Kandelus Village in Iran Kandelus is a historical village in Mazandaran province, located in the Caspian Sea region in the north of Iran. The province itself lies between the southern coast of the Caspian Sea and the northern slopes of the Central Alborz mountains. Mazandaran is one of the most densely populated provinces in Iran and has a multitude of natural resources. Kandolus is a breath-taking and blessed village in the heart of dense forests on a mild slope at the foothill of the Alborz Mountain Range. This village, being in a mountainous region, is in one of the most scenic valleys of the Alborz Mountain Range at an altitude of 1,650 meters above sea level. The inhabitants speak in the Mazandarani dialect. The village has a dense residential fiber with householders owning sheep, goats, and hens and boasts a unique architecture. It was registered on the list of national heritage villages of Iran. Due to its distinct identity, the alleys and streets are renovated by the Iran Cultural Heritage and Tourism Ministry. There are many fruit trees and a wide variety of medicinal plants in the forest. The whole area is surrounded by a large and spectacular forest, with an exquisite trail that leads to a mountain called Anaron Peak at a height of 3150 m. There are numerous springs throughout the mountains. Kandelus is also well-known for its worth-to-visit rural museums. Kandelus Museum of Anthropology exhibits a precious range of objects from the ancient time before Christ to the Islamic era. The latest ones date back to the Qajar era. The museum narrates the history and culture of the region showing a wide variety of woven, wooden, metal, and china materials, as well as clothes, statues, and paintings. It will be interesting for culture lovers who travel
Kandelus Village in Iran Kandelus is a historical village in Mazandaran province, located in the Caspian Sea region in the north of Iran. The province itself lies between the southern coast of the Caspian Sea and the northern slopes of the Central Alborz mountains. Mazandaran is one of the most densely populated provinces in Iran
Hormuz Island in Iran Hormuz Island, Hormozgan province, is an oval island 8 km from Bandar Abbas and is considered to be one of the most exquisite islands in Iran. Situated in the Persian Gulf, it is actually a salt dome with an area of 42 square km. It is regarded as the key to the Persian Gulf due to its geographical location and proximity to the Strait of Hormuz. As a result of its position, Qeshm Island’s proximity to Hormuz Island greatly helped it to achieve importance commercially. Historically, Hormuz Island’s location, in a strategically very important region, has given it a significant commercial status. The island's population may halve in the summer with local migration due to the climate. Hormuz village is the only permanent settlement. Resources comprise of red ochre for international trade. Around 1300, the governor of Hormuz left the mainland to avoid thieves and established New Hormuz on the island. Slowly, it suppressed Qeys as the most important commercial center in the Persian Gulf, dominating other islands in the Persian Gulf and sometimes the land of Oman. The Portuguese seized Hormuz and built a castle there in 1514. The Island remained Portuguese for more than a hundred years. However, together with the rise of the local English combined with the Persian Shah’s rage and displeasure at the Portuguese occupancy, a climax was reached. Thus, the Portuguese on Hormuz Island were overthrown by joint Anglo-Persian forces in 1622. From this ancient and well-known city, nothing has left except for a part of the Portuguese castle. Hormuz was rented out to the governor of Muscat and Oman from 1868 to 1798 with the neighboring larger island of Jeshun and the land port of Bandar Abbas. Breath-taking scenery, colorful mountains, cliffs formed over millions
Hormuz Island in Iran Hormuz Island, Hormozgan province, is an oval island 8 km from Bandar Abbas and is considered to be one of the most exquisite islands in Iran. Situated in the Persian Gulf, it is actually a salt dome with an area of 42 square km. It is regarded as the key to
Qeshm Island in Iran Qeshm Island, in Hormozgan province, Iran, is the largest island in the waters of the Persian Gulf. We have always heard a lot about the unique beauties and features of this island. The countless attractions have made Qeshm one of the most important tourist destinations in Iran. It is located in the Strait of Hormuz and has long belonged to Iran. Its pristine and beautiful nature, together with its history dating back to the Sassanid era, has made this southern island a popular tourist destination for many Iranians and foreign tourists. Qeshm Island has an area of 460 square miles (1,200 square km). The beaches are generally rocky, except for the northwest coast, with its sandy bays and muddy plains. Irregular hills cover most of Qeshm. Several of them are more than 900 feet (270 meters) high, and one of them, Kish Kuh, reaches 1,331 feet (406 meters). Salt is extracted on the southeastern shores and there are springs of naphtha. The island is largely barren, but cereals, vegetables, melons, and dates are grown there. Fishing and weaving are common in this region. Shipbuilding is also one of the oldest indigenous industries of the people of Qeshm. On the 5th of May 2017, Qeshm Island was designated as a UNESCO Global Geopark. This Geopark has the shape of a dolphin. The world's longest salt cave is also situated on the island. It is 6,600 meters long. In addition to the formation of salt and complex, other sedimentary formations are located in various anticline structures on it. The island has rich wildlife; various birds, reptiles, dolphins, and turtles can be seen in this area. In Qeshm Island, zoo geographical areas of Palearctic and Oriental, and phytogeographical areas of Afro-tropical, Oriental and Eurasian face each
Qeshm Island in Iran Qeshm Island, in Hormozgan province, Iran, is the largest island in the waters of the Persian Gulf. We have always heard a lot about the unique beauties and features of this island. The countless attractions have made Qeshm one of the most important tourist destinations in Iran. It is located in
Jahan Nama Protected Area A small village of Jahan Nama by the Caspian Sea gave the name to the vast Jahan Nama Protected Area in the Golestan Province in Iran. With rich wildlife, including wild sheep and goats, wolfs, panthers, bears, weasels, owls, eagles, cuckoos, woodpeckers, and porcupines, Jahan Nama is also famous for its variety of plants and trees, including barberry, Sorkhdar, Kolah-e Mir Hassan, Bolandmaza Namdar, Borage Cowslip, Ras, Darmaneh, and many others. During the studies performed here between 1999 and 2008, 1,350 species were identified, including 607 vascular plant species from 85 families. There are also many seasonal birds in the park and a lot of rivers and springs. The highlands of Jahannama are the most suitable habitats for various hunting birds such as the golden eagles, as well as large partridges. Jahan Nama Park, with an area of about 38 ha, is the largest protected area in Mazandaran province, after Golestan National Park. It is part of the Hyrcanian forests (UNESCO), which are among the oldest forests in the world. The beauties and attractions of the Jahan Nama region are not only limited to its rich flora and fauna and intact nature. The 35-meter Radkan Tower, also known as Mil Radkan, is one of the main historical attractions in this area. It is a cylindrical brick tower dating back to the 13th century. Ziarat Waterfall is another natural attraction in the northeast of the region, located about 5km from Ziarat Village. The village is one of the most beautiful tourist villages in Iran. The pristine nature of the park makes it an ideal hiking destination and we, at Adventure Iran, have created a long hiking trail, which starts south of the Great Gorgan Wall and stretches all the way to the Jahan Nama National Park.
Jahan Nama Protected Area A small village of Jahan Nama by the Caspian Sea gave the name to the vast Jahan Nama Protected Area in the Golestan Province in Iran. With rich wildlife, including wild sheep and goats, wolfs, panthers, bears, weasels, owls, eagles, cuckoos, woodpeckers, and porcupines, Jahan Nama is also famous for its variety
Ashe Jo, Traditional Persian Food Iran is a vast country with amazing diversity in geographical features, climatic conditions, cultural elements, and groups of ethnicity. Each region enjoys its unique customs, languages or dialects, traditions, clothes, and cuisine. The common feature in all regions is that Iranian cuisine is not just about mixing the ingredients, but also about how to mix which ingredients in what quantity so that the final product looks like an arty healthy meal. One of the most popular foods among all regions is Aush or Ash (the Persian style of soup). Persian food includes a wide range of traditional soups such as Ashe Jo (Barley Soup) which is one of the most popular soups served at most Persian restaurants and ceremonies. Here, you will learn how to make Ashe Jo in Persian style. If you are interested in Persian Food Tours, do not hesitate to contact us. Ashe Jo (Bean, chickpea, and herb soup), an Iranian dish Ingredients (for 5 to 6 people): 4 tablespoons of dried chickpeas 3 tablespoons of dried red beans (the ones used in Iran have small white marks) 3 tablespoons of lentils 4 tablespoons of oatmeal 4 tablespoons of wheat 3 tablespoons of porridge mix 500g mixture of fresh herbs: coriander, parsley, chives, dill, and spinach sprouts 1 tablespoon of dried mint 6 chicken legs or chicken stock 2 tablespoons of oil 2 onions 4 cloves of garlic 3 or 4 tablespoons of dried onions (to serve) Kashk * Salt & pepper Recipe: First, the day before, soak overnight the chickpeas and beans. After peeling and chopping the onions, cook them in a skillet until soft. Then, mix all the ingredients, add the stock to cover, and cook gently for about 30 minutes. Finally, just before serving, put on the
Ashe Jo, Traditional Persian Food Iran is a vast country with amazing diversity in geographical features, climatic conditions, cultural elements, and groups of ethnicity. Each region enjoys its unique customs, languages or dialects, traditions, clothes, and cuisine. The common feature in all regions is that Iranian cuisine is not just about mixing the ingredients, but
Khoresht-e Khalal, an Iranian Food Khoresht-e Khalal Badam or Silver Almond Stew is a delicious and fragrant Iranian food that originates from Kermanshah province, west of Iran. It is usually prepared in formal ceremonies, but you can easily order it in some restaurants too. So, if a Kermanshahi invited you to Khorest-e Khalal for lunch or dinner, be aware that you have been their VIP! Let's learn how to make this mouthwatering Persian food. A stew of flaked and crushed almonds A dish from the Kermanshah region Ingredients: (For 5 to 6 people) 1 large onion or 2 small 1kg of braising beef cut in pieces (150 g per person) 100 g of crushed almonds soaked overnight in rose water 1 pinch of saffron steeped in water with an ice cube (about 5 cl of water) 100 g of barberries steeped for a few minutes in cold water 1 tablespoon of tomato concentrate 5 cardamom pods 1 tablespoon of dried crushed rose buds 6 dried lemons steeped in cold water for a few minutes 2 tablespoons of sesame oil with a little water How to make it: Peel and chop finely the onions. Put them into a heavy skillet with the cold sesame oil and water. Cook gently until soft. Add the pieces of meat, the drained barberries, the almonds with the rose water, the cardamom, the rose buds, and 20 cl of water. Cover with water. Add the tomato concentrate and 3 tablespoons for the saffron-water mixture. Cook gently for 4 hours or 1h30 in a pressure cooker. Add salt and cook for another 15 minutes Serve with rice cooked in the Iranian style. * You can also make this tasty bright-color stew with poultry such as chicken according to your taste. If you are vegetarian, you
Khoresht-e Khalal, an Iranian Food Khoresht-e Khalal Badam or Silver Almond Stew is a delicious and fragrant Iranian food that originates from Kermanshah province, west of Iran. It is usually prepared in formal ceremonies, but you can easily order it in some restaurants too. So, if a Kermanshahi invited you to Khorest-e Khalal for lunch
Iranian Foods and Persian Cuisine Iran has numerous ethnic groups and tribes in its vast and historic land. Each ethnicity and tribe have its own traditional food according to geography and climate. The type of Iranian foods and Persian cuisine in the hot regions such as the Iran Deserts is very different from the northwest of Iran with its cold temperature. It also varies from the vegetarian food of the Caspian Sea to the spicy seafood of the Persian Gulf. The idea behind these distinct Persian dishes is not only to provide an endless variety of tasty recipes but, more importantly, for the food to have nourishing properties, using special herbs, to ensure a healthy body. To achieve this, it is vital to understand how traditional food was selected to suit the varying climatic conditions. The out-of-the-ordinary delicious Persian cuisine, combined with the colors of Iranian food, is for us the art of cooking. In our tradition, which goes back centuries, the hot and cold nature of the body and its temperament were taken into consideration when it was determined what to eat and where. This was to control the balance of this system. The ingredients, the root of everything we eat, are essential to keep our bodies from preventing illnesses rather than curing them. We are thankful and proud of our Persian medicine, developed over two thousand years, which is included in our every meal. In Iran, we call it ‘Iranian Traditional Medicine’, where some of our universities offer various programs about this ‘traditional medical science’. Not only, but also, this history of the hot and cold nature of our bodies has been followed by other traditions of medical science such as the Chinese, Greeks, Romans, etc. ‘Avicenna’ was an outstanding and highly admired Persian scientist who was and
Iranian Foods and Persian Cuisine Iran has numerous ethnic groups and tribes in its vast and historic land. Each ethnicity and tribe have its own traditional food according to geography and climate. The type of Iranian foods and Persian cuisine in the hot regions such as the Iran Deserts is very different from the northwest
Hyrcanian Forests in Iran (UNESCO) Iran has a large number of national parks and protected areas, including two Natural UNESCO World Heritage Sites, one of which is the Caspian Hyrcanian Forests. Located in northern Iran along the southern coast of the Caspian Sea and the northern slopes of the Alborz Mountains, the forest covers an area of 850km and, from a historical perspective, dates back to 25 to 50 million years ago. Hyrcanian Forests in Iran were registered as the second natural site of Iran on UNESCO World Heritage List in 2019. The forests are named after the ancient region of Hyrcania, a historical region extended from southeast of the Caspian Sea in Iran and Turkmenistan. Hyrcanian forests are home to 180 species of birds including Steppe Eagle, European Turtle Dove, Eastern Imperial Eagle, and Caspian Tit, as well as 58 species of mammals, including Panthera pardus tulliana (Persian leopard), and Wild Goat, while they only cover 7% of the country. The forest is extended across three Provinces of Gilan, Mazandaran, and Golestan, and part of that covers the southeast part of the country of Azerbaijan. One of the habitats of this rare species is Jahan Nama protected area, that Adventure Iran’s “The Red Snake Wall and the Turkoman Plain” tour lies through. https://www.adventureiran.com/golestan-province-and-turkmen-plain-tourist-highlights/ https://www.adventureiran.com/golestan-national-park/
Hyrcanian Forests in Iran (UNESCO) Iran has a large number of national parks and protected areas, including two Natural UNESCO World Heritage Sites, one of which is the Caspian Hyrcanian Forests. Located in northern Iran along the southern coast of the Caspian Sea and the northern slopes of the Alborz Mountains, the forest covers
Gonbad-e Qabus in Iran (UNESCO) A small agricultural town of Gonbad-e Qabus (also pronounced Gonbad-e Kavoos or Gonbad-e Kavus) lies approx. 500km east of Mashhad, in Golestan province, Iran. It is home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site under the same name- the spectacular Gonbad-e Qabus brick tower. According to the two Kufic inscriptions encircling the construction, the tower was built in 1006 as a burial chamber for a Ziyarid prince. It is 72m high and is one of the tallest brick towers in the world. The tower walls are 3 meters thick and the tower itself is 17 meters in diameter. It is part of the world’s second-largest defense wall, the 155km-long Qizil Alan. The tower, built of unglazed baked bricks, is the only remaining evidence of the ancient city of Jorjan. Jorjan was the ancient Ziyarid capital, destroyed during the Mongols' invasion in the 14th and 15th centuries. Gonbad-e Qabus Tower is a cylindrical tower transformed into a ten-pointed star at the top and narrows down to a conical roof. The conical roof was the characteristic of the tomb towers in Iran, Anatolia, and Central Asia. The geometric structure of Gonbad-e Qabus Tower is the masterpiece of Iranian architecture in the early Islamic era. https://www.adventureiran.com/golestan-province-and-turkmen-plain-tourist-highlights/ https://www.adventureiran.com/the-silk-road-in-iran-and-the-persian-caravanserai/
Gonbad-e Qabus in Iran (UNESCO) A small agricultural town of Gonbad-e Qabus (also pronounced Gonbad-e Kavoos or Gonbad-e Kavus) lies approx. 500km east of Mashhad, in Golestan province, Iran. It is home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site under the same name- the spectacular Gonbad-e Qabus brick tower. According to the two Kufic inscriptions encircling
Dasht-e Havij in Iran Dasht-e-Havij or Gor Chal plain, at an altitude of 2,700 m, is situated 400 meters above Afjeh village in Iran. It is one of the most famous attractions in the Lavasanat district (northeast of Tehran in the central Alborz Mountains). Havij means Carrot and Dasht-e Havij means literally a ‘big carrot field’. There are various legends about this name’s origin, which probably indicate that large parts of this vast land were sown with carrot seeds. Today, there is no sign of anything left to reinforce it. Gor Chal in ancient Persian means fireplace, being the combination of two words; Gor means fire and Chal means place. It is said that it got its name for it being so hot compared to the surrounding places being so cold, but there is no evidence to support this assertion. Dasht-e Havij is surrounded by a cluster of high-altitude peaks between 3,000 – 4,000 m which protects this area from the wind. During the Safavid dynasty (400 years ago), it was an important hunting area with some beautiful cascades called Passchoobak, Saboosetan, and Charand. A couple is still in existence, depending very much on the snowfall of that year. In addition, there are numerous maple trees and, of course, a variety of fruit trees in this unspoiled region. The remains of Safavid Caravansaries can be seen along the path at the end of the valley, near the rock wall. There is also an old bath dating back to the Safavid era which is, surprisingly, still in use and is presently enjoyed by rural people. The Qajar dynasty (200 years ago) used this path to reach the Lar National Park going through the countryside. From Lar, there was an ancient mule road stretching towards the Caspian Sea. 3 Peaks in
Dasht-e Havij in Iran Dasht-e-Havij or Gor Chal plain, at an altitude of 2,700 m, is situated 400 meters above Afjeh village in Iran. It is one of the most famous attractions in the Lavasanat district (northeast of Tehran in the central Alborz Mountains). Havij means Carrot and Dasht-e Havij means literally a ‘big carrot
