Ecbatana was an ancient city in Media in western Iran. It is believed that Ecbatana is in Hagmatana Hill (Tappe-ye Hagmatāna), an archaeological mound in Hamedan
According to Herodotus, Ecbatana was chosen as the Medes’ capital in the late 8th century BC by Deioces. Under the Achaemenid Persian kings, Ecbatana, situated at the foot of Mount Alvand, became a summer residence. Later, it became the capital of the Parthian kings, at which time it became their main mint, producing drachm, tetradrachm, and assorted bronze denominations. The wealth and importance of the city in the Persian empire are attributed to its location on a crucial crossroads that made it a staging post on the main east-west highway
Golestan Palace is the name of a historical complex in Iran’s capital city, Tehran. This former royal Qajar complex has been inscribed in the list of UNESCO World Heritage in June of 2013. The buildings of this complex have been built and completed at different times. Golestan Palace complex consists of 17 structures, including palaces, museums, and halls, Landing in PERSIA, Iran is a country with endless history and tradition and you will explore both ancient Persia and modern Iran. This Persia Classic Tour program includes the natural and historical attractions of central parts of Iran. On this route, you will visit cities like Tehran, Kashan, Isfahan, Yazd, Shiraz, and finally Kerman. In most of these areas, living in warm and dry areas has been linked with history and has shaped the lifestyle that is specific to these areas
There are two vast expanses of deserts in Iran, the Kavir-e-Lut or the Lut Desert, and Kavir-e-Markazi or the Central Desert, covering an area of over 360,000 square kilometers, mostly located in the central parts of Iran. These vast expanses of sand dunes, salt lakes, steppe-like plains, wadies with long-dated trees, and camel flocks are one of the world’s most interesting, yet unknown places in the world. Then there is a vast network of Caravansaries strategically located along the ancient, camel-trodden trade routes and the scorched salt flats of Kavir-e-Markazi.
Exciting safaris tours through majestic landscapes and along these caravan routes have proved to be the most efficient way
of enjoying the glorious nature of Iran
A world away from the cities and deserts of Iran is the beautiful Alborz Mountains range, Rising from the Caspian Sea, a lesser explored region beacons. Experience a glimpse into a quieter, greener, and more traditional side of Iran Travel to Alamut, one of the castles on Freya Stark’s route in her 1930 s classic book, The Valley of the Assassins’ before visiting the impressive Roudkhan Castle. From the traditional village of Masoule, you will begin a series of walks into the hills and high plateaus of the Talesh Highlands taking in a combination of the stunning mountain scenery and visits to the nomadic Shahsavan, The Shahsavan Nomads are Pastoralists who have spent their summers on these high pastures tending to their herds for thousands of years. Here you will camp, (although don’t be surprised if you are invited to stay with the locals), experiencing their warm hospitality and excellent local cuisine A journey brimming with diversity, you finish in vibrant Tabriz with its vast UNESCO World Heritage covered bazaar and nearby troglodyte stony village of Kandovan
Alamut, meaning “eagle’s nest”) is a ruined mountain fortress located in the Alamut region in the South Caspian province of Qazvin near the Masoudabad region in Iran, approximately 200 km (130 mi) from present-day Tehran
In 1,090 AD, the Alamut Castle, a mountain fortress in present-day Iran, came into the possession of Hassan-i Sabbah, a champion of the Nizari Ismaili cause. Until 1,256, Alamut functioned as the headquarters of the Nizari Ismaili state, which included a series of strategic strongholds scattered throughout Persia and Syria, with each stronghold being surrounded by swathes of hostile territory
Alamut, which is the most famous of these strongholds, was thought impregnable to any military attack and was fabled for its heavenly gardens, library, and laboratories where philosophers, scientists, and theologians could debate in intellectual freedom
The stronghold survived adversaries including the Seljuq and Khwarezmian empires. In 1256, Rukn al-Din Khurshah surrendered the fortress to the invading Mongols, who dismantled it and destroyed its famous library holdings. Though commonly assumed that the Mongol conquest obliterated the Nizari Ismailis presence at Alamut, the fortress was recaptured in 1275 by Nizari forces, demonstrating that while the destruction and damage to the Ismailis in that region were extensive, it was not the complete annihilation attempted by the Mongols. However, the castle was seized once again and fell under the rule of Hulagu Khan’s eldest son in 1282. Afterward, the castle was of only regional significance, passing through the hands of various local powers
Arasbaran / Qaradagh or shortened to Arasbar meaning “The Banks of the Aras/Araxes river,” is a large mountainous area stretching from the Qūshā Dāgh massif, south of Ahar, to the Aras River in East Azerbaijan Province of Iran. The region is confined to Aras River in the north, Meshgin Shahr County and Moghan in the east, Sarab County in the south, and Tabriz and Marand counties in the west. Since 1976, UNESCO has registered 72,460 hectares of the region, confined to 38°40′ to 39°08’N and 46°39′ to 47°02’E, as biosphere reserve with the following general description
