Iran stages itinerary

Stages Iran: The preparation of the itinerary in Iran was not very easy as it is a nation, perhaps the first, very different from our Western culture.

What are the differences: meanwhile, a very heterogeneous territory, including very hot desert areas. There are no ATMs and credit cards, so you only need to have cash and enter with those that are expected to be used for the entire trip. Running out of money, the only possibility is to ask the Italian Embassy for an advance. Another element is the internet, often obscured: it seems that social networks and even Google Maps are not seen; Italian banks have blocked entry into accounts from Iranian providers. Hence, at least partially, it will be necessary to obviate by resorting to VPN connections, where possible.

The stages in Iran as a whole should be about ten, for a total distance of about 3500 km. Of course, Tehran was also included, but not only that.

The other unknown or fear, let’s call it what we want, is the customs entry from Turkey. From reports of other travelers it seems that a real system has been structured to extort money from those who want to cross the border. You are asked for a covid test (which would not be needed), not having it you have to pay. Pseudo officers in uniform show up and ask for your passport and then don’t give it back if you don’t exchange currency with them. In all this, the customs officers agree in how much the proceeds are divided. If you don’t pay, they keep you there for hours and take your bike apart. There are those who, to avoid all this, have passed through Giorgia and Armenia, where customs are quieter there, but the journey time is extended by 3 days.

I will try to pass tomorrow, Monday 23 May 2022, if I arrive in the area at an acceptable time, now I am 200 km away. Otherwise I stop to sleep again in Turkey and spend the following morning (Tuesday), at 6.00 in the morning, hoping that the shirt of controls and “requests” will be a little wider.