Best Iran National Parks and Protected Areas This Iran Most Beautiful National Parks helps adventurous travelers who are interested to explore Iran's Natural Wonders. Iran with different wet and dry lands with a combination of high mountains, desert lands, forests, and seas has created a special ecosystem in the Middle East and the east of Asia. It is located in the southern part of the Caspian Sea and north of the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. There are two long mountain ranges named Alborz (900 km) and Zagros (1400 km) located in the north and west of Iran. In addition, the two main deserts of Dasht-e Kavir (77,600 km2) and Kavir-e Lut (51,800 km2)- the first Natural UNESCO site in Iran- are other natural attractions of the country. Rivers and lakes, wildlife, and the Hyrcanian Forest (UNESCO Natural Site), besides the different types of birds, a wide range of medical and therapeutic plants, Islands, and lagoons create the protected areas and national parks all over Iran. Here, we have listed the ten most beautiful ones below: 1. Golestan National Park Golestan National Park: Iran’s Natural Treasure Golestan National Park, located in the northeastern part of Iran, is one of the country’s oldest and most diverse protected areas. Established in 1957, this vast park spans over 1,800 square kilometers and is home to a rich variety of ecosystems, ranging from dense forests and rolling hills to rugged mountains and meadows. The park’s unique location, where the Alborz Mountains meet the plains, provides a habitat for an extraordinary range of flora and fauna, including several endangered species. Golestan is famous for its wildlife, with the Persian leopard, wild boar, and brown bear roaming its expansive landscapes. Birdwatchers will also be delighted by the many migratory species that pass through the park.
Best Iran National Parks and Protected Areas This Iran Most Beautiful National Parks helps adventurous travelers who are interested to explore Iran’s Natural Wonders. Iran with different wet and dry lands with a combination of high mountains, desert lands, forests, and seas has created a special ecosystem in the Middle East and the east of
The best Off the Beaten Track Villages of Iran Iran has 28 UNESCO registered world heritage sites (till 2024) and it is the 10th country in the world with the most UNESCO sites on the list, but it is still an unknown destination for the world compared to the other touristic countries. As you know, Iran is a 4 seasons country with a long list of untraveled and unknown routes in different region of the country. So for this list, we have chosen different villages from varied climates in the country. From Alborz and Zagros mountains to Caspian Sea and Persian Gulf to forest and desert regions there are many terrains to visit. Below are the 10 Off the Beaten Track villages you should visit on you trip to Iran. 1. Makhunik desert village, South Khorasan province (Best Travel Time : Autumn, Winter and early spring) Makhunik: A Hidden Desert Village in South Khorasan Tucked away in South Khorasan Province, Makhunik is a remote desert village offering a unique glimpse into traditional desert life. Surrounded by the vast Dasht-e Kavir desert, the village’s mud-brick homes are designed to blend with the harsh desert environment, providing shelter from the extreme heat and cold. The residents of Makhunik still live much as they have for centuries, relying on agriculture and herding livestock. Makhunik’s stunning architecture, unique culture, and the opportunity to explore the surrounding desert make it an ideal off-the-beaten-path destination. For those looking to experience Iran’s desert heritage, Makhunik is a hidden gem worth discovering. 2. Darak coast-village, Sistan and Baluchistan province (Best Travel Time : Winter) Darak: A Hidden Coastal Village in Sistan and Baluchistan Nestled along the Gulf of Oman in Sistan and Baluchistan, Darak is a serene coastal village offering pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters. Known
The best Off the Beaten Track Villages of Iran Iran has 28 UNESCO registered world heritage sites (till 2024) and it is the 10th country in the world with the most UNESCO sites on the list, but it is still an unknown destination for the world compared to the other touristic countries. As you know,
Iran Turkmen Plains Golestan Province Tourist Highlights Stretching across Golestan Province in northeastern Iran, the Turkmen Plains (Dasht-e Turkmen) offer a captivating blend of vast grasslands, nomadic traditions, and unique biodiversity. This lesser-known region is home to the Turkmen people, whose vibrant culture—seen in their handwoven carpets, spirited horse games (Buzkashi), and distinctive yurt dwellings—adds rich authenticity to the landscape. The plains merge seamlessly with the Golestan National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, where visitors can spot rare wildlife like the Persian leopard and wild sheep. Ideal for off-the-beaten-path adventures, the Turkmen Plains invite travelers to experience horseback riding, nomadic homestays, and the annual Turkmen Silk and Spice Festival. Whether you’re a culture enthusiast or a nature lover, this frontier region promises an unforgettable glimpse into Iran’s diverse heritage. Golestan province is one of the untraveled routes of Iran offering a wide range of attractions, activities, and tourist highlights. It is located in the southeast of the Caspian Sea, and southern part of Turkmenistan country. Golestan means the land of flowers. The rural parts of this province are rich in flora and fauna, and you will be amazed at its variety of animal and plant species. In fact, Golestan province is one of the greenest parts of Iran. Golestan Main Tourist Highlights Golestan National Park Golestan National Park is one of the tourist highlights of Golestan province which enjoys remarkable ecosystem diversity. There is a large variety of wildlife in the park, and a huge variety of birds live there. Golestan National Park is the largest and oldest national park in Iran. The park is a protected area managed by the Iranian Environmental Organization. Along with the natural attractions, there are many other historical and cultural attractions in Golestan province too. Gonbad-e Qabus (UNESCO) Gonbad-e Qabus also
Iran Turkmen Plains Golestan Province Tourist Highlights Stretching across Golestan Province in northeastern Iran, the Turkmen Plains (Dasht-e Turkmen) offer a captivating blend of vast grasslands, nomadic traditions, and unique biodiversity. This lesser-known region is home to the Turkmen people, whose vibrant culture—seen in their handwoven carpets, spirited horse games (Buzkashi), and distinctive yurt dwellings—adds
Oraman (Uraman) Takht Village in Iran (UNESCO) Oraman or Uraman-e Takht is the name of a village located in Hawraman in the Kurdish region of Iran. The Cultural Landscape of Hawraman was registered in the list of Iranian UNESCO sites in July 2021. Hawraman is the name of the valley and mountain region located within the provinces of Kurdistan and Kermanshah in western Iran and the north-eastern Kurdistan Region in Iraq. The majority of the property of Hawraman is situated in Iran. Only a small northern part of this valley is located in Iraq. The Oraman village is one of the most exotic villages in Iran. It is 63 km away from the south of Marivan, Kurdistan Province, in Iran. Uraman Architecture The village stone houses are stair-like fashion, with beams covering the ceilings. Here, the roof of one house is the courtyard of the other. There are many other villages in Hawraman and other parts of Kurdistan with similar architecture. The following villages' pictures present the traditional architecture of this region of Iran. Uraman Attractions Oramanat Takht village is undoubtedly one of the attractive rural areas of Kurdestan. It is also among the Top 10 Iran Tourist Villages. The spectacular panoramic views of this area, like the rivers in the valley, are not the only attractions. Kurdish old traditions, such as Kurdish dance, traditional clothes, and customs are other attractions unique to the region. The annual performance of an ancient wonderful ceremony of Pir Shalyar put this village on the list of best Iran villages as well. Ancient fire temples and remnants of this region indicate that the inhabitants were Zoroastrian before converting to Islam. The fertile lands here are full of walnut, pomegranate, fig, and mulberry trees. The tomb of Pir Shalyar (Peer Shahriar) is one of
Oraman (Uraman) Takht Village in Iran (UNESCO) Oraman or Uraman-e Takht is the name of a village located in Hawraman in the Kurdish region of Iran. The Cultural Landscape of Hawraman was registered in the list of Iranian UNESCO sites in July 2021. Hawraman is the name of the valley and mountain region located within
Iran Mountain Ranges Iran with 1.64 million km2 has two major mountain ranges called Alborz and Zagros Mountain Ranges. Alborz Mountain Range The first range is Alborz Mountains, also spelled Elburz, Albourz, Alburz, or Elburs. In the Persian language, it is called Reshte Koohe Alborz or Koohhayeh Alborz. This 900 km (560 miles) long mountain is the major mountain range in northern Iran. It stretches from Azerbaijan in the northwest of Iran (also southwest of the Caspian Sea) towards northeastern Iran in the Khorasan region (southeast of the Caspian Sea). The Alborz Mountains range made a big wall between the Caspian Sea and Iran Plateau. It created two different climate systems on the northern slopes of Alborz against the southern side of the huge mountain range. There are a few famous mountain chains and a lot of high peaks in different parts of the Alborz ranges. Talesh mountain chains, Takht-e Soleyman mountain chains, and Shahkuh mountain chains are subranges of the Alborz range located in the western, central, and eastern parts of the range. Moreover, two of Iran’s highest mountains, Mt Damavand 5610m and MT Alamkuh 4850m, are located in the Alborz range. The Alburz mountain system traverses virtually all of the northernmost portions of Iran from east to west. In addition, there are plenty of high-altitude famous mountains above 4000m extended in the Central Alborz Mountains which is in the north of Tehran province. Mt Kholeno (4375m), MT Azadkuh (4355m), MT Kolonbastak (4150m), MT Sarakchal (4210m), and MT Tochal (3963m) are the most famous high peaks located in central Alborz Mountains. The weather on the northern side of Alborz, called the Caspian slopes, has a distinctly humid climate. The famous Hyrcanian forests, which are Iran's natural UNESCO heritage site, are located in that region too. On
Iran Mountain Ranges Iran with 1.64 million km2 has two major mountain ranges called Alborz and Zagros Mountain Ranges. Alborz Mountain Range The first range is Alborz Mountains, also spelled Elburz, Albourz, Alburz, or Elburs. In the Persian language, it is called Reshte Koohe Alborz or Koohhayeh Alborz. This 900 km (560 miles) long
Iran Top 10 Off the Beaten Paths You Should Visit! Iran is a vast country with a wealth of impressive tourist attractions. You will be amazed at the long list of famous destinations on the Classical Route of Iran, the UNESCO world heritage sites, the most famous Off the Beaten Track villages, and the most famous tourist villages of Iran. But you may still wish to add other exciting destinations to your Iran Adventure tour. Iran off the beaten paths could be the best option if you are interested in a thrilling adventure. Iran offers many untraveled routes for explorers around the world. You may not know much about these paths, but they are filled with cultural and natural attractions, scenic sceneries, and the potential for lots of exhilarating activities such as photography, biking, mounting, and trekking, as well as boating and other sea activities. Since these off the Beaten Paths are scattered in various districts with different climatic conditions, the time of the visit varies in different seasons or months. Traveling through these paths, you will enjoy an authentic experience of less-known parts of Iran. Besides picturesque landscapes in different seasons, as well as cultural, historical, and even ancient sites, you will have the opportunity to socialize with rural people whose hospitality is well-known among all tourists who traveled to these Off the Beaten Paths of Iran. Here is a list of Iran's top 10 Off the Beaten Paths you should visit during your Iran’s tailor-made journey: 1. Shush (Susa), Khuzestan Province A Journey to Iran’s Ancient Capital Shush, known historically as Susa, is one of the oldest cities in the world and a hidden gem in southwestern Iran. Once the capital of the Elamite Empire and later a significant city during the Achaemenid dynasty, it boasts a
Iran Top 10 Off the Beaten Paths You Should Visit! Iran is a vast country with a wealth of impressive tourist attractions. You will be amazed at the long list of famous destinations on the Classical Route of Iran, the UNESCO world heritage sites, the most famous Off the Beaten Track villages, and the most
Photography of Iranian Bakhtiari Nomads Iran with many different ethnicities and nomad tribes is home to various types of people who have different races, faces, cultures, and languages. Iran Nomadic Tribes is one of Iran’s traveling highlights compared with their neighbors in the Middle East. It's very fascinating for photographers who are looking for an unusual destination. Bakhtiari Nomadic Tribe is one of the main tribes of Iran’s nomads who live in the west of Iran in the central part of the Zagros mountains range. This special region of the country belongs to the three provinces of Khuzestan, Lorestan, and Charmahal and Bakhtiari in Iran. The region is wonderful for the Photography of Iranian Bakhtiari Nomads for the two types of Landscape and People photography in Iran. People Photography Bakhtiari people are one of the major nomadic tribes in the country still living in the mountains with their families and animals. They still have their own traditional style that is very interesting for photography. The first subject of your photography will be Bakhtiari clothes, which will attract the photographers as soon as they enter the Bakhtiari region. The men have similar clothes with black loose pans “Dabit”, a black hat, a white jacket “Choogha” with special striped black lines that provide unique pictures for people photography. Taking pictures of the men is easy and they are so friendly with photography. The old men are the best for photography. Most of them have special photogenic faces that are very suitable for portrait photography. Their very serious and rough faces show their hard life in the mountains, which will create a different photograph in your photography. Women's clothes are very different and beautiful. They have colorful costumes and dresses that are made up of different components. They use a lot
Photography of Iranian Bakhtiari Nomads Iran with many different ethnicities and nomad tribes is home to various types of people who have different races, faces, cultures, and languages. Iran Nomadic Tribes is one of Iran’s traveling highlights compared with their neighbors in the Middle East. It’s very fascinating for photographers who are looking for an
Top 10 Iran Tourist Villages Iran is a vast country with varied climatic conditions and different weather systems with mountain regions, desert terrains, forests, lakes, and seas which create many tourist villages in different corners. Each tourist village is distinct from others regarding the climate, natural beauties, landscapes, plants, and geographical features, as well as the indigenous culture, architecture, traditions, and customs. The differences between Iran's tourist villages are so amazing that you think you have traveled to a different country! If you pay attention to the Iran map below, which is spotted with the locations of the villages, you will see the tourist villages are scattered in different provinces all over the country, and the visiting time of each one is different from the others. With an astonishing variety of geographical and cultural distinctions, villages provide a wide variety of activities and tourist destinations in Iran for all adventure seekers and culture lovers who travel to Iran with special interests, from landscape photography or hiking on the off-the-beaten-path trails, to those who are into rural tourism and plan their trips based on sustainable tourism principles. The villages on the highlands overlooking snow-capped peaks, in the desert oases with an extended desert landscape, or at the foothills of spectacular mountain forests offer ideal opportunities for trekking, hiking, mountaineering, skiing, photography, and most of all communicating with the hospitable local communities in the rural areas and Iran off-the-beaten paths. Whether you are the kind of traveler bored with the common tourist hubs and in seek of some adventure in the less known attractions in a new destination, or a second-time visitor who already visited the Iran Classic Route and now plans for a deeper experience of the ancient Persia, we advise you to put Iran tourist villages on your bucket
Top 10 Iran Tourist Villages Iran is a vast country with varied climatic conditions and different weather systems with mountain regions, desert terrains, forests, lakes, and seas which create many tourist villages in different corners. Each tourist village is distinct from others regarding the climate, natural beauties, landscapes, plants, and geographical features, as well as
Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Tourist Highlights Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari is the name of a small Province in the southwest of Iran, situated in the west of Esfahan province. Geographically, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari is located among the central Zagros Mountain Range, full of tourist highlights for adventure seekers. In this part of Zagros, the Zardkuh mountains chain (Zardkooh) is the most famous sub-range, making it the best spot for adventurous travelers. Zardkuh “yellow mountain” has a few important peaks above 4000m. Zard in Persian means yellow and Kuh means mountain. MT. Kolonchin (4200 m) is the most famous one, perfect for summer ascent. These mountains have huge volumes of snow in winter, and they are the main sources of water for the two main Iran rivers of Karun and Zayande-Rud. Moreover, there are a lot of springs, waterfalls, and underground water reserves in various parts of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province in different parts of the mountains. The weather and climate of this province along with the high-altitude mountains and geographical features of this region made this land a perfect place for livestock breeding for the local tribes. The highlight of this province is the nomadic lifestyle of Bakhtiari tribes who live in a different part of the Central Zagros Mountains. Bakhtiari Lifestyle, The Most Prominent Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Tourist Highlight The most important tourist highlight in Chahar Mahal and Bakhtiari province is visiting the Bakhtiari tribes who are living in the mountains with a very basic life. They have a long history and for thousands of years, they have been living with their traditional culture in this land. Seeing their tribes and staying in their houses in villages or their basic nomadic tents in the mountains would be one of the most unforgettable experiences that you could have
Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Tourist Highlights Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari is the name of a small Province in the southwest of Iran, situated in the west of Esfahan province. Geographically, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari is located among the central Zagros Mountain Range, full of tourist highlights for adventure seekers. In this part of Zagros, the Zardkuh mountains
Photography Travel to Iran: Kurdistan & Hawraman Valley Iran is a vast country with many special destinations for travel photography. Depending on the type of your photography and your travel time, there are so many places you could travel to. Kurdish regions of Iran in the two provinces of Kurdistan and Kermanshah are the most exotic destinations in Iran for Photography. The amazing landscape of the mountains, the architecture of the houses in the villages, and the people with special costumes create a perfect destination for photographers around the world. Kurdish people's culture and lifestyle in the mountains in Hawraman valley in the heart of Zagros mountains have attracted many travelers' attention. Moreover, UNESCO registered the Cultural Landscape of Hawraman/Uramanats on the Iranian UNESCO world heritage sites in 2021. This destination is noticeable regarding three main aspects of photography: Landscape photography Portrait Photography Architecture photography In addition to the three above photography types in Iranian Kurdish regions, people's lifestyle who are living in the mountains, the Kurdish dance, their very famous musical instruments of Tanbur and Daf, and their long stories of Kurdish histories are other highlights of this region. There are a couple of annual festivals such as Pir Shaliar and Daf music performed in the Hawraman region. These traditional festivals are very interesting and attract many people from different countries annually for photography travel to Iran. The Kurdish women work together with men in the fields. They have had a hard life in the mountains and have fought against enemies for years. Besides all the above elements of the Iranian Kurdistan region, the hospitality of Kurdish people in the mountains, their simple life, their clothes, customs, food, and old traditions have made this region one of the new destinations of Iran for those who would like
Photography Travel to Iran: Kurdistan & Hawraman Valley Iran is a vast country with many special destinations for travel photography. Depending on the type of your photography and your travel time, there are so many places you could travel to. Kurdish regions of Iran in the two provinces of Kurdistan and Kermanshah are the most
