British tour operator launching escorted ski trips to Iran

British ski tour operator, Mountain Heaven, is planning some escorted ski trips to Iran next winter.

Mountain Heaven’s Managing Director, Nick Williams, will lead two eight-day tours to the resorts of Dizin, Shemshak and Darbandsar in the Alborz Mountains.

According to Mountain Heaven’s website, there will be two escorted holidays for 2017 with 8 full days in Iran for up to 20 people for each trip. The first arrival date in Tehran will be Saturday 25th February 2017 (leaving Friday 24th February 2017 and flying back out on the morning of Sunday the 5th March) and the second arrival date will be Sunday 5th March (leaving the UK on Saturday the 4th March and flying back out on Monday 13th March).”

The cost per person of the 8 day trip is £1100pp based on a twin/double bedded room. The cost includes accommodation, guiding and some meals but not international flights or an Iranian visa.

In March, Nick Williams travelled to Iran and skied the resorts near Tehran, posting updates on the Mountain Heaven blog and Facebook page as he goes at www.facebook.com/MountainHeavenLtd and on the company’s website to see what skiing and hospitality is like in this previously closed country.

“Although visas are still required there has been significant progress towards opening up the country to tourism. It’s not without pitfalls though, so the safety net of a group, organized by a bonded tour operator, will give curious skiers the chance to concentrate on enjoying the skiing, the renowned Iranian culture, some fantastic food and a very warm welcome! I’ll be leading the groups myself and I’m greatly looking forward to showing off this little known ski gem,” said Nick.

British travel agencies have been promoting Iran as an exotic destination since last July, when the landmark nuclear accord was signed between Tehran and the six major world powers.

The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office relaxed its travel warning for Iran a week after the signing of the deal, and Britain reopened its embassy in Tehran the following August.

British Airways is resuming flights from Heathrow to Tehran this summer, with a six-time weekly service starting on July 14.

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