Destination: Iran

LONELY PLANET'S OFFICIAL ITINERARY INFORMATION

Itinerary: East by Southeast

ONE MONTH / TURKEY TO PAKISTAN

Travellers with an adventurous bent have been following this classic overland route from Europe to subcontinental Asia for centuries. These days, whether travelling independently or in your own 4WD ‘caravan’, a month is the minimum time needed to do it justice.



Maku makes a pleasant introduction on the way to Tabriz, from where you can spend two or three days checking out Jolfa and Kandovan, before heading for Zanjan for a look at Soltaniyeh. Stop for a day in historic, vibrant Qazvin then head into the Alamut, to walk among the ruined Castles of the Assassins. Masuleh also makes a charming place to chill out. For an off-the-beaten-track alternative, splice in the ‘Canyons, Forests & Paddyfields…In Iran?!’ itinerary here.

Spend three days in Tehran sorting yourself and seeing the museums, and head south for two days in Kashan and Abyaneh. Bus it to Esfahan where you’ll need at least three days, and on to Shiraz , where one of your three days will be spent gaping at the ruins of Persepoli. You could spend a night in Abarqu en route to Yazd, where three days should include a trip to the historic towns of Meybod and Kharanaq.

Splurge on a night in the restored Caravanserai Zein-o-din on the way to Kerman, where three days will be enough to see Mahan and the ‘New Arg’ at Rayen, before stopping for a night in Bam to see what remains of the Arg. Zahedan will detain you only as long as you need to prepare for the long trip to Quetta (Pakistan).

Travelling to Iran?
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