Respect for the customs
Men should wear long pants (except when bathing or playing sports) and long-sleeved clothing. Women, including foreign women, must wear a headscarf and clothing covering the legs to the ankles (pants), and a tunic – it may be close to the body, but must hide the buttocks. Some places of worship are forbidden to non-Muslims, sometimes permanently, sometimes at times of prayer. Consumption of alcohol and pork is prohibited. It is forbidden to photograph official buildings. Be sure to respect these Islamic laws.
Here are some tips to best respect these people and their cultures:
* Respect the personal space of your guests, adapt to the uses of the local culture.
* Photographing people relies on an exchange, make sure they agree.
“* If you are traveling in Ramadan:
The Ramadan period does not preclude traveling to a Muslim country. There are just a few small adaptations regarding meals and the organization of the day.
During Ramadan, life is slowing down: if in the cities, restaurants for “”foreigners”” operate normally, small local restaurants are usually closed, as are museums and other tourist attractions. It is of course advisable to abstain from eating, smoking or drinking in the street or in public places.
Guides, helpers and cooks do not touch any food or drink for long hours, from dawn to sunset. They must, however, walk like you, and the preparation of meals and tea is a permanent temptation.
Trekking in the desert, the days go by normally. Dinners are usually the occasion of long discussions and laughter until late in the evening. The breaking of the fast is also a great moment of shared conviviality, and a beautiful festival not to be missed
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* Respect the places of worship you visit, wear appropriate clothing and agree not to enter when prohibited or during ceremonies. Remove your shoes or cover your head at the entrance to religious sites when requested
* Demonstrative couple attitudes are seen as inappropriate
* Never distribute money, sweets or pens, especially to children, so as not to incite them to beg. Prefer donations to associations, schools, clinics or other recognized organizations
The preservation of the environment
* Wildlife
Until the mid-twentieth century, Iran was populated by lions, tigers, panthers and cheetahs. Today, most of these species have disappeared. Mammals such as wolf, jackal, wild boar, hyena, black bear and lynx are present in forests. The deserts and mountains are home to squirrels, mongooses, Persian gazelles, porcupines, badgers and the endemic wild donkey … A wealth that can be explained by the geographical and climatic diversity of the country. Iran is also home to many migratory birds (500 species). And the Caspian Sea is rich in sturgeons sought for the caviar they produce. The most astonishing species are the red Alborz sheep and a variety of ram with a white “beard” and long twisted horns, visible on the borders of Turkmenistan
* The flora
Mountains to the north, desert to the center, beaches to the south, Iran presents a great variety of landscapes, and consequently of vegetation. We can distinguish :
• semi-desert areas dominated by sparse salt and sand,
• the steppes,
• the steppes with trees,
• Mountains such as the Alborz Range, densely covered with deciduous trees, which form the largest area of vegetation in the country.
Iran has environmental problems: urban air pollution, oil pollution, deforestation, desertification drought; a Ministry of the Environment was created in 1971. To preserve this exceptional natural heritage:
“* Respect the regulations in force in the regional and national parks.
* Avoid bringing back memories that are part of the natural heritage and taking archaeological or cultural objects of historical value.
* Do not approach wildlife too closely; we must not forget that we are only invited to our own territory. Read our guide tip “”The mountain fauna”” http://www.allibert-trekking.com/91-respect-faune-montagne.htm#blocRepere
* Always remember to pick up your papers, handkerchiefs, butts, etc.
* Avoid leaving waste difficult to recycle (such as batteries, wipes, plastics) in rural areas or small villages that do not have a recycling channel. Bring them back to the big cities or bring them back to France.
* Pay particular attention to the management of your waste in the camps, so as not to degrade the environment:
* respect the sort proposed by the support team;
* burn the used toilet paper in its entirety.
* The water requires treatment, we advise you to treat it with pellets or to use a filter.