I did go a few years ago,
Drove across whole of Iran, Baluchistan (Eastern tribal area), Pakistan, North west Tribal areas (Pashtun tribe area's), Pakistan's Kashmir & up the Khyber (Pass)
.
We saw amazing sites, wandered Isfahan's 1000 year old bazaar, smoked in the local's 400 year old hubble-bubble tea shops.
Explored, the totally deserted, 2000 year old citadel of Bam, made entirely from mud (now destroyed by a massive earthquake).
Climbed into Darius's tomb, welcomed in by workman, the first King/creator of the Persian empire. Visited nearby Persepolis at sunset, the city destroyed by Alexander the Great.
Got a guided tour of Shiraz by the local (perfect english) trainee doctors, taken to their mosque at prays, saw a wedding, watched a funnel. Sacrificed & ate a goat with their entire family......... And that was just Iran
Just fan-
bloody-tastic, I'd recommend it to anyone with a true sense of adventure, who enjoys a challenge (there are lots of them, but that's what makes the experiences all the more vivid). If you can make the time, make the money & have got the will-power. Go for it. Overlanding through the middle east/asia has got to be the most exciting/challenging/welcoming/rewarding/interesting route in the world. There is so much history, culture, ancient sites, modern day dynamics going on!!
I'm getting carried away.
In the west all we see is bad news from these countries & of-course they have their problems but all I can say was it really was fantastic. People of un-touristy areas/countries are the most open. Muslims are the friendliest, most welcoming of people. It is muslim culture to be helpful to travellers.
