Itinerary

1. Day 1: Flight to Qeshm Island

   • Fly in from Tehran to Qeshm or Bandar-Abbas (40 minutes from Qeshm by ferry), and transfer directly to your hotel in Qeshm. Qeshm is the largest island in the Persian Gulf and the lone geo-park of Iran. Geo-sites in Qeshm are affected mainly by water erosion and consist of sedimentary rocks and cuesta. Also, a vast salt dome is located west of the island.

   Distances:

   • The duration of the flight from Tehran is 1 hour and a half.

   Accommodation:

   • A 3-star hotel in Qeshm.

2. Day 2: Daily excursion in the Geo-Park of Qeshm

   • Visit some geo-sites in the southwest part of the island. The salt dome (diapir) of Namakdan is a unique structure on the island, including several outstanding structural, mineralogical, erosional and sedimentary sceneries. In this geo-site, the world record Namakdan cave exists, the world's longest salt cave of 6500 meters. 

   • Admire the Geo-link geo-site, located between Shur Valley and Namakdan geo-site. It includes a variety of geological features. This Geo-site is the southern flank of Salakh and is a showcase for the erosion and anticline related phenomena and features. There are different geological and geomorphologic features in this geo-site, namely: erosion forms, Cuesta hills, Dolines, rock falls and Encrustation.

   You will see: 

   • The salt dome and cave of Namakdan.

   • Shur valley and Geo-link geo-sites.

   You will Experience:

   • Strolling and observing the spectacular landscape of Geo-Park of Qeshm.

   Accommodation:

   • A 3-star hotel in Qeshm

3. Day 3: Daily excursion in the geo-park of Qeshm

   • Visit a couple of places in the Geo-park, starting with the Chah-Kooh gorge, located in the northwest part of the island, near West-Chahu village. This geo-site is an excellent example of running water erosion and a canyon from a valley. The deterioration was the second parameter to create this valley, and it happened along a deep joint and crack, resulting in Salakh anticline movement. So the primary parameter was the structural forces. 

   • Travel to Hara Biosphere Reserve with your Iranian tour guide. With about 9000 ha, it is known as the most extensive mangrove stand in the Persian Gulf.

   You will see:

   • Chah-Kooh gorge 

   • Statues valley

   • Hara mangrove trees

   You will Experience:

   • A boat ride in the Persian Gulf through Mangrove trees.

   • Daily excursion in Geo-Park of Qeshm

   Accommodation:

   • A 3-star hotel in Qeshm

4. Day 4: Daily excursion in the Geo-Park of Qeshm

   • Set off on another full day of sightseeing in Qeshm island. 

   • Head towards the Stars Valley, which is called Estareh-Kafteh in the local dialect. It is one of the most important erosional phenomena in Iran. In this valley, there is a variety of geomorphological phenomena that shaped several interconnected branches of small valleys. Besides the mechanical erosion of water which is the main factor of shaping this area, there are many other factors such as different types of rocks with different resistance, the intercalation of gypsum and the different regional tectonic activities.

   You will see:

   • Geology museum of Qeshm

   • Stars Valley

   • Khorbas caves

   You will Experience:

   • The spectacular landscape of Stars valley

   Accommodation:

   • A 3-star hotel in Qeshm

5. Day 5: Going to Hormuz Island with ferry

   • Explore Hormuz, known as the rainbow island and a paradise for geologists. To get there, you will take a ferry. Hormuz Island is located east of Qeshm and closer to the Bandar-Abbas seaport. The island is covered by sedimentary rocks and layers of volcanic material on its surface. Due to a lack of precipitation, the soil and water are salty. 

   • On Hormuz, discover the rainbow valley with various shapes of the sediments and the colourful soil. 

   • Also, visit the salt dome, the salt goddess by the local people, and the red-soil beach with its fantastic red and silver sand.

   You will see:

   • Salt Dome and Cave 

   • Statue Valley 

   • Rainbow Cave and Valley 

   • Red and Silver Beaches 

   • Turtle Beach.

   You will Experience:

   • Being amazed at the variety of colours of the soil on the island. 

   • Riding a ferry in the Persian Gulf.

   Distances:

   • Qeshm to Hormuz takes about 1 hour by ferry.

   Accommodation:

   • An eco-lodge in Hormuz Island

6. Day 6: Excursion in the Hormuz Island

   • Discover the fascinating historical background of Hormuz. Also, look at the Portuguese castle, the old town, and Dr Nadalian Museum.

   You will see:

   • Portuguese castle 

   • Dr Nadalian museum

   You will Experience:

   • The lifestyle of the local people and the culture of living in Hormuz

   Accommodation:

   • An eco-lodge in Hormuz 

7. Day 7: Hormuz to Bandar-Abbas by ferry and flight to Tehran

   • Leave Hormuz Island to Bandar-Abbas by ferry in the morning. 

   • Transfer directly from the jetty to the airport to fly back to Tehran.

   Distances:

   • Hormuz to Bandar-Abbas takes approximately 30 minutes.

   • The duration of the flight to Tehran is 1 hour and a half.