Some comments of Kalout travelers

This email is in praise of Meysam who was our guide throughout the ” Best of Iran Tour” by an American agency Nov. 10-21. Being in Iran for the first time was awesome; however, having Meysam, for a guide made it even more special.
He was very knowledgeable about all the sites we visited and shared interesting information with our group. His command of the English language was excellent and therefore he was easy to understand.

Meysam was with us from the first day to the last and really looked out for us. He treated us with great respect and professionalism; no question was unanswered.
He went out of his way to show us interesting local sites like a special coffee house or take us to the merchants that had the best quality and price for what we were looking to buy.
We just wished he was with us every step of the way and stayed in the same hotel as we did. His input really made for a rewarding trip.
D. Petronis

Had a great trip. Our tour guide was absolutely fantastic, Meysam made the trip.
Would have liked more time in the south, Shiraz, as I was told there was quite a lot to see there that we missed. Also although it was a nice thought Iran is a little bit advanced for gifts like pens and pencils to be given out to the children.
I took a large assortment of items but found few opportunities to give items out, unlike say in mid Africa where the children and schools are ill supplied.
Thank you very much for the opportunity to visit such a interesting country.
I would certainly recommend your agency for anyone I might have interested in Iran.
Sincerely,
Ch. Bolton

UNESCO World Heritage

Read more

Lut Desert named World Heritage Site

Iran expedition to explore new UNESCO World Heritage Site;

Today, on 17 July 2016, eight new sites of global importance were inscribed to UNESCO’s World Heritage List including the Lut desert (the Dasht-e-Lut) in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

“Our Lut team has a few places remaining this October and we welcome applications from anyone with a fit and healthy lifestyle who is keen to join this tough desert trek through an environment recognized by UNESCO as being of global importance.”

The Lut: Nine interesting facts:
1. Hottest place on earth

Iran’s Lut desert is home to the hottest recorded spot on the earth surface according to NASA’s satellite data of land surface temperature. 70.7°C was recorded there in 2005 and the Lut has taken the hottest top spot on several annual occasions since.
2. World-first crossing on foot in 2015

A Secret Compass expedition team was the first group ever to traverse Iran’s Lut desert on foot, as featured in National Geographic magazine in May 2016 by award-winning photojournalist Mark Stratton. Marco Polo is alleged to have visited the region in 1271, and Wilfred Thesiger visited in 1964.
3. Yardang formations

Between June and October, the Lut desert is swept by strong winds which transport sediment and cause erosion on a colossal scale causing spectacular ex aeolian yardang formations – vast corrugated ridges also known as kaluts. The yardangs are described by UNESCO as ‘an exceptional example of ongoing geological processes’ and form the longest yardang system in the world at 120km long and 80km wide. Some can reach 80m in height.
4. Silk Road links

The expedition team will pass through key Silk Road locations. The nearby city of Bam was the crossroads of important trade routes from east to west from the seventh to eleventh centuries.
5. Sand dunes and star dunes

The terrain and geological features of the Lut desert include unusual sand dunes, wind-sculpted star dunes and salt plains and polygons, vestiges of former seas and inland lakes.
6. Meteorites

The Lut desert has been classified as having high potential for finding meteorites due to its persistently dry climate. A small collection known as the Valley of Meteorites has already been discovered.
7. Salt plains in the desert

In the central Lut lie massive flat plains where saltwater has accumulated and been evaporated by the ferocious sun leaving various shapes over the barren landscape. This expedition does not pass the plains but explores a former inland lake whose evaporated banks offer a similar example.
8. The city of Kerman

Kerman is one of Iran’s oldest cities and was once the staging point for traders passing between Persia and the Indian Subcontinent. The Secret Compass team will fly from Tehran to Kerman to begin their Lut desert traverse expedition.
9. New UNESCO World Heritage Site

As at July 2016, the Lut desert became one of the world’s newest UNESCO-inscribed heritage spots for its unique desert environment, its rock paintings and its natural sand dunes and formations.

Iran Lut Desert | Earth hottest place

,

The hottest place on Earth as of 2005 is in the Lut Desert in Iran at 70.7 degrees Celsius. This inviting region is abiotic – meaning without life; not even bacteria have been found. The specific hot zone, covering 480 square kilometers is called Gandom Beriyan (the toasted wheat). The high temperatures are party as a result of the dried, black lava rock which absorbs the heat of the desert sun – kind of like walking across a 480 kilometer bed of coals! Kilometers and kilometers of mountains and sand fill corridors between high ridges of rock and 150 meter tall sand dunes.

Coming in at a distant second for hottest place on Earth is Death Valley in California reaching up to 56.6 degrees Celsius on occasion. El Azizia in Northern Africa reached a blistering 66 degrees Celsius in 1922.

Some of you may be wondering what effect global warming is having on the hottest temperatures on the planet. All the national science institutes of the major industrial countries agree that it is happening. Estimates are that the climate will rise in temperature from between 1.1 to 6.4 degrees Celsius over the 21st century. Expect these records to get broken.

ITB Berlin 2016

ITB Berlin is the world’s largest tourism trade fair. The ITB Berlin takes place annually in March at the Messe Berlin.
Each year the ITB welcomes around 10,000 exhibitors from more than 180 countries and regions.
We, Aftab Kalout Travel Agency, a responsible tour operator located in Iran, like every year, would attend at ITB from 2016 to ptesent our uniqueness and professional services to all of our colleagues, tourism professionals and passionate travelers from all over the world.
We are eagerly waiting to welcome you with our open arms at ITB Berlin Hall No.

ITB Berlin 2014

ITB Berlin is the world’s largest tourism trade fair. The ITB Berlin takes place annually in March at the Messe Berlin.
Each year the ITB welcomes around 10,000 exhibitors from more than 180 countries and regions.
We, Aftab Kalout Travel Agency, a responsible tour operator located in Iran, like every year, would attend at ITB from 2014 to ptesent our uniqueness and professional services to all of our colleagues, tourism professionals and passionate travelers from all over the world.
We are eagerly waiting to welcome you with our open arms at ITB Berlin Hall No.

ITB Berlin 2012

ITB Berlin is the world’s largest tourism trade fair. The ITB Berlin takes place annually in March at the Messe Berlin.
Each year the ITB welcomes around 10,000 exhibitors from more than 180 countries and regions.
We, Aftab Kalout Travel Agency, a responsible tour operator located in Iran, like every year, would attend at ITB from 2012 to ptesent our uniqueness and professional services to all of our colleagues, tourism professionals and passionate travelers from all over the world.
We are eagerly waiting to welcome you with our open arms at ITB Berlin Hall No.

ITB Berlin 2009

ITB Berlin is the world’s largest tourism trade fair. The ITB Berlin takes place annually in March at the Messe Berlin.
Each year the ITB welcomes around 10,000 exhibitors from more than 180 countries and regions.
We, Aftab Kalout Travel Agency, a responsible tour operator located in Iran, like every year, would attend at ITB from 2009 to ptesent our uniqueness and professional services to all of our colleagues, tourism professionals and passionate travelers from all over the world.
We are eagerly waiting to welcome you with our open arms at ITB Berlin Hall No.

ITB Berlin 2008

ITB Berlin is the world’s largest tourism trade fair. The ITB Berlin takes place annually in March at the Messe Berlin.
Each year the ITB welcomes around 10,000 exhibitors from more than 180 countries and regions.
We, Aftab Kalout Travel Agency, a responsible tour operator located in Iran, like every year, would attend at ITB from 2008 to ptesent our uniqueness and professional services to all of our colleagues, tourism professionals and passionate travelers from all over the world.
We are eagerly waiting to welcome you with our open arms at ITB Berlin Hall No.