The Persian Gulf

We start our day at the National Museum, which traces the rich history of the country from ancient Persia to the Islamic era. Ancient objects are numerous and testify to a flourishing past. The Golestan Palace, a former Qajar royal palace, is located in the citadel of Tehran, in the heart of the old city. Its superb architectural ensembles are organized around a garden composed of pools and are filled with rich collections of Iranian craftsmanship. Our morning ends at the Grand Bazaar of Tehran. Bazaars (from Old Persian vāzār) are true institutions here: people come to stroll, exchange, bargain, chat…

After lunch our final stop in the capital takes us to the National Jewels of the Crown Museum, an absolutely stunning place that houses one of the greatest treasures in the world: jewels, precious stones, diamonds, … an absolutely unique collection of wonders assembled by the shahs.

Following this visit we fly south to Qeshm, Iran's largest island in the Persian Gulf.

Upon our arrival, transfer to the hotel and check-in for the night.

Without further ado, we set off to explore the splendors of the Persian Gulf and begin with the small Hormuz island, which we reach by ferry. So much beauty and color! Jagged caves, rivers and rocks with astonishing shapes and colors, everything is so strange and enchanting! The sedimentary rocks and layers of volcanic materials, the aridity and salinity of the soils, have given this small island rare mineralogical peculiarities that attract geology enthusiasts from all over the world.

Night on Hormuz island.

We're taking the ferry this morning to Hengam Island, located a few kilometers south of Qeshm Island. Mainly limestone and without much relief, it lives notably from fishing and tourism, and is home to English and Portuguese buildings as well as interesting aquatic fauna (turtles, dolphins, sharks, corals, …).

Return by boat to Qeshm Island.

One of the most astonishing peculiarities of Qeshm Island is the presence of impressive salt caves, true masterpieces of nature resulting from the accumulation of seawater and salt precipitation. Some caves stretch for several kilometers and feature colored salt bands, stalagmites and stalactites of great beauty. We are amazed by the spectacle.

Our next visit is to an ecosystem on the island also linked to the salinity of soils and water: the mangroves, or Hara forests. These saltwater forests represent an important ecological resource, protected, where migratory birds, reptiles, turtles, fish, herons, flamingos, pelicans, … live. Many fish also come there to spawn.

Night on Qeshm Island.

This morning we join the "mainland" by ferry, to the Bandar e Pol landing.

From there, we drive and head along the coast towards the west, along a magnificent coastline, until we reach the port of Bandar e Charak.

Finally, it is again by ferry that we reach the island of Kish, where we settle into the hotel.

The underground city of Cariz is a qanat over 2500 years old, rehabilitated and developed. Over 10,000 m² of galleries and rooms at 16 meters deep feature artisanal stalls, traditional tea houses and other art galleries, with an emphasis on preserving the traditional and historical meaning of the place.

We then take a domestic flight to Ahwaz, capital of Khuzestân province, in the southwest of the country. Throughout history, this capital role has been exchanged several times between Ahwaz and Shustar. The increase in maritime trade definitively confirmed the choice of Ahwaz, which benefits from its geographical position on the banks of Iran's only navigable river, Karun. From its long history dating back to the Achaemenid era, Ahwaz has seen many universities and institutions flourish, and is home to a great diversity of peoples: Persians, Arabs, Jews, Armenians, …

Night in Ahwaz.

This morning we head north towards the mythical city of Suse.

Suse is one of the oldest cities in the world. Founded 6,000 years ago, it was the capital of Elam and then that of the Achaemenid Persian empire. Accounting documents, even before the appearance of writing itself, are attested there 5,000 years ago. The cultures of the Iranian plateau and Mesopotamia rubbed shoulders there. We pay our respects at the Tomb of Daniel then marvel at the splendours of the Apadana Palace and the Suse Castle.

On the road to Shushtar, we take a detour via the historical relics of Haft Tapeh then via the magnificent Elamite complex of Chogha Zanbi, built 3,300 years ago.

In Shushtar, we discover the ingenuity of the Achaemenid dynasty at Shushtar's historic hydraulic system, which, 2500 years ago, enabled the irrigation of lands and the development of crops. The site is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Overnight in Shushtar.

We have a long day of driving ahead today towards the southeast, heading to Chiraz, with several stops along the way. The first one is at Kurangun, in Fars province, where we admire a magnificent Elamite rock relief dating from the Bronze Age, depicting a cult scene.

A little further on, at Sarab-e Bahram, we see the oldest Sassanid rock relief known to us, built by King Bahram II.

Bishapur is an ancient city that once stood on the route connecting the Sassanid capitals of Istakhr and Ctesiphon. We also visit the remarkable Temple of Anahita.

Our final visit of the day is to the Chogan Gorge, where immense rock sculptures recount the victory of Sassanid King Shapour II over the Roman Empire as well as the epic of King Bahram II conquering the Arabs and rebels in the 3rd and 4th centuries.

Arrival at Chiraz and check-in at the hotel.

An hour's drive takes us this morning to a mythical place: the city of Persepolis, capital of the Achaemenid empire, founded 2500 years ago by the "King of Kings" Darius I. The ruins of the buildings, partly carved into the rock, are remarkably well preserved and show architecture influenced by Mesopotamian models. It is likely that the city served both as a government center and as a sumptuous venue for shows and royal receptions.

A short distance to the north, the Necropolis site is where Achaemenid kings were buried.

We're heading back to the road to Shiraz. After some rest at our hotel, we set out to explore the Sang-e-sia historic quarter. This quarter, one of the oldest in the city, includes many passages, the most important of which reveals a series of historic sites and sacred shrines including the famous Bibidokhtaran shrine. Mosques, tombs and historic houses punctuate our wanderings and bear witness to the evolution of Iranian architecture from the Qajar era to the present day. Notably, the architecture and decoration of the old Pahlavi houses, organized around beautiful interior courtyards, never fail to charm visitors.