Explore the wonders of Chabahar Port

Located on the shores of the Makran Sea and the Indian Ocean, Chabahar Port is the pearl of Iran’s ports, where so many tourists visit annually. Its stunning tourism sites, which are not only numerous but also impressive, are only one of the reasons why this region is being chosen as a must-visit destination.

Chabahar Port is located in the southeast of Iran and is considered one of the most important cities in Sistan and Baluchestan provinces. People from Chabahar are called Baloch, who are kind-hearted and very welcoming to their guests.

Why is the port called Chabahar?

It is said that the name Chabahar originates from “Chahar Bahar,” which means “Four Springs” in Persian, and Chahar Bahar has turned into what it is called nowadays through time. The reason why people used to call this port, which translates to “Four Springs,” goes back to the fact that Chabahar’s weather is always mild and pleasant, like in the spring.

Reasons Why No Tourist Must Miss Out on Visiting Chabahar Port

Anyone who has ever traveled to Chabahar can confirm that you will not regret visiting this city, and it will absolutely be among the most unforgettable experiences of your whole lifetime. Allow us to explain why. Coming across the remarkable coast of Chabahar on your way to the hotel and visiting amazing landscapes, vivid azure water, rich culture, lovely people, beautiful costumes of the locals, and mouth-watering cuisines of the region will take your breath away. The experience of encountering prepossessing shores will also steal your heart. There are numerous places you might want to visit when you travel to Iran, and Chabahar better be on your checklist, or you’ll frequently find yourself regretting it for the rest of your life. Keep reading to find out about the wonders of the pearl of ports in Iran.

Tourist Attractions in Chabahar Port

Lipar Wetland

On your trip, 40 kilometers from Chabahar, you’ll find a magnificent pink-colored wetland known as Lipar Wetland (some might call it “Pink Wetland”). Being known as the bride of Chabahar, this wetland has one of the saltiest waters in the world, which together with a special species of algae makes the color of the wetland pink.

The Martian Mountains (the miniature mountains)

Wanna feel like you’re stuck with Matt Damon in The Martian movie? Chabahar’s Martian Mountains, which are also called the Miniature Mountains, are the perfect option for you. The solid surface of the gray mountains, alongside the unbelievable landscape they create before your eyes, is worth taking the trip to 50 kilometers outside the city of Chabahar. In case you decide to visit these mountains, it’s better to choose an early morning or evening so that the sun won’t disturb your trip.

Beris Port

It’s a known fact that Chabahar has always been famous for its ports, and Beris Port is the one with such a splendid view. Having a distance of only 60 kilometers, Chabahar Port, Beris Port, and village are places on the way to which you can visit the above-mentioned attractions as well.

Gwadar Port

On your way to Gwadar Port, you will feel like you’re in a movie as well since the road feels strange and not like the Earth at all. This port is located 95 kilometers away from Chabahar Port, very near the border of Pakistan, which is why you must be aware and follow the rules.

Ban Masiti Caves

Only 10 kilometers away from Chabahar Port, in a village called Tis, are two natural and two artificial caves known as “Ban Masiti”. The natural cave dates back to almost 2500 years ago, which in turn is mind-blowing. There is also a temple in the caves. You can visit the caves at night too, turning your experience into a scary one.

Gel Afshan Mud Volcano

Located on the coast of the Oman Sea, 100 kilometers away from Chabahar, mud erupts out of the ground like lava from a volcano. You read it right! Mud flows out of the ground and has been shaped like hills through time. One of these rare phenomena is still active, making the trip to Chabahar Port even more exciting.

Jinn Cemetery

From science fiction to horror movies! Another wonder of Tis village is a mysterious cemetery where it is believed that goblins were buried over 2500 years ago. Still looking for reasons to travel to Iran and put Chabahar on your list? Then keep reading!

Mangrove Forest

What makes this forest amazing? Located almost 16 kilometers away from the city, this forest is not only located in completely salty water but also vanishes into the water at the tide.

Chabahar Diving Cottage

This amazing port in Iran never stops amazing you. In case you are interested in water sports, you should know that other than places such as Kish Island, where you can enjoy great water sports, Chabahar has its own water sports, which you can try in a diving cottage located right in the city.

Konarak Port

Almost 53 kilometers away from Chabahar Port, Konarak city and port are famous for a lot of reasons, the most important of which is economic. The majority of locals in Konarak are fishermen, and the occupation of fishing is typical of people since Konarak wharf is considered the largest fishing harbor in Iran. Also, this city is called Tree City due to the fact that there are countless trees all around the town.

Darak Beach

Iran’s famous beach where the sea meets the desert One of the rarest phenomena in the world is located in Darak village, which is close to Konarak Port. Imagine you are walking under the hot sun of the desert, and then there it is! You encounter the sea! How amazing can it be? The good news is that it is not so far from your main destination, and you can easily visit this stunning wonder of nature, which only exists in a few places around the globe.

Rocky Beaches

The famous port’s rocky beaches are unimaginable. Walking along the coast of rocks, with waves splashing water against the rocks and the vast, clean sea before your eyes, makes you feel a different kind of calmness.

 

Don’t even think that the list is even close to being finished because it goes on and on. Chabahar’s wonders never disappoint you. They are always fixed in your mind, never leaving it, forcing you to relive your experiences over and over again, wishing you could travel to Iran one more time.

Weather Conditions

Chabahar port’s weather condition is one of the best all over Iran since it’s always pleasant, moderate, never so cold, and never so hot, which can turn your trip into a great one. So go buy some sundresses and hats because you’re going to enjoy wearing them with the lovely weather conditions that this beautiful city has. It’s no wonder that in the old days, people used to call the port “Chahar Bahar” which translates to “Four Springs”. It’s actually quite understandable due to the fact that Iran is a land of four seasons, and this southern port has always had great weather just like spring throughout the year, making it more rational to call it as they did.

Although this port is the coolest city among the southern regions in the summer and the warmest in the winter, we highly recommend you check the weather before you decide to travel to Iran and visit Chabahar. However, what makes this port more desirable as a destination is the fact that the rainfall rate is extremely low in this city, which makes it a great option for outdoor activities.

The best time to travel to Chabahar Port

No factor can be more important in choosing the best time to travel somewhere than the weather. As previously mentioned, Chabahar port has pleasant weather conditions throughout the year, which means spring or winter is the best time to plan your trip. However, it’s better to travel to Iran in order to visit this adorable port from November to March. Don’t worry about the name winter,” because the average temperature during the winter in Chabahar port is reportedly 13 to 18 °C.

Also visit “The Best Time to Visit Iran”.

 

Cuisines

Iranian cuisine has always been so famous and exceptionally loved by foreign tourists. Chabahar and, generally, the southern cuisines of Iran are no exception. Here are some examples you can order at any restaurant in Chabahar Port:

Bat Mash: A great option for vegetarians

Tabahag: A Baloch dish for meat lovers

Local omelet: an option for breakfast

Tanoorcheh: A traditional Baloch dish that can also be found in India

Prawn Karahi: For seafood lovers

Moreover, you can order any other Iranian cuisine you might want to try in restaurants since food diversity in Iran is so much more varied than you think, and trying it will make your travels to Iran much more exciting.

Souvenirs You Can Take Home

Souvenirs you can take from your trip to Chabahar are varied, from edible to handmade. Iranians have long been masters at handicrafts, and Baloch people are no exception. Since most tourists are more interested in handmade goods than edible products, we will introduce these types of souvenirs first. If you are interested in learning more about things you can take home from Iran, visit Iranian souvenirs.

Handicrafts:

needlework

A long-known artwork that women in Chabahar are into is needlework. A delicate artwork that is done on cloth or clothes. Needlework can also be found in the northern regions of Iran, with some slight changes. Needlework from the north of Iran is mostly bright-colored and simple-sketched, whereas needlework from Chabahar is made of warm and dark colors with complex designs.

Mat Weaving

One of the oldest handicrafts in Chabahar that is always interesting for tourists is mat weaving. There are two types of mat weaving: one is done using reed stalks and the other using palm tree leaves. Baloch people make different kinds of pots, baskets, bags, and so forth using this method.

Mirror and coin embroidery

Sewing small mirrors or coins on clothes is a rare artwork you cannot find anywhere but in Chabahar Port. These objects can also be sewn on bracelets, wall hangings, etc. Sometimes, to make the objects more pretty, sequins, beads, and pearls are sewn on the clothes as well.

Carpet Weaving

One other craft that the locals of Chabahar Port have mastered is carpet weaving. The carpets being made this way mostly have geometrical designs, and the color is almost a reddish brown. These carpets are made of nomad’s livestock wool.

Decorative objects

Objects that Chabahar Port locals make out of shells, tiny snail shells, coral, pearls, and scallops can be a great option for tourists to remind them of their travels to Iran.

Edible souvenirs:

Landoo sweets

A very delicious sweet made of date, wheat, and sesame that is specific to the region of Chabahar Port.

Tropical fruits

Due to the port’s weather conditions, some trees have the ability to grow in this region. Consequently, some rare fruits can be found in Chabahar Port, such as mango, papaya, and guava.

These are only some examples of what you can find in Chabahar Port. Walking around the bazaars of Chabahar, you may find various things to take home that may be more desirable to you.

Investing in Chabahar Port

As it is now well known to you, Chabahar Port and the cities and ports near it are in a great financial situation due to the fact that they have direct access to the Indian Ocean, which makes it easy for people to engage in activities related to the importing and exporting of products. Accordingly, if you are interested in investing in Iran or you are on a business trip or maybe a MICE tour, you might want to try investing in Chabahar. This can be considered a great opportunity for the Chinese who would like to travel to Iran and establish a business in Chabahar Port.

As a Chinese tourist or investor, going through travel to Iran from China and how to trade with Iran may be interesting for you.

How to go to Chabahar Port

There are three ways in which travelers can get to Chabahar Port, namely:

By Car

In order to get to Chabahar using your own car, you must drive for a considerable amount of time since Chabahar is really far from Tehran. However, for road enthusiasts, the journey will be extremely exciting since you will go through different kinds of landscapes to get to your destination. The average amount of time you will be driving from Tehran to Chabahar will be approximately 20 hours, not counting the stops for rest.

By Train

Another option for those who enjoy traveling to a faraway destination while admiring Iran’s appealing nature is by train. But unfortunately, currently, there is no direct train going from Tehran to Chabahar. Therefore, you will be required to take the train from Tehran to Bandar Abbas and then get to your final destination by bus. You can book your bus ticket beforehand so as to avoid having any trouble finding one.

By plane

Chabahar airport is only 45 minutes away from Chabahar Port, which makes traveling by plane even more comfortable since you won’t have to go a long way from the airport to reach your destination. Moreover, the airport is located in Konarak city, which means you can arrange your trip in a way to explore Konarak city as well. There are flights available to Chabahar from Tehran, Mashhad, Shiraz, Bandar Abbas, Kerman, Kish Island, Zahedan, and Dubai.

Turkman Horses: The Most Beautiful Breed

The history of human beings’ life demonstrates that man has always done everything in his power to get the best out of nature. Among all animals and plants man has conquered and has been using for his own purposes, horses have always been different. They have been by humans’ side being used for various purposes. Upon taming, man used these creatures only for riding and carrying things. After the invention of cart, man used horses to make it move. Soon, they were used for agriculture, transportation, contests and entertainment and also, for wars and battles. Anyone who had better horses, could do better at wars and rule over more regions of the world. This also goes for Nader Shah Afshar in Iran, who used Turkman horses and seized India. Back in the old days, people knew that possessing horses of genuine breeds played an important role in their social life. Therefore, they started improving the breeds which resulted in appearance of various horses. As our knowledge of genetics grew, the breed improvement of horses got better. Over the years, nothing, even the invention of cars has been able to stop horse races. Nowadays, after thousands of years since horses were tamed and crossbred, the variety of horses are so much that noticing the difference between breeds will not be easy for everyone. Some groups of horses have been created by combining the best breeds.

• Different breeds of Turkman horses

Among genuine horses of the east, Turkman horses have been one of the prominent ones. The evidences remained from the old ages clearly show that Turkman horses have always been used by royals and people. Turkman horses have different breeds that Akhal-Teke, lomud (or Yamud or Yomud) and Chenaran are the most popular ones. The loyal and smart Akhal-Teke is one the purest breeds of Turkman horses that its elegant body and glow has turned it into a unique horse.

 

• External characteristics of Turkman horses:

A strong skeleton, slender body, tall and thin legs with strong and proper joints, which has made their steps soft and glorious, alongside a flat stomach, a bony face with glossy, noticeable pupils, long and slim ears and sparse mane are special features of Turkman horses. Although they are 148 to 150 meters tall and thinner than other horses, this has not made Turkman horses to be less powerful than the others.

Turkman horses’ skin and hair are thready but resistant. The skin on Turkman horses glows in a way that you won’t be able to stop staring. The variety of colors is so much among Turkman horses but they are mostly dun, brindled, grey and light-bay which is probably the most beautiful and expensive among Turkman horses.

• Where to find Turkman horses

According to Dr. Gus Cothran, a researcher in University of Kentucky, Turkman horses are among the oldest and the purest breeds of horses. You can see the hoof marks of these horses in different parts of the world. Besides Turkmenistan, Russia and some other European countries, north east regions of Iran are one of the most important regions for preserving and training Turkman horses.

• Who are the Turkmen and how they take care of their Turkman horses

As you might already know, Iran, aka Persia, is an ancient country which has more than a few tribes who have special culture and they believe in their own customs and traditions. Those who have traveled to Iran might already be familiar with the fact that some of these tribes are actually nomads. They live in tents, produce their own food and dairy and use animals, especially horses for transportation. In order to get acquainted with nomadic life, visit Iran nomad tour.

One of the biggest tribes in Iran are Turkmen. Since they live in the most parts of Golestan Province and Jargalan in North Khorasan Province, you can see Turkman horses in these two provinces much more than others. After all these years and even now that technology has an important role in humans’ lives, Turkman horses have maintained their special place in Turkmen’s lives, especially in the countryside. Turkmen people love and adore their Turkman horses in an unexplainable way. Regardless of gender, they live their whole life tied to Turkmen horses. Men ride them, go to horse matches on them, feed them and take care of them like a family member. Women make the felt needed for covering and protecting Turkman horses’ bodies using wool through a very difficult process. They believe that felt protects Turkman horses’ skin against changes of the temperature and helps the skin and hair to glow. They don’t believe in keeping their beloved horses in stables and covered areas, instead they cover and protect them with special felts made for each season. Turkman women are also professionals in knitting carpets, some of which can be used to cover Turkman horses. These people believe that ‘A Turkman horse supports Turkman men and a carpet is the voice of a Turkman woman’s heart’.

Some poets have talked about Turkman horses in their poems, too. There is also a saying between Turkman people that shows their love towards this creature. It goes like this: ‘A horse for a human is just as a wing for a bird’. They believe that the breeze touching a human’s cheeks through ears of Turkman horses is a heavenly one.

Over the years, globetrotters who have traveled to Iran, have wrote a lot about Turkman horses. Some of them have played a prominent role in introduction and maintenance of pure breeds of Turkman horses. Ms. Louise Firouz was one the best researchers who was able to breed the Iranian horse with the help of Dr. Gus Cothran. She also proved that Turkman horses were a key in creation of eastern horses.

These days, since breeding and maintaining Turkman horses have been a great success, the auctions take place to sell and buy Turkman horses. In these auctions horses are being sold to the highest buyer.

Tourists have always been interested in Turkman horses. Not only the ones who have some information about horses but also, people who have no idea what a horse actually is, enjoy being among Turkman people which is why we believe for a nature-lover, taking a trip to see this tribe and Turkman horses will be a exciting experience. Do note that in case you were interested in these kinds of trips, you can always ask us to arrange Classical Cultural tours of Iran or Tailor-made tours in a way that you will have the opportunity to check out Turkman horses in person.

 

Yalda Night; An Iranian Celebration of the First Night of Winter

Yalda Night or Chelle Night or in the original Persian, Shab-e Yalda, is one of the old celebrations of Iranian people such as Chaharshanbe Suri or Nowrouz. Yalda Night can be considered as a remainder of Iranians’ ancient culture.

 

What and when is Yalda Night?

As already mentioned, Yalda Night is an ancient celebration and Iranians have been celebrating this night, which is the last night of autumn and the first night of winter, by gathering together and having fun. The last night of autumn which coincides with the first night of winter, aka Yalda Night, is the longest night of the year since it is one minute longer than the other ones. Iranians’ ancestors have been celebrating Yalda Night for centuries and they have left some traditions for people which we will talk about. Yalda Night and all these traditions occur on 21^st of December and on the leap years, on December 20^th. If you really are interested in getting to know Iranians’ traditions on Yalda Night, you can ask us to arrange your Tailor-made tours or customizable Classical Cultural tours in a way that will coincide with this magical night.

 

How old is Yalda Night?

Yalda, which also is a name for girls in Iran, means ‘Birth’. The history of this ancient celebration dates back to thousands of years ago which is not completely identified. Some archeologists believe that the tradition of celebrating Yalda Night is 7000 years old according to the discoveries from the inscriptions. All this being said, Yalda Night entered the Iranian calendar on the year 500 BC. during Dariush the First’s period.

 

Why do Iranians celebrate Yalda Night?

There are diverse reasons and tales explaining why Iranians take Yalda Night into account and why they love it so much.

The first tale relates to the victory of light over darkness. In the old days, through time, people had understood the impact of seasons and the length of day and night on their agriculture. They were convinced that day, light and sun were the symbols of goodness and kindness as opposed to night, darkness and coldness that were symbols of evil. Therefore, they believed that longer days meant light was winning the battle and shorter days were a sign that darkness was defeating the good. So, they celebrated the longest night of the year, aka Yalda Night, since after this night, days become longer, which means light has taken the power.

The second tale that can be considered as the origin of this festival is the fact that ancient Christians, who lived in Iran before Zoroastrians, celebrated Yalda Night since they believed it was the birthday of Mithra, who was the goddess of light in Iranian and Indian culture. They believed that on this magical night, the goddess of light known as Mithra or Mehr appeared and brought the sun and light with herself.

What do Iranians do on Yalda Night? What are their customs?

Iranian people have always loved this night and celebrating it has always been one of the most irresistible activities of the year for them. They gather together, usually in homes of their grandparents or elderly people of the family. They eat delicious, special food and fruits of the occasion, they dance and play games, they read poems, especially Hafez poems (Divan-e Hafez) and Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh and they laugh and have fun.

Eating watermelon, pomegranate and nuts is kind of a necessity on Yalda Night. Iranians tend to have colorful, delicious and beautiful tables ready for their guests to enjoy alongside them.

The color red, wearing red clothes and having red-based tables is also a tradition they love to be faithful to. Maybe the reason why Iranians eat the two fruits that are red comes from this custom, as well.

Reading the Divan of Hafez and placing this beloved book in the middle of the table is a tradition Iranians never stop doing. This custom goes like this; a person makes a wish and does not tell anyone about it. Then another one opens the book of poems and randomly chooses one poem and reads it out loud. The interpretation and analysis of the selected poem is called “Fal” in Persian and is an old activity Iranians tend to do on Yalda Night. The interpretation can, in some cases, relate to the wish they had in their mind.

Moreover, it is worth mentioning that since Iran has so many tribes, it is likely that each tribe living in different parts of the country has its own traditions aside from the national ones we just discussed. Therefore, in case you attended our Iran nomad tour or any other tour exploring different parts of Iran and you saw other traditions, do not be shocked.

Furthermore, another custom on Yalda Night relates to men and women who are engaged to each other. According to this tradition, the groom-to-be and his family have to buy some gifts and pastries and go to the bride’s family’s house and give it to them as a present showing their love and respect.

All in all, nowadays, Yalda Night has become an important festival Iranians love and respect and is also an excuse to spend time with the loved ones while having fun and making core memories, especially for children.

There are a lot of reasons to travel to Iran, and over the past few years observing Yalda Night’s celebration has become another reason for some people to travel to Iran. Do not forget that Yalda Night is usually on 21^st of December so, in case you decide to visit Persia on Yalda Night, this is the time for you.

Which countries celebrate Yalda Night?

 

A Fun fact about Yalda Night is that people in Iran are not the only ones celebrating it. Apart from the Iranian people who live outside Iran all across the planet, other Asian people in Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and some parts of Armenia, India and Russia celebrate Yalda Night with a little bit of difference in culture and customs, as well.