Stay : Iran: from the Turkmen steppe to the Caspian Sea
From Mashhad to Bandar-e-Anzali, you will go from desert landscapes to a seaside setting after having discovered several faces ofIran: that of the sedentary, that of the nomads, that of the pilgrims. A tour with a strong gustatory dimension as well, since you will be in the land of saffron and caviar. Be careful, the temperatures can be trying in this part of the country in summer.
Summary of the stay
Best time to go
13 days
€€ - Charm and comfort
Detail of the stay : Iran: from the Turkmen steppe to the Caspian Sea - 13 days
Day 1: Mashhad, between tradition and modernity
Take the time to discover the modern city before visiting religious sites, especially Imam Reza Mausoleum and Golden roof. Take advantage of being in Mashhad to make full use of saffron: This is the best quality of this famous spice. Flee the tourist crowd in the evening and visit Nishapur.
Day 2: On the Silk Road
Steps: Lahijan, Nishapur, Sabzevar
Visit the Seljuk city of Nishapur. This ancient caravan city has preserved beautiful vestiges of its past, including mausoleums and in particular that of the famous poet Omar Khayyam. At the end of the day, continue to Sabzevar, which has a very nice bazaar, and where you will spend the night.
BAZAR
Day 3: In the heart of the steppe
Steps: Sabzevar
From Sabzevar, reach Bojnurd, in the heart of the Turkmen steppe. This city is a good point of radiation to discover the last nomads. The accommodation options are limited, so you will have to either return to Bojnurd in the evening or stay with local people.
Day 4: Towards the Caspian Sea
Steps: Gorgan, Gonbad-E Kavus
A long drive (250 km) awaits you today to reach Gonbad-e-Kavous and its amazing funerary tower, the burial place of a local wren erected in the very early 11th century. Spend the night in Gonbad-e-Kavous or drive the last 100 km to Gorgan, where you can already smell the sea air.
Day 5: On the Bandar-e-Torkhaman lagoon
Steps: Gorgan
Visit of Gorgan in the morning with Hazrat mausoleum. Follow the Caspian in Bandar-e-Torkhaman. For centuries, this city has been the meeting place for the nomads to be supplied with seafood. Don't miss the Monday market, one of the most beautiful in the region. In the restaurants you can already find caviar!
Day 6: The coup in the Caspian Caspian
In the charming town of Beshahr, you will visit the splendid gardens of Shah Abbas, spread over several terraces and leading to the Safiabad Palace, which dominates the whole. You can spend the day enjoying this freshness and follow the paths along the hills. At the end of the day, drive to Babolsar.
Day 7: Bathing joys
In Babolsar, enjoy swimming and water sports. It is one of the most important resorts on this part of the coast, and many Tehranis come here on weekends to enjoy the sea air. Be careful if you are in couple, here as elsewhere in the country, the beaches are not mixed.
Day 8: The golden Youth den
Steps: Ramsar
Make a quick passage to Chalous and Nowshahr, gigantic seaside resorts very popular but not quite interesting. If you wish to take a bit of height, take the cable up to the top of Mount Medovin, to enjoy the panorama on the Caspian sea. Then push to Ramsar.
Day 9: The charms of Ramsar
Steps: Ramsar
Less than 100 km following the coast, change of scenery with the charming Ramsar and its small pebble beaches. The Shahs used to come here for their holidays and built many palaces and gardens. A nice refreshing stopover is waiting for you! Spend the night here.
Day 10: The tea route
Steps: Bandar-E Anzali
The road soon crosses vast tea plantations. The coastline loses some of its interest, but we recommend you to go to the nearby hills for a panoramic view of the whole southern shores of the Caspian. Enjoy a few walks to visit plantations and get your fill of tea, then continue the drive to Bandar-e-Azali.
Day 11: The capital of caviar
Steps: Bandar-E Anzali
At first glance, the port infrastructures will plunge you into a 1970's decor. But this is not the purpose of your visit! The surroundings of Bandar-e-Anzali are full of sturgeon farms from which the famous caviar is extracted. Don't miss the Saturday fish market!
Day 12: The surroundings of Bandar-e-Anzali
Steps: Massouleh
Early in the morning, go for a walk in the Anzali lagoon where you can observe thousands of endemic and migratory birds. Many agencies rent boats by the hour or by the day for an enchanting ride. In the afternoon, go to Massuleh for a visit of a typical Iranian village, built on the side of the mountain.
Day 13: The fortress of Alamut
From Massuleh, go first to Qazvin and then to the site of Alamut fortress, where the terrible soldiers of the "Old Man of the Mountain", who terrorized the Seljuk dynasty with their murders, used to meet. After visiting the site, you can return to Tehran in the evening
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