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Jolfa

Jolfa is one of the Iranian cities located in the northwestern province of West Azerbaijan. It borders the Republic of Azerbaijan to the west and Armenia to the north. This border city has countless tourist attractions and is known as the city of historic churches. In addition to the natural and historical attractions of this northern Iranian city, many travelers visit Jolfa to shop in the markets of this border city defined as a free zone. Jolfa is considered a semi-arid and semi-cold city in terms of climate. During hot seasons like summer, the temperature in this city is very high and in winter, due to its location near Mount Kiamki Dagh and other mountains, the temperature is low and it is very cold.

Izadkhast

During Sassanid times, it was one of the most important cities in the country in Istakhr forming one of the main capitals of the Sassanid Empire. Izadkhast is a city whose elegant and majestic castle welcomes visitors as soon as they enter the province of Fars. It is one of the oldest cities in Iran and its historical attractions are located in the southeast corner of the city.

The most important monument that appears before our eyes is a wonderful castle hidden in the main street of the city. A beautiful and historic castle resembling a gigantic ship. Around this castle you can see many other Sassanid monuments and two important Safavid buildings. The Shah Abbasí Caravanserai and the Safavida Bridge, which spans the Izadkhast River, are also near this castle.

Garmeh

A small oasis located in the central desert of Iran, in the Isfahan region. A small town of 250 inhabitants, a charming palm grove, a hot spring, goats and camels offer everything you need to be amazed in Iran. Getting to Garmeh is like going back in time. Along the way you can see the 1,500-year-old ruined castles that rise up and adorn the landscape from the road.

The central mountain ranges of Iran are located near Garmeh. The only source of water in the town and, therefore, the vital element, comes from a spring that springs up at the foot of these mountains. It is the only source of life for the palm groves and date palm orchards that make this oasis a place of dreams.

About 2000 years ago, the oasis was located on the main road of the famous Silk Road and therefore on the main trade route between China and Europe. Consequently, many travelers passed through the region. A famous Persian poet, philosopher and adventurer named Nasser Khosrow passed through the region about 950 years ago and mentioned the area in his travel accounts.

This town has been receiving visitors for many years, as it was one of the stops on the famous Silk Trade Route. There are a few places to welcome visitors: rural houses covered with the typical mixture of mud, clay and straw offer travelers a comfortable stay in this 400-year-old town. Nowadays, many types of these houses are built in Iran, as rural tourism is gradually becoming noticed in the face of star hotel chains.

At Garmeh you can hike through the surrounding mountains to enjoy a panoramic view of the oasis on one side and the rocky plains on the other. This is the best way to get an idea of ​​how small Garmeh is. It is quite amazing to see this group of green palm trees surrounded by nothing but desert.

Following the streams in Garmeh, they would come to a small opening in the cave where there are also small fish in the water, which can be used as a kind of pedicure.

If you are passionate about deserts and desert landscapes, hiking, anthropology, historical landscapes and fascinating culture of the Middle East, SITO Travel will help you organize your trip to Iran. Get in touch with us because our experience is born and developed in the field.

Firuzabad, Sarvestan, Bishapur

Sassanid archaeological landscapes of the Fars region

Located in the southeast of the Iranian province of Fars, the eight deposits are divided into three geographical areas: Firuzabad, Bishapur and Sarvestan. The fortified structures, palaces and remains date back to the early and late days of the Sassanid Empire, which swept through the region between AD 224 and 658. The sites include the first capital of the founder of the dynasty, Ardacher Babakan, as well as the city and architectural structures of his successor, King Shapur I. This archaeological landscape, based on optimal exploitation of natural topography, is the witness to the influence of the Achaemenid and Parthian cultural traditions and Roman art, which had a significant impact on the architecture of the Islamic period.

The Sassanid archaeological landscape of the Fars region is influenced by Achaemenid and Parthian cultural and ritual traditions and refers to their architectural and artistic approaches. This is illustrated by the carving techniques of the reliefs at Firuzabad and Bishapur, and the sculpture of Shapur at Tang-e Chogan. Also, especially in Bishapur, the influences of the encounter with Roman art and architecture are well reflected. The Sassanid urban plan inspired urbanism throughout the region up to the Islamic period, and the Sarvestan monument shows how the Sassanid architectural language continued to be used in the early Islamic period.

Dizin Ski Resort

Dizin, located near Karaj, the capital of Alborz province, is the most important ski resort in Iran and the Middle East.

Given its high altitude, the ski season in this resort lasts longer than in the other European ones, generally from December to May. The existence of a chairlift that reaches 3,600 meters of altitude, makes it one of the 40 highest ski resorts in the world. Dizin’s ski facilities include hotels, chalets, restaurants, villas and private cottages around the resort to welcome thousands of people annually. Dizin Ski Resort is considered the first ski and winter sports center in Iran, officially recognized by the International Ski Federation. This official title has been awarded for its structure and specific techniques used in its construction, such as: the slope and length of the field, the place where the races are held, as well as the services provided and leisure facilities.

For all those who are passionate about winter sports and skiing, SITO Travel will be happy to organize a sports trip to Iran.

Lut Desert

The Lut Desert, or Dasht-e-Lut, is located in southeastern Iran. Between June and October, this arid subtropical zone is swept away by strong winds that carry sediments and cause colossal wind erosion. The site has some of the most spectacular examples of aeolian yardangs (rocky ridges). It is also made up of vast stone deserts and dune fields. It is a prominent example of ongoing geological phenomena.

Covering an area of ​​2,278,015 hectares, this vast area is surrounded by a buffer zone of 1,794,134 hectares. In Persian, the word Lut refers to the bare land, without water or vegetation. The area is located in a basin surrounded by mountains. The region often experiences the highest surface temperatures on Earth: a temperature of 70.7 ° C has been recorded.

Damavand

Mount Damavand, a dormant volcano and the highest point in Iran, is located northeast of Tehran, in the Alborz mountain range. Its summit rises to an altitude of 5,671 meters. The image of this volcano, similar to Mount Fuji, is printed on the 10,000 rial banknotes and bottles of mineral water. On a clear, pollution-free day, Damavand can be seen from the window of planes landing in Tehran.

Damavand, mentioned in Persian mythology, is the place where Rustam, hero of the Shahnamé (Epic of the Kings), Persian epic set by Ferdowsí in the 11th century, chained the demonic Zahak. The volcano is also home to the Simurgh, a mythical bird that regenerates from its ash and has a healing effect. Linked to Zal and Rustam, two of the mythical figures of the Shahnamé, the Simurgh is the protector of legendary monarchs and Iranian sovereignty. Being a symbol of royalty, it also represents an initiatory figure illuminated by divine light in Sufi esotericism, even by the invisible presence of God. The Mongol invasion of Iran established the representation of the Simurgh, modeled on that of the phoenix.

Chak Chak

Sacred Temple of Chak Chak

Between mountains and plains there is a Zoroastrian temple on top of a mountain, in the middle of the solitude of the desert. Chak Chak is located 60 km from Yazd city, near Sharif Abad village in Ardakan, the second largest city in Yazd province. Through this desert landscape accompanied by a small purple and pink mountain range, at the end of a path decorated with wells (kariz) in the heart of the central desert of Iran, perched on the side of a cliff, this uninhabited town welcomes every year from June 14 to 18 to Zoroastrians around the world.

Legend, in Zoroastrian belief, attributes this place to Nikbanu, the second daughter of the last Sassanid ruler, Yazdgerd III. It is said that Nikbanú took refuge in this place from the attack of the invading Arab army in 640. The Sassanid Empire was the last imperial dynasty of Persia before the rise of Islam. They say that Nikbanú prayed to Ahura Mazda to protect her from her enemies, as she was afraid of being captured. In answer to her prayers, the mountain miraculously opened and sheltered her. The temple includes a cave with a still flowing spring at the top of the mountain overlooking the desert. Two spearmen appear in two large bronze doors at the entrance and in front of a sacred tree, which must have been the princess’s cane. Inside, a fire burns in the central altar and three candles are lit in a niche. Here, we can read Zoroastrian morals: good thoughts, good words, good deeds.

Bastam

Bayazid Bastamí’s Tomb

Commonly called Bayazid Bastami, nicknamed Sultan-al-Arifin (King of the Mystics), he is the great mystic of the 9th century AD. Bayazid is said to have returned to Bastam after a few years of exploration and asceticism and that he spent most of his life and died there. He left no works, but his disciples and followers transcribed his speeches which were cited in various books such as “Tabaqat al-Sufiyya” and “Tazkirat al-Awliya”.

Kashaneh Tower

Located on the southeast side of the Aljama Mosque of Bastam, north of Shahrud. The tower’s polygonal architecture, with its beautiful moldings and calligraphy on the walls, has made it a spectacular attraction. This 20-meter high tower is decorated with an inscription written in Kufic on the top of the tower. Numerous studies show that the building was a fire temple and that after the advent of Islam it was used as a mosque.

Bam Citadel

In the province of Kermán is the incredible citadel of Bam made of adobe. Authentic work of engineering with an area of ​​180,000 square meters and more than 1000 years old dating back to 500 BC. In the past it was one of the most important cities and an unavoidable stop on the mythical Silk Road passing through Iran. The citadel consists of 400 houses and 67 castles apart from the largest one in the middle with panoramic views. The castle walls measure between 6 and 7 meters. The houses are of three types: those that are small with 2.3 rooms for lower-class families, the largest ones with 3.4 rooms for middle-class people and the luxurious ones that mostly belonged to the Jews. The last king of the Zand dynasty died here. The citadel was completely destroyed in an earthquake in 2003. You can still imagine walking through its streets how its schools, the stately courtyards, the governor’s palace and the old Jewish quarter would be like.