Iran · December 1 - 8 2024

8 Day Wild Iranian Coast Expedition

Journey Along the Out-of-this-World Persian Gulf Coast

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Description

Overview

This 8 day Coastal Iran itinerary takes in the wildest sceneries Iran has to offer along the alluring Hormuzgan and Bushehr Coasts and its Persian Gulf islands of Hormuz and Qeshm.
Starting from the city of Shiraz, we’ll begin our journey to Iran’s south to the small city of Bushehr, where we will base ourselves for the next couple of days in order to explore the coastal surroundings.
Following our time exploring around Asalooyeh we will take time to explore the psychedelic Mokassar Beach en route to Bandar Abbas where we’ll board the ferry to reach the gorgeous islands of Hormuz and Qeshm.
*US, UK, and Canadian passport holders are welcome to join this tour.

Highlights

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The Gorgeous Architecture of Shiraz

From perfectly tiled mosques to grand stained glass pieces, Qajar-era historic homes, and an ancient bazaar, Shiraz is one of Iran's true highlights.

Out of this World Hormuz

With beaches of blood red, rainbow caves, dragon-like rock formations, and a mountain of salt, Hormuz feels like another planet.

Wild Rock Formations at Mokassar Beach

Mokassar Beach, sat along the Persian Gulf Coast, features otherworldly rock formations and stunning cliffsides.

The Ancient Port City of Bandar Siraf

Bandar Siraf is one of Iran's oldest port cities, often overlooked by those that venture to the Persian Coast.

Itinerary

Shiraz

Day 1: Arrivals to Shiraz

As many will have long transits to reach Iran, the first day of the trip will allow for those joining us to rest in their traditional Shiraz hotel.
Accommodation: Traditional hotel

Included

Breakfast

Shiraz & Bushehr

Day 2: Onwards Toward the Persian Coast

Today we’ll get an early start and begin our journey southward to Iran’s coast, stopping for scenic views along the way. We aim to reach Bushehr by the mid-afternoon giving some time for us to settle in and even visit the beach nearby.
Drive time: ~6 hours
Accommodation: Eco lodge or standard hotel

Included

Breakfast

Bonood Beach & Bandar Siraf

Day 3 & 4: All Along the Bushehr Coastline

For the next two days, we’ll explore the highlights of the Bushehr Coastline, taking time to see the ethereal Bonood Beach and its caves, peaceful beaches, the ancient Siraf Port, and even have the chance to hear traditional Bandari music and homemade Banadari food.

Accommodation: Eco lodge or standard hotel

Included

Breakfast

Mokassar Beach & Qeshm

Day 5: Coastal Road Tripping

We’ll get an early start, leaving Siraf in the morning just after breakfast as we have a long drive day and an exciting stop along the way. En route to Bandar Abbas, we’ll take some time to explore the psychedelic Mokassar Beach area with crazy rock formations to meander through. There are heaps of scenic stops along the way to make as well, so be prepared to be glued to the window the entire drive.
We’ll arrive in Bandar Abbas later in the day where we’ll hop on a ferry to reach Qeshm Island.
Drive time: ~6 hours
Accommodation: Eco lodge

Included

Breakfast

Hormuz & Qeshm

Day 6: The Psychedelic Little Island of Hormuz

We’ll hop on the early morning ferry today from Qeshm to Hormuz to visit the tiny island that you’ll need to see to believe. As we make our way around Hormuz we’ll have the chance to see the trippy Rainbow Cave, the famous Red Beach Hormuz is most well known for, the Salt Mountain, the colorful Rainbow Valley, and the Portuguese Castle.
Later in the day, we’ll catch the ferry back to Qeshm for the night.

Accommodation: Eco lodge

Included

Breakfast

Qeshm

Day 7: Explore Qeshm Island's Highlights

On the final full day of our coastal Iran tour, we’ll check out the famed sites around Qeshm Island including the mangrove forests, the beautiful Salt Cave, visit the Ship Factory, and hopefully see some wild dolphins.
Accommodation: Eco lodge
Qeshm

Day 8: Departures

In the morning, we’ll catch a flight north to Tehran to end our trip. Departures will be throughout the day today from the Iranian capital.

Included

Breakfast

What's included

  • Meals as indicated on the itinerary
  • English-speaking guide
  • Transportation
  • Ferry to/from Qeshm
  • Ferry to Hormuz
  • Accommodation on twin room sharing basis
  • Domestic flight from Bandar Abbas to Tehran
  • Letter of Invitation
  • Travel insurance
  • Iran visa fees
  • International airfare to and from Iran
  • Tips to local staff
  • Personal spending

Hosts

Nicole Smoot

Expedition Lead
Despite being born and raised in the mountains of Alaska with plenty of backyard adventures that could have kept her busy for a lifetime, the unusual dragon blood trees of Socotra, the truly bizarre landscapes of Iran’s far-flung Sistan and Balochistan Province, the gingerbread-house-like architecture of Sana’a, and the dazzling turquoise lakes of Tajikistan’s Fann Mountains lured Nicole to the other side of the planet and on to get to know these locations extremely well.

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Extras & Options

Single Supplement

Single Supplement

Opt for a private room. Subject to availability.

FROM $700.00/pp
This add-on will be available at checkout to add to your order.
View available Dates

FAQs

Since 2022, the political situation in Iran has become more unstable than it has been for the past several years. Our local team in Iran takes the safety of our tourists very seriously and will provide mitigation in situ if any issues arise. That said, generally, Iran is a safe country for tourists to visit with a low crime rate.
This 8 Day Iranian Coast Expedition will begin in Shiraz, Iran on December 1st, and end on December 8th in Tehran, Iran.
Yes, passport holders from the US, UK, and Canada can visit Iran. Visitors from these countries must be accompanied by a guide with credentials from the government allowing them to guide these nationalities. We do work with a network of guides who hold this credential.
Most nationalities require a visa/e-visa to enter Iran. We will provide the necessary documentation in order for you to apply for your Iran visa. The only countries that can enter Iran visa-free are Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bolivia, China, Egypt, Georgia, Hong Kong, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Macao, Malaysia, Oman, Syria, Turkey and Venezuela. It appears more nations have been added to this list as of December 2023 but it has not been announced when this will be implemented.
This 8 Day Hormuzgan Coast expedition is rated as easy. We will be spending every night in a hotel or eco-loge and each day will require some walking along beaches and between sites.
As per the entry requirements for Iran, all visitors must carry a travel insurance policy that is valid in Iran. We will provide travel insurance to all participants in the price of the expedition.
Iran uses the Iranian Rial (IRR), a currency that fluctuates violently. It is important to bring more than enough cash than you think you may need in Iran as ATMs do not accept foreign cards and there is no official way to obtain money once in the country. All money you plan to spend in Iran including personal expenses, souvenirs, lunches, dinners, etc. should be brought with you from home and in cash. The best currencies to bring to exchange are US dollars, British pounds, and Euros. Make sure that your bills are in crisp, clean, and new condition with no bends, tears, or folds.
Yes, we do provide a suggested packing list and preparation guide for all of our Iran expeditions that can be viewed here.

Persian food is a delight, featuring meats, rice, fresh salads, aromatic, spices, and a variety of herbs. Chai and flatbreads accompany almost every meal.

Please let us know of any dietary restrictions or allergies in advance so that we can accommodate your needs.

It is possible to purchase SIM cards on arrival at the Tehran as well as at mobile service provider shops in the city and our accommodations will feature Wi-Fi.

Internet in Iran is highly monitored and censored, so you can expect to not be able to access most social media sites and news websites. Most Iranians use VPNs to work around this, but which ones will work and when is always in flux.

Yes, a minimum of 4 passengers will need to be on this expedition in order to run. If the minimum isn’t reached, we will contact you about the potential to still operate the trip but at an additional charge or you will be given the option to cancel and your deposit/payment can either be returned to you or applied toward a different expedition of your choosing.