Iran Persian Gulf Tour | Individual Iran Travel | Pyala Travel - Travel Program

Day 1 arrival Bandar-e Abbas

You arrive in Bandar Abbas, capital of the Iranian province of Hormozgan. It is a large city on the Persian Gulf without significant landmarks. If you have time you can take a stroll along the boulevard where you'll see a large number of giant ships in the water waiting for cargo. You can also visit the fish market, mainly active in the morning. You will be amazed at the variety of fish that can be found here, from small, tropical fish and shrimp to giant sharks and tunas.

The street is different than in most other Persian cities. You see men wearing long white robes, characteristic of the Arab population in the Persian Gulf, and occasionally women with distinctive, pointy-nosed masks (a kind of Venetian mask, almost), which are typical for Bandari women. The Bandari are a predominantly Sunni people of Arabic origin  who have lived for centuries on the southern coast of Iran.

Day 2 Bandar Abbas / excursion Minab, ferry Qeshm

Every Thursday, the regional market of Minab takes place and is one of the most colorful events of Iran. People come from far and wide, offering a good representation of the diverse peoples of this region: Iranians, Bandari, Arabs, Indians, Pakistanis and Somalis. It is a hive of activity and the best place to see the masked Bandari women. Each village has its own mask. The masks are also for sale at the market. Please note that the women generally don’t appreciate being asked to be photographed. The men are generally more than happy to be in the picture. Do not forget to visit the more distant cattle market, a true spectacle and a feast for the eyes. The market is an hour's drive from Bandar Abbas, and only takes place in the mornings. It usually ends around 13:00.  

After visiting the market you return to Bandar Abbas to take the public ferry to the island of Qeshm. The crossing takes about an hour. Depending on the time you get to Bandar Abbas and Qeshm you can eat before you leave, or save some snacks for the boat. You aren’t able to get food on the boat itself. You arrive on the island of Qeshm in the afternoon. The ferry arrives in the town of Qeshm, which is almost a small version of Bandar Abbas and so little is interesting to visit.  

There is a lot to see on the island, like the town of Bandar Laft. On the way you will pass one of the many shipyards where boats are still built by hand. These impressive ships have sailed for centuries across the Persian Gulf to Pakistan and India. Bandar Laft is a wonderful example of what all the villages on the Persian Gulf used to look like. The sleepy town is known for its many wind towers (badgirs). From the hill behind the town you have a beautiful view of the town and the sea.

Day 3 Qeshm

Today you have a full day to explore Qeshm. This is the largest island in the Persian Gulf and also the most interesting to visit, because of the many natural phenomena and the  traditional Bandari culture. Along with your driver and guide you can organize an itinerary. There is much to see, and you cannot see everything in a day. You should also take into account the heat and plan around the heat of the day.

Here is an example of how you could spend the day, but you can organize it however you want.

Wake up early to take a boat to the island of Hengam. There’s a big chance you'll see dolphins. You may want to go to one of the beaches on land, and if you bring snorkelling gear you can even go snorkelling here. Keep in mind that they have little experience with it and you probably will be better selecting on your own where you want to jump in the water. There is some coral and a fair number of tropical fish.

Then you can drive to the Chahkuk Valley, an arid, desert-like landscape where you can see bizarre rock formations down in the gorge, a spectacular sight. Then you can take a half-hour boat tour through the Harra, the mangrove forest. This is the most westerly mangrove forest of the Asian mangrove forests. In winter it is a mecca for bird watchers here with many migratory birds. Again, you have a chance to see dolphins, but of a different kind than in Hengam. You can also choose to make this trip the next morning, and/or you can extend the trip at an additional cost.

Then it's time for a traditional lunch in one of the cozy homestays in Qeshm (you also have the option of spending the night here). How about shark curry, fresh fish kebab or squid? If the worst of the day’s heat has passed, you can either go out on a further exploration of the Chaukuk Valley geopark, like to the "Roof of Qeshm" where you have a beautiful view of the “Valley of the Images” which is full of jagged rock formations. Sunset is the best time to go to the "Valley of the Stars," one of the most beautiful places on Qeshm. It is a sort of mini Grand Canyon where you can walk through and around. The setting sun makes the bizarre rock formations slowly turn pink and orange.

Day 4 departure Qeshm

In the morning you hop on the ferry back to Bandar Abbas. In the town of Qeshm you can also pay a short visit to the old Portuguese fort.