Iran Silk Road Iran was known as Persia during the Silk Road period. It was the main ring of the chain from East to West. It was strategically placed for the Silk Road trade with several routes passing through Iran’s ancient and beautiful country. Nowadays, Iran is no longer considered so famous for the Silk Road route compared to other central Asian countries. The Iranian tourism industry did not invest much time in marketing this interesting piece of history due to Iran being at the center of several difficult issues during the last 40 years. Despite this unfortunate drawback, Iran is firmly back on the map. Thanks to its attractiveness, and numerous ‘little-explored’ parts of this amazingly diverse country, there is so much to offer experienced travelers wishing to journey through Iran’s part of the Silk Road route which runs from China to Turkey. One of the main highlights of the Iran Silk Road is seeing the many historical sites alongside this route. In Iran’s Silk Road, there are plenty of ancient castles, caravanserais, citadels, and mosques that date back over a thousand years. There are a huge number of caravanserais, a lot of which have been renovated as boutique hotels. In addition, there are numerous oases in use in the Deserts of Iran on the original path of the Silk Road. These areas are still inhabited. The names of a couple of them are mentioned in the books of Alfons Gabriel and Sven Hedin who crossed the Iran desert about 100 years ago. In the Iran Deserts article, we also recommended adventurous individuals should visit Iran’s deserts to enjoy the countless attractions on offer. Iran has many caravanserais, many of which have been destroyed, and some of them still remain in their original form. Some of them have
Iran Silk Road Iran was known as Persia during the Silk Road period. It was the main ring of the chain from East to West. It was strategically placed for the Silk Road trade with several routes passing through Iran’s ancient and beautiful country. Nowadays, Iran is no longer considered so famous for the Silk
Damavand Acclimatisation Programme A Complete Guide for a Safe and Successful Climb Mount Damavand, the highest peak in Iran and the tallest volcano in Asia, is a dream destination for climbers and adventure enthusiasts worldwide. Standing at 5,610 meters (18,405 feet), this majestic mountain offers breathtaking views and a challenging yet rewarding climbing experience. However, one of the most critical aspects of a successful Damavand climb is proper acclimatisation. In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about acclimatizing for Mount Damavand, ensuring a safe and enjoyable adventure. Why Acclimatisation is Crucial for Climbing Mount Damavand Acclimatization is the process of allowing your body to adapt to the decreasing levels of oxygen at higher altitudes. As you ascend Mount Damavand, the air becomes thinner, and the oxygen levels drop significantly. Without proper acclimatization, climbers are at risk of developing Altitude Sickness (Acute Mountain Sickness or AMS), which can lead to severe symptoms like headaches, nausea, dizziness, and, in extreme cases, life-threatening conditions such as High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) or High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE). Proper acclimatization not only reduces the risk of altitude sickness but also improves your overall climbing performance, allowing you to enjoy the journey to the summit. Understanding Altitude Zones on Mount Damavand Mount Damavand has several key altitude zones, each requiring careful acclimatization: Base Camp (2,200 - 3,000 meters): This is where most climbers begin their journey. Popular base camps include Goosfandsara and Polour. Spend at least 1-2 days here to allow your body to adjust to the altitude. Mid-Level Camps (3,000 - 4,000 meters): Camps like Bargah-e Sevom (Camp 3) at 4,200 meters are ideal for further acclimatization. Climbers often hike to these camps during the day and return to lower altitudes to sleep, following the "climb high, sleep low"
Damavand Acclimatisation Programme A Complete Guide for a Safe and Successful Climb Mount Damavand, the highest peak in Iran and the tallest volcano in Asia, is a dream destination for climbers and adventure enthusiasts worldwide. Standing at 5,610 meters (18,405 feet), this majestic mountain offers breathtaking views and a challenging yet rewarding climbing experience. However,
Desert 4x4 Safari in Iran Desert 4x4 Safari in Iran is one of the main activities that most travelers would like to experience on their journey to Iran. As you may know, Iran has two deserts; Dasht-e Kavir and Lut deserts. They are both perfect for a 4x4 safari for all adventurous travelers in search of a new and remarkable experience. Dasht-e Lut lands are quite unusual in comparison with the other deserts of Iran, having eye-catching and unique landscapes. Maranjab, Rig-e Jen, Koreh Gaaz, and Mesr desert make up the Dasht-e Kavir desert all of which are ideal for off-road 4x4 safaris. Maranjab desert is close to Kashan city, where there is a historical caravanserai which is well worth visiting. This desert is unrivaled for a multi-day desert trip for those who would like to have a short and cost-effective desert journey in Iran. Rig-e Jen, in the central desert of Iran, is one of the most adventurous. It is located in the heart of the Dasht-e Kavir desert. Rig-e Jen is perfect for those travelers who would like to have a longer and more complete 4x4 safari as it is not easily accessible. It is also more challenging compared to the other deserts in the area. There are two ways for starting the journey. Anarak is the most accessible town in the Rig-e Jen desert, 222 km from the east of Esfahan. The second way is from Khur which is a town in the heart of Dasht-e Kavir. The least popular deserts for safaris in Iran are the Koreh Gaz and Mesr deserts. Koreh Gaz is also known as Mohammad Abad Koreh Gaz; it is the last oasis in the desert where a couple of people still live. In this region, there is underground water, a few
Desert 4×4 Safari in Iran Desert 4×4 Safari in Iran is one of the main activities that most travelers would like to experience on their journey to Iran. As you may know, Iran has two deserts; Dasht-e Kavir and Lut deserts. They are both perfect for a 4×4 safari for all adventurous travelers in search
We are adapting all our trips are adapted to new health standards. Living a memorable and safe adventure has always been the first concern of Adventure Iran and this special year will not be an exception to this rule. When you are able to travel to Iran, we shall continue to make you travel, make you dream and make you discover wonderful places in Iran. We are working with our accommodation providers, guides, partners in order to adapt all our circuits to new health constraints: physical distance, barrier gestures, specific hygiene measures. Transport: Reduction in the number transfers and the number of people in vehicles, wearing of a mandatory mask and regular disinfection of vehicles. Accommodation: We apply all of the strict rules imposed on accommodation. Hotels: We no longer offer rooms to share with people who do not know each other. Family, double or single rooms are available. Private accommodation and mountain huts: Minimum surface area per person, 1 bed out of 2 offered in dormitories, blankets are no longer provided in shelters, you will need to provide a personal duvet. Camping: An individual tent is offered to you for the whole stay, we transport it, you may be asked to pitch it up / dismantle it. Meals: Reduction in the number of dishes shared on picnics, and an increase in individual portions. Food is not in contact with all participants; strict hygiene rules are applied even when hiking or cycling. Activities: Your guide will explain the new health rules implemented in connection with the various players in your trip: accommodation providers, drivers. During the activities, he helps everyone to respect the rules of physical distance (for example, 2 meters when hiking).
We are adapting all our trips are adapted to new health standards. Living a memorable and safe adventure has always been the first concern of Adventure Iran and this special year will not be an exception to this rule. When you are able to travel to Iran, we shall continue to make you travel, make
Hiking in Iran Hiking in Iran is one of the most attractive activities for many individuals, especially considering Iran is a mountainous country with many of them over 4,000 m. Hiking is a popular sport for Iranians at weekends. Iran is a vast country with two huge deserts, where even from the desert area it is possible to see these staggeringly beautiful 4,000 m mountains in the distance. There are also a lot of hiking routes in the country. As you may know, there are two long mountain ranges in Iran. Alborz mountain range with around 900 km length to the south of the Caspian Sea and Zagros Mountain Range with 1,500 km length starting from the northeast of the country and stretching to the southeast. There are also numerous high mountains over 4,000 m in other parts of the country for hiking. Most travelers from all around the world come here for hiking, with Iran hiking becoming the most popular activity for many adventurers. You cannot find an IRAN HIKING MAP here as the one you may see in your home country. There are a few organizations and companies that print Iran maps, but, unfortunately, they do not provide a special Iran hiking map for our mountains, or a topographic hiking map with contours and nature signs. On the north side of the capital city of Tehran, there are a number of hiking routes that go up to Tochal Mountain, where the long ridge line is nearly 4,000 m. There are plenty of characteristic cafés and shops around here where hikers have the opportunity to stop and have breakfast on the trail and take in the stunning scenery. There are also a bunch of trails for hiking outside of Tehran city in the country parts. Most
Hiking in Iran Hiking in Iran is one of the most attractive activities for many individuals, especially considering Iran is a mountainous country with many of them over 4,000 m. Hiking is a popular sport for Iranians at weekends. Iran is a vast country with two huge deserts, where even from the desert area it
Alborz-e Markazi Protected Area Alborz-e Markazi Protected Area is one of the biggest protected areas in Alborz Mountain Range observed by the Department of Environment of Iran. The area starts north of Tehran city and stretches to the Caspian Sea. It is situated in three provinces of Tehran, Alborz, and Mazandaran. The whole area is around 400,000 hectares and is home to 48 species of mammals, 156 species of birds, 1,400 different species of plants, and 26 species of reptiles who live in this area. It is one of the main sources of water as there are many rivers in this region. The most famous mountains of Central Alborz, above 4,000m, are located in this protected area. Mount AzadKuh 4,400m, Mount Kolonbastak 4,150 m, and Mount Sarakchal 4,250m are its most famous peaks. In addition, Abali Ski resort, the first ski resort in Iran, built around 60 years ago (1960), is located in Alborz-e Markazi protected area. The main ski resorts of Dizin, Shemshak, and Darbandsar are also found here. Adventure Iran is one of the pioneer tour operators focusing on this region to conduct and create action-packed tours in Iran. Short and long mountain trekking, Mountain biking, and Ski touring are a variety of Adventure Iran tours that are carried out during the most suitable period for each activity throughout the year. A couple of tours with fixed departure dates are included in Adventure Iran Group Tours too. Due to the high altitude, the temperature and climate vary in each season. We, therefore, arrange appropriate trips for each season. One of the most popular moderate treks is Hike in Iran through off the beaten tracks which is one-week trekking in the Central Alborz Mountains and includes several protected areas such as Alborz Markazi protected area. For Mountain
Alborz-e Markazi Protected Area Alborz-e Markazi Protected Area is one of the biggest protected areas in Alborz Mountain Range observed by the Department of Environment of Iran. The area starts north of Tehran city and stretches to the Caspian Sea. It is situated in three provinces of Tehran, Alborz, and Mazandaran. The whole area is
YAZD The UNESCO World Heritage City Yazd is one of the most beautiful earthen cities in the world and because of its unique attractions, it draws many tourists and travelers every year from all around the world. Yazd is the first earthen city and the second historic city in the world after Venice, Italy. It is located in the southeast of Iran close to the historic Silk Road. The city is situated between the Shirkuh and Kharang mountain ranges, in a wide valley. Yazd is well-known as ‘The City of Wind-catchers’, ‘City of Sweets’, and ‘City of Bicycle’. In 2017, the historical city of Yazd was recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Yazd monuments are very diverse. In this article, we will introduce some of the most important sights of Yazd city. Jameh Mosque of Yazd Jame Mosque of Yazd is one of the most beautiful, unique, and important tourist attractions of Iran which was built in the 6th century AH (12 century AD) and its restoration has continued until the last decade. According to ancient documents, the construction and completion of the Yazd Mosque took close to a century and in different historical periods. The most important of these are the Ilkhanate, Safavid dynasty, the Timurid Empire, The Muzaffarid dynasty, and Qajar dynasty. Jameh Mosque of Yazd is one of the most extraordinary and unique monuments that has fascinated many people all around the world. There are six entrances to this great mosque, and each is built in different parts of the structure. The height of the minarets is over 52 meters and 6 meters in diameter which has earned the title of the tallest minaret among Persian historical mosques. Zoroastrian Temple This valuable monument is one of the spectacular attractions that you should not forget
YAZD The UNESCO World Heritage City Yazd is one of the most beautiful earthen cities in the world and because of its unique attractions, it draws many tourists and travelers every year from all around the world. Yazd is the first earthen city and the second historic city in the world after Venice, Italy. It
Kavir National Park Dasht-e Kavir Desert Kavir National Park is part of Dasht-e Kavir Desert, the biggest desert in Iran. It is a specifically protected area located in the south-east of Tehran province and east of the two cities of Qom and Kashan. It is also situated in the west of the Dasht-e Kavir Desert. The distance from Tehran is 120 kilometres. Mount Siahkuh, (Black Mountain), is a large, semi-circular rock outcropping located roughly in the park's centre. The Iran Environmental Organization protects the wildlife and seasonal birds that live around this mountain. The famous Asiatic cheetah, Persian zebra, mountain wild goat, jackal, desert fox, hyena, wild cat and panther are registered on the park wildlife list. Eagle, pheasant, flamingo, geese and crane are just some of the birds inhabiting this national park. Also, the area has valuable flora and fauna reserves. Kavir National Park was on the route of the Ancient Silk Road made famous in the books of the renowned travel writers, Alfons Gabriel and Sven Hedin. Centuries ago, it was the route of caravans and merchants who crossed this part of the desert for trading. Still in existence are a couple of the crucial caravanserais inside this national park. Shah Abbasi caravanserai, (Gasre Bahram), is one of them that has been renovated and used as temporary accommodation. Adventure Iran has a number of trekking, mountain biking and 4x4 desert safari tours in this region. In addition, our famous cycling tour, Cycling through the main highlights of Iran, also passes through Kavir National Park. As the park is registered on the list of Iran’s National Parks, a permit for each traveller is required to enter and which needs to be applied for in advance. https://www.adventureiran.com/maranjab-desert/ https://www.adventureiran.com/dasht-e-kavir/
Kavir National Park Dasht-e Kavir Desert Kavir National Park is part of Dasht-e Kavir Desert, the biggest desert in Iran. It is a specifically protected area located in the south-east of Tehran province and east of the two cities of Qom and Kashan. It is also situated in the west of the Dasht-e Kavir Desert.
Mount Damavand Iran's Highest Moutain (5610m) Mount Damavand is the highest mountain in Iran and the whole Middle East. It is also the highest volcanic cone-shaped peak in Asia. Located 104km northeast of Tehran in the Central Alborz Mountains, thanks to its volcanic nature Damavand and its surrounding area are rich in hot and cold springs. Large sections of the mountain’s slopes are covered with sulphur, which explains the sulphur odour. There are also glaciers, waterfalls and geysers. The peak of Damavand covers permanently snow during the entire year. The most important thermal springs are Ask and Larijan. The Flora and Fauna is very rich and include about 2000 plant species. There are numerous endemic species which are important to Flora of world. There are 16 recognized routes for ascending the Damavand peak and many accounts and stories from many those who have reached the summit. The mountain itself is subject of many mythical and folkloric tales. Damavand slopes are most beautiful in the spring and the views from the top are breathtaking, the Caspian Sea to the north, the Lar Lake and the sprawling city of Tehran to the west and vast Dasht-e Kavir desert to the south. The ascent will be truly memorable and enjoyable. The most popular ascent route is along the Damavand’s southern slope. Here there are more facilities, Iranian mountaineering federation base camps and 4x4 vehicle access to the 2nd base. Before ascending Damavand, one must first complete the acclimatization program. Why Mount Damavand is a Must-Visit for Adventure Enthusiasts Mount Damavand, standing tall at 5,610 meters (18,405 feet), is not only the highest peak in Iran but also the highest volcanic summit in Asia. Located in the Alborz Mountain Range, this iconic stratovolcano is a dream destination for hikers, climbers, and
Mount Damavand Iran’s Highest Moutain (5610m) Mount Damavand is the highest mountain in Iran and the whole Middle East. It is also the highest volcanic cone-shaped peak in Asia. Located 104km northeast of Tehran in the Central Alborz Mountains, thanks to its volcanic nature Damavand and its surrounding area are rich in hot and cold
Dasht-e Lut Desert Introduction of Lut Desert The Lut Desert also called Kavir-e Lut, or Dasht-e-Lut Desert is the second desert of Iran in terms of vastness, and is located in the southeast of the country. It is the world's 27th largest desert, and was inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List on July 17, 2016. It stretches about 480 kilometers (300 mi) long and 320 kilometers (200 mi) wide. A huge mass of dunes and sand rises in the east, while in the west an extensive area of high ridges is separated by wind-swept corridors. At its lowest salt-filled depression, less than 1,000 feet (300 meters) above sea level, the summer heat and low humidity are believed to be unsurpassed on the planet. Between June and October, this arid subtropical area is swept by strong winds, which transport sediment and cause aeolian erosion on a colossal scale. Consequently, the site presents some of the most spectacular examples of aeolian yardang landforms (massive corrugated ridges). Gandom Beryan in Lut Desert It also contains extensive stony deserts and dune fields. The property represents an exceptional example of ongoing geological processes. NASA research results suggest that Gandom Beryan in the Lut Desert is one of the hottest places on Earth. According to satellite data from NASA in 2005, a surface temperature of 70.7 degrees Celsius was recorded here. This temperature is the highest temperature ever recorded by satellite from the surface of planet Earth. That’s why it’s called the ‘2005 point’. Altitude in Lut Desert The lowest point of the property in Lut is found at 117 metres above sea level, in the northeast of the Yardangs region, while the highest point, in the sand dunes of Rig-e Yallan, reaches 475 metres. Mountains in Lut
Dasht-e Lut Desert Introduction of Lut Desert The Lut Desert also called Kavir-e Lut, or Dasht-e-Lut Desert is the second desert of Iran in terms of vastness, and is located in the southeast of the country. It is the world’s 27th largest desert, and was inscribed on UNESCO‘s World Heritage List on July 17, 2016.
