8 Days Adventure Tour – Snow, Sun & Sand

Take the morning to drive up to the Dizin Ski Resort, the largest and only International Ski Federation-recognized ski and winter sports resort in Iran. The Dizin range is known for being operational in both winter and spring, with excellent snow quality and a great gradient for skiing and snowboarding. Spend the day making friends with local skiers, hanging out on the slopes, and discovering new paths. At night, relax in the comfort of the Dizin Tourism Hotel, eating local stews such as aash & soup-e Jo.

Skiers are a friendly bunch, especially Iranian skiers, so make plans with them. After a full breakfast, try to see if you can join a local party. Depending on weather conditions, you can choose to stay in Dizin, or explore some of the other nearby slopes and resorts. Spend the rest of the day hitting the snow and experiencing the adrenaline rush of skiing above 3,000 m. At night, get some much needed rest at the Dizin Tourism Hotel and exchange stories with your new friends.

In the morning, stop by Abyaneh Village. Characterized by a peculiar reddish hue, the village is one of the oldest in Iran. Nestled within inaccessible mountain folds, its residents remained safe from Arab invaders. They still speak Middle Persian, the language of 5th c. Sassanid Persia. At night, visit the Khaju Bridge & Si-o-Se Pol Bridge in Isfahan, local hangouts along the Zayandeh Rud river. Finish the night with a Persian Cooking Class, making dinner with a local host family.

After a night’s sleep, visit the 16th c. Naqsh-e Jahan Square, the seat of Iran’s Safavid dynasty. The square was, and still is, the center of trade and activity in Isfahan. One of its biggest features is the Qeysariye Bazaar, a local hub filled with handicrafts, spices & carpets. Visit the Sheykh Lotfollah Mosque to see its mesmerizing dome, the Shah Mosque for its enchanting courtyard, & the six-story Ali Qapu Palace for its view. Finish the day with the marvelous pavilion of Chehel-Sotun Palace.

In the morning, visit the bright frescos of Vank Cathedral in the Armenian quarter of New Jolfa in SW Isfahan. In the afternoon, drive to the desert city of Varzaneh and experience the towering dunes of Varzaneh Desert and the vast, mesmerizing Varzaneh Salt Lake. Visit the Water Temple of Hassanabad to see how ancient people maintained their sacred resources. After watching the sunset over the sands, make your way to a local, traditional guesthouse for the night.

Start with the Agha Bozorg Mosque, a multilevel theological school that served as the center of Kashani life. Visit the Sultan Amir Ahmad Bathhouse for a lesson in classic bathing. Visit the opulent Abbasian House & Tabatabaei House, two examples of classical homes with exceptional architectural details & designed specifically for the desert. Visit an active Pottery Workshop to see Kashan’s traditional earthen handicrafts. Spend the night in Kashan.

Time permitting, you can explore the labyrinthine Kashan Bazaar or stop by in Fin Garden before heading towards Tehran for IKIA.