The best Off the Beaten Track Villages of Iran Iran has 27 UNESCO registered world heritage sites (till 2023) 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 27 UNESCO registered world heritage sites (till 2023) 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,
Sistan and Baluchestan Travel Guide If you wish to travel to Off the Beaten Track destinations in Iran, do NOT miss this Sistan and Baluchestan Travel Guide! Introduction Read this short article as Sistan and Baluchestan Travel Guide and see the photos and videos of this untraveled route of Iran to understand why you should travel to Sistan and Baluchestan and put it on your bucket list. Sistan and Baluchestan is one of Iran's provinces located in the southeastern corner of the country. Baluchestan, also spelled Balochistan or Baluchistan as well. Iran has 31 provinces, each one with its own special tourist attractions. The Main Tourist Cities, well-known among travelers, are located on the major traveling route of CLASSIC IRAN. There are also other tourist cities off the main route, which have also been mentioned in most travel guides to Iran like Lonely Plant, Bradt guide, and Petit Futé. Apart from the main tourist destinations, there are also Off the Beaten Track destinations with special attractions in Iran. Some of those are unknown to travelers, and they have not been mentioned in the guide books or popular traveling sites. Sistan and Baluchestan province is definitely on top of this list that could be considered an independent destination in Iran. According to the time of your travel to Sistan and Baluchestan, your interests, and the types of activities you would like to do during your holiday, you can stay from at least one week to one month in this region. General Information Sistan and Baluchestan province comprises two large sections, Sistan in the north and Baluchestan in the south. The Farsi name “Sistan” comes from Old Persian Sakastana, meaning "Land of the Saka". The name Baluchestan- also written “Baluchestan”- means "Land of the Baluch" in the Persian language and is
Sistan and Baluchestan Travel Guide If you wish to travel to Off the Beaten Track destinations in Iran, do NOT miss this Sistan and Baluchestan Travel Guide! Introduction Read this short article as Sistan and Baluchestan Travel Guide and see the photos and videos of this untraveled route of Iran to understand why you should
Mount Taftan in Iran Active Volcano Peak Nestled in the southeastern corner of Iran, near the borders of Pakistan and Afghanistan, Mount Taftan stands as one of the country’s most fascinating natural wonders. This dormant stratovolcano, rising to an impressive 4,042 meters (13,261 feet), is not only a geological marvel but also a destination rich in myth, history, and adventure. For travelers seeking a unique and off-the-beaten-path experience, Mount Taftan offers a captivating blend of rugged landscapes, cultural significance, and thrilling outdoor activities. The massive Mount Taftan is situated only 70 km away from the Pakistan border. It is an isolated, active volcanic mountain located in Sistan and Baluchestan province. South of the mountain is Khash, the nearest city. Mt. Taftan has two very famous summits with Chehel Tan peak (Madehkuh) at 3941 m above sea level being the highest one. Iran has numerous mountains over 4000 m, but this, in particular, is one of the more well-known peaks, since it is a solitary mountain in the corner of Iran, with an active volcanic peak. It is attached to Dasht-e lut desert. The Legendary Volcano Mount Taftan, whose name means "burning mountain" in Persian, is part of the Makran volcanic arc. Although dormant, the volcano still emits faint plumes of sulfurous gases, a reminder of its fiery past. Its dramatic peaks, often capped with snow, create a striking contrast against the arid plains of Sistan and Baluchestan Province. The mountain’s unique terrain, shaped by centuries of volcanic activity, features rugged ridges, deep valleys, and colorful mineral deposits, making it a paradise for geology enthusiasts and photographers. Taftan volcanic mountain is a sub-range of Iran’s volcanic arc, with Bazman Mountain in Iran and Sultan Kuh in Pakistan. This volcanic arc has formed over Cretaceous-Eocene sedimentary layers and is derived from
Mount Taftan in Iran Active Volcano Peak Nestled in the southeastern corner of Iran, near the borders of Pakistan and Afghanistan, Mount Taftan stands as one of the country’s most fascinating natural wonders. This dormant stratovolcano, rising to an impressive 4,042 meters (13,261 feet), is not only a geological marvel but also a destination rich
Sistan and Baluchistan in Iran Sistan and Baluchistan province (also spelled Sistan and Baluchestan) is in the southeast of Iran on the border with Afghanistan and Pakistan. To the south lies the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Oman. This province is about the size of Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, and Slovenia combined. As a result of its huge dimensions, there is a fair amount of driving from the north to the south. It has 1,100 km of land along the border with Pakistan and Afghanistan together with a coastal stretch of 300 km along the Indian Ocean’s Gulf of Oman. The inhabitants consist of two tribes, one is the Baluchi tribe, who are Sunni Muslims, and the other the Sistani tribe, who are Shi’a Muslims. Both speak Persian. The province is really amazing with huge contrasts between the deserts, snow-capped mountains, peculiar rock formations, an active 4,000 m volcano, Martian scenery, cliff-enclosed fishing villages along the coast, plus tropical rivers with the rare Mugger crocodile. This is a lesser-known destination in Iran but, at the same time, one of the most beautiful areas of our country. One of the places in the province you must visit is the famous Shahr-i Sokhta or “Burnt City”, (registered on UNESCO list in 2015), founded around 3200 BC. It is situated at the junction of the Bronze Age trade routes crossing the Iranian plateau. Another region is the Dasht-e Lut desert. The Lut desert was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2016. It is one of the main highlights of Iran in terms of nature. Since Iranian deserts were on the Silk Road, there are many historical monuments and sites remaining from that period that are well worth visiting. Not only are there many different types
Sistan and Baluchistan in Iran Sistan and Baluchistan province (also spelled Sistan and Baluchestan) is in the southeast of Iran on the border with Afghanistan and Pakistan. To the south lies the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Oman. This province is about the size of Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, and Slovenia combined. As
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
