Saffron

Iran lux souvenirs: Caviar, Saffron, turquoise + Photos

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Traveling to Iran and not bringing back souvenirs with you, is like being in Santa’s house, but not taking your present. Each region in Iran has particular handicrafts and souvenirs, but some are among the most special ones. As they are almost expensive, there might be some fake simples in stores. Stick with us to know how to recognize the originals!

Turquoise

The Turquoise stone is extracted almost around the world, but the most famous turquoise-made jewelry belongs to the range by the quality: Iran, Tibet, and the USA. Iran has remained the most important source of turquoise for at least 2000 years. The finest turquoise in Iran extracts from Neyshabur mines. the original Neyshabur turquoise has some qualities which are not found in other types. Here are some points to differentiate valuable turquoise stone from the fake ones.  The turquoise is categorized in different groups based on its color, the veins and the mines it’s extracted from.

Iranian Turquoise

Iran lux souvenirs – the original Neyshabur turquoise has some qualities which are not found in other types

Types of turquoise

  • Based on color:
    Turquoise has a very wide color spectrum. From the pale to the greenish-blue.  The stronger the blue shade is, the more valuable that’ll be.
  • Based on the mine which is extracted from:
    Respectively the mines of Neyshabur, Damghan, and Kerman produce the finest turquoise in Iran. To make sure that the turquoise you’re buying is original ask for identifications or check precisely the veins and color.
  • Based on veins:
    Some turquoises have veins, while others are perfectly homochromatic and blue with no streaks or fractures on their surface. Although neither of the mentioned types has superiority over another in terms of stone quality, the golden veins turquoises also called spider turquoises are usually more popular.


How to make sure the turquoise is original?

To differentiate the original Iranian turquoise from the fakes is totally difficult even for professionals. But there are some easy tips for shoppers to identify the counterfeit stone.

  • Turquoise stone generally turns Blue, chrome or vanadium green or in the range of pale blue to greenish-blue as well as yellowish-green, because of the existence of copper and iron in its Chemical Formula.
  • The original turquoise color should somehow be opaque. The exaggerated glossy stone arouses suspicion.
  • The High-quality turquoise is almost blue sky. Even though the original turquoise of Neyshabur might have some black veins or spots on it.
  • You can heat a needle or key on the lighter and then put it on the stone. If it smells like resin or plastic and leaves a deep trace on the turquoise, it absolutely is fake.
  • Scrape slightly the surface of turquoise with a sharp needle-shaped object. The original turquoise doesn’t get scratched this way and it can also scratch the glace no matter what its shape is.

How to take care of turquoise jewelry?

Being scratched, exposure to hot water, chemicals, and household detergents are the main hazards for the fine turquoise. Follow the instructions to take good care of your turquoise:

  • The turquoise should not be in contact with lotions, body oils or perfumes. Otherwise, it changes color.
  • Remove the turquoise jewelry while washing your hands. Detergents and chlorine-containing water damages turquoise.
  • Avoid polishing or contacting turquoise stone with greasy substances.

The most reliable way to buy turquoise is to buy it from Mashhad (Reza Bazar) and Neyshabur.

Iranian Caviar

The southern coast of the Caspian Sea, part of Iran, is a natural habitat for sturgeon species that has provided clean water, abundant nutrition, and an ideal environment for the growth of these species. About 90% of the natural caviar marketed in the world comes from the Caspian Sea. These fish, having a cartilaginous structure from prehistoric times, have remained the same, as many biologists call this fish a living fossil. There are 27 species of “sturgeon” in the world, 5 of them are found in the Caspian Sea :

  • The Beluga sturgeon
  • The Starry sturgeon
  • The  Russian sturgeon
  • The Persian sturgeon
  • The golden sturgeon
Iranian Caviar

Iran lux souvenirs – the Caspian Sea, part of Iran, is a natural habitat for sturgeon species

As we all know the Sturgeons are endangered and rare and it takes that Sturgeons a long time to develop roe. That’s why caviar has always been rare and expensive.  Despite being expensive, the Caviar has always been demanded because of its numerous properties. This makes the fraudsters think of producing artificial caviar. Read the following tips and be precise while buying this Iran souvenir:

  • The fake caviar beads are black and exaggerated translucent, while the real caviar beads are somehow grayish and opaque.
  • The real caviar beads are not perfectly round and have no adhesion, actually, they are more oval-shaped. But the fake caviar has a smooth, round and sticky surface. The raw material of such a product is paraffin which is not nutritionally valuable and is even detrimental to health. The paraffin made beads melt and stick together in case of being kept in a warmer place.
  • Counterfeit black caviar is usually dyed artificially and repels if left for a while.
  • Lower prices and large volumes of packages and amateur colorful package designs are the most obvious signs of a fake product.
  • The color of caviar is mostly in black, gray, white and gold, in Iran.
  • Note that if you buy a product in Iran and the package has Russian or Turkish notes on it, it is likely to be fake.

The most reliable Caviar brands in Iran are Raibod caviar, Talesh caviar, Mira’s caviar, and culture group. All mentioned companies have the possibility of online shopping.

Saffron

Almost 90 percent of the world’s saffron is produced in Iran, for 3000 years. This magic spice, with the enchanting odor, is called  “the red gold” in Iran. The best quality of the spice of joy grows in the northeast of Iran, Khorasan province. It is not so easy to differentiate the real and fake saffron, but keeping the followings in mind can give you a clue :

Iranian saffron

Iran lux souvenirs – The best quality of the spice of joy grows in the northeast of Iran, Khorasan province

  • Slide a small amount of the saffron, in a paper, if the oil is extracted from the saffron it’s fake, but being powdered with no trace of oil indicates the pureness of saffron.
  • Original saffron has a lower coloring speed than counterfeit saffron. Put some saffron in boiling water, and wait for 5 minutes if the color of the silks didn’t turn white, it’s original. If the silks turn white within 5 minutes, it absolutely is fake.
  • The normal silk of saffron shouldn’t be too glossy, being too glossy means it’s not pure.
  • The taste and odor of saffron is a sort of constant indicator itself. The taste of the original saffron is a bit bitter but it has a pleasant aroma.

The most reliable and famous saffron in Iran belongs to these companies: Keshmoon group, Bahraman Saffron and Saharkhiz.

Are you planning to travel to Iran? Check out our Iran tours.

Gahar Lake- Iran local attractions

5 Best Hidden gems in Iran (Photos, Info)

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What does Iran remind you of? Probably the Persepolis or the Pink Mosque. But this is not all about Iran, there are loads of hidden gems in Iran only known by the locals. This article introduces some of Iran local attractions you should not miss while traveling to Iran.

Alamut Castle

Have you ever been to an eagle’s nest? Alamut means eagle’s nest, due to its strategic position and design of the castle structure and walls, it is given this name. Located in the northwest of Qazvin province and close to Gazer Khan Village,  Alamut Castle was built by Hasan Sabah, the propagator of Shiite Ismaili, who chose this area for himself during the Seljuk period. The castle was taken by Mongolia Hulaku Khan in 654 AH and there are still the remains of it where visitors can pay a visit. In order to visit castle, you should go by van, it usually takes about four hours to get there, at some points the altitude is 2200 meters above the sea level. Alamut region has a mountainous winding road with a spectacular and picturesque landscape that you can enjoy relaxing in such pleasant weather.

alamut

Hidden gems in Iran: The impressive Alamut Castle

Raghe canyon

Rafsanjan is one of the important cities in Kerman province, located 100 km near Kerman. Raghe Canyon has situated a short distance from the city of Rafsanjan, which is a fascinating natural phenomenon in Iran also known as the “dead valley”. This valley is created by alluvial erosion caused by the Guivdary River, for several thousand years. The length of the valley is about 20 km and the depth is 70 meters, the opening of the valley is about 180 meters. Diversity of wildlife here is amazing due to being close to a protected area; eagle, partridge bird and gazelle are some of the wildlife species in the region. Another interstring point about Raghe is that it is in the middle of a path where two important natural historical attractions of Kerman (the village of Meymand and the Lut desert with its spectacular Kalouts (enormous and extraordinary geological figures emerged as a result of severe erosion) as the UNESCO World Heritages are located.

Rage canyon- Unknown local attractions in Iran

Hidden gems in Iran – Rage canyon: A natural attraction created by alluvial erosion caused by the Guivdary River.

Babak castel

Let’s visit Babak castle, a castle belonged to a national hero! Located 16 km southwest of Kaleybar, East Azerbaijan province, Babak Castle is also known as the Immortal Castle, was constructed on top of a mountain with 2600 meter height. Babak Khoramdin was an activist and a militant leader who fought bravely against Arab invaders. There are facilities on the east side of this two-story castle including some rooms and reservoirs, the roofs of reservoirs are chevron and rocking. There is a corridor right before the entrance gate of the castle which used to be under the control of guardians in the past. Having passed this corridor, you will face another entrance with irregular steps through which you can reach the castle. In the northwest side of the palace, there are some stairs which were used to make arriving at the castle more convenient, however, not much has remained today. It takes about two hours to get to Babak castle from Tabriz and the best time to visit is from April to September.

Babak Castle- Iran local attractions

Hidden gems in Iran – Babak Castle: A man-made fort built on top of a mountain in the northwest of Iran.

Gahar lake

In the heart of Zagros mountains, beside Oshtorankuh massif, in the province of Lorestan, there is a lake with gorgeous scenery attracting many visitors to the off-the-beaten-path region all around the year. It is 2360m above the sea level, 1700m long and 500m wide. The depth of the lake is 28m maximum. The region has been under good protection lately, so the environment, the flora, and fauna in the area have almost remained unharmed. Located among Oshtorankooh mountain chains which have a striking similarity to glacial lakes, Gahar lake has come into existence as a result of a landslide. The area is accessible through Dorood and Aligoodarz cities and the lake is feed from rills and springs flowing from the near highland. The thousands of visitors visit Gahar lake every year. The area is strongly recommended for staying overnight. You can easily set up your own tent and have a picnic while enjoying fishing in the lake. The best way to get there is a climb to Tpaleh Straight from Aligoudarz and then enjoy hiking to the lake.

Gahar Lake- Iran

Hidden gems in Iran – Gahar Lake, Lorestan: A natural attraction mostly visited by local people.

Izadkhast Castle

located on the ancient Silk Road between Shiraz and Isfahan, Izadkhast is not only a castle but also a whole complex consisting of Castle, a caravanserai, and a bridge dating back to Safavid period in Iran. Different architectural styles from different periods of Iran history including the Sassanid and Qajar periods have been incorporated into the castle which has brought about a valuable and unique construction and made it worth a visit.  Many travelers heading Isfahan or Shiraz enjoy a stop on the way and have a picnic lunch around the beautiful scenery of the construction.

Izadkhast Castle - Iran

Hidden gems in Iran: Izadkhast Castle

Are you planning to travel to Iran? Check out our Iran tours.

Maranjab desert

Maranjab Desert, Iran: Photos, Things to do, Location

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Varzaneh, Mesr, Chah Aroos, and the Maranjab Desert are the well- known Iran deserts, among which the Maranjab Desert is an astonishing one. The desert consists of so many cultural and historical monuments such as Shah Abbas Carvensarai, Dastkand Wells, Salt Lake, and huge sand dunes which makes it the best. The magnificent Maranjab Desert is located in the north of Aran va Bidgol County in Isfahan Province and is an inevitable part of top Iran tours. Besides, you can reach the astounding Matianabd Desert in a thirty-minute ride.

The stunning high dunes, being adjacent to a salt lake and a national park makes it a perfect destination for desert lovers. The vegetation is mostly covered with Haophyte plants like Tamarix trees, laoxylon trees, and Zygophyllum bushes. Wolf, fox sand, sand cat, lizard, snake, eagle, and hawk are the main animal coverage in this desert.

In case of traveling without a guide, don’t forget to download the latest version of the desert map and also carry both light and warm clothes with you since the weather is extremely either hot or cold.

Sand Dunes

In the eyecatching Maranjab desert, you can wander around the beautiful sand dunes for hours. The height of the sand dunes in some areas reaches to 70 meters. Besides, you can hike “Kolang Mountain ” that has a breathtaking view of the desert. We highly suggest you not miss walking barefoot on the sand dunes which relieves all the daily stresses and tensions. Notice that the temperature is so high in the middle of the day, so roam around there in the early morning or late afternoon.

Maranjab desert

Golden sand dunes are the most popular feature of the deserts.

Shah Abbas Carvensarai

The beautiful Shah Abbasi Caravanserai is a famous Iranian Caravanserai and is one of the features of Maranjab Desert. Being right on the Silk Road, this caravanserai is built under the command of Shah Abbas in the Safavid epoch as an accommodation for travelers passing the desert. This caravanserai used to function as a trading center with about 500 soldiers on top to watch over all the trading between China and Europe. A prominent feature of this is its Qanat which provided fresh cool water right in the heart of desert. These days, this caravanserai is a traditional guesthouse where you can enjoy living in the heart of an amazing desert of Iran. The square structure has an area of 3500 square meters and entails 29 rooms.

Maranjab desert

Shah Abass caravanserai was built under the command of Shah Abbas in the Safavid period for silk road travelers passing the desert.

Dastkand Wells

Dastkand Historical Well is within a five-kilometer distance to the east of Shah Abbas Carvensarai. It is a storage for freshwater. The interesting point about this well is the high quality of the water. Since there are different layers of sand in the well, the salt and other stuff are extracted from the water and it purifies it as well.

Salt Lake

In a nine- kilometer distance to Shah Abbas Carvensarai, you can see a unique natural attraction of Maranjab -Salt Lake-. You shouldn’t miss this lake while visiting the Maranjab Desert. The lake’s surface is 1800 square kilometers and is shaped like a triangle. The depth of the lake varies from 5 to 50 meters. Its water mainly pours from the Rud Shur River. Since the water is mostly evaporated and the lake is dried and covered with salt, it is called Salt Lake. Remarkably, you can find various Polygons made of salt crystals in this lake.

If you are lucky enough to visit the lake during September, October, and November, you will visit the awe-inspiring flamingoes migration.  You can catch there either from Aaran or the Shah Abbasi Caravanserai. After passing about 35 kilometers on Aran- Maranjab route or in a 10- kilometer distance from Shah Abbasi Carvensarai, you can see the beautiful Salt Lake.

Maranjab Desert - Salt lake

The lake in Maranjab is usually covered with sal due to the excessive water evaporation and the lake is often dried.

Sargardan Island

Also known as Wanderer Island, right across the desert, you can find this floating island in the salt. It is actually not an island surrounded by water but salt. The movements are quite bizarre which makes it like a moving island. Since there are only about one to two months of rain in this area, the moving island is only visible during that time. The rest of the year, the island is nothing but a salt marsh.

The remarkable point about Sargardan Island is that when you watch it from a far distance, the ends of the island just disappear on the horizon and the island looks like a ship moving in the ocean; that is where the name Sargardan (meaning Wanderer) comes from.

How to get to the Maranjab Desert?

For reaching the Maranjab Desert, you can take the route from Kashan to Aran va Bidgol, it is a 45- kilometer distance and takes one and half an hour to reach there.

Are you planning to travel to Iran? Check out our safari tour to Iran.

isfahan music museum

Where to Hear Traditional Iranian Music? (photos, timing)

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Music as the next trending diet? Sounds easy enough! According to research, the combination of soft lighting and music leads people to consume less food and enjoy it more. Iran has very rich music in every genre. From years ago, many songs have found their way to people’s hearts and became an undeletable part of their lifetime. Iranian music has always played an important role in Iranian culture, with each region having its own specific style and sound. Iran has different styles of traditional and folk music. In every city and village from north to south and west to east, there is no single place without its own traditional music. There are different places to get involved in Traditional Iranian music during your cultural tour to Iran.

Zoorkhaneh and Varzeshe-Pahlavani

Have you listened to music in the old reservoir? Varzeshe-Pahlevani is an Iranian sport dating back to ancient Persia. It is a place that Iranian athletes train with live music playing with Zarb (Persian drum) and poems of Shahnameh, the brilliant masterpiece consists of epic poems written by Ferdowsi thousands of years ago. Zoorkhaneh has completely a different atmosphere you have experienced in sports clubs; it has its own music, exercises, and equipment. The exercises take place in the Gowd, which is a round or octagonal shape hole in the middle of the place where the athletes with colorful uniforms exercise and show their performance. Their performance will be managed by Morshed (the singer). Saheb Al-Zaman Zoorkhaneh is the best example of Zoorkhaneh in Iran, located in Amir Chakhmagh square in Yazd, the place was built five hundred years ago. The building consists of four floors and five Badgir (wind catcher structures, typical of architecture in Yazd).

You may visit Saheb Al-Zaman Zoorkhaneh from 5 am until 8 pm.

Zoorkhaneh-Iran

Traditional Iranian Music – Zoorkhane was a traditional system of athletics originally used to train warriors in ancient Iran. Today, it is a place to practice a kind of sport.

Vahdat Hall

Let’s visit the biggest opera house in Iran! Opened in the year 1967, the whole complex was called Rudaki Hall, then after the revolution, it was given the name of Vahdat Hall. This stage is designed specifically for band and orchestras performance. The main stage consists of three levels and the auditorium has 1,200 seats and two tiers of boxes and balconies. The end of this stage is dedicated to performing choirs and orchestral groups. There was a restoration in 2007, during which the hall was equipped with modern sound and lighting systems.

It is located in Hafez Avenue, Shahryar, Tehran, Iran.

Vahdat Hall-Tehran

Traditional Iranian Music – One of the highest prestige and ranking halls of Tehran; a lovely place to sit and see plays and concerts.

Tehran Music Museum

Visiting unique musical instruments in a romantic garden is quite fascinating! Iranians are well-known for performing various types of art. Covering an area of 3650 square meters in three different stories, Tehran Music Museum is one of the best museums representing this taste for art and is quite worth to be visited. If you are one of those interested in music, particularly Iranian folk music, the Tehran Music Museum would be a perfect place to get to know Persian music and different types of instruments. The museum has been opened to the public in 2009 and started by presenting more than 200 different Iranian instruments from all over this vast land which are well representative of Iranian rich culture and also Iranians good taste for this valuable art.

It is located in Mouze Street, Darbandi Street, Tajrish District, Tehran, Iran.

Opening hours: Every day except Saturday 9 am- 5 pm

Tehran music museum displays different Iranian instruments from all over the country.

Harandi Garden

Harandi garden, established by the Pahlavi dynasty is a beautiful and wonderful building of the recent period that gained its historical value since Reza shah Pahlavi stayed here in his last exile. Even the automobile used by Reza Shah during his short stay has been put on display at the site. The main building has got two floors, on the first floor there is an impressive array of musical instruments, and on the second-floor archaeological finds from sites near Jiroft and Shahdad. The Harandi Garden Museum was opened in 2002 with 250 musical instruments created by masters on display. The masters plan to purchase rare instruments in Kerman and other regions for the museum complex. If you are interested in music make sure to visit this museum. It is located in Kerman city quite close to the city center which is called Shariati Street.

Harandi Garden Museum: Iranian music

Traditional Iranian Music – The Harandi Garden Museum was opened in 2002 with 250 musical instruments created by masters on display

Isfahan Music Museum

Let’s play music in Half The World! The Isfahan music museum which has been operating for almost four years, it is the only music museum in Isfahan. There are different halls to show different types of national and local instruments. There are about three hundred instruments then you have a chance to see a live musical performance and also to try some instruments. It is located in Shahid Ghandi Street, Mehrdad Street, Towhid Miani Street, Isfahan, Iran.

Traditional Iranian Music – You will see a variety of ancient instruments and also how they are made in the Isfahan music museum.

Sharze Restaurant in Shiraz

Have you eaten Iranian cuisine while listening to music? If you want to get familiar with Iranian live music you can go to Sharze restaurant in Shiraz. You’ll help yourself with the salad bar, and you may experience some Iranian food and kebabs while listening to Iranian live music. The architecture reminds you traditional Iranian style. That is an interesting choice for those tourists who want to get acquainted with the real Iran used to be in the past. Furthermore, you may have vegetarian meals. It is located near Vakil Bazaar.

Are you planning to travel to Iran? Check out our Iran tours.

hitchhike

hitchhiking in Iran: Rules, Safety

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If hitchhikers had a prophet to describe them a utopia or something, that dreamland would definitely be Iran! where people are exceedingly hospitable and always ready to help others. Iranians believe that the guest is loved and respected by the Lord and anyone who’s far from home for any reason is considered as a guest.
That’s why hitchhiking in Iran is no big deal at all. Drivers are already willing to pick you up!

1- Check the “Hitchability” of your chosen path

The fact that Iran is quiet easy to hitch around, doesn’t deny the necessity of getting informed about the roads before leaving. The best way to make sure that there would be cars to pick you up is to ask locals through Couchsurfing. Make some local friends there and demand the necessary information.
Since the access to this app has been blocked, your connection will require a VPN. Try to find a good one before coming to Iran.
You can also check hitchwiki website and ask for Hitchhiking groups link in unbanned apps. In this group chats, people share the most recent news and information about traveling and roads in Iran.

2- Dress up!

It may sound a little superficial, but wearing light-colored clothes would help you a lot to be easier picked up. People, including also truck drivers, are more into those who are different from their routine.

3- Stand in the right pickup location

That would be wise to wait for pick where cars are going slow and can easily pull aside. Hitchhikers in Iran usually choose the roadside near the pay tolls.

4- Make sure you and the driver are on the same page

Even though people are increasingly ridesharing in Iran, there are still people who have no idea about this travel type. You’d better prepare a one-minute speech_ better in Persian_ to explain who you are, where you go and why are you doing that to the driver.

5- Check if it’s an unofficial taxi

Not all the taxis in Iran are yellow or have the roof sign. This might put the driver and the hitchhiker in a confusing situation. The solution is to learn the magic word in Persian and ask every driver if he or she is giving you the ride “Majjani”? which means “for free”.

6- Overcoming the language gap

As a hitchhiker, you should be able to communicate with people. Note that most Iranians, especially truck drivers, do not know English very well. you would better install some translate and communication applications such as google translate and tourist app. No worries If you are going to somewhere with no internet access, you can easily learn the most comment and frequent expressions in Persian before the trip and memorize or write them for yourself.

7- Have a little offer to make a good impression

Sharing some nuts and fruits or buying tea or coffee for your driver is not going to cost you much. But it means a lot to the driver. Iranian show their respect by offering insistently foods and beverages, this custom called “Taarof” is the sign of respect and doing that will make the driver wiling to pick the future travelers up too.

8- Preparing for the probable problems

– Risk of being dropped by a crazy or dangerous driver:
Trust your feelings sometimes, if you don’t feel secure with a driver, do not get in the car. And don’t hesitate to call the police whenever you felt the danger.

– You might linger for hours:
if you were stocked in the road just stay positive and wait until you’ll be sure you won’t arrive at your destination at night. If it turned out that you won’t arrive at a good time just install Iran taxi apps like snapp and tap30  take a reasonably priced taxi.

– Avoid hitchhiking at night
– Do not talk about the amount of money you carry.
– save the emergency numbers:

Safety issue

Don’t torture yourself with the fear of safety given to you by mass media! There is no war in Iran, the country is generally safe and living standards are at a good level. We share some travelers experiences of hitchhiking  in Iran:

“During my hitchhiking trip from the Netherlands to Vietnam, I’ve hitchhiked through Iran. I experienced Iran as one of the easiest countries to hitchhike”_Rutger, the hitchhiker from the Netherlands experience of hitchhiking in Iran

“Never before have I been to a country whereby the preconceptions of it are so far away from reality.” _Kim Berghout’s experience of hitchhiking in Iran

“Iran is the most inviting country in the world and its people the nicest I have ever met in my entire life.” _Josh the American hitchhiker experience of hitchhiking in Iran.

Are you planning to travel to Iran? Check out our Iran tours.

Pink mosque- Shiraz

Iran Doostan: Iran Tour Operator and Travel Agency

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Looking for a business partner in the travel sector to send tours to Iran? Then, you are in the right place. Iran Doostan tours Co. is a B2B travel agency with about 30 years of experience in operating all types of incoming tours to Iran. The company has been operating Iran tours from Germany, Spain, and Greece and has had remarkable cooperation with these markets, particularly Germany from the very beginning. Having been selected as the best Iran tour operator 8th times during the last 30 years has made Iran Doostan a trustworthy travel agency for partners and also tourists.

Our experience and service ranges

We are honored to have been a pioneer in operating cultural tours to Iran. Our exclusive tour itineraries and experienced team have provided memorable experiences for many travelers so far. Later, we expanded our services to cover more diverse packages including adventure, safari, and medical tours to Iran.

Iran deserts

Iran deserts offer an authentic experience for adventure lovers.

We also provide all travel services including itineraries, Iran visa, tour guides, transportation, accommodation, and whatever our tourists may need while traveling to Iran. Iran visa process is easy and fast and tourists can apply for a visa online. Iran e-visa has been launched by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to make it easier to apply for an Iran tourist visa online.

Iran Doostan exclusive package tours to Iran

IDT team provides a diversity of package tours to Iran and there are also tailor-made tours available, in case our clients’ requests, which could be discussed according to their preferences. The most prominent types of tours we are offering right now include Iran Cultural tours, Iran adventure tours, Iran Safari tours, Iran MICE tours, Iran Medical tours, and religious tours to Iran. It is interesting to know that each category offers its own diversity, too. For instance, our cultural tours consist of Iran food tours, Iran UNESCO world heritage sites tour, etc.

Iran tour operator - Iran Doostan

Cultural tours to Iran: Narenjestan Qavam-Shiraz

Why Iran Doostan?

You will have the privilege of working with the most experienced Iran tour operator and also one of the leaders of the tourism market in Iran. So, you would probably make sure that our itineraries are quite reliable. Added to this, are the professional staff that will arrange everything in advance and assures that everything goes well from the early stages of being in contact with you for consultation until the presence of your tour in Iran. The positive feedback we receive after operating a tour is concrete evidence of our dear tourists’ satisfaction.

If you are looking for more information on details of our package tours to Iran, the Iran visa process, or starting a partnership, please do not hesitate to get in touch through info@idt.ir right now. We will be back with you soon.

15 Dos and Don'ts for tourists in Iran: Iran Local Laws

15 Dos and Don’ts for tourists in Iran: Iran Local Laws

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If your travel plans hold Iran on the horizon, planning and making reservations aside, getting informed about special rules comes first! Respecting these rules requires modesty of course, but as they are derived from Iran’s cultural norms, it means a lot to your host society. Here are the laws all tourists in Iran are supposed to follow.

If you plan to travel to Iran, here is the link to Iran online visa form.

Iran Dress codes

Your concern as a tourist, about Islamic clothing, is understandable. You might have pictured women in Iran in black Chadors, and men in white Dishdasha, but the reality is totally different:

For men

Although there is no strict law about men’s clothing, wearing shorts and sleeveless vests would be somehow improper in Iran. Do you want my opinion? Pants and T-shirts would be the best choice!

For women

There is no confusing rule about women’s clothing. Women are supposed to hide body shapes and hair, that’s all! The way Iranian women dress can give you a clue. Of course, manteaux and jeans are the most popular style in Iran. Manteau is a long-sleeved blouse that covers the bottom and pants or skirts must cover the legs up to the ankle. By the way, don’t forget to pick a scarf while packing, it’s necessary to put it on in public. In brief, it doesn’t really matter what you wear as long as your clothes are not too short or too tight!

Iran dress code

There is no strict rule about Hijab in Iran, that will be okay as long as your dress is not too short or too tight.

Click for more information about Iran dress code.

The ban on alcoholic drinks

According to the Islamic rules, drinking or even carrying alcoholic drinks is illegal all over the country, which means there is no nightclub or bar in Iran.

Tricky Visa Process

Receiving an Iran visa is not that complex for citizens of many countries. Most tourists can receive an Iran visa on arrival with ease. All 10 nationalities are the exceptions and require it in advance including Colombia, Somali, England, Canada, USA, Bangladesh, Jordon, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India.
Canada, England and USA citizens do not have the possibility of receiving a visa in person and must apply through valid travel agencies.
Keep in mind that a visa on arrival is only available at the airports for tourists in Iran.

Iran Visa

Receiving an Iran visa is not that complex for citizens of many countries.

Israel issue

Unfortunately, Citizens of Israel are totally barred from entry to Iran but if 365 days have left from your last travel to Israel you can get an Iran visa.

Import and export rules

As all the luggage will be checked with X-ray, you should be careful about carrying the following objects:
– Alcoholic Drinks, Weapons, and drugs are illegal to both import and export
– there are no limits for entering currency into the country, up to 10000 dollars.
– Animals and pets are isolated on arrival.
– only personal health care medicine is allowed, with the prescription which determines the dose.

Export limitations

– Pistachio and other nuts: up to 10 kg
– Saffron up to 100g
– Carpets: up to 20 meters per person.
– The ancient and valued object is counted as cultural heritage.

Hotel rules for tourists in Iran

– Sharing a hotel room for unmarried Non-Muslims couples will be Ok. the marriage certificate would be required for Muslim couples.
– Hotels are usually keeping your passport until you check out.

Traveling to Iran during Ramadan

30 days in a year Muslims do fast, which includes abstaining from eating and drinking from dawn to sunset. And then they break the fast with a particular evening meal, named “Iftar“. During these 30 days, even non-Muslims prevent eating and drinking or even smoking in public before sunset. As a sign of respect, most restaurants are closed during Ramadan but buying food and eating in privacy is totally ok.

Tourists in Iran can eat and drink in privacy during Ramadan.

The authorization code

The law enforcement force of the Islamic Republic of Iran is the organization that is in charge of protecting tourists in Iran. In order to this protection, this organization gives out a personal serial number to every single person entering the country. The tourists should have their travel itinerary at the entrance to receive that serial number and maintain it until departure.

Gender segregation

Pay attention to where and beside whom you sit in Iran! There is a sex-separation in some entertainment centers such as swimming pools and seashores, mosques and religious sites, and public transportation. Look for “men only” and “women only” signs which determine specific sections in the mentioned places. It is ok for women to enter men’s sections sometimes but seems too weird if a man enters the women’s section.

Social media limitation

During your stay in Iran, you might need to use VPNs to access Facebook, Couchsurfing, YouTube, and maybe a few other applications. In order to have faster and easier access to social media, choose applications with no bans on instead; like Instagram, WhatsApp, and Skype.

Credit and debit cards

Unfortunately, there is no network in Iran for using international cards, but there is a new travel card name “Mah Card”. You can instantly fund your card in any preferred currency and that will be converted to Iranian Rials.

It-Not legally forced, but would be wise to follow

Rules are over, but bearing in mind some tiny tips, shows your cultural respect, and will stop you from getting into trouble.

Social Taboos

– Showing Displays of affection to the public: Kissing and hugging people of the opposite sex is not accepted in Iran, especially for unmarried couples.
– Blowing nose in public: you can do that in WC if necessary, but not in front of people!
– Wearing shoes indoors: No need to ask! You should take off your shoes in almost every house in Iran!
– Taking photos of people without their permission.
– Handshaking with people of the opposite sex in public.

Visiting religious sites

– Women should be wearing their Islamic hijab (wearing a Chador is obligatory in mosques) and men with shorts are not allowed to enter religious places (Iran religious tour)
– Dancing, singing, shouting, and similar behaviors are consumed as disrespect.

Talking politic

You might be curious about different things taking place in Iran and how people feel about it. Even if you start to talk about political issues people are not going to stop you or they might start the conversation themselves, but keep in mind that any kind of criticism can easily offend their strong nationalism inside! I recommend keeping the trip cool and avoiding talking politics.

Do not trust crosswalks and traffic lights!

Not as a proud, but Iranian drivers are not really into following international traffic regulations. The crosswalk here is not really your safe zone as a pedestrian. And sometimes the red light is not able to stop hasty drivers. The only way to rescue from crossing the street is to watch carefully the cars and guess the speed.

Are you planning to travel to Iran? Check out our Iran tours.

Shiraz tourist attractions: tomb of Saadi

Things to do in Shiraz: Photos, opening hours, info

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Have you ever thought how would heaven look like? You would probably think of someplace full of flowers and blossoms, with enormous fountains and green gigantic trees. Then you are probably thinking of a place like Shiraz.

This amazing city has embraced many historical and natural attractions that no visitor thinking of a dreamy trip in one of the gorgeous and ancient paradises of Iran, would tend to miss. This article introduces Things to do in Shiraz; some of which have a global reputation.

Persepolis

Persepolis was the capital of the Persian Achaemenid Empire. This monument has so many historical stories to offer; as some locals may say it is “History in front of your eyes”. In 518 BC Darius the Great built Persepolis as a modern city which was impressive due to its luxury and opulence. The architecture of Persepolis shows us how grand and fascinating the place was in 500 BC. Persepolis is one of the historical monuments that is inscribed in UNESCO. So, as a representative of Iran’s history and glory, you wouldn’t want to miss it. To reach Persepolis, taking a taxi seems the best way. There are also mini-buses departing from Karandish terminus in Shiraz every morning.

 Opening hours: 8 am – 5:30

Things to do in Shiraz – The legendary city of Persepolis: the capital of ancient Persia.

Nasir al-Mulk Mosque

At first glance, visitors may not realize the colorful secret hidden inside this mosque. Nasir al-mulk mosque, also as some tourist might like to call it, Pink Mosque turns into a magnificent masterpiece by the reflection of the colorful windows on the Iranian carpets. Due to this incredible artwork of Iran’s culture, a heaven has been created for photographers to take stunning pictures. Today, this mosque which was built by Qajar dynasty is one of the must-see attractions of Shiraz that no visitor would like to miss.

To arrive here, you can take Valiasr-Namazi buses and get off the bus at Chahar Rah Moshir (Moshir Crossroad) Station.

Opening hours: 7 am – 5 pm

Shiraz tourist attractions

Things to do in Shiraz: Nasir-ol Molk or pink mosque

Shah Cheragh shrine

Near pink mosque, you can also visit Shah Cheragh shrine. Shah Cheragh is a tomb of two brothers named Ahmad and Muhammad who are sons of Musa-al-kazim, seventh Shia Imam. This shrine is covered with mirror shards and tilework and welcomes you with an enormous fountain.

If you are going on foot, from Shohada Square, enter Piroozi Street. Then get on Dastgheibi Blvd. and after that get to 9th of Dey Street. And in case of using a car, in Sibooye Blvd. at Shahzade Ghasem Square, turn to the right to Hazrati Street. Then turn to the left to 9th of Dey Street.

Opening hours: 24/7

Vakil Complex

Named after the founder of the Zandiyeh dynasty, Vakil complex was constructed in this period when Shiraz was the capital of Iran. The complex consists of Vakil Bath, Vakil Bazaar, and Vakil mosque, all of which have been built for the public interest.

Vakil Bazaar

Looking to buy a souvenir in Shiraz? Vakil bazaar offers everything you’re looking for. Inside the bazaar you will find yourself surrounded by all Iranians’ handicrafts and spice stalls. You can find all sort of handcrafts; such as rugs and carpets, copper handicrafts and antiques. There is also some type of sweet called Masqati including pistachio, rose and saffron which are mostly known as a famous souvenir from Shiraz. To reach vakil bazaar you can use bus; get off at Shahrdari Station and take a walk southward on Piroozi Street, turn left on Farhang Avenue, go past by Taleqani Street and find Vakil Bazaar on the left side. On the way to Vakil bazaar you can also visit other parts of Vakil complex including the bath and the mosque.

Opening hours: 8 am – 9 pm

Shiraz tourist attractions

Things to do in Shiraz – Vakil Bazaar: An old bazaar in Shiraz where you will find valuable souvenirs.

Vakil bath

Vakil bath was originally a public bath dating back to Zandiyeh dynasty. The arches and the tilework of the bath show the history of Iranian architecture and culture.

Getting to Shohada Square, you can walk an 8-minute distance eastward on Zand underpass and then turn right on Taleqani Street to get to Vakil Bath.

Opening hours: 9 am – 9 pm

Vakil mosque

Vakil mosque is a fascinating mosque near Vakil bath with 48 columns which is an interesting place for photographers to take special photos. A large courtyard and stunning facade, blue tileworks of the arches and porches, the ceiling with its spectacular designs surrounded by well-designed walls are quite impressive and eye-catching. Vakil mosque is named after the founder of the Zandiyeh dynasty just like the bath and bazaar.

Using bus seems to be quite easy to access the mosque, you can get to Shohada Square and walk an 8-minute distance eastward on Zand underpass and then turn right on the first alley to get to Vakil Mosque.

Opening hours: 8:30 am – 8:30 pm

Shiraz tourist attractions

Things to do in Shiraz: Vakil mosque is a peaceful place with stunning tile works.

Karim khan Citadel

Karim khan Citadel known also as Arg of Karim khan, is also a part of Vakil complex but used to be a royal palace for Karim khan, himself who was the founder and the first king of Zandiyeh dynasty. However, during Qajar dynasty the castle turned into a prison and each room turned into a cell. Despite all of the damages occurred to the castle, it is still considered as an intricate and detailed brickwork. Inside of the citadel, is a courtyard with hundreds of citrus trees with great smell of oranges’ blossom in spring. To keep a memory of your trip to Shiraz, you can take a selfie right next to the sign of Shiraz behind the castle.

You may either take a bus or taxi. Use the buses to Shohada Square and get off the bus in the square, you will see the great Karim Khan Citadel.

Opening hours: 9 am – 10 pm

Shiraz tourist attractions

Things to do in Shiraz: Karim khan Citadel

Near the citadel, you can also pay a visit to Pars or Nazar museum which is the oldest museum of Fars providence. It is an old house near the citidel, full of amazing and dazzling paintings on its roof. Although It is a small museum but the fact that Karim Khan, one of the of Iran’s most moralistic kings has been buried there, makes it special. You can find precious and valuable objects such as boxes, mirror frames and an ancient hand written Quran with a spectacular font. You will be amazed by the fascinating atmosphere and the vast variety of items which is definitely worth visiting.

To use the bus, Shahrdari Bus Stop in Shohada Square is the closest station, after 5 minutes of walking you will reach the museum.

Opening hours: 8 am – 6 pm

Shapouri Pavilion and Garden

Shapouri House was owned by one of the greatest merchants of Shiraz. The idea of its architecture originated from two periods in Iran’s history, Qajar and Achaemenid architecture. Entering the house, you will see a garden full of Mediterranean cypress, plane and maple trees and a huge fountain surrounded by roses and pelargoniums. The first floor is used as a café and the second floor is a restaurant; so, after visiting the garden around the mansion you can sit in the yard or at balcony, order drink or food and enjoy your stay. Photographers will specially be impressed by this elegant house and its beautiful garden.

Accessing the Garden is possible either through walking from Kari Khan Zand Street and also taking a taxi which is quite affordable in shiraz.

Opening hours: Every day at 9 am – 12 am

Shapouri Pavilion

Things to do in Shiraz – Shapouri Pavilion: an old house in Shiraz shining like a piece of gold at night.

Eram Garden

The beautiful and colorful blossoms at Eram Garden especially during the spring has made this UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site an attractive place for visitors. Being a botanical garden, different kinds of plants and trees, such as palm and cypress trees are planted and raised here. By just looking at the garden and the beautiful mansion inside designed with traditional tiles and unique architectural patterns, you will truly believe you’re in heaven. Women will appear in traditional colorful costumes, and walk around the pool while people go and visit the building.

To use subway, Find Namazi metro station, after 10 minutes of walking, pass Daneshjoo Square and you will find Eram Garden. Having decided to go by bus, try to find Kolbeh Sq to Eram Sq. or Narenjestan Blvd. to Namadi Sq. buses.

Opening hours: 8 am – 8:30 pm

Tomb of Hafez

Hafez is one of the most prominent poets of Iran, his poems are engraved on Iranians’ heart. Tomb of Hafez is one of the most significant Shiraz tourist attractions that anyone with a sense of love for poetry would like to visit. The garden offers a peaceful atmosphere, with loads of flowers in various colors, there is usually a pleasant music in the background and it’s a wonderful place to relax and read some of Hafez poems.

For centuries, Iranians have widely believed in consulting Hafez when confronting a difficult situation or making challenging decisions. Opening the Hafez Book randomly, the poetry will reveal the answer to your intention and guide you to the right path.

To arrive here, you can either of these buses line: Dastgheib to Narenjestan or Golestan Sq. to Namazi.

Opening hours: 8:30 am – 10 pm

Hafezie-Shiraz

Things to do in Shiraz: Tomb of Hafez, the great Iranian poet.

Tomb of Saadi

Saadi is one of the greatest poets of all time, not only in Iran but to all over the world. Saadi was both a traveler and a poet; having travelled to a lot of countries, he came back to Shiraz and started to write his poems. Tomb of Saadi offers a spiritual atmosphere with a beautiful garden; his poems are written all over the walls around his tomb. In front of the tomb there is a pond that people stop to make a wish and throw coins into it. Don’t forget to drop coins into the pond and make wishes!

To reach the site, take a taxi or a bus by Haft Tanan Boulevard, enter Boostan Boulevard and after walking for 10 minutes you will get to Tomb of Saadi.

Opening hours: 8 am – 10 pm

Shiraz tourist attractions: Saadie

Things to do in Shiraz – Tomb of Saadi: A great poet of all time.

If you are looking forward to pay a visit to Shiraz, spring is the best season to visit this breathtaking paradise because of the blooms and blossoms and also during fall due to the good atmosphere of the city.

Hotel Abbasi: Best Hotel in Isfahan

Hotel Abbasi: Best Hotel in Isfahan (History, Rooms)

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Can you imagine yourself opening your eyes in bed, looking toward a big colorful sash window overlooking the fabulous Persian garden and a great turquoise dome? well, good news! It’s absolutely possible in Hotel Abbasi in Isfahan, which is the oldest hotel in the world! It needs only a quick reservation on the Hotel Abbasi website. Reserve your favorite hotels in Iran here.

Old as five dynasties

Shall I start the story of this historical hotel with ‘’once upon a time”? well, maybe. 400 years ago, at the time of King Sultan Hussein Safavid, the king’s mother endowed some of her properties, including the land of a mentioned hotel, to the public and ordered to build a Caravanserai there, to provide lodging for travelers. Years after that, Ashraf Afghan invaded Iran, overthrew The Safavids, and destroyed their sites, including the Caravanserai. But the story hasn’t ended yet! In 1965 a creative engineer found a way to renovate the whole complex. In 1700 the former Caravanserai reopened as Hotel Abbasi or Shah Abbas Hotel while preserving all the ancient elements, like the runnel of Persian garden or roof squinches.

Safavid Suits

The mixture of stunning illumination and hypnotizing ceiling decoration creates a unique atmosphere for the rooms and suits.

Rooms and suits

You might have pictured yourself having a rough time in a 400-year-old hotel, but no worries!  Hotel Abbasi is a good example of the right cooperation between modernity and traditionality. 5 different types of rooms are available for the guests: standard single and double rooms, landscape rooms with minimalist style decoration and garden view, luxurious paradise room with full facilities and garden view, Qajar suits prepared for 2 people with fantastic Qajar miniatures on its walls and roof and of course the garden view, and last but not least: Safavid suit which is the oldest and the most expensive option in Hotel Abbasi, with two bedrooms decorated with Safavid elements such as squinches, illuminated manuscripts and plaster work.

Ghajar suit_Hotel Abbasi

Gorgeous Qajar suite with Qajar architectural design

Facilities and Services

There is a great sports complex consisting of a pool, sauna, gym, and Jacuzzi, which provides some enjoyable services such as massage for its guests.

If you are a “food talks” person, be their guest! There are 4 high-quality restaurants in the complex. And “Chehel Sotoun” is the most enchanting of them. It’s open 12-15 and 19-23, serving both Iranian and international foods. It’s not only the joy of eating delicious food that tempts you to go there, Chehel Sotoun is a real piece of art itself. The mural paintings in both Safavid and Qajar styles, the Darius-design seats inspired by Darius’s throne from the stone configurations at Persepolis city, the artistic works on the walls, ceilings, columns, banisters, pavement, doors, glass panes, and even lanterns and ceiling suspensions multiply the beauty of the hall.

Advice

Keep in mind that the airport is about 25 far from the hotel, maybe you’ll have to pack earlier.
By the way, besides all those advantages, there are a few limitations in Hotel Abbasi:

  1. Pets are not allowed.
  2. Only married couples can share a room.

location

Isfahan St. Amadegah, international hotel Abbasi (Location on map)

Are you planning to travel to Iran? Check out our Iran tours.

Takht e suleyman

The most mysterious places in Iran + Photos

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Where you should go to visit while traveling to Iran? Shiraz and Isfahan are just some parts of this country. stay with us to find the most mysterious places in Iran you should go to.

Takht-e Soleyman Lake

Takht-e Soleyman is a spectacular area with lots of secrets, the most impressive area is Takht-e Soleyman Lake located in the center of the temple which is one of the most mysterious places to in Iran.
There are many myths and beliefs about the origin of this sacred lake, one of which dates back to Soleyman the prophet. According to this story, Prophet Soleyman is said to have kicked his cane in the water and made it boil and after that, he ordered the construction of the buildings around the lake. For this reason, due to the many names given by various groups of people to this site, today it is known only as the name of Takht-e Soleyman or (the throne of Soleyman).

Many believe that a treasure trove of coins and golden plates belonging to Soleyman the prophet has been buried deep at the bottom of the lake which has attracted the attention of many people not only in Iran but around the world; While some Zoroastrians are of the opinion that these golds are the gifts that people used to offer to the goddess of water. The question is why no one has dared to access this valuable treasure so far.

Takht-e-Soleyman-Lake - places to visit in Iran

Takht-e Soleyman Lake in Azerbaijan Province, Iran

Well, there are extraordinary features about the lake; it is said that the lake formation started when the springhead began to boil in the current location of the lake of Soleyman’s tomb, and over a very long time it gradually became the present lake with its calcareous sediments; with a length of 100 meters, a width of 80 meters and depth of approximately 60 meters.
Another astonishing fact about this lake is that despite being located in the cold region of Azerbaijan, the temperature of the lake is stable and does not exceed or lower 21 centigrade during summer and winter!

No living creature lives from a depth of 1 meter down the lake due to the presence of hard water elements. The water is not potable you should not drink water or even touch it! According to Zoroastrianism, whoever touches this water, must hold special fasting for forty days.

Rig-e Jenn

This desert in the central part of Iran, is one of the most mysterious Iran deserts. Many people believe that it could not be crossed since many travelers never returned from this wide emptiness. According to the locals, the region is governed by evil spirits and so, it is cursed.

For many years, no one dared to travel to the region and find out about its mystery! However, the scientific explanation for these strange disappearances is that the desert is full of salt marshes, especially the southern parts, and identifying these marshes is not easy. Tourists should travel with a guide to follow the right direction, otherwise, they will put their life in danger.

A strong whirlwind here causes the sandy hills to move in a way that in some areas driving would almost be impossible on these steep slopes. Special dune riding techniques with optional activities like sandboarding and skiing on dunes will pump adrenalin into the veins which is one of the main reasons why adventurers love to experience this scary zone.

Rige-Jen

Rige-Jen, the Bermuda Triangle of Iran.

 

 

If you are still interested in experiencing some adventure here, do not go alone, you must travel in a group and pack food, water, petrol, and the highest level of equipment for at least 15 days! Do not forget your map. Wish you an awesome adventure (Rig-e Jenn safari tour)

Screaming Forest of Torqabeh

In the northeast of Iran, there is a mysterious forest that produces scary voices like screaming at night. As the locals were frightened, an expert team was deployed to the region to find out the mystery. They reported that the sounds were attributed to a kind of grasshopper that attacks the villages in large numbers, especially during rainy seasons, their lifespan lasts for forty days. However, the locals still relate these strange screams to jinn and supernatural creatures, and their stories have attracted many tourists to the region every year; this streaming forest is among the mysterious places to visit in Iran.

Screaming-forest-Torghabe

Screaming Forest Torghabe

Shahdad Kalout

Kalouts are unique geological formations that have been made by extreme soil and water erosion through centuries. These natural attractions look like a mysterious city in the Lut desert, a captivating beauty that fascinates every visitor and one of the must-see places to visit in Iran.

Here is simply the hottest place on the Earth’s surface that NASA has ever registered; 71ºC! It is absolutely an abiotic zone; no living creature can endure here. So, if creatures like snakes and scorpions deter you from visiting desert areas, Shahdad is the best place to visit.

This legendary city has been caused by the strong winds of Semnan, which blow 120 days of the year, between June to October, and has extended over 11 thousand kilometers. These strong winds are the principal reason for Kalout’s creation, the greatest geological phenomenon.

Given that this desert is one of the hottest places to visit in Iran, the best time to travel to Shahdad is winter. You need legal permission to travel to this natural site and it would be best to travel in a group so as not to get lost.

Shahdad-Kalout

Shahdad Desert, the Hottest Place on Earth

Tallaght Wells

Thousands of years ago people of Qeshm island, one of the thirstiest parts of Iran close to the equator, dug 366 wells in the stone, representing the number of days in a leap year, in order to gather clean water from rainfall.

Each well has a name and people used one for each day. Water has always been the most valuable thing for people of the area, Laft, is more valuable than gold. These wells are located out of the island and next to the historic Naderi Castle in a village called “Laft”. There are some old and huge trees rooted in the stones next to the Tallaght wells, which locals believe are guardians of the Tallaght wells.

The liveliness of these trees shows that water is available in the wells. Since the wells are situated in a deeper area next to a coral hill, the rainwater goes downhill and would be saved in the wells. The bottom of the wells is covered with plaster that helps water to stay clean and cool for a long time.

Tallaght Wells are just 25 kilometers from the airport, so It would be the last attraction on Qeshm island that travelers might visit. The southern region of Iran has numerous historical and natural attractions and the best time of the year to book a tour in Iran to visit these parts is from late September to April (things to do in Qeshm)

Tallaght-Wells

Tallaght-Wells 

Fairy Chimneys (Hoodoo)

These strange geological wonders have been formed over many centuries by various physical and chemical natural forces; erosion through wind and acid rain has caused the formation of these badlands. However, the most powerful process that helps to form these sculptures is frost wedging. They are called fairy chimneys by the locals.

How these amazing geological forms are created? The melting snow, in the form of water, seeps into the cracks and freezes at night during winter. When water freezes it expands by almost 10 percent, little by little prying open cracks, making them ever wider, in the same way a pothole forms in a paved road.

One of the most well-known hoodoo-covered landscapes is Bryce Canyon in the USA, but these formations made of either sedimentary or volcanic rock can be found all around the world such as Cappadocia, Taiwan, New Mexico, New Zealand, Italy, France, and Canada.

Unfortunately, hoodoos don’t last a long time. The same processes that create hoodoos are equally aggressive and intent on their destruction.

Hoodoos: places to visit in Iran

Hoodoos, Fairy Chimneys in Iran

Ghost Canyon (Kul Khersan)

Dezful, an astonishingly beautiful city with a rich history on the hillside of Zagros mountains is considered a heaven for photographers due to the amazing landscapes of Shouy waterfall, Shayoon Lake, Dez River, downside flowers, Dez National Park, and other rivers and sceneries that surprise every visitor.

One of these fascinating places to visit in Iran is Ghost Canyon or Kul Khersan Canyon which is among the unique natural attractions in the world.
Imagine a road that continues for several kilometers between walls with a height of more than 100 meters on either side, in some places the two walls meet each other in a way that allows the sunlight in, only through small holes. At the beginning of the road, you will see beautiful grasslands, there is also a small palm garden and some cedar trees on the way.

Welcome to Kul Khersan, a truly amazing place to visit in Iran; water drops along the tall walls, and in some places, small waterfalls can be seen. The walls have various forms in different parts of the canyon, sometimes straight and sometimes so curved to narrow the way and let only one person pass!

Why do local people have named here the ghost canyon? As you go further along the road, the walls get closer and taller so it gets dark inside, and rarely little sunlight is allowed in.
One of the strange features of this canyon is its temperature; cool during summer and warm in winter.

Kul-Khersan-valley: places to visit in Iran

Kul Khersan Valley

The canyon will end in Dez River, there is about 4 kilometers of walking from the beginning of the road to reach the canyon and the canyon path continues for approximately 10 kilometers. Victors would better not to get close to the end of the road, since the water level rises and Dez River is dangerous to swim unless you are a professional swimmer!

The best time to visit Kul Khersan is in June when the weather is turning warm and it hardly rains.

Last Words

Iran has many unique and mysterious places to visit. Visiting these magical places will be one of the most memorable trips of your life.  If you’re interested let us know, so we can plan the perfect plan for your exciting trip to Iran. Hope you enjoy your tour visiting mysterious places in Iran!

Are you planning to travel to Iran? Check out our Iran tours.