamra to experience traditional Omani daily life including Qahwa ( coffee) grinding and the making of perfumes. A real once- in- a- lifetime experience. Travel through the dramatic Al Hajar Mountains to the awe- inspiring Snake Gorge. We take a short trek through the wadi before returning to Muscat. ( BLD) DAY 9: MUSCAT- Tour ends. ( B) The perfect destination - culture, desert, mountains and beach • Enjoy the exotic sights and sounds of Muscat and ancient Nizwa • Take a 4WD through the desertat Wahiba Sands with a Bedouin guide • Explore the Jebel Akhdar and Al Hajar mountain ranges • Experience traditional Omani life with a local family • Visit the endangered green turtlesat a beach near Sur Oman Oman Muscat Sur Wahiba Sands Nizwa Al Hajar Al Hoota Jebel Akhdar Arabian Quest Iran Ancient Persia in Depth Mashad Extension Tehran Mashad ZanjanTus Sanandaj Esfahan Hamadan Kermanshah Qom KashanAbyaneh Village Natanz Yazd Kerman Shiraz Pasargad Single Supplement £ 620 ( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 13.32 * Price includes tour price of £ 1249and local payment of US$ 300All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 1399pp Land Only * traveller Tour duration 9 days © Imaginative Traveller © Imaginative Traveller Starts SatEnds Sun MuscatMuscat 2009 12- Sep- 0920- Sep- 09 21- Nov- 0929- Nov- 09 Starts SatEnds Sun MuscatMuscat 2010 27- Feb- 1007- Mar- 10 11- Sep- 1019- Sep- 10 20- Nov- 1028- Nov- 10 new tour for 2009 We can also offer Extra Accommodation, Adventure Travel Insurance& Flights Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243

IRAN 73 MIDDLEEAST Ancient Persia in Depth Imaginative Facts Tour code: ITAN • Activities: Extensive walking at sites • Accommodation: 13 nights tourist class hotels, 1 night sleeper train • Transport: Private air- conditioned bus, sleeper train, local boats • Fully Escorted: By leader/ guide • Imaginative Traveller Suggests: See more of Iran by adding our ' Mashad Extension' DAY 1: TEHRAN- Arrival day. DAY 2: TEHRAN- A morning guided tour of Tehran including a visit to the Shrine of Imam Khomeini. In the evening we board an overnight train to Kerman. ( BD) DAY 3: KERMAN- Enjoy a tour of this well-preserved ancient city with its lively bazaar. In the afternoon we drive to the oasis city of Mahan where we visit the exquisite shrine of the sufi saint Shah Nematollah Vali. ( B) DAY 4: YAZD- Drive through the desert to Yazd, home to many followers of the ancient Persian religion of Zoroastrianism. We visit the Fire Temple, the Towers of Silence and the Wind Towers in the old city. ( B) DAY 5: PASARGAD - SHIRAZ- Continue to Shiraz via Pasargad, the ancient Achaemenian capital. We visit the tomb of Cyrus the Great which dates back more than 2,500 years. ( BD) DAY 6: SHIRAZ - PERSEPOLIS- Morning guided tour of the magnificent remains at Persepolis. In the afternoon we enjoy a guided tour of Shiraz, celebrated for its beauty and the delightful shrines of its famous poets. ( B) DAY 7: ESFAHAN- Drive to Esfahan via the beautiful caravanserai at Izadkhast. In the evening we have a panoramic tour of the old bridges in Esfahan and the chance to visit a traditional teahouse. ( BD) DAYS 8 & 9: ESFAHAN- A World Heritage Site, Esfahan is perhaps the most beautiful of all the cities in Iran, with an abundance of traditional Islamic architecture, ancient mosques, shrines and palaces. We have a full day to explore with our guide followed by a free day to wander through this enchanting city or visit the exotic bazaar to haggle for souvenirs. ( B) DAY 10: NATANZ - ABYANEH VILLAGE-We continue to the village of Abyaneh, stopping on the way to visit the Jame Mosque and the Shrine of Imamzadeh Abdolsamaad in Natanz; a significant example of traditional Persian architecture. Abyaneh is one of the oldest settlements in Iran, and its historic importance has recently been recognized by UNESCO. We enjoy a picnic lunch, followed by a free afternoon to take in the beauty of the architecture and the surrounding scenery. ( BL) DAY 11: KASHAN - QOM - HAMADAN- In the morning we drive to Kashan, a small city built at the site of an oasis. We have the chance to view the city's traditional buildings, such as the Boroujerdi House - originally the home of a samovar merchant - the extensive gardens and atmospheric covered bazaar. Later, we drive to Qom, the second holiest city in Iran, and then continue to Hamadan, which has been inhabited since the second millennium BC. ( B) DAY 12: KERMANSHAH - SANANDAJ-After some time spent exploring Hamadan, we drive to Kermanshah, an important stop on the ancient caravan routes to Baghdad. After a tour of the city which includes some of its most impressive monuments, we continue to Sanandaj. ( B) DAY 13: TAKHT- E SOLEIMAN - ZANJAN-Takht- e Soleiman, the ' Throne of Solomon' is one of Iran's most interesting archaeological sites, where the ruins of a large, fortified settlement have been built around a small lake on a hilltop. It also claims to be the birth place of Zoroaster, founder of the ancient Zoroastrian religion. We visit the site before heading to Zanjan to spend the night. ( B) DAY 14: ZANJAN - TEHRAN- We tour Zanjan, famous for the intricate handicrafts produced by its people; before returning to Tehran via Soltaniyeh and Qazvin. ( BD) DAY 15: TEHRAN- Tour ends. ( B) Enjoy a warm welcome in this little visited yet alluring country • Visit the cities of Tehran, Kerman, Shiraz and holy Qom • Travel through desert sceneryto the oasis cities of Mahan, Yazd and Kashan • Explore the ancient ruins of Persepolis and Takht- e Soleiman • Enjoy two full days in the beautiful World Heritage Site of Esfahan • Meet the incredibly friendly Iranian people Iran Mashad Extension Imaginative Facts Tour code: ITAX • Non- group Tour: For individuals only • Activities: Walking • Accommodation: 1 night tourist class hotel on a twin share basis • Transport: Private transport, plane • Flights: Tehran to Mashad, Mashad to Tehran • Escorted: Services of Imaginative Traveller representatives and guide DAY 15: TEHRAN - MASHAD- Morning flight to Mashad and afternoon guided tour to Tus to visit the huge marble tomb of the great poet Abolqassem Ferdowsi. DAY 16: MASHAD - TEHRAN- Morning guided tour of Mashad. You can visit the tomb of Imam Reza, the 8th Shi'ite Imam and direct descendant of the Prophet Mohammed. The tomb stands in the centre of the city and whilst non- believers are not allowed inside, the collection of opulently decorated buildings that surround the shrine are recognised as one of the wonders of the Islamic world. The afternoon is free to further explore the city before transferring back to the airport for a flight back to Tehran. This extension can only be taken as an add- on to our ' Ancient Persia in Depth' tour. Extend your stay in Iran in this sacred city • Spend time in the city of Mashad, the religious heart of Iran • Opportunity to visit the tomb of Imam Reza, a descendant of Mohammed • Take a guided tour to Tusto visit the Ferdowsi Tomb Single Supplement £ 380 ( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 10.03 * Price includes tour price of £ 1099and local payment of € 350All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 1280pp Land Only * Solo Traveller Supplement £ 140 ( compulsory if you are travelling alone) All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 385pp Land Only traveller traveller Tour duration 15 days Tour duration 2 days Starts SunEnds Sun TehranTehran 2009 29- Mar- 0912- Apr- 09 26- Apr- 0910- May- 09 24- May- 0907- Jun- 09 21- Jun- 0905- Jul- 09 19- Jul- 0902- Aug- 09 13- Sep- 0927- Sep- 09 Starts SunEnds Sun TehranTehran 2010 28- Mar- 1011- Apr- 10 25- Apr- 1009- May- 10 23- May- 1006- Jun- 10 20- Jun- 1004- Jul- 10 18- Jul- 1001- Aug- 10 12- Sep- 1026- Sep- 10 Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243