Category: Attraction

Mahan

Mahan, located 35 kilometers from Kerman, consists of two places of interest: the Mausoleum of Shah Nematollah Valí and the Garden of Shahzadeh.

Shahzadeh Garden

The prince’s garden is located 5 kilometers from the mausoleum, south of Mahan village and south-east of Kerman, and is one of the 9 Persian gardens that have been registered on the UNESCO World Heritage list (in 2011 ). This garden, built in the late 19th century dedicated to the Qajar prince, Mohammad Hassan Khan, has hundreds of massive trees, streams of water, and fountains, making it a desert paradise. The pavilion was used as the prince’s summer residence.

Kharanaq

Kharanaq is the name of a village located 60 km from the city of Ardakan, in the province of Yazd, and is an extraordinary example of a rural village structure. Kharanaq, with its ancient history, attracts tourists from all over Iran for its unique location and scenery. This town consists of two parts: the new part, in which more than 500 people live, and the old part or Kharanaq castle that until recently housed the same inhabitants, but was left uninhabited about 30 years ago due to erosion. Given the presence of iron, barite, zinc and granite mines, Kharanaq and its surroundings are one of the most important economic centers in the country. This town has been called Kharanaq by the locals, whose meaning is the birthplace of the sun.

Kandovan

A town in the province of East Azerbaijan that is located south of Tabriz, at the foot of an extinct volcano, Kuh-e Sahand (3707 m), the highest point in this province. Troglodyte houses are carved out of soft volcanic tuff rocks: they are the ashes of fiery clouds from ancient Mount Sahand explosions.

In Kandovan, the tuff layer is more than 100 meters thick and erosion from rainfall and runoff has produced conical formations similar to those in Cappadocia.

The houses date back to various eras – some of which are still inhabited – and the town is a popular summer stroll. Although it is located in a remote corner of northwestern Iran, the villagers live like modern cavemen. Present-day Kandovan residents say their village is over 700 years old, created by those who fled the Mongol army and descended into caves to hide. The houses are known as “Karan” in the local Azerbaijani dialect, translated as beehives. In this area of ​​Iran Azerbaijani is spoken by the majority, one of the recognized languages ​​in Iran.

If you are passionate about mountains, mountaineering, anthropology, historical landscapes and the fascinating culture of the Middle East, SITO Travel will help you organize your trip to Iran. Contact us because our experience is born and developed in the field.

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.