Shemshak Winter Mountain scenery Shemshak is the name of a touristic village before the revolution which has now turned mostly into a small town. Shemshak became famous because of the famous Shemshak Ski resort and a lot of old wealthy people before the revolution came to Shemshak for skiing and it was a hub for many active people in the past years. It’s located in the heights of central Alborz Mountains 50 km away from north east of the capital. The video that you see is a collection of 6 months of photography and timelapsing in the winter season from November 2020 till April 2021. Shemshak village is located between 2600 m – 2800m above the sea level surrounded by a lot of mountains above 4000m and it has about 6 months of winter. There is a long story behind this short video and these pictures as it happens after the pandemic situation when I moved from Lavasan to Shemshak to be far from the population. I had decided to make a short documentary about this special lifestyle that can happen in Iran and the things that happen in the village, but I couldn't make it fully and the end result was the aforementioned video. There were two reasons for that. The first was I didn't have much material and footage to make this video and the second was that I needed a crew and a lot of professional equipment to record this live life happening in the village. So I cut short the plan I had in my mind and only took the most special moments that happened during that winter and I asked our editor to make a nice slide show of the magnificent nature that happens in the high mountains of Alborz. Most of the footage
Shemshak Winter Mountain scenery Shemshak is the name of a touristic village before the revolution which has now turned mostly into a small town. Shemshak became famous because of the famous Shemshak Ski resort and a lot of old wealthy people before the revolution came to Shemshak for skiing and it was a hub
Travel to Iranian Kurdistan Kurdistan Introduction Iranian Kurdistan with 21137 sq./m is located in the west of Iran with a joint border with Iraq. It’s one of the destinations of Iran that offers you a lot of Off the Beaten track for those who are looking for new experiences. Depending on your travel style and the type of activity you would like to do, you could travel to Iranian Kurdistan from one week up to one month. Most Iran visitors who already visited the Main tourist destinations of Iran travel to Kurdistan as a cultural tour. They only visit a couple of spots mentioned in the guidebooks. Also, most of the tours designed to visit Kurdistan are two to three-week tours of northwestern and western Iran, which spend only one or more days in this province and actually pass through this province and cannot explore the attractions of this region and understand the intangible highlights of this exotic destinations. Kurdistan has a long list of attractions for travelers and in this article, we try to mention the main important highlights of the province. Kurdish Region locations The Kurdish region of Iran is a geographical area in northwestern Iran that has been historically and is presently inhabited by a predominantly Kurdish population. This region includes parts of three Iranian provinces; the Kordestan Province, the Kermanshah Province, and the West Azerbaijan Province. These three Iranian provinces share borders with parts of Iraq and Turkey that are also inhabited by the Kurds. West Azerbaijan Province location in Iran Map Kurdistan Province location in Iran Map Kermanshah Province location in Iran Map Kurdish People The Kurdish people have inhabited the northwestern region of Iran for centuries – dating back before the Islamic conquests of the 7th century. It
Travel to Iranian Kurdistan Kurdistan Introduction Iranian Kurdistan with 21137 sq./m is located in the west of Iran with a joint border with Iraq. It’s one of the destinations of Iran that offers you a lot of Off the Beaten track for those who are looking for new experiences. Depending on your travel style
Photography Travel in Iran Iran is an amazing destination for photography and depending on your photography type there is so much to offer for experts in this field. The most important type we could mention are as below: 1- Landscape photography in Iran 2- Iran portrait photography 3- Architecture photography in Iran 4- On the Road Photography 5- Iran’s Tribes and nomads (and their lifestyle) Photography Along with the above main categories, there is also another topic for special interests like bird-watching and wildlife adventure photography in Iran and a much unrelated subject, Persian historical houses. Photography of events or special festivals is also another specific topic that many travelers come to Iran for. Some travelers are interested in these events but for photographers it’s a whole different story. Ashoora and Tasooa are the two main important religious ceremonies which are in the summer this year. On the 7 and 8 of August 2022. But every year those date move 12 days forward so, on 2023 the event would be 20 and 21 of July. In some towns, Ashoora and Tasooa ceremony and their special customs are totally different which is amazing for taking some out of this world shots. Along this ceremony, there are other historical ceremonies in Iran which is amazing for event photography as well. Pireh Shaliar is a traditional dance festival of Kurdish people in Howramanat and it is one of the best locations for traveling for photography. In Adventure Iran, we have done photography in all main categories and we have performed a few photography tours in different regions. Also, another important matter for photography is that you have to visit places when it’s not crowded and you have to have local information or special guides for the destination and the topic of your
Photography Travel in Iran Iran is an amazing destination for photography and depending on your photography type there is so much to offer for experts in this field. The most important type we could mention are as below: 1- Landscape photography in Iran 2- Iran portrait photography 3- Architecture photography in Iran 4- On the
The Arbor Day The tree is the embodiment of beauty and life and one of the most magnificent and fruitful blessings of God that fulfills an important part of human needs. In ancient times Iranians had many substantial and special celebrations. One of these celebrations was planting trees on Arbor Day. Every year people were planting young seedlings in gardens and forests, respecting the soil and agriculture. This tradition has been passed down through the generations. Even now, Iranians are celebrating "Arbor Day" together and planting trees. Iranians welcome spring by donating a seedling to nature. Individuals are encouraged to plant trees on Arbor Day. In Iran, 5-12 March has been designated as "Natural Resources Week". "Arbor Day ", which falls on 5th March is the first day of this week. In other countries, the day and date change, depending on its climate, when a time is chosen so the tree can grow. During this week in Iran, different kinds of seedlings are distributed among people by the municipality, and tree planting techniques are taught to those interested. On this day you will be given free seedlings in front of most parks, green spaces, and other parts of the city. Planting trees and their maintenance have always been important. In general, trees are a large part of the natural and national resources of any country and belong to everyone. Every single person in the community breathes the delicate air that trees produce. In addition, the role of trees in preventing floods should never be overlooked. These days, because of industrialization, trees play other essential roles in human life. Trees provide products such as furniture, stationery, timber, and thousands of other commodities. Another significant role that trees play in human life is their therapeutic properties. For centuries, plants have played a
The Arbor Day The tree is the embodiment of beauty and life and one of the most magnificent and fruitful blessings of God that fulfills an important part of human needs. In ancient times Iranians had many substantial and special celebrations. One of these celebrations was planting trees on Arbor Day. Every year people were
Iran 5 Best Touristic Destinations In this article, you can read about Iran best touristic destinations and all the activities you can do in them in detail. These tourist cities are in the most popular travel itinerary of travellers during the spring season and is on the Best Iran Tours list. Iran has proudly secured its place among the top 10 countries with the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites, a remarkable achievement that highlights its rich cultural and natural heritage. Iran, with 29 UNESCO world heritage sites, (as of JULY 2025), is the tenth country in the world with regard to the number of such sites. Contrary to the perception of many tourists who haven’t read about Iran, it’s too much to even see its major highlights in a month. For this reason, most travelers prefer to make the main touristic cities of the country their main priority which includes Tehran, Kashan, Esfahan, Yazd, and Shiraz. Also, Lonely Planet’s travel guide book, which is a reference for many travelers, has chosen these cities for Iran’s first-time visitors. Also, Lonely Planet uses the term “CLASSIC” to describe a short travel itinerary for each country where travelers wish to visit a famous site. CLASSIC IRAN route is an overland journey that includes the main 5 urban tourist destinations of Tehran, Kashan, Esfahan, Yazd, and Shiraz with 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites along with a couple of other attractions on the route. You need two weeks to visit these 5 major cities but depending on the holiday time you have available, the season of travel and your interests, you may want to extend your visit to see more attractions or even if time is a problem, make it shorter. Along with the historical and cultural attractions of this major cities, this route
Iran 5 Best Touristic Destinations In this article, you can read about Iran best touristic destinations and all the activities you can do in them in detail. These tourist cities are in the most popular travel itinerary of travellers during the spring season and is on the Best Iran Tours list. Iran has proudly secured
Climate and Weather for Travelling to Iran One of the elements that helps you to have the Best Iran Tour is having good knowledge of the climate and weather for travel to Iran. Iran is a large and vast country; it has a very varied climate with different weather systems covering an area of 1,648,195 km2 (636,372 sq miles). To compare the size of the country, Iran is about 5 times bigger than Italy and about 4.4 times bigger than Japan. Geographically, Iran is located west of Asia and lies between the southern part of the Caspian Sea and north of the Persian Gulf and Makran Sea, (Gulf of Oman). Iran has different types of weather systems in each region with a variable climate. In general, Iran is an arid country compared to east Asian countries but in the west and north, (Alborz and Zagros Mountain ranges), the rains are more abundant than in the east and south, (Dasht-e Kavir & Lut Desert regions). The rainiest area in Iran is along the Caspian Sea coast which is the greenest part of the country with enormous jungles in the various regions. The famous Hyrcanian forest, (UNESCO), is also located in the Caspian Sea region. The north and west of Iran have exceptionally cold winters with heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures while in the east and south in the Iran plateau, the climate is continental and arid. The weather along the Caspian Sea coast is mild and quite wet while along the south coast, the Persian Gulf, and Oman Sea region, it is hot. Seasons and their weather based Activities Depending on which season, even which month and the region you would like to visit, we’d like to emphasize the weather varies dramatically from the north of the country,
Climate and Weather for Travelling to Iran One of the elements that helps you to have the Best Iran Tour is having good knowledge of the climate and weather for travel to Iran. Iran is a large and vast country; it has a very varied climate with different weather systems covering an area of 1,648,195
Best Time to Visit Iran? Iran’s four seasons are very well defined. Due to its big size, the various regions that make up the country have very different weather conditions, temperature, rainfall and level of humidity during the year. Depending on where you are, whether in a high mountainous area, a vast desert, a forest, or one of the two coastal regions going from north to south, (the Caspian Sea to the Persian Gulf ), this climate diversity makes it possible to travel all year round. So a question easily arises: What is the best time to visit Iran? High season / Low season As an example, what is known as the LOW SEASON is due to the high summer temperatures in most parts of the country making it unattractive for travelers to visit the cities. However, the Caspian Sea area has its busiest time of the year during this season as many locals from all over Iran, especially from the capital, are traveling there to soak up the sun and swim. For mountain lovers, summer is the best time to ascend the high peaks. Yet another example is the OFF-SEASON. This is the winter season when large parts of the country have very cold weather. Many domestic travelers go to the southern coast to enjoy the sunny weather there. In winter, when most of Iran’s tourist destinations are deserted, travelers will find it extremely difficult to find a vacant room in the Persian Gulf islands or tourist destinations along the southern coast. It's vital to mention the region and name of the destination when we use the term HIGH SEASON and LOW SEASON. As Iran is not yet a popular destination to travel to in the world, most of Iran’s visitors are cultural-historical travelers who come here to
Best Time to Visit Iran? Iran’s four seasons are very well defined. Due to its big size, the various regions that make up the country have very different weather conditions, temperature, rainfall and level of humidity during the year. Depending on where you are, whether in a high mountainous area, a vast desert, a forest,
New Requirements to Enter Iran (April 2022) As of April 7th, Iran entry requirements during Covid rules and regulations have been changed. For the last 2 months, no PCR test was required for entering Iran but as of now, the new Rules require a PCR test done within 72 hours before your flight for all individuals above the age of 12. A vaccination card is needed to enter the country as well. Please keep in mind that at least 15 days must have passed from your second dose. Iran entry requirements during Covid do not include proof of any booster shots. So the requirements are as bellow: All travelers over the age of 12 must provide a negative PCR test, conducted within 72 hours before arrival. A vaccination card as proof for the first double doses. (At least 2 weeks must have passed from your second dose) You can read the last updates at the links below: March 2022 update January 2022 update
New Requirements to Enter Iran (April 2022) As of April 7th, Iran entry requirements during Covid rules and regulations have been changed. For the last 2 months, no PCR test was required for entering Iran but as of now, the new Rules require a PCR test done within 72 hours before your flight for all
Sizdah Be-dar Day Sizdah Be-dar is the thirteenth day of Farvardin (the first month of the Iranian calendar) and is one of the New Year’s festivals. In Iran’s official calendar, this day is designated as Nature Day and is a holiday. Some people believe that Sizdah Be-dar day has an ominous feel about it, so they prefer to leave their houses that day to spend time outdoors in natural surroundings. However, there is no historical and credible narrative to prove that the ancient Iranians had this view. After twelve days of celebration, Ancient Iranians would, on the thirteenth day of Nowruz, considered an auspicious day, go outside to appreciate nature and rejoice. By celebrating this day, they ended the Nowruz period. Sizdah Be-dar Traditions People prepare everything for Sizdah Be-dar a day before. For Aush Reshteh, all beans and grains get cooked the night before. In some parts of Iran, people believe that food must be cooked with wild herbs on this day. For example, one of the Sizdar Be-dar rituals in Khorasan province is cooking a kind of Aush with wild native herbs. Samanu or halva should also have been on the table on Sizdah Be-dar. Kabab is the other popular food that can be seen on almost every occasion and Sizdah Be-dar is no exception. Before lunch, we eat lettuce with Sekanjabin, (the oldest Iranian drink which is made of honey and vinegar). Usually, nuts are eaten in the afternoon. Playing in a group is the other delightful part of this day. Playing with the family brings joy and vitality, which is an important part of this day's program. Some examples of these games are pantomime, kabaddi, dodgeball, kite flying, snakes and ladders, and football.Knotting the greenery is another tradition of this day. It is common for
Sizdah Be-dar Day Sizdah Be-dar is the thirteenth day of Farvardin (the first month of the Iranian calendar) and is one of the New Year’s festivals. In Iran’s official calendar, this day is designated as Nature Day and is a holiday. Some people believe that Sizdah Be-dar day has an ominous feel about it,
Traveling to Iran during Nowruz (Persian New Year) The longest Iranian holiday Persian New Year or Nowruz is one of the special dates for Iranians. It starts on the 21th of March (1st of Farvardin) and continues for about 2 weeks till the first of April (13th of Farvardin) which is the day Called Sizdah Bedar. Nowruz is the start of spring. It is the month that the earth wakes up from its hibernation and breathes. It is the time of flowers blooming and pleasant winds of spring blowing. Although traveling in Nowruz could be tempting for most travelers, it might not be the best time to travel to Iran. What Iranians do during Nowruz Many Iranians plan for these two weeks in advance. For most, it is their longest holiday of the year and they plan to make the most of it with their family and friends. What better time to visit other cities of Iran and sightseeing their numerous historical sites? Main famous tourist cities of the country (Like Esfahan, Shiraz, Yazd, Kashan, Tabriz, and …) become busy. Most hotels will get booked early. All public transportation will be full and all roads leading to these cities will be crowded with private cars. You may visit most sites with local tourists from other cities. In the end, this can make you give up on seeing some parts of it. The only city that will do 180 and become quiet and peaceful is Tehran the Capital. Citizens of Tehran won’t take this time for granted. They usually plan a holiday for themselves. Despite this, most people from other cities prefer the cities mentioned above and won’t come to Tehran for the holidays. The streets are mostly with no traffic, sites and museums are likely to be empty,
Traveling to Iran during Nowruz (Persian New Year) The longest Iranian holiday Persian New Year or Nowruz is one of the special dates for Iranians. It starts on the 21th of March (1st of Farvardin) and continues for about 2 weeks till the first of April (13th of Farvardin) which is the
