These Pictures Of An Indian Girl In Iran Will Make You Want To Visit The Country

Natural beauty that looks out of this world, architecture that is spellbinding and amazing culture – that’s Iran for you. When it comes to international travelling, Europe, Dubai or Paris is on everybody’s agenda but it’s countries like Iran that are truly hidden gems that travellers visit. One such traveller is Shivya Nath whose Iran visit was full of interesting experiences including beautiful sights and food so lovely it will make you melt just looking at it. Shivya is an avid traveller and author of a book called Shooting Star, which is all about her travels across the world. Bjut beautiful things are not easily attainable and you can say the same about a trip to Iran where the usual touristy crowds are not there and neither are the typical comforts for a traveller. So only the passion to explore the country and a drive to experience the unusual can take you there. Read on to find out more about her journey and what to expect on a trip to Iran.

A Landscape That’s Looks Out Of This World

Explore the beautiful Lut Desert where the interesting sand dune formations make the landscape look totally alien. The Lut Desert or Dasht-e-Lut is a large salt desert spread across the Kerman, Sistan and Baluchestan provinces of Iran. This UNESCO World Heritage site is a sight to behold due to its rock paintings, sand formations and unique look.

 

 

 

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“If you go there, they might mistake you for smugglers and arrest you.” That was the warning we left the city of Kerman with, to travel to a desert just a few hundred kilometres from the borders of Pakistan and Afghanistan! . . But after passing a couple of high snow-capped passes, we landed up in a tiny desert oasis with a population of 80. Our guesthouse (found thanks to @uppersia - it has no mention online, and even the name is written only in Farsi) was set up by a couple from the village, in traditional architecture with dome-shaped mud and grass ceilings to keep it cool. For turns out, this is one of the hottest places on earth, with summer temperatures averaging 60 degrees! . . The Lut Desert is no ordinary desert either. Over millions of years, the golden sand has transformed into sand formations of all shapes and sizes, almost resembling what the moon or an alien planet might look like. . . I came to Iran expecting a land of hospitality; instead I found a country that might be one of the most beautiful I’ve explored yet 💚 . . And you, is Iran on your travel wish list? . . #theshootingstar #irannature #slowtravel #kaluts #sunsetmadness

A post shared by Shivya Nath (@shivya) onMar 1, 2019 at 11:38pm PST

Another interesting landscape is that of the Qeshm and Hormuz islands that have white peaks, purple sand, red mountains, yellow dried rivers, crystal waterfalls and what not! Have a look:

 

 

 

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This can’t be earth. This might be a slice of Mars that broke away. Or alien land that landed up in the Persian Gulf. This must be somewhere else. . . Spent some absolutely surreal days exploring Qeshm and Hormuz islands in Iran - of which the latter is believed to be the youngest island to have emerged out of the sea, some 4 million years ago. But it’s no ordinary island. It’s made of a diverse range of minerals and salts that have crystallised over time to make the most colourful, dramatic landscapes - red mountains, white peaks, purple sand, dry yellow rivers, still crystal waterfalls, rainbow caves. This doesn’t feel like earth. I must be somewhere else 👣

A post shared by Shivya Nath (@shivya) onFeb 24, 2019 at 2:58am PST

Beauty Of The City

Moving onto the bustling city of Shiraz, there are many places to see including the Nasir-ol-molk Mosque, also known as the Pink Mosque. Words cannot truly describe the beauty of the place. The concaved design and pink tile work with extensive glass work make it a must visit. Other places of interest include the Eram Garden, Tomb of Hafez and Qavam House. With a rich history, there are many architectural beauties across the country including the Golestan Palace of Tehran and Allahverdi Khan Bridge or Si-o-se-pol of Isfahan which is a 17th Century iconic bridge built with 33 arches.

 

 

 

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“Listen: this world is the lunatic's sphere, Don't always agree it's real, Even with my feet upon it And the postman knowing my door My address is somewhere else.” ~ Hafez-e Shirazi . . In the old city of Shiraz, the land of the great poets Hafez and Saa’di, time feels like it’s moving backward. One night, wrapped in a chador, I watch spellbound as the centuries old shrine of Shah Cherag glitters in the moonlight, as people pray, sometimes weep at the beauty and perhaps their own inner demons. One morning, in the Nasir-ol-Molk mosque, I feel a different kind of light within as its old stained glass walls reflect the warm winter sunlight. . . In the old city of Shiraz, once part of the ancient spice route, time feels like it’s moving backward. Walking through the narrow alleys, under the dome-shaped ceilings of old bazaars, where traders of the world once gathered, I feel overwhelmed. The smell of dried flowers and herbs, Afghan traders selling their wares, Persian carpets lining the walls. . . In the old city of Shiraz, the land of gardens, time feels like it’s moving backward. On a rainy afternoon, we walk under cypress trees estimated to be 900 years old, so tall they almost touch the grey sky. As I find my way to Hafez’s tomb, unsure if this is the same world I’ve inhabited all along, his words come back to me: . “Even with my feet upon it And the postman knowing my door My address is somewhere else.” . . 👣 Exploring Iran with @uppersia . 📷 Shot on #iphonexsmax . . #theshootingstar #irantravel #shiraz #uppersia

A post shared by Shivya Nath (@shivya) onFeb 18, 2019 at 1:52am PST

 

 

 

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I turned 31 a few days ago, on the rooftop of @balo.persian.cuisine in Shiraz, puffing a mint-flavoured galyan (shisha), sipping a musk willow-wild rose-basil seeds herbal drink, listening to Persian music and the pitter-patter of rain ☔️ . . It struck me then that my twenties were just an experiment in life. 30 marked the transition, and now at 31, I feel ready to dive further into life. To not have to defend my choices about marriage and kids - despite having a partner, to accept myself as the introvert I am, to feel a bit more sure about this life I’ve chosen. Now at 31, I feel as though I’ve tested many formulas of life, rejected some and gradually made my own concoction. . . And I couldn’t have asked for anywhere better to try that concoction, mixed with flavours of mint and wild rose and the aroma of wet earth. And I couldn’t have asked for a better audience to share that concoction with. Thanks for joining me on this journey called life 💚 . . 📷: Walking amid 900-year-old cypress trees at Bagh-e Eram in Shiraz 👣 . . #theshootingstar #shiraz_city #visitiran #uppersia ‎#ایران

A post shared by Shivya Nath (@shivya) onFeb 20, 2019 at 8:45pm PST

Is Travelling To Iran Worth It?

Not many tourists flock to Iran and Shivya reveals why. The people there are warm but the travel infrastructure of the country is still developing. Here’s what she says:

“Travelling in Iran is complicated compared to most other countries. Since the new US sanctions came into effect, most international websites / companies don’t work here. That means no Airbnb or Booking.com to book homestays and guesthouses. That means no Expedia, Skyscanner or Goibibotravel to book flights. That means you can’t use international debit / credit cards to pay or withdraw from local ATMs. That means most Indian / international travel insurance policies don’t cover Iran. And most social networks and news websites (except Instagram) are banned.” 

But the challenges are worth it, for you are rewarded with sights like these: 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Shivya Nath (@shivya) onMar 4, 2019 at 5:29am PST

Picturesque valleys, canyons and caves await.

 

 

 

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On the side of the road we stood, under the blazing winter sun, full of doubt that anyone will heed our hand (not thumb, for that’s offensive in Iran) and let us hitch a ride. For the sparse landscapes look so unearthly, people hardly walk and cars are few. But in a few minutes, a friendly face rolled down his window and let us hop into the back of his pickup truck to drop us halfway to our destination. With the cool wind in our faces, the bright blue Persian Gulf on one side and the stark barren landscape on the other, we rode along. . . After we got dropped, we caught another ride, this time with two friendly men who got very excited that we came from the land of @amitabhbachchan and @iamsrk (almost everyone in Iran loves Bollywood; great icebreaker!). . . And so we hitchhiked across the barrenscapes of Qeshm Island, sometimes in the back of pickup trucks, sometimes chatting about our lives using just the 20 or so Farsi words we know, and landed up at dramatic valleys, salt caves, majestic canyons and traditional villages. And so we established that their land might be harsh but their hearts are full of warmth. . . Photo —> The dramatic Chahkooh Canyon on Qeshm Island and how Iranian women stylishly dawn the compulsory head scarf; more on that soon. . . 👣 Exploring offbeat Iran with @uppersia . 📷 Shot on #iphonexsmax . . #theshootingstar #qeshm #iran_nature #slowtravel #uppersia

A post shared by Shivya Nath (@shivya) onFeb 27, 2019 at 1:27am PST

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The Taste Of Iran

Shivya not only had a taste of the local cuisine but also managed to find a vegan place to cater to her appetite. She thoroughly enjoyed a hearty meal consisting of dizi (mashed beans served with a broth and bread), spinach plum stew, kuku sabzi, adas polo, ghorme sabzi and desserts that look too good to eat. Other dishes that you can try out in Iran include Ash Reshte (a soup dish with noodles), Zereshk Polo Morgh (rice dish served with chicken and tomato stew), Fesenjan (chicken/duck dish made with walnuts, pomegranate paste) and obviously kebabs made Iranian style.

Want to know about more offbeat trip ideas, places perfect for solo women travellers or interesting international trips of celebs? Then stay tuned to Her Zindagi.