Cox & Kings introduces three new rail journeys in Iran, following the success of its re-introduced group tour in October 2015.

Luxury tour operator Cox & Kings has launched three new Iran rail journeys to its Middle East programme, ranging from a comfortable standard to the truly luxurious. The journeys include 12- or 14-day trips travelling solely within Iran, to an 18-day epic along the Silk Road, beginning in Moscow and ending in Tehran. The itineraries allow travellers to visit areas rarely seen by Western visitors, and some sites that are otherwise difficult to reach.

Cox & Kings have introduced these journeys to build on the success of its recently launched escorted group tour Treasures of Persia.

Cox & Kings' Middle East product manager Michael Fleetwood says “The demand from clients to travel back to Iran has been remarkable. We are reintroducing travel to this dramatic country for the first time since 2011, at which point it was one of our most popular destinations in the region. The pent-up demand has made our Treasures of Persia tour an instant hit and these train trips are a great addition to our range, offering a glorious way to see the country, whisking travellers through changing landscapes in comfort.”

The Persian Explorer is a new 12-day/11-night rail tour, priced from £3,840 per person twin share. Beginning in Tehran, the itinerary visits seven Unesco world heritage sites including the desert fortress of Arg-e-Bam, Persepolis, Pasargadae, and stops off at the more provincial cities like Mashhad and Kerman. The air-conditioned train transports passengers over 4,000kms and while most nights are spent on board, some hotel stops are included for passengers to have more time to spend in the larger cities. Prices are per person and include flights from London via Istanbul, airport transfers, excursions as per the itinerary, 3- to 4-star accommodation including most meals and a 10-day rail journey, featuring 5 nights on the Orient Silk Road Express train in Ali Baba class.

The Heart of Persia aboard the Golden Eagle is a 14-day/13-night rail tour priced from £10,795 per person twin share. This journey travelling on the luxury Golden Eagle train transports travellers to places that have long been off the tourist trail, including the ancient cities of Kashan, Yazd, Rayen and more, but also includes the unmissable sites of Tehran, Isfahan and Persepolis. The itinerary also runs through the spectacular Zagros Mountains and along the Trans-Iranian Railway, across the Veresk Bridge. Prices are per person and include airport transfers, excursions as per the itinerary, 5-star accommodation on a full-board basis and a 10-night rail journey on the Golden Eagle train in a Silver Class cabin.

Persia & the Silk Road aboard the Golden Eagle is an 18 day / 17 night rail tour priced from £13,595 per person twin share. An epic rail adventure beginning in Moscow, the itinerary combines one of the most important trading routes of ancient civilisation with the incredible treasures of Iran. The Golden Eagle train takes travellers through the deserts and cities of Kazakstan and Uzbekistan in luxury before journeying into Iran, stopping over at the Unesco world heritage sites of Isfahan, Persepolis and Kerman, and the ancient cities of Yazd and Shiraz before ending in Tehran. Prices are per person and include airport transfers, excursions as per the itinerary, 5-star accommodation on a full-board basis and a 14-night rail journey on the luxury Golden Eagle train in a Silver Class cabin. The itinerary also runs in reverse, from Tehran to Moscow (northbound).

For more information on Cox & Kings Iran tours please visit www.coxandkings.co.uk/destinations/middle-east/iran

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NOTE TO EDITORS

Cox & Kings is the world's longest established travel company. Its history stretches back more than 250 years to 1758 when Richard Cox was appointed regimental agent to the Footguards (later the Grenadier Guards). The company's fortunes grew hand in hand with the British empire and by the early 20th century the company was acting as agent and banker throughout the armed forces and as a shipping agent. In 1922 Cox & Co merged with the Henry S King bank, which had strong connections with India. The bank became part of Lloyds and the shipping agency grew separately, evolving into the modern travel company. 

Today, built on the high quality service and attention to detail established by Richard Cox in the 18th century, the company continues to flourish as an independent tour operator, with operations in London, the US, Japan, Australia and throughout India. Cox & Kings organises escorted small-group tours and private tailor-made travel in the Indian Subcontinent, Latin America, the Middle East, the Far East, Africa, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific, and the Caribbean.