10 Best Off the Beaten Path Hiking Trails in Iran Iran’s geographical location has made it one of the most exceptional countries in the world for hiking. There are two seas in the north and south of the country, as well as the two long mountain ranges of Alborz and Zagros. Moreover, a lot of sub-ranges and mountain chains, high-altitude peaks in each corner of the country, the famous Hyrcanian forests (UNESCO), and two vast deserts of Dasht-e Kavir and Lut (UNESCO) plus numerous springs and lakes have made Iran unique. Iran, with so much to see as well as numerous Off the Beaten hiking trails, is perfect for all types of hikers who wish to experience an unusual and exciting journey. The varieties of terrain and climate have created amazing opportunities for freak (atypical) hikers to hike in different regions all year round. Having excellent information about the Off the Beaten hiking trails in Iran and knowing the right regions in the right month is one of the main steps to have a memorable trekking holiday. Another advantage of Iran is enjoying a varied climate and ecosystem simultaneously in its different regions. To give you a better idea, we will explain a few of Adventure Iran’s tours during spring. While we perform hiking tours in the forests, south of the Caspian Sea, we also have other hiking tours in the central Alborz mountains, north of Tehran. At the same time, we have another hiking tour in the Dasht-e Kavir desert located in central Iran. We have had a lot of experience performing these tours. As there is still snow on the high-altitude mountains in the central parts of the country, you will see a lot of flowers and trees in bloom while people in the south of Iran, in
10 Best Off the Beaten Path Hiking Trails in Iran Iran’s geographical location has made it one of the most exceptional countries in the world for hiking. There are two seas in the north and south of the country, as well as the two long mountain ranges of Alborz and Zagros. Moreover, a lot of
Ski in Iran Iran is a mountainous country with great ski resorts. Skiing in Iran is a special winter sport with its own fans. Many tourists annually travel to Iran for skiing in its high peaks. In the north of the capital city of Tehran, there is the Tochal ski piste located on the high mountain of Tochal at 3964m altitude. In the north of Tehran province in the Central Alborz Mountains, there are three other main Iran Ski areas that were opened before Iran's revolution. Dizin is one of these ski resorts. It is 80 km away from Tehran capital in heart of the Alborz Mountains. Dizin is Iran's biggest and main ski piste. Dizin’s weather condition offers the longest period for skiing, normally starting in mid-December and ending in late March. There are two other fantastic ski resorts near Dizin in the Alborz Ski Region in the north of Tehran, called Darband Sar and Shemshak. It is only 60 km from Tehran downtown to Shemshak and Darbandsar Ski pistes and the driving time takes about 2 hours through mountainous roads at high altitudes. The resort has a reputation for powdery snow, high altitude (one of the world's 40 highest ski centers), and north-facing slopes. Average snowfall is 1.5 meters (5 feet) at the base but doubles on the upper slopes. Shemshak village could be the best place to have access to those three ski areas. It embraces a hotel, lodge, and private houses. Depending on your interest and level of skiing, you can choose any one of them for skiing during your trip. The altitude of the village is around 2700 m above sea level. These ski resorts are above the village and you have to reach them on foot. Under the skiing tour tab of Adventure Iran’s
Ski in Iran Iran is a mountainous country with great ski resorts. Skiing in Iran is a special winter sport with its own fans. Many tourists annually travel to Iran for skiing in its high peaks. In the north of the capital city of Tehran, there is the Tochal ski piste located on the high
Shemshak Ski Resort Shemshak is a village and a ski resort located in Alborz Ski Region, 65 Km away from Tehran city in the northeast. The piste is in the Central Alborz Mountains and is one of the three largest in Iran. Shemshak was a small and unknown village, lost in the mountains, before the beginning of the 20th century. Soon after discovering coal deposits in the region, Shemshak’s importance grew so much that a road was built to connect it to Tehran. After a few years, at the end of the mining operations, the village became a leisure resort for wealthy people due to the heavy snowfall in winter and the beautiful mountains surrounding it. In 1958, the Shemshak ski resort was built, offering Tehran’s upper class a place to learn and practice this trendy sport from Europe. Today, Shemshak is a well-known venue for people to visit for relaxation and to enjoy its invigorating weather. Even though the resort has not expanded since its opening, it is still one of the largest in Iran. The proximity of Shemshak to other ski resorts such as Darbandsar and Dizin makes it the Ski Capital of Iran! The ski resort's base elevation is about 2,550 meters with the top elevation being about 3,050 meters. There is a hotel, some restaurants, as well as ski, snowboard, and sleigh rentals available in the vicinity. Moreover, there are electric lights, including LED lamps along the piste allowing better visibility for night skiing. The ski season in northern Tehran changes year by year, but generally, the best time for skiing in Shemshak is early December to late March. Darbandsar and Shemshak Skiing are two of the easy ski tours we offer. Shemshak winter weather and climate change time lapse https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tl-KLG7tqc&t=18s
Shemshak Ski Resort Shemshak is a village and a ski resort located in Alborz Ski Region, 65 Km away from Tehran city in the northeast. The piste is in the Central Alborz Mountains and is one of the three largest in Iran. Shemshak was a small and unknown village, lost in the mountains, before the
Maranjab Desert in Iran The Maranjab Desert is the name of a region in the Dasht-e Kavir desert in Iran. Maranjab is located in the eastern city of Kashan in Esfahan province. This interesting desert is one of the most accessible desert regions between Tehran and Kashan. It is surrounded by an amazing Salt Lake, so it is worth visiting the sand dunes and the lake as well as the flat desert of the Kavir National Park (Parke Meli Kavir). The average height of the desert is approximately 2800 feet above sea level with the highest point being around 2900 feet above the sea level. Much of the Maranjab desert is full of golden sand dunes and sabulous. The name “Maranjab” is said to have been chosen by none other than Shah Abbas. The desert was a part of the famous Silk Road that used to connect Europe and China in times past. The name is derived from a Ramesh word that refers to the freshwater canals in the desert. For a desert, Maranjab is quite spectacular and picturesque. One feature that makes the sight breathtaking is the golden sand dunes that give the impression of flowing like water. Some of the dunes are as high as 230 feet. undefined For this reason, some people have described the desert as an ocean of sand. In addition to the sand dunes, the hilly terrain and forests in the desert also make the desert even more beautiful to behold. All this has made the Maranjab desert a famous destination for tourists, nature lovers, and people who love photography. Maranjab Caravanserai Photo Gallery The altitude of the Maranjab desert is about 850 meters above sea level with the highest point of the area being about 880 meters above sea
Maranjab Desert in Iran The Maranjab Desert is the name of a region in the Dasht-e Kavir desert in Iran. Maranjab is located in the eastern city of Kashan in Esfahan province. This interesting desert is one of the most accessible desert regions between Tehran and Kashan. It is surrounded by an amazing Salt Lake,
Lavasan City in Northeast Tehran Lavasan is a gorgeous town and the center of the Lavasanat district in Shemiranat county in the province of Tehran. Located 11 km northeast of the capital, it is the closest summer resort to Tehran city. In colloquial terms, this town is called Lavasoon. Lavasan means the ridge of sunrise or the ridge of the mountain from which the sun rises. The town of Lavasan is surrounded in the north by the mountains of Varjin, Baghdereh, Kand, and Afjeh, in the west by the Qasran Mountains, and in the northeast and east by the mountains of Ira, Phil Zamin, Lavasankooh, and Jajrud, and in the south by the mountains of Telo, Quchak, Zinkooh, and Arakooh. Lavasan is a summer valley with a pleasant climate on the southern slopes of the Alborz Mountains, which is famous for its pristine and beautiful landscapes, the Jajrud River, and the beautiful lake of Latian Dam. Latian Dam is located in the south of Lavasan, which went into operation in 1967. This concrete dam has an important role in providing water and electricity for Tehran. The name of this dam was Farahnaz before the revolution. Jajrud River, which originates from the heights of Darbandsar, Garmabdar, Igal, Zaygan, and the southern parts of Tochal (part of the Central Alborz Mountains), is the main catchment area of the dam. The unspoiled landscapes around this town depict nature as amazing as possible in all four seasons of the year. In addition, Lavasan town is known to be not only one of the safest cities in the world but also the first fashionable city in Iran. Lavasan has such good facilities and lifestyle in some areas that it is known as Switzerland or the Beverly Hills of Iran. This town is home to
Lavasan City in Northeast Tehran Lavasan is a gorgeous town and the center of the Lavasanat district in Shemiranat county in the province of Tehran. Located 11 km northeast of the capital, it is the closest summer resort to Tehran city. In colloquial terms, this town is called Lavasoon. Lavasan means the ridge of sunrise
Visa restrictions in Iran has been lifted after nearly 20 months of the country closing its borders duo to the Covid-19 pandemic. Visa restrictions were put in place after the pandemic and like most countries in the world Iran has lifted restrictions after starting the vaccination and (as of the 14th of January), with nearly 80 percent of the population getting their first dose and 10 percent getting their 3rd dose, it is reaching the 70% immunity and the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism with the green light of National Corona virus Council has finally begin issuing visas for tourists around the world. The tourism board has adjusted a guideline for travelers which includes the requirements for traveling, things you need to do on your trips and etc. For better safety of the travelers and the country. For entering the country you will need to be fully vaccinated with it being at least 2 weeks passed from you second dose and the related paperwork is needed for the issuing of you visa, beside that you will need a PCR test done with a 72 hour time limit before you flight for individuals above the age of 12 and traveling from high risked countries selected by WHO (The World Health Organization) is not possible. Also any countries deemed high risked by the Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education are grouped in this category. This requirements are put in place for air borders and most main land boarders with the right infrastructures in place and it applies to all visa types and individual or group trips. So to put it simply the requirements are as below. Terms of traveling to Iran in COVID situation 1- At least 2 weeks has been passed from you second dose of vaccination 2-
Visa restrictions in Iran has been lifted after nearly 20 months of the country closing its borders duo to the Covid-19 pandemic. Visa restrictions were put in place after the pandemic and like most countries in the world Iran has lifted restrictions after starting the vaccination and (as of the 14th of January), with nearly
Iran Classic Route The word CLASSIC got more and more popular as Lonely Planet’s travel guide books used it for all of their main destinations and routes around the globe. Most travelers, who had limited time for their holiday, preferred to follow this route to visit the most famous parts of each country. For such a huge country like Iran, the Classic route covers only a fraction of it. Iran Classic route includes 5 Major Tourist Destinations of Tehran, Kashan, Esfahan, Yazd, and Shiraz which are the most well-known tourist destinations in Iran and are stretched across a straight line from Tehran, in the southern part of the Caspian Sea, toward Shiraz, in the northern part of the Persian Gulf. This ancient Persian travel route passes by 7 of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites out of the 27 which are among the most popular cultural and historical attractions in Iran. The route is the most popular travel itinerary during the spring season and is on the Best Iran Tours list. It is possible to explore the Iran Classic route and most of Iran’s highlights in two weeks, but you have to move fast. Most travelers start this route from Tehran but some of them choose to start it from Shiraz. If you have even less time than two weeks to visit Iran, we recommend you fly to Tehran and eventually fly out of Shiraz or vice versa. The best time to follow this route is between March-May which is Iran’s high season when the weather is perfect for all cities. The majority of travelers visit Iran during this period. Moreover, autumn (during September and November) is another ideal season for those who would like to join the Classic route. For those who would like to have an activity
Iran Classic Route The word CLASSIC got more and more popular as Lonely Planet’s travel guide books used it for all of their main destinations and routes around the globe. Most travelers, who had limited time for their holiday, preferred to follow this route to visit the most famous parts of each country. For such
When Is the Best Time for Traveling to Iran for Different Activities? One of the most common questions that many travelers ask Adventure Iran is: WHEN IS THE BEST TIME FOR TRAVELING TO IRAN FOR DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES? Since the question has no short answer, here we answered in full detail. The first important thing you should know is that Iran is a country with a wide range of weather and climate conditions. The country is located near the southern part of the Caspian Sea in the northern borders and near the Persian Gulf and Makran Sea, which is connected to the Indian Ocean, in the southern parts. You can travel all year round in it, depending on the activities and the regions you would like to explore. Read this article to know about the best time for traveling to Iran for exciting adventures and cultural activities. Best Time for Traveling to Iran for Cultural and Historical Visit For those who would like to visit Iran’s main tourist sites on the famous IRAN CLASSIC ROUTE, spring and autumn are the best seasons to get there. Iran has hot summers and cold winters which are not good travel times to explore ONLY the main Iran’s UNESCO sites. 21st of March is the Persian New Year which is the first day of the year (1st Farvardin). Most Iranians start their holidays a few days before the New Year and this long holiday lasts till the 4-5th of April. During this time, most hotels in the country will be occupied by domestic travelers, and finding proper accommodation is not easy. The main roads will also be full of cars as well. In tourist destinations, you will encounter crowded sites with busy streets leading to them. Besides, the restaurants are busy and you have
When Is the Best Time for Traveling to Iran for Different Activities? One of the most common questions that many travelers ask Adventure Iran is: WHEN IS THE BEST TIME FOR TRAVELING TO IRAN FOR DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES? Since the question has no short answer, here we answered in full detail. The first important thing you
Alborz Ski Region in Iran Iran embraces numerous ski resorts in different mountains of Alborz and Zagros. The most important Ski Resorts were built before the Islamic Revolution, during Mohammad Reza Pahlavi's ruling, and they are still among the best in the country. Alborz mountain starts from the northwest of Iran near the Turkey border and stretches all the way in the south of the Caspian Sea toward the northeast of Iran near the Afghanistan border. Alborz district is divided into three sections, West Alborz, Central Alborz, and East Alborz Mountains. Central Alborz region has a lot of high-altitude peaks above 4000 m, and Mount Damavand, Iran's highest peak with 5610 m, is located in this part as well. In central Alborz, there is a specific region called Alborz Ski Region that starts from Mount Tochal (3960m)- Tehran's highest mountain- and stretches northward to Kolonbastak-Sarakchal ridge with a width of about 20 km. This region has 4 different ski areas that you can see on the map below. Moreover, some famous mountains outside of the ski area are the perfect place for off-piste skiing or Ski Touring. Ski Resorts in Alborz Ski Region in Iran: Tochal Ski Resort Tehran sits at the foot of Tochal mountain which has a ski resort on its heights. The peak altitude is 3960m and the highest point of the ski resort is 3850m. From the Velenjak neighborhood in the north of the capital Tehran, you will have access to the gondola which will take you up to 3700 m after three sections. From there you can take a lift to go to the highest point of the ski resort which is near the Tochal peak (3960m). The length of the gondola from the first to the last station is about 7.5 km
Alborz Ski Region in Iran Iran embraces numerous ski resorts in different mountains of Alborz and Zagros. The most important Ski Resorts were built before the Islamic Revolution, during Mohammad Reza Pahlavi’s ruling, and they are still among the best in the country. Alborz mountain starts from the northwest of Iran near the Turkey border
Darbandsar Ski Resort in Iran ALBORZ SKI REGION Darbandsar ski resort in Iran is one of the main ski resorts in the country, located in Darbandsar village, northeast of the capital. From Tehran, it is only 65km away and takes one and half hours to reach it. The history of the piste goes back to around the time of the Iran Islamic revolution. Before the revolution, many local skiers traveled to Europe for the ski championships. With the help and support of a few ski enthusiasts from various countries, decisions were made to create a new ski resort in the Alborz Ski Region. They bought a brand-new lift from the Poma company in France in 1978. This lift was kept in Iran’s customs control for a period due to the timing of the revolution. This project was suspended until things had settled down so it took longer than originally planned. After a few years, actually, at the beginning of 1982, the Darbandsar piste was born. Subsequently, the locals bought more ski lift equipment to improve the piste and make it more advanced and keep pace with other pistes in Iran. The altitude is 2600m to 3600m. This piste, as mentioned, is located in the Alborz ski region in the Central Alborz Mountains. Darbandsar ski resort was originally a small piste in Iran. Fortunately, it now belongs to a private company that developed the region and purchased new ski lift equipment. It is fast increasing in size, overtaking Shemshak and Tochal pistes. Nowadays Darbandsar is an important and well-known ski hub for Iranian skiers. It is also becoming more popular with locals. Lift Systems: 1st station: 2600m Last station: 3600m The ski resort has two ski lifts, three chair lifts (two 4-seater ski lifts, one two-seater chair
Darbandsar Ski Resort in Iran ALBORZ SKI REGION Darbandsar ski resort in Iran is one of the main ski resorts in the country, located in Darbandsar village, northeast of the capital. From Tehran, it is only 65km away and takes one and half hours to reach it. The history of the piste goes
