Cycling in Iran

1.    Why Iran

Iran in the heart of the Silk Road is one of the world’s most treasured travel destinations, blessed with extraordinary historical sites, fascinating culture and exquisite landscapes with snow-capped mountains, rich forests and hot deserts, boasts to be a destination for all seasons.

Rich Persian heritage dating back to 3,000 years is evident throughout the country with abundant ancient sites. It offers the traveller so much variety in culture and cuisine. From traditional nomads of Qashgaei, Bakhtiari and Shahsevan, proud Turkmen, hospitable Gilaki, friendly Azeri, colourful Kurds to modern Tehrani.

1.1.        Iran’s climate

It is possible to bike Iran in any season, you only need to choose when and which routes to go. Due to the vastness of the country and is well extended in both east-west and north-south coordinates Iran has the unique potentiality of a varied climate that provides travellers with the all year round opportunity of travel in both high and low seasons. There is a considerable difference in climate from region to region. Central Iran is quite dry and desert-like, the northwest is mountainous, the north is subtropically covered with thick forests, and the south is semiarid and tropical.

Spring and autumn give you the best weather across the whole country to avoid extremes in temperature. The best time to cycle in central and southern Iran is from November to April. January and February are suitable to explore the Islands in the Persian Gulf. During the summer the cool mountain regions in the northwest will make for the most pleasant cycling.

1.2.        Persian hospitality

The Iranian culture of legendary hospitality roots in an old belief that “guest is God’s friend”. This justifies the numerous stories told by tourists about the unrivalled Persian trait, who consider the people the true highlight of Iran holidays, or think that their understanding of the hospitality is brought to new heights.

Iranian consider tourists to be honoured guests and want their guests to feel welcomed, so they shower them with hospitality. They will always approach to see if you need anything. If you pull out a map someone is there to help you. If you ask for directions, they will probably walk you to your destination. Generally, Iranians are caring and feel responsible for being by your side. Locals will pull over to offer you food and drinks, invite you to their home to share a meal and even spend the night. They may send you off with goodies to keep you fuelled during your next leg of cycling. Iranian villagers and nomads are very welcoming and might farewell you with a pot of their own produced diary or bread. Even the taxi drivers, shopkeepers and restaurant owners will refuse payment.

Lonely Planet called Iran the most rewarding destination on Earth because of this Iranian hospitality. It is so renowned that put Iran on the top destinations of 2017 list.

2.    Popular cycling routes in Iran

Iran is a vast country with four distinct seasons. This means you have a wide range of choice when and which routes to cycle. You can combine biking, historical exploration and immersion in the local culture each route you take:

On the classic route: Tehran, Kashan, Isfahan, Shiraz, and Yazd. This also mainly accords with the ancient Silk road for you to trace the magnificent legacies of the Persian Empires. November to April is the most favorable weather for this route.

Caspian Sea shores and north forests to northwest: You’ll come across a mix of both nature and culture as you explore the forests, the sea, and Alborz Mountains as well as small, rural villages and local traditions of the diverse provinces in north and northwest Iran. Jangle-e Abr, or Cloud Forest is usually bathed in an ocean of clouds and Gisoom jungle is one of the most beautiful and peaceful forests in Iran. Tabriz is the door to Iran for cyclists heading to or from Turkey. Northwest in summer is quite delightful when it is hot in the rest of the country.

Along the Persian Gulf coast, or the islands; Qeshm , Kish and Hormoz 

Kish has the longest and completely distinct bike-riding paths. Rentals are available. Qeshm is the largest island in the Persian Gulf. While cycling, you will cross numerous wonderful attractions such as mangrove forests, Valley of the Stars, the Salt Cave, and Hara Forest as well as many scenic beaches. Visit Rainbow Mountains and the Portuguese Castle in Hormuz. Winter is the best time to this tropical arena.

Alborz Mountain:  there are many areas for all types of mountain biking, especially popular with professional cyclists. The terrain offers routes combined of asphalt, dirt, downhill and single track. A couple of hours northeast of Tehran, Lar National Park is located in the area home to mount Damavand.

Zagros Mountains: extended from west to southwest, it has impressive sceneries to offer. You will pass through fascinating landscapes of Oak forests in the region. Because of the steep slopes and rough terrain of this part, it is a good destination for professional cyclists. You can start at Uraman Takht, a village built into the cliffside, and go south toward the Khuzestan province.

Central deserts of Lut, Dasht-e Kavir and Maranjab: Maranjab is fairly close to Tehran. The Salt Lake and Wandering Island has made the desert one of the most popular destinations for adventurers. Sense the magic of desert sand dunes and spend the night at the 17th century caravanserai of Maranjab. Mid-autumn to mid-spring is fine with the deserts.

3.    Female cyclists

Women are required to wear Islamic hijab in public, this means a headscarf, a mid-thigh tunic and an ankle length pants. Ensure your hair, arms and legs are covered.

4.    Accommodation

Iran offers tourists a range of accommodation options, five-star hotels, boutique hotels, hostels, homestays and caravansaries. For cycle tourists who like to camp there aren’t many typical campsites with hot showers and kitchen facilities in Iran. Instead, you will rely on wild camping between cities and towns. This is never a problem as there are plenty of remote areas to pitch your tent.

Camping near the police stations, petrol stations and Red Crescent Rescue Stations found scattered along the main highways are of easy options in Iran. They are usually happy for you to camp nearby and will give you access to their bathrooms and water. You can also camp in city parks where there is usually a guard on duty staying in a little house inside the park.

Reserving accommodation through a travel agency will give you peace of mind and ensures an appropriate, secure place with reasonable price.

5.    Bike shops and equipment

Every city has shops selling brands as well as cheaper Chinese parts, so high quality bicycle parts are easy to find in Iran. Camping equipment like tents and sleeping bags, and smaller items like camping gas cartridges and head torches is also widespread.

6.    Iran roads

Most roads across the country are sealed with asphalt or bitumen. They are in good shape with good surfacing and ridable shoulders on the bigger routes. Iran has a comprehensive network of secondary roads, most of which are paved, so you can find smaller alternatives to the main highways if you wish to avoid the traffic and noise. In mountainous areas you may come across a few tunnels, most of these are short and longer ones tend to be well lit. The signs are in English and Farsi.

Bikes on buses and trains: If you plan to cover a vast region, the distance makes you put your bike on some form of public transport. It’s possible but you’ll pay extra and it will depend on the length of the journey and class of the bus. If you want to take a cargo bike on the train you need to be at the train station ahead of time to check your bike as cargo.

Visa

Normally, getting a visa takes around 7-10 working days and for nationalities as American, British and Canadian, it will take 1-2 months. You can extend your visa at least twice by its original duration, so an initial 30-day visa can give you up to 90 days in Iran. You can do this in the main cities of Tehran, Shiraz, Isfahan, Yazd and Tabriz. To save time connect to a travel agency to provide you with the Iran Invitation Letter (Authorization Number). You can either collect your visa in Iran, at the airport or in embassies available around the world.

Multi-country cycling and border crossing

Iran shares borders with Azerbaijan and Nakhchivan, Armenia, Turkey, Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Turkmenistan. You can travel overland to/ from these neighboring countries. Getting onward visa is possible in Tehran.

Borders’ opening hours (may be subject to change)

Iran – Turkey: Bazargan: 24/7, Sero: 24/7, Razi: 8 – 17.

Iran – Azerbaijan: Astara: 24/7, Bilasuvar: 24/7.

Iran _ Nakhchivan: Jolfa: 24/7, Poldasht : 8:30_ 00:30.

Iran – Armenia: Nordooz: 24/7.

Iran – Turkmenistan: Sarakhs: 7:30_ 16:30, Bajgiran: 7.30 – 17, Lotfabad: 7_ 17:30, Incheboron: 7:30_ 17.

These are the safe borders to cross, other borders less used include:

Iran – Iraq: Khosravi: 24/7, Chazabeh: 7_ 17 Soomar: 7_ 17.

Iraqi Kurdistan: Bashmakh: 24/7.

Iran – Pakistan: Mirjaveh: 8_ 18:30, Rimdan: 8_ 15.

Iran – Afghanistan: Taybad: 7_ 17, Milak: 7_ 19.

Although it is very easy to travel by yourself, in group or solo, across the country, getting the support of a local travel agency is recommended for your convenience with or without a tour guide. The point is that you are considered to being invited by the agency, so their help especially in getting visa in much shorter time and reserving accommodation according to your budget worth noting. They also help you 24 hours a day 7 days a week about the information you may need throughout the country.