Iran Northeastern Adventure Travel Program
Day 1 Arrival Tehran
You arrive in the capital of Iran and will be met on the airport by our representative, who will escort you to the hotel
Day 2 Tehran
The first day of your trip is a visit of the capital city, Tehran, the largest metropolitan city in the Middle East. Tehran never sleeps. This large city during recent history of Iran was the home of very important events. To discover Tehran and its different lives and lifestyle one day is not enough. You will be amazed how tradition and modernity come together and make the structure of this city. There is plenty to do and see in Tehran. Depends on what you like to do, Tehran can offer you many of interesting museums, traditional and local bazars, modern shopping centers, galleries of modern art, parks, mountains, ski resort in the season, historic buildings, modern architecture, street foods, hipster café , high-end classy restaurants … for a classic city tour in Tehran we may suggest you to have a visit of National Museum. This museum has two exhibitions, The Museum of Ancient Iran and the Museum of Islamic Art and Architecture. We may suggest you to pay a visit to this museum in order to have a general idea of what you will visit on your next days of your travelling.
The other place which can be suggested is the Golestan Palace , which is one of the oldest historic places in the city and formerly was the royal Qajar complex. The complex of Golestan Palace consists of 17 structures, including palaces, museums, and halls. Golestan palace has a collection of Iranian crafts and European presents from the 18th and 19th centuries. If it fits to your program do not miss Treasury of National Jewels and be fascinated by all the gemstones and the history behind each piece. The Grand Bazaar of Tehran is one of the places you should visit. Tehran Grand Bazaar splits into several corridors and each specializes in different types of goods. So far you are in the old part of Tehran, to get some idea about the modern part of the city you should drive to north of the city and spend some times in Nature Bridge (Pol-e Tabiat) and sit and relax in one of the many cafes and get refresh while you have a view of Tehran.
This list is few places in Tehran that you can visit. You can always ask us for more detailed information.
Day 3 Tehran - Semnam
Today after breakfast you drive toward east of the country to Semnan city, the capital of Semnan province. When you leave Tehran after Khavarshahr on your left you see a small white church, there is Tehran Armenian Cemetery or Borastan cemetery belongs to Armenian Apostolic church in Tehran. Borastan Monastery is the only Armenian cemetery in Tehran and has a chapel called the "Holy Stepanos".
You will pass some few cities and some industrial sites and then you reach Sar Darre Mountains, very interesting colorful rocky mountains also known as Martian Hills, on the edge of Dasht-e Kavir, Iran’s largest desert. Inside these mountains there are many salt mines and they also serve many tourists, especially domestic tourists during the year. After these mountains you have the city of Garmsar on your way. This area embodies ancient history. In Garmsar, there is a castle called Stonavand, which is estimated to be more than 3500 years old. And the paved road from Garmsar to the heart of the desert and to Qasr Bahram Caravanserai is one of the most prominent ways of the Safavid period, the traces of which still remain today. The vast and beautiful desert plain of Garmsar, which is the front of the central desert of Iran, has many natural attractions, which is also known as the first habitat of the Iranian cheetah. There are many historical villages around Garmsar such as Padeh, where you can visit historical water reservoir and an old hammam (bathhouse). Garmsar is known all over Iran for its yellow melons, very crispy and sweet, better known as the ‘Honey of Garmsar’. The city is also famous for the dish “Tahchin” very much different from other Tahchin which is known in other cities of Iran and fig trees. If you like we can organize to have lunch in a local home and try the best Tahchin and then back to the road.
Semnan; city of daffodils, Shirmal pastry (a saffron-flavored traditional flatbread) and Kilim Rug, may not be very well-known among foreign tourists. But historically this is one of the fourteen civil foundations in ancient era and also an important city during Achaemenid Empire. Semnan was also very famous city during Parthian and Sassanid era. And when Muslim came to Persia, Islam was established in Semnan. During Qajar Period Semnan raised economically and politically. Important sites to visit in Semnan are the Semnan Jame Mosque with over 1000 years of history, Imam Mosque ( known also as Soltani Mosque) designed by expert Iranian architects of Qajar time, the Shrine of Sheikh Ala'ed-dowleh Semnani built during Safavid dynasty, the Gate of the Semnan Fortress, Semnan Bazaar and Pehne Bazaar, Taddayon House …
Day 4 Semnam - Damghan via Badab-e Surt
Today you will leave Semnan to Damghan, another city in Seman province. But before going to Damghan you leave Semnan province and you enter Mazandaran province to see one of the natural phenomena of the world. On your way you pass Mehdi Shahr and Shahmirzad, summer country sides for Semnani people, and since you have a busy day you better not to make stop. After 2 hours and 30 minutes driving you will arrive to Qale- Sar village, where at some point you need to change your transportation because your car cannot drive in last few kilometers remains to the splendid Badab-e Surt spring. It contains a range of stepped travertine terrace that have been created by flowing water from two mineral hot springs deposited carbonate minerals. Of this phenomena there are four in the world, Mammoth Hot Springs in the USA, Pamukkale in Turkey, Huanglong Scenic and Historic Area in China and this one you are visiting . In the late afternoon you will be in Damghan. This city is the oldest and the most ancient Parthian city in Iran and was one of the first capitals of Parthian Empire. But it’s history dates back to far before Parthian and it is estimated over 7000 years ago. Damghan has many historic sites, the oldest one is Tappe Hessar that contains the ruins of Sassanid castle. The mosque of Damghan, Tarikhaneh is one of the oldest one in Iran and it was a fire temple during Sassanid era but converted to mosque after the raise of Islam. You can visit city fortification and Sassanid architecture, Chehel Dokhtaran Vault. Damghan is very much famous for its pistachio and paper almond. Among the famous dishes in Damghan you may like to try Sabzi Polo, Mani Polo and walnut stew.
Day 5 Damghan - Mesr
Today you drive to the heart of Dasht-e kavir. Dasht-e Kavir or Kavir-e Namak (Great Salt Desert) is a large desert in Iran and partitioned among Khorasan, Tehran, Semnan, Isfahan and Yazd provinces. There is hypothesis that states Dasht-e Kavir is formed due to the evaporation of water and drying up a vast sea, and the existence of the salt lake, which is one of the thermal poles on the earth, can be considered as the evidence to this. There are protected areas in this vast desert hat host rare and precious animal species, such as Persian gazelles and leopards. In the past, one of the strategic trade routes passed through the Dasht-e Kavir and it was one of the important roads of the Silk Road. The most important road that link north of Dasht-e Kavir to south is the road from Damghan to Jandagh. Today you drive via this road to Jandagh and further to your destination to Mesr village. Though this road is desolated, you find the landscape enchanting and constantly changing.
Mesr is a desert of sand dunes. You can walk endlessly on the top of big dunes and enjoy the silence of the desert. Watching sunset from the top of sand dunes is a picture that remains lifetime on your mind.
You spend the night in one of the ecolodges in Mesr, runs by local families. It is very atmospheric and cozy and you will have your homemade dinner included, it is very tasty!
Day 6 Mesr - Esfahak via Tabas
You will enjoy a full day in Dasht-e Kavir. You may like to spend some more hours in the morning in Mesr village. If you are an early morning person do not miss the sunrise over the desert.
Today will drive you from one desert village to another, and you will get acquainted more with desert life.
Leaving Mesr you pass some small villages. You continue driving in splendid desert landscape and your first stop will be in Tabas. No doubt, Tabas is one of the most beautiful desert cities in Iran with history dates back to pre-Islamic time, which has many natural, historical and cultural attractions. Unfortunately, this beautiful desert city and the surrounding villages have remained unknown to tourists and nature lovers. No one would believe to face large and refreshing orange orchards, magnificent date trees and numerous springs in the heart of the desert. Tabas is a quiet and clean city with kind and welcoming people. In the heart of the city, there is a beautiful garden and a museum of old trees (300 years old tree) and colorful shrubs with many streams filled with water. This garden is called Golshan, a heaven in the heart of the desert. If you could extend your trip and stay in Tabas, we would suggest you to visit Kal-e Jeni Canyon. Or if you start your day early you may still have time to go for a quick visit. Kal-e Jeni is one of the most beautiful natural wonders shaped by water movement and erosion throughout centuries. Kal-e Jeni means the valley of Jinn and is known as a mysterious place among the locals of the area. You will understand why it is called Kal-e Jeni when you visit it. Back to your road you will pass Korit village and then your destination: Esfahak. This village is one of the old villages of Tabas city. Esfahak is close to the mountains and compared to Tabas it has milder weather and this village enjoys huge source of underground water. Because of this milder climate growing any crops in Esfahak is possible but the main product of the village is date and saffron.
The old village was destroyed due to an earthquake in September 1978. Villagers built a new village and some years ago the destroyed old village was renovated and revived and turned to cultural tourism center.
Now the old texture, which until a few years ago was only a few ruins, has become a living and dynamic collection. The old bath has been renovated and functioned, and you can use it with making an appointment. Some of the old houses have been renovated and turned into eco-lodges, and you spend night in one of these houses.
Day 7 Esfahak - Nashtifan via Gonabad
Today you will drive toward Khorasan province and slowly leave the Dasht-e Kavir. On your way to Nashtifan, you will make a stop in Ferdows. It was a large and famous city in ancient days. The name of the city has been changed during different era. In Islamic period it was named Toon and this name can be found in Marco Polo’s writing about this area. Ferdows is famous for its hot mineral springs near an inactive volcano. The main attraction in this city is Ferdows Religious School built in Safavid period. Also you can visit Ferdows Jame Mosque.
The next city on your way is Gonabad. This city is mostly famous because of Gonabadi Dervish and its Qanats, aqueducts underground to bring water from the mountains to the plains. Qanats can be found in many cities of Iran due to the arid climate but some of the longest and oldest Qanats of the world can be found in Gonabad. In the afternoon you will be in Nashtifan. Windmills of Nashtifan are among the largest collections of clay, mud and wood remained from Safavid period and the largest and oldest collection of windmills in the world, and the structures are still in use today. Nashtifan is famous for its strong wind, known as 120 days wind that comes from Sistan, and this phenomenon encouraged people in past to use this natural gift by constructing windmills for milling grain into flour. You sleep in the Pouryagoub ecolodge. This lovely ecolodge is built by all the local material such as wood, straw and thatch and located in a garden. This place with its traditional style and colorful curtains on the wooden windows can give you a pure sense of rural life.
Day 8 Nashtifan - Mashad
After some days in the desert and small, today you will drive to second most populated city of Iran and very famous among Shia Muslim, Mashad. The city Mashad itself was not a famous city in ancient time and gained all its fame after the martyrdom of Imam Reza, the 8th Imam of Shia Muslim, who is buried in this city. Every year millions of pilgrimages visit Imam Reza Shrine. Because of so many visitors Mashad has huge number of hotels, specially the most luxurious ones, after some nights in rural homestays maybe a bit of luxury is not that bad!
In Mashad beside the Shrine of Imam Reza, you can visit the museum of Astan-e Qods Razavi which mostly related to Islamic period. You can visit a valuable collection of ancient Qurans. And you can visit the masterpieces of famous calligrapher Reza Abbasi belongs to Safavid era. Rugs and woven textiles in this museum are also interesting artefacts to see.
The other monument that catches your eyes is Goharshad mosque, in the south side of the shrine. This mosque was built during Timurid period under the order of Goharshad, Shahrukh’s wife. The elegance and beauty of the titles, calligraphy and architectural style makes this masque as one of the masterpieces of Iranian architect in Timurid period and due to the closeness to shrine of Imam Reza, this mosque is one of the most visited mosques in Iran. The other places you may like to visit in Mashad are Nadir Shah Afshar Tomb and Darougheh House.
Day 9 Mashad / visit Neyshabur and Tus
Today after breakfast you make an excursion to cities near Mashad. First you drive to Neyshabur.
This town was founded during Sassanid dynasty, but has been destroyed and rebuilt many times. Neyshabur had a great position in old Silk Road and it linked west to China.
Neyshabur was very famous for its pottery works during the 9th and 10th century, the Islamic golden ages. Many of the discovered ceramic works from this region now are exhibited in Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Still there are 4 pottery workshops in Neyshabur. This city is also very much known for its carpets and rugs. But one special thing that has worldwide fame is Neyshabur Turquoise.
This region is the home of many famous and notable people. The legendry Omar Khayyam, famous Iranian poet, astronomer and mathematician was from Neyshabour. His Rubaiyat is very much popular in the west. The other famous person of this area is Attar. He was Persian poem and theoretician of Sufism. You can visit the mausoleums of Khayyam and Attar today.
Your next visit will be Tus. Tus is an ancient city in Iran. It is the city of Ferdowsi, author of the Persian epic Shahnameh. You can also visit Harounieh dome, which is believed that the 11th century great Persian philosopher and theologian, Al Ghazali rest here.
For the evening we may suggest you to drive to Shandiz. Not only to cool down in cooler Shandiz, but also ry the best shishlik kebab of the world (of course if you are not a vegetarian).
Day 10 Mashad - Golestan National Park
Today a longer drive will take you to a village in west side of the Golestan National Park where you stay two nights in Boomkolbeh Turkmen Ecolodge for easy access to National Park the next day.
On your way you pass Quchan, the oldest city in Khorasan province and based on some historians it was the first capital of Parthian dynasty. The Quchan Plain and the Atrak River Basin, in the vicinity of Hezar Masjid and Shah Jahan mountains, have been an important factor in the emergence of advanced civilizations since at least the fourth millennium BC and beyond and It has been inhabited since ancient times due to its favorable climate and fertile soil. The town of Quchan is officially known as the capital of folklore music of Iran. After Quchan you pass Bojnourd. The ancient city of Bojnourd is situated on a hill northwest of the present city and due to many earthquakes in this region, many older sites are destroyed and mainly remained buildings date back to Qajar period, such as Mofakham mirror house. Bojnourd is very famous for its Turkmen horses and professional horse training centers that attracts many visitors interested to horse riding from all around the world.
In the evening you arrive at Boomkolbeh. This rustic ecolodge is located just outside the west boundary of Golestan National Park. The sustainable lodge provides many employments for local people and for visitors it provides accommodation and organic food. Here you can get acquainted with Turkmen lifestyle, tradition, cuisine, art and crafts.
Day 11 Golestan National Park
After enjoying a night in the rural ecolodge, you will start your day with an organic local breakfast and ready to visit the oldest registered national park in Iran. A vast unique refugee for wildlife. Golestan National Park undoubtedly is the most valuable region of Iran in terms of both, quantity and diversity of animal and plant life. Golestan National Park is one of the best habitats for large mammals such as leopards, brown bears, wolves, lynxes, marals (cervus elaphus), wild sheep (mouflon) and wild goats, gazelle and boars, and is especially famous for its large population of urials. 149 bird species are recognized in Golestan National Park and also one-eighth plants species of the country are found here.
For today you can book any of our program. We can suggest you a day hike, trekking wilderness, wildlife safari and in the season, you can camp in the park. For any of these activities you can ask for the details and price. Visiting Golestan National Park requires special permit for all tourists- please ask for details.
Day 12 Golestan - Gorgan via Khaled Nabi and Gonbad-e Kavus
After a pleasant breakfast you leave Boomkolbeh and will drive into Golestan Province, toward Gorgan. This province is ethnically the most fascinating in Iran. Many Sunni Turkmens, Baluchis, Georgians and Christian Armenians live in the area.
You will take the longer route, and, on the way, you will visit the city of Khalid Nabi and Gonbad-e Kavus.
Around the ancient mausoleum of Khaled Nabi you will find a fascinating landscape of rolling hills. Around 600 tombstones, all from pre-islamic times, can be found here.
The name of the city refers to an impressive ancient monument in the city, “the Tower of Kavus” or Gonbad-e Qabus. The city of Gonbad Kavous, with a history of five to six thousand years, and its great economic importance as the center of the Turkmen Sahara, is the most important city in Golestan province after Gorgan. During the reign of Al-Ziar, the province of Gorgan was of great importance. One of the governors of this important province, Kavous bin Vashmigir bin Ziar, was an efficient prince, and Will Durant also mentioned him in his History of Civilization. His tomb, Gonbad-e Qabus is one of the most important buildings in the history of Iranian architecture, which with a height of 72 meters, has been named the tallest all-brick tower in the world.
Another point of interest of this region is the “Divar-i Gorgan”. Gorgan's defensive wall, also known in historical books as Alexander's Great Wall or the Red Wall, This wall is almost as ancient as the Great Wall of China. Among the residents of this region, Gorgan's defensive wall is also known as "Red Snake" and the reason is the use of red bricks in the middle of the wall. According to experts, this wall, like the Great Wall of China, was built to defend the country's borders and counter the influence of enemies. For many archeologists it is difficult to determine when exactly the wall was built, as the name of Medes, Achaemenids, Parthians, and Sassanids are among the books of experts. But most historians believe this wall was built in Sassanid era. The remaining part of this wall is possible to visit in north of Bandar Torkman.
Day 13 Gorgan
Gorgan is the capital of Golestan province, located near the Caspian Sea. This city was an important cultural and trade center in north of Iran and known as Verkana in old Persian and Hyrcania in Greek sources, destroyed completely during the Mongol invasion. Gorgan has many archeological sites in and around the city and based on the excavation historians believe the first inhabitation in the city dates back to 678 BC.
Gorgan is the birthplace of Agha Mohammad Khan, the founder of Qajar dynasty, and it was flourished during Qajar period.
There are many historical and natural attractions in Gorgan. You are suggested to visit Ziarat, this village is very scenic and it has a lovely weather specially in summer. You can spend some hours hiking in the village. You can also spend walking hours in Alangdarreh Jungle or closer to the city in Naharkhoran Park and enjoy having lunch in one of the many good restaurants in the boulevard with the same name. You can also visit Gorgan Museum, where findings from archeological sites such as Tureng Tepe are kept. Daily local markets in Gorgan are also very famous. You can buy Turkmen handicrafts such as woolen carpets, silk textile and handmade jewelry.
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Day 14 Gorgan - Tehran
Today almost a whole day drive towards Tehran. But the scenery is beautiful. If you did not have time to see the Caspian Sea the day before on your way you can make a stop by the Sea in Behshahr or take a rest near Sari. You continue to Tehran and pass Firuzkuh and famous Mt. Damavand. This route is very scenic and all these cities are full with natural attractions such as waterfall, caves, villages …
In Tehran you can spend your evening in a nice place for the last dinner.
Day 15 depart