Iran's Wild West

• Age Range: 18 – 60 years old
• Min Group: 1 Pax
• Max Group: 8 Pax
• Accommodation: Hotel & Eco-lodge
• Transportation: Van or Minibus
• Travel Style: Family, Private, Group, Fully Guided, Easy, Historical, Cultural, Seasonal, Sightseeing , Trekking
• Duration: 15 Nights & 16 Days
• Destinations : Tabriz – Kandovan – Sanandaj – Oraman takht – Kermanshah – Khoramabad –Ahwaz – Nomads-Isfahan

Day 1: Arrival at Tabriz. Azerbaijan.

We start our encounter with Western Iranian cultures in Tabriz, the historical heart and capital of Turkish-speaking province Azerbaijan. Spending a whole day in this metropole city, we learn about the region’s ancient old history dating back to pre-Persian times and understand why it has been centuries that Azeris are famous for being clever traders and warm-heartening poets.

• Museum of the province Azerbaijan
• Park and memorial of all Poets
• Blue Mosque (UNESCO World Heritage)
• Tabriz Historic Basar (UNESCO World Heritage)
• Azeri cultural event (depending on season and local program)

Day 2: Qare Kelisa.

Next to Azeri-Turkish language and lifestyle, Azerbaijan is also one of the centers of Armenian Christian tradition in Iran. We focus on Armenian’s impact on Iranian culture on our today’s drive to one of the oldest churches worldwide, Qare Kelisa, and when talking to Armenians in Tabriz.

• Russian Sarkis Church
• Qare Kelisa (UNESCO World Heritage)
• Meeting Armenian community

Day 3: Drive to Maraghe via Kandovan Village. Azerbajian.

A short drive brings us to extraordinary ancient village of Kandovan, where people similar as in Cappadocia carved their homes into a surrealistic appearing rock formation. Afterwards we enjoy a scenic view on one of the biggest salt lakes in the world before heading to our today’s target, Maraghe. In the city that once served as capital of the Ilkhanate dynasty and as seat of the Patriarch of the Church of the East we visit the burial towers of local rulers famous for their brick and tile decorations. We close our day sharing dinner with a local Azeri family.

• Kandovan Village
• Ourumyie Lake
• Gonbad-e-Qabus (UNESCO World Heritage)
• Dinner with a Azeri family

Day 4: Drive to Sanandaj via Takht-e-Soleyman and Bijar. Kurdistan.

We leave Azerbaijan and get a first idea of Kurdistan’s wide planeson a longer drive to Sanandaj, capital of Kurdistan province. On our way, we will not missTakht-e-Soleyman. At the impressive archaeological site located on a volcano crater rim, we learn more about the Sasanian Empire and its close ties to Zoroastrianism, Iran’s predominant religion in pre-Islamic times. Reaching Sanandaj, we get into touch with Kurdish life and culture. We have a walk through the streets of the capital of Kurdistan Province and see how the traditional Kurdish Kelims are being produced.

• Takht-e-Soleyman
• Zandan-e-Soleyman
• Kelim-carpet factory

Day 5: Sanandaj, drive to Orumanat-Takht via Merivan. Kurdistan.

We visit Sanandaj University’s faculty of Kurdish studies and learn about some more aspects of Kurdish culture and tradition. Afterwards, we enjoy the view over beautiful Zeribar and then get closer to Kurdish heartland at the border to Iraqish-Kurdistan. Heading into the Kurdish mountainside to reach spectacularly located village Uraman-Takht offers a good opportunity to talk about the historical and cultural diversities that shaped this region over centuries. Before closing our day, we have some time to discover the village and its panoramic view. Perhaps, we have a chance to see how the local artisans produce the traditional Kurdish shoes, called Giweh. Tonight we live with the locals share our dinner with them and sleep in a local house.

• Sanandaj University
• Zeribar Lake
• Meeting Smugglers
• Uraman-Takht mountain village
• Staying at a local’s house

Day 6: Kermanshah. Kurdistan.

Remnants of ancient fire temples located in and around the Uruman-Takht witness the Zoroastrian past of this region. Passing some more mountains and open plain, we then head towards Kermanshah, the industrial and cultural center of southern Kurdistan. Visiting the archaeological sites of Bisotun and Taq-e Bostam, we refresh and deepen our knowledge of ancient Iranian history and beliefs. Kermanshah offers us another good opportunity for learning more about Iranian people’s customs; in Taki-ye Maaven ol-Molk, a building constructed for public commemorations ceremony during the Islamic month of Muharram, we speak about central aspects of Shiite Islamic tradition.

• Shrine of Zoroastrian Pir Shahriar Urami
• Bisotun (UNESCO World Heritage)
• Taq-e Bostam (UNESCO World Heritage)
• Taki-ye Maaven ol-Molk

Day 7: Drive to Khorramabad. Lorestan.

Today, we enter Lorestan. With its location between the Iranian upland and the Iraqi lowland, this Province offers not only a distinct beauty in landscape in the midst of Zagros Mountains but also in cultural life dating back as far as the beginnings of civilizational history in the Middle East. On our way, we make halt at Garah Ban village to meet adherents of Ahl-e-Haq (‘people of truth’) religious tradition, which can perhaps best be understood as a result of very early interreligious intercommunication of beliefs and traditions. In Khorramabad, capital of Lorestan Province, we visit impressive fortress of Falak-ol-Aflak one of the most important architectural remains dating back to Sassanian era. Furthermore, we have the chance to see how the traditional Lure clothes are produced. We close the day, sharing dinner with a Lure family.

• Meeting Ahl-e-Haqq
• Falak-ol-Aflak Fortress
• Lure-cloth-factory
• Dinner in Lure family

Day 8: Drive to Ahvaz. Choghazanbil.

Khuzestan is ahead of us. Passing some more canyons, we leave the Iranian upland for entering Iraqi lowland, a region shaped by the century long interaction of Semitic and Non-Semitic people. We have good opportunity to talk about these peoples’ relationship that keeps on to influence world history today while visiting Choghazanbil, the world’s best-preserved Ziggurat-Pyramid. Here, we also learn about some aspects of Southwestern Iran’s prehistoric religious traditions. Afterwards, we head to Ahvaz, the center of Iranian oil industry. The capital of Khuzestan Province is also a melting pot of Iranian and Arabic lifestyles as well as home to adherents of ancient old Mandaen religious community, which reflect ones more the ancient old intercultural dialogue in this region.

• Choghazanbil (UNESCO World Heritage)
• Meeting Mandean community of Ahvaz

Day 9: Drive to Masjed-e Soleyman. Preparing to meet the Nomads.

After a short visit to Karoon River, we head back towards Zagros Mountains where the Nomads are preparing for their trail eastward. On the way, we visit the watermills of Shushtar with which the people of this ancient fortress city mastered to cultivate the semi-desert plain surrounding them. Next, we drive to Masjed-e Soleyman. Our target is the local Nomad museum. What place could be more adequate to learn about different aspects of nomad’s life before joining them? Afterwards, we continue our journey and reach Fath-Abad village where we share our dinner and spend the night in a local house.

• Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System (UNESCO World Heritage)
• Nomad Museum
• Fath-Abad village
• Staying at a local’s house

Day 10: Meeting the Bakhtiari nomads.

After breakfast, we do a sight see in Fath-Abad village and then drive to the Mausoleum of Shazdeh-Abdullah on a dirt road. Then it is time to load our heavy luggage we might not use during the next days in our van that will wait for us in Marvez village. We are going to meet the nomad family on whose side we are going to migrate. Based in the place the family has chosen to start for migration, we may have about two hours of trekking to reach them. For tonight, as for the next three days to come, we are with the nomad family. This means we eat what they eat and sleep when and where they sleep (find more information on accommodation and meals below or on our website).

• Fath-Abad village
• Mausoleum of Shazdeh-Abdullah
• Meeting the nomads

Days 11, 12 and 13: migrating with the nomads.

During three days, we have an overall of 42 km trekking, accompanying the tribal family. Our exact travel plan depends on the nomad’s decision that likewise is depended on weather &cattle conditions. We do not want to change their priorities so our plan will be compatible with theirs. Here is the most probable itinerary for the migration part of the tour:

Day 11 (Chartangun to Boveyr): about 15km trekking.

Day 12 (Boveyr to Baba Zahed): We follow the paths of the nomads (Ilrah) and pass the Monar Mountain. Furthermore, we pass village of Chal-e Monar and some other villages. Approximately 20km trekking.

Day 13 (Babazadeh to Maverz): We accompany the nomads until noon and then head further to Taraz area. About 14km trekking.

Accommodations: We provide camping tents for 11th and 12th night; for the 13^th night, we have an overnight stay in a local’s home.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner: Nomad families are baking fresh bread and they cook their foods mainly from lamb’s milk and meat. We also bring some other foods with us that we prepare on fireplaces. If you have any special diet, please inform us about it before the journey starts.

Transportation: Nomads’ mules carry our baggage. However, as they help to save your energy on the trek, so do you and do not load more than 5 kilograms for each person on their back. Our van does offer a lot of space to put our heavier luggage that we do not need during the trekking days.

• Three day of trekking (approximately 42km)
• Truly authentic experience of a nomad’s life
• Camping in breathtaking nature of Zagros Mountainside
• Staying at a local’s house

Day 14: Day-trek to Shimbar waterfall, Maverz and Gazestan village.

After sharing a last breakfast with the nomad family, saying goodbye and whishing them a safe migration, we trek to see Shimbar waterfall and lake. After three days of hiking, this is the perfect place to reflect the last days and weeks, and to relaxe and enjoy ourselves in the spectacular nature of Zagros Mountainside. On our way, we may see other nomad families migrating. Afterwards, we reach Maverz village just to leave it once again for an afternoon walk to Dezhpart Steps and Khoda-Afarin Bridge. These remarkable natural monuments located at the Karoon River do not just offer a breathtaking view, but have been the only natural way for the nomads to pass the Karoon River since at least 2000 years ago. Then we hike back to Maverz village for dinner and overnight stay in a local’s hose.

• Shimbar Waterfall and Lake
• Dezhpart Steps and Khoda-Afarin Bridge over Karoon River
• Villages of Gazestan and Maverz
• Staying at a local’shouse

Day 15: Experiencing royal luxury in Esfahan.

After breakfast, we enjoy the comfort of traveling with our van to Iran’s Vienna that is Esfahan, previous capital of Safavid Persia. What is there a better way to end our tour by re-entering the here and now in this pulsing metropole?Enjoy your free afternoon promenading in the famous Bazar surrounding Naqsh-e Jahan Square. Optionally, we can visit Esfahan’s most splendid mosques and royal palaces.

• Esfahan Naqshe-Jahan Square (UNESCO World-Heritage)
• Optionally bookable: Sheikh-Lotfallah & Imam Mosques (UNESCO World-Heritage)
• Optionally bookable: Ali Qapu & Chehel Sotun Palaces (UNESCO World-Heritage)

Day 16: Flight back to your country.

Service Includes

Private airport transfer (ARR.&DEP.)
15 Nights Hotel accommodation as mentioned below
Full-time Dedicated Vehicle for all transports
All mentioned sightseeing
Meals (F/B )
Full-time Experienced Local professional guide
Visa support & reference code

Service Excludes

International airfare
Personal insurance
Visa stamp fee
Expenses of personal nature
Tips & Portages
Meeting With people Price

Accommodation

2 nights – Hotel in Tabriz
1 night – Hotel in Kandovan
1 night – Hotel in Sanandaj
1 nights – Hotel in Oraman Takht
1 nights – Hotel in Kermanshah
1 nights – Hotel in Khoramabad
1 nights – Hotel in Ahvaz
2 nights – Sleep in Village
3 nights – migrating with the nomads
1 nights – Sleep in Village
1 nights – Sleep in Village

Transport