Lost Iran. Nomads, mountains, desert and rafting on Bazoft river

Iran is opening up to the world but still has a lot of best kept secrets and authentic spots. This trip is about visiting places with no electricity and roads - the wildest parts of Zagros mountains, rafting on a pristine river, and meeting Bakhtiari nomads. We will also visit impressive remains of ancient towns of Elamite and Parthian civilisations, see unique sites of royal Isfahan and Tehran and spend a night in the desert.

Day 1

Arrival in Tehran early in the morning. We will check into a hotel and rest. Those interested can explore a bit of the city, visiting Golestan palace, Treasury of national jewels, one of the museums or the grand bazaar. In the evening we take a bus or a train to Khuzestan province.
Day 2

Arrival in Dezful. Today we will visit 3 UNESCO World heritage list sites, starting with remains of Susa - an ancient city of the Elamite, First Persian Empire and Parthian empires of Iran. Then we will visit the remains of the grand Palace of Ardashir built in 224 A.D. and explore the ancient town of Dur Untash of the Elamite state more than 3250 years old. After lunch we go to the nearby town of Shushtar where we will visit the so-called Caesar dam, built by Romans in 3 century B.C. and still functioning. In the evening we take a train or bus to Isfahan.
Day 3

Morning arrival in Isfahan, checking into a hotel in the center. After some rest we explore the city center, visiting the second largest square in the world with its mosques and a palace.
Day 4

We take a 2-3 hours bus ride to the town of Chelgard where we will visit a very interesting man made tunnel which connects two rivers, regulating water levels in both. The construction of the tunnel began in 4 century A.D. and was finished just recently and involved 5 million people. From here we go to one of the most remote villages on the region - Aga Syed where we will meet Bakhtiari people - one of Iranian nomads - for the first time. Night in tents.
Day 5

In the morning we explore hills around the village and walk to the salt mines. Then we go across the mountain pass, enjoying stunning views of Zagros mountains and descend to the valley of Bazoft river. Night in tents.
Day 6-7

These two days will be spent rafting on Bazoft river. In small, one person rafts we will go for approximately 75 km, stopping for rests on the way. We will also be stopping to meet friendly locals and will try to see nomads who live around this area during this time of the year. Our destination on the second day is a small village where we will spend the night in the house with hospitable locals.
Day 8-10

These two days will be spent mountain trekking. We take water and food with us and walk to the wild parts of Zagros mountains. On the way up we will be using ancient stairs carved in the rocks, meeting nomads, resting in tiny villages with a population of a couple of families, ride donkeys and enjoy stunning sunrises and sunsets. By the lunchtime of the second day we come up to the plato where we are picked up by cars and driven to Isfahan where we check into the same hotel.
Day 11

In the morning we take a bus to Yazd (5 hours on the way) where we will have a couple of hours to explore the unique ancient district more than 5.000 years old. After lunch we take a bus to Kerman, a town on the edge of the desert and check into a hotel.
Day 12

If at this point you decide that now you understand Iran, one walk around Kerman will quickly prove your wrong. After lunch we go to the most picturesque part of Iranian desert where we spend a night in a “5 billion stars hotel” - in tents.
Day 13

We are back in Kerman, and take a night bus or a night train to Tehran.
Day 14

We arrive in Tehran, and check into a hotel. Those interested can explore the city. In the evening we go to the airport and fly back home.

80 км rafting on Bazoft river, 3 days of mountain trekking, Bakhtiari nomads, Night in the desert, Remains of ancient civilisations

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Trip code: MYHS

Tour leader

Marat Pavlenko

At a Glance

80 км rafting on Bazoft river, 3 days of mountain trekking, Bakhtiari nomads, Night in the desert, Remains of ancient civilisations

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Group size 8 persons.

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Is this trip for you?

This trip is of demanding physical grade. It is suitable for people in normal physical shape. It includes 3 night rides in buses and trains and several shorter bus rides. We will spend 2 days rafting and 4 days mountain trekking. During our trekking we will be carrying our own backpacks. In cities we will stay in double rooms of good hotels, some nights might be spent in comfortable guesthouses. All will have hot water and wi fi internet. 7 nights will be spent in tents and 1 night in the village house with locals.

Price of the trip includes:

All transportation including buses, trains, taxi, and even donkeys who will carry our luggage during one part of the trek;
All accommodation in double rooms of good hotels (some might be switched for comfortable guesthouses), in the village and in tents;
Rental of ultra light modern packrafts for rafting;
Professional guiding services;
Rental of tents and equipment for food preparation.

To be paid separately: