From the forests of Arsbaran to the heart of Hyrkani paradise

After having an attractive and fresh local breakfast in Ardabil, we can start our day by visiting the tomb complex of Sheikh Safiuddin. After we are delighted with the tomb’s architecture and art, we can touch the water of Shurabil Lake before leaving Ardabil. Let’s say goodbye to Ardabil and continue our journey.
We are supposed to be on our way to Astara for an hour and a half, and we are going to be surprised; we want to cross one of the most beautiful forest roads in Iran, the route that is going to take us from Zagros to Alborz, the Hiran Pass, which is at the very beginning of the way with its coolness. And everything changes; the Zagros hills of Ardabil become mountains, and the green valleys of Alborz as if the season has changed. The eternal fog of the valleys of Garneh gives us the impression that we are at a very high altitude, but even At the highest point; we are only 1500 meters above the sea.

Now, we are crossing a path along the Aras River and on the closest road from Iran to Azerbaijan. It is interesting to know that Hiran, the Arabic word from the Talshi of Hiran Pass, means a place of clouds and fog and refers to the three villages of Lower Hiran, Central Hiran. And Hiran Alia is divided.

On Hiran Road, we should not forget to eat buttermilk or tea. We will reach Astara. Now that we have to have lunch in Astara, it is better to choose from the local Astara dishes. Among the words of Astara, you can mention Mesma, pastrami with duck, Lungi, Chaghirtama, Jazoz or Qorma.

In Astara, we can visit the border market of Astara, which is known as Basat Bazaar, or we can go to the nature of Astara, such as Bibi Yanlu Forest Park, Lundville Waterfall, or Lawton Waterfall. From Astara, we reach Talesh, where we can visit Sobatan Village and Gisum Forest Park.

When we reach the beautiful port of Anzali, it is better to first step on the Ghazian Bridge, which was the first movable bridge in Iran and used to be used by ships and boats from neighboring countries. Other attractions of Anzali can be seen from Mian Pashte Palace, which is now in the possession of the Navy.

Minar (clock tower), which was used as a lighthouse to guide sailors; Shams al-Amara, which is a 5-story royal palace that was built by order of Naser al-Din Shah, and the more we go to the higher floors, the more beautiful it becomes, the Motamadieh and the Sadri mansion, which is the ruler Anzali resided there during the Qajar era and mentioned the artillery and two Bastian buildings, the Jame Mosque, the Akhmer Mosque and the Sorkhi Mosque.

Now we have to leave the port of Anzali and the mood of its port and move towards our final destination, Rasht, and for dinner, we will reach Rasht, the capital of food and its extraordinary variety of food.