The ancient and unexplored city of Hegmataneh.

In the 8th century BC, the Medes constructed a city and named it “Hegmataneh” or “Ecabatana” which means “the place of gathering” in ancient Persian. Hegmataneh is known as the first Capital of Iran which is related to Deioces (Diako), the Mede king. According to Herodotus, this ancient city including palaces, treasuries and caserns has been constructed on top of a hill surrounded by 7 concentric high walls. The most important monument built in Hegmataneh had been a glorious and strong palace, including seven castles in different colors like white, blue, silver and purple. The people left their own houses and built new ones around this giant palace.

Nasirolmolk, or the stunning Pink Mosque.

While you are traveling in different cities of Iran, you will visit numerous wonderful Persian mosques, each one presenting beauties of its own, but Nasirolmolk  mosque of Shiraz has a more wonderful secret to reveal as many travelers say.

After passing the vast Sahn (courtyard) of the mosque, with two northern and southern Iwans (porch), you will pass through a large arc with stunning muqarnas (an architectural ornament) and enter the eastern bedchamber (Shabestan) with arcs, columns and elegant tilework, representing unique architecture method of Qajar days.

Daylight in Nasirolmolk mosque of Shiraz.

3 exciting activities that can be done in Tochal complex.

Tochal complex, located in the north of Tehran is one of the best hangouts of the city for skiing, hiking, snow fight and having fun during winter. This recreation complex is located on the top Tochal Mount in the north of Tehran.

On a sunny day in Tochal and probably after a pleasant breakfast in the cafés of Tochal, while the fresh snow covering the ground is shining under the sunlight, you just have to choose which exciting activity you would like to experience:

Skiing in Tochal

Three 1200, 900 and 5500 meter ski resorts with chairlifts and half pipes are constructed on the peak and the foothills of this mountain for skiers and snowboarders. The wild mountainous landscapes and the fresh air doubles the pleasure and excitement of sliding on the powdery snow!

Chairlifts in Tochal Ski resort.

Trekking to Tochal peak

Tochal peak is 3962 meters high and is one the most important peaks of Alborz range. The most popular climbing route to the peak starts from Sarband Square and is about 17.3 kilometers (10.75 miles). On lower levels some coffee houses are available and a shelter is constructed on the altitude of 2850 for the climbers to take a rest. The breathtaking landscapes over other Alborz mountains make it worthy to trek for 6 hours.

Trekking on Tochal heights.

Tochal’s gondola

Tochal’s gondola is known as a very long one in the world with 7500 meters length. You can sit in a gondola cabin taking you up to the heights and enjoy the view of snowy lands and the people skiing.

Tochal's gondola.

There are many more fun activities for you in Tochal complex, including playing tennis, archery and more exciting ones like Paintball, skating and even bungee jumping and zip lining! Spend a day or two in Tochal complex with standard facilities like restaurants and a cozy hotel and have lots of adventurous experiences among young Iranian people who are so fun and look forward to making new friends! Check out here for more information about ski tours in Iran.

Bungee jumping in Tochal.

4 reasons why you should visit Tehran this winter.

Being known as the big capital of Iran with cultural and historical backgrounds, Tehran is attracting many visitors every year. Tehran has a lot to offer. From the tourists who seek for a calm vacation spent in city attractions and comfortable hotels to the adventurers or art lovers find Tehran a great city to visit. I’ll tell you why:

"Tabiat" or Nature Bridge in Tehran.

The ancient city of Noosh Abad and its underground labyrinth!

The immortal city of Noosh Abad is a great place for history lovers, culture lovers and most importantly, the dreamers! This ancient desert city, hidden in the heart of Iran near Kashan, is believed to be one of the capitals of Iran by the time of Anoshirvan’s kingdom, the Sassanid emperor.

The ancient castle of Noosh Abad.

Happy Christmas 2017!

Today almost all of our dear friends are celebrating Christmas 2017 in every corner of the world. Uppersia team is so thankful for all the supports and kindness from you guys during 2016 which was an awesome year for us! We were able to exceed our goals and promote our services because of all the generosity from you!

Happiest holidays to you and your beloved ones! We wish you a Christmas full of joy, peace and of curse fabulous travels!

Christmas in Iran.

The mysterious Kal-e Jeni or the canyon of Jinn!

Kal- e Jeni (canyon of Jinn) is an extremely weird natural attraction located in Azmighan village, around Tabas city in the southern Khorasan province. This silent and lonely canyon is formed by water and wind erosion and shows stunning natural forms. These surreal landscapes and the mysterious sound created when the wind blows through the canyon have led to this belief that this canyon is the territory of Jinn and anyone who steps through this valley alone might be captured by them!

Kal- e Jeni.

The first new AirBus jet delivered to Iran after the revolution lands in Iran this week!

According to senior officials, Iran has settled an agreement with AirBus to buy 100 jetliners from this company. The first AirBus A321 is expected to land in Iran before January 20th on the first days of the upcoming week. This is the first AirBus jet delivered to Iran after the revolution. “We have finalized the negotiations with AirBus and the deal will be signed after final clarifications in a day or two.” Said Asghar Fakhrieh Kashan, deputy of Iran’s Roads and Urban Development.

Swimming with the dolphins of Hengam Island!

If you are looking for an untouched and beautiful island with stunning beaches to escape from cold and freezing days this winter, you have picked the right place! Hengam Island with a historical background is one of the most beautiful islands of the Persian Gulf located in the south of Qeshm and is a top winter destination for a one-day excursion.

The local women of Hengam Island.

The mysterious Yalda night in Iran.

Yalda is the feast of Persian myths, music, poem and warm family gatherings, held on the last night of autumn (21 December), which is the longest night of the year according to the accurate Persian calendar. Yalda has been celebrated by Zoroastrians for 7000 years!

Pomegranate is one of the essentials of Yalda night!

Walking through the historical Bazaar of Tabriz.

The old bazaars in cities of Iran were not only the traditional trading center but also the meeting point for social and cultural interactions. Walk through the maze of intersected chambers where the sellers drink tea and speak loudly in very sweet Turkish dialect, buy souvenirs from thousands of shops called “Hojre” selling very high-quality handmade shoes, jewelry, delicious sweets and heavenly beautiful handmade carpets and feel the Iranian pop culture in the grand bazaar of Tabriz.

The sellers busy with trading carpets in Bazaar of Tabriz.

The historical village of Fahraj.

 The ancient village of Fahraj, holding many secrets in her heart, lays on the beautiful barrens of Yazd province and is a recently uncovered tourism attraction in Iran, offering the original soul and the astonishing landscapes of desert and also amazing architectural remains to the guests.

Jaame mosque of Fahraj is probably the oldest Persian mosque built in Iran after Muslims conquered this country. The footprints of Sassanid architecture style are recognizable in the arcs, stucco works and the doors of this very first Persian mosque. The single earthen minaret of Fahraj mosque is added to the monument afterward.

Jaame mosque of Fahraj.

Jaame mosque of Nain.

While walking through the old alleys of Nain in Isfahan province, you will face a historical but active mosque named Jaame mosque of Nain, constructed during Buyid dynasty (about 1000 years ago). The basement of this Persian mosque is so simple and it is believed that this mosque was constructed on the base of an ancient fire temple related to Zoroastrianism.

The historical city of Nain.

Iran luxury tours by Uppersia.

As a historical country with many UNESCO heritage sites and stunning natural attractions, Iran has evoked the curiosity of the travelers and adventurous in recent years. Uppersia as a local tour operator in Iran is proud to offer different kinds of tours. No matter what kind of tours you prefer, we have the right one for you! You can also tell us what exactly you want to experience in Iran and enjoy your tailor-made tour arranged by Uppersia.

Luxury toursof Uppersia are so popular among our guests. In luxury tours, you will visit Iran while an experienced tour leader accompanies you and you can enjoy a comfortable private car for transporting between the cities. Accommodating in the top hotels in each city, all three meals, the entrance fees and the flights are included in the tour.

Luxury tour by Uppersia.

We offer four different luxury tour packages:

Iranian currency (Rials) is going to be changed into Tomans.

Rial is the Iranian currency, but in daily life and for simple purchases, people use another currency named Toman. One Toman equals 10 Rials. In malls, grocery stores and other shops the prices on the goods are written in Rials but if you ask the seller, they will tell you the price in Tomans ( a tenth of the number shown on the price tag) that may cause confusion especially for the tourists. “Is this the currency with the extra zero or not?!” is a question usually asked by the tourists in Iran.

A nature friendly designed bridge for Tehran

“Tabiat” (nature) is a newly constructed pedestrian bridge in the north of Tehran with 270 meters length, designed by a young Iranian architecture, MS. Leila Araghian. Some believe that the designer has been inspired by old Persian bridges especially the Khajou Bridge. All the three levels of the bridge are connected by stairs and the whole bridge sits on tree-shaped steel columns.

Being built in 2014, Tabiat Bridge won several architectural awards, like A+awards and Aga Khan Award and became very popular among the citizens of Tehran, quickly. This bridge passes over Modares Highway and connects to vast public parks of the city (Taleghani and Ab o Atash).

"Tabiat Brdige" or "Nature Bridge" in Tehran.

Overland trip from Turkey to Iran.

So you are interested in having a long overland adventure in the Middle East and touching the diverse deep and cultures in Turkey, Iran, Turkmenistan and maybe continuing your way toward the Far East?

You have to pass Bazargan ground border for entering Iran from Turkey, so you should have received your Iran visa beforehand. You can ask Uppersia to do the Iran’s visa procedure for you. Check out this blog graphic for noticing the required documents and the visa process.

The long standing wind-towers of Yazd.

Baadgir (wind-catcher or wind tower) is the symbol of the charming Persian architecture in warm and desert cities of southern and eastern Iran, showing the intelligence of Persian architect masters. Wind-catchers are seen on the roof of the old houses in Bushehr, Bandar Abbas, Yazd, Abarkooh, Kerman, Kashan and Tabas. These small towers are constructed on the roofs to transfer the wind into the building. As a result, the house is cooled and freshened by the wind passed over a small pool, located right below the wind catcher, in the summer rooms of the house. Taking a nap in the house with naturally fresh air while outside the house is intensely hot, is a precious leisure!

Discounted tours for New Year 2017!

New Year holidays are starting in less than a month and you may be searching for a new travel destination, where you haven’t been to before. Iran is a diverse and exciting destination because of its variety in culture and climate.

Imagine spending this New Year eve in a Persian boutique hotel or restored caravanserai in dazzling deserts of Isfahan or Yazd province, with a clear starry night sky. Or maybe you hangout on stunning beaches of the Persian Gulf (Chabahar, Bushehr or Bandar Abbas) with a mild and pleasant weather, while making new Iranian friends. This may seem weird but you can also have a very fun ski tour in a standard and high-quality ski resort (Dizin) in the north of Iran!

The good news is that Uppersia travel has granted a 10-20% discount on tour packages during January 2017 if you book them from now on. Check out www.uppersia.com to choose your favorite tour for a perfect New Year trip to Iran.

New Year holidays in Iran. 

Dena, Climber's friendly hangout in Iran.

Dena Mountain range is a part of the vast Zagros Mountain range, laid on the west and southwest of Iran. Dena range is located in Kohgiluye and Buyr-Ahmad province and it is about a 4 hours drive from both Shiraz and Isfahan.

Sisakht is a beautiful small town in the Kohgiluye province and a great base for the tourists who want to enjoy the surrounding hills and peaks of Dena range and the mountain climbers who seek an adventurous climbing adventure in this wild and picturesque nature. The weather is so fresh and clean and the landscapes of the peaks covered in snow are breathtaking.

The beautiful Sisakht town.

Iran visa Application process.

According to the regulations of the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a Tourist Visa is issued for foreign nationals who are interested to visit Iran individually or with a group tour and Uppersia is honored to provide visa services. Regulations for visa issuance, the nationalities allowed to receive visa on arrival, the process of receiving visa invitation letter and the necessary documents are mentioned in the following visual graph:

Iran visa by Uppersia.

Chabahar's mud volcano!

Our world is full of natural miracles, hid in every corner with different climates. The southern cities and seaports of Iran, laid on the Persian Gulf’s coastline, and their wonderful islands have got a lot to offer nature lovers and adventurers.

Gel Afshan is one of the weirdest natural wonders you can explore around Chabahar Seaport, by the Oman Sea. This mud volcano is located in Bandar-e Tang, 100 kilometers drive from Chabahar. Climbing a 100-meter high hill in the middle of a vast barren, you will face a small mud lagoon which boils and extrudes cold mud bubbles every minute and creates an interesting sound! Some mud volcanos in the world are the result of volcanic eruptions in the area, but the mud volcanos of Chabahar are the result of the pressure between the oceanic crust and the ground beds. That is why the mud bubbles are not hot. This gray mud contains organic materials and minerals and the local people believe that bathing in this mud volcano can relieve Arthritis pain and cure skin disorders.

Chabahar's mud volcano.

Tabatabaei House.

Tabatabaei house, located in the old district of Kashan, is a marvelous exhibition of Persian architecture and architectural ornaments. This historical Persian house (it is hard to call it a house!), which was the house of Mr. Tabatabaei a carpet businessman, is built 200 years ago and shows the original style of Persian old houses. This big house which is about 4700 square meters, includes 40 rooms, 4 courtyards, 4 basements, 3 wind catchers and 2 Qanats.

Tabatabaei House in Kashan.

Solo travel to Iran.

Are you uncertain about solo traveling to Iran? Perhaps you are concerned about your safety or you think you might feel lonely and bored. But I think Iran is a great destination for Solo travelers:

What to do in Iran?

Nowadays Iran is on the bucket list of many travelers because of its supernatural landscapes, like the magically beautiful Lut Desert, wild Alborz and Zagros mountain ranges with rich flora and fauna or the scenic southern beaches. Iran is also one of the best places in the world for ancient monuments more than thousand years old, including Choghazanbil (1259 B.C), Persepolis (518 B.C), Takhte Suleiman (Sassanid Empire) and Fabulous Islamic monuments like Naqshe Jahan Square, Nasirolmolk (the pink mosque) and numerous amazing bazaars and caravanserais. So there are so many attractions available in Iran that won’t let you feel bored and you may even be in short of time to visit them all.

What is The Jeweled Rice?

 The hospitable Iranians enjoy giving parties and treating themselves with colorful and delicious Iranian cuisines and sweets. Believe it or not, one of the Iranian cuisines is called Morassa Polo which means the Jeweled Rice! I will tell you what exactly this colorful Iranian cuisine, served in weddings and New Year ceremonies, is:

The jeweled rice.

The historical treasure of Siraf.

The historical Bandar- e Siraf (Bandar- e Taheri) has been one of the most historical seaports of the ancient world, located by the great Persian Gulf, in Bushehr province. The antiquity of Siraf goes back to Sassanid era and many people with different religious views, including Zoroastrians, Jewish people and Christians and also different nationalities like Chinese, Srilankan and Zanzibarian peacefully lived in this beautiful coastal city. The sailors and merchants of Siraf were busy trading with China, India and Africa. They used to export precious pearls, hand-made textiles and handicrafts and import high-quality wood for constructing stunning and multi-story houses ornamented with delicate stuccos.

The numerous hand dug holes on the foothills of the mountains on the north of Siraf are known to be reservoirs for keeping the rainwater and leading it to the underground reservoirs. Some other believe that these holes were used for burying the dead bodies.

The water reservoirs of Siraf.

Explore Iran on your bike!

Biking on the roads and passing through unknown cities and villages is one of the most adventurous activities you can do in a new destination. Iran is a good destination for a biking tour because of the safety provided for the tourists and the variety of biking routes.
 

You can choose your own kind of biking route in Iran:

Shahroud to Gorgan: Shahroud is located in Semnan province with an almost dry climate. This mountain biking trip starts from a gravel road in “Abr” village. The road goes on the heights and you will be led through a stunning forest named “Abr” (Clouds Forest). Then you will slope toward “Ali Abad” town and the route ends in Gorgan after 150 kilometers biking.

Astara to Gorgan: This long route starts in Astara, a coastal city in North West and gets continued on roads toward the North East. North of Iran is a beautiful area between the Caspian Sea and the Alborz mountain range, covered in forests. Biking in the north of Iran is all about passing through dense forests, biking on the Caspian Sea shores and staying in cozy rural homes. This way ends in Gorgan and it is about 750 kilometers but you can finish your biking tour anytime you liked.

Mountain biking in Iran.

Puppet and Toy Museum of Iran.

In the past, Iranian kids used to play with simple and handmade dolls and toys made of pieces of textiles, wood sticks or small stones found in the house. More advanced toys were made by the potters or carpenters. These simple toys, still found under piles of old clothes in the grandmothers’ closets, show a piece of the Iranian pop culture.

An old Iranian puppet.

The mystries behind Chak Chak inc Yazd.

Chak Chak, referring to the dripping sound of water, is the most sacred Zoroastrian temple with mythical backgrounds. Chak Chak is located near Ardekan town of Yazd province where is home to a big population of Iranian Zoroastrians.

During the Muslim conquest of Iran (started 633 AD), Khosro-Parviz (the Sassanid king) escaped her daughter Nik Banoo to Yazd to save her from the Arab warriors. Nik Banoo went to Yazd and hid in the heart of a mountain around the city until the day she passed away. There is a long-standing Plain tree (called Pir) near this mountain and according to the stories, this is the magical cane that Nik Banoo held during her journey to Yazd and tapped on a rock with, to create a gap so that she can hide in the heart of the mountain. It is also said that the water drops were led to an altar in this shrine for praising Anahita, the Persian goddess of water.

Chak Chak in Yazd.

What transportation means to take to travel between Tehran and Shiraz?

In almost 90 percent of the Iran tour itineraries, the direct trip between Tehran and Shiraz is included. This route is like traveling back in time from Qajar and Pahlavi days to ancient Achaemenid era. As said in previous posts, Tehran is the city of Qajar and Pahlavi palaces, professional museums, contemporary art galleries, theatre and music festivals and modern restaurants. On the other hand, Shiraz with stunning monuments from Zandyieh, like mosques and historical houses with colorful windows and tile works and ancient remains like the glorious Persepolis and the mysterious Necropolis is a fabulous city to visit. Shiraz, stimulated to heaven by great Persian poets, is also known for its pleasant climate and hospitable local people. For commuting between these two touristic cities, you can choose your own kind of transportation from safe planes, to trains, comfortable buses and even sedan cars.

Tehran-Shiraz flights:

Numerous flight services (about 12 to 15 flights) are operated between Mehr Abad Airport in Tehran and Dastgheib International Airport of Shiraz every day and night. These flight services are operated by good Iranian airlines, like Qeshm Air, Mahan Air and Aseman. This flight is about an hour and a half.

How is the train trip between Tehran and Isfahan?

Tehran and Isfahan, both located in the central Iran, are known as important touristic cities of the country. Tehran, which has been the capital of Iran since Qajar dynasty, is visited by many tourists because of its fabulous Qajarid and Pahlavi monuments, like Golestan and Saad-Abad palace, Mashq Square, Iran National Museum or the contemporary city attractions like the Nature Bridge, art galleries and the modern cinematheques. On the other hand, Isfahan hosts thousands of travelers every year because of its Safavid masterpieces like Naqshe- e Jahan Square, which is inscribed by the UNESCO, the historical bridges over Zayandeh-Rud River and the stunning handicrafts produced in the traditional workshops.

Ramsar, the heaven on the earth!

After passing through the amusing roads of northern Iran, when you enter the beautiful city of Ramsar in the west of Mazandaran province, you will face a welcome board which says: “Welcome to the heaven on the earth!”

Ramsar sits between the endless Caspian Sea and the high Alborz Mountains covered in dense and foggy forests. This city offers you possibly the most beautiful landscape with fresh rainy weather and a cool breeze passing over the Caspian Sea. It seems like this city is made for walking and a long avenue of palm trees which connects Ramsar’s Grand Hotel to a wild rocky beach is known as one of the most beautiful spots in Ramsar.

How is the lifestyle of the Bakhtiari nomads?

The big population of Bakhtiari nomads, considered as a precious cultural heritage in Iran, live in a vast area between the west and southwest of the country. It is said that the Bakhtiari nomads, who speak in Luri language, have lived in this area for 40,000 years and a lot of ancient metal objects and murals, related to the Paleolithic era, have been discovered in the caves.

Bakhtiari nomads live in hand-made black tents made of goat hair and twice a year they pack their utensil, carry their babies and ride their horses between the picturesque heights of Zagros with a cool climate and the warm plains in Khuzestan to find pastures for feeding and developing their herd. The immigration of the Bakhtiari nomads is a stunning cultural show.

A piece of hand-made Bakhtiari rug.

Dashtestan, a good winter destination in Bushehr.

Located in Bushehr province in the south of Iran, with hot summers and mild and beautiful winters, Dashtestan remains unseen by many. Yet there are quietly spectacular things to see here. The remains of an ancient castle related to Cyrus and a city named Touz, dating back to Sassanid era and the long Dalaki River, passing through this area, indicate that Dashtestan has been a winter residence in ancient Iran. There are some other historical monuments remaining in this area, including:

 Goor Dokhtar (The girl’s tomb) which is similar to the Pasargad (Cyrus’s glorious tomb) and believed to be the tomb of Cyrus’s sister or daughter.

The achaemenid monument in Dashtestan, named Goor Dokhtar.

The red pomegranates of Arsanjan.

Fars province is in the southwest of Iran and it has a mild climate with a fabulous nature, including mountains, steppe forests and different wildlife refuges. Arsanjan is one of the cities of Fars province with a spectacular nature, surrounded by mountains with springs and different vegetation like baneh (wild pistachio), wild almond, oak and etc. The Green Pearl which is a tree grown on a piece of rock is a natural wonder around Arsanjan.

The Green Pearl in Arsanjan. 

Taft, the city of gardens and ancient rituals.

The ancient city of Taft with numerous old adobe monuments, dense gardens with pomegranate, plum, peach and grape trees and pleasant climate is located at an altitude of 1560 meters, on the foothills of Shirkooh Mount, in the west of Yazd province. According to Mohammad Bastani- Parizi, an Iranian writer and historian, the word Taft attributes to the desert’s hot sunshine.

The historical town of Taft and the flourishing villages around are home to a major Zoroastrian community with an amusing cultural and historical background. The Zoroastrians of Taft hold different symbolic ceremonies and one of them is called “Sadeh”, which is the ritual of respecting the fire in the middle of winter.

Another symbolic ritual of Taft is Nakhl-Gardani, held by the Muslims of this town. Nakhl-Gardani is a religious ritual in memory of Imam Hussein, held on Ashura day. The local men carry a giant and heavy wooden object named Nakhl and move it all around the city. The Nakhl-Gardani ritual is so stirring in Taft and the Nakhl of this city, which has been used for 600 years on Ashura mourning days, is the biggest one in Iran.

The people of Taft carrying the giant Nakhl on Ashura day.

Garmeh village, in the heart of Iran.

Garmeh is a stunning desert village with dry and warm climate at the center of Iran, in Khur o Biabanak town of Isfahan province. This historical village has been on the route of the ancient Silk Road and the old narrow alleys and the houses and mosques with nice adobe arches and domes have got a lot of stories to tell. One of the oldest monuments of Garmeh is a 4 story citadel dating back to Sassanid era.

Garmeh village.

Along the Silk Road in Iran.

The Silk Road or the Silk Route was an ancient network of roads for trading and cultural interactions between east and west, stretching from China, India, Persia and Arabia through the Mediterranean Sea and even Africa. The Silk Road was the road of peace and interaction and it caused the development of financial, political and cultural relations for 1700 years.

How much currency can you take to Iran?

According to the recent decision of the Central Cank of Iran, the allowed currency in cash that each traveler can take to Iran is ten thousand US Dollars (or the same amount in other currencies). Before this, each traveler was allowed to take 5000 US Dollars to Iran.

How is the train service in Iran?

Train is a good choice for traveling in Iran for many reasons:

Traveling by train is more pocket-friendly than traveling by plane, so you can save more money while you travel in Iran. For example, the Tehran-Shiraz train ticket is more than 50% cheaper than the plane ticket for the same route.

What to eat in south of Iran?

The cuisines of southern cities of Iran, like Bushehr and Bandar Abbas with warm climates are known as the most delicious and popular Iranian cuisines. The local people are known to be so hospitable, generous and alive. The cuisines of southern cities of Iran are similar to Indian and Arabian dishes because of being cooked with lots of spice, curries and different kinds of peppers. Don’t worry! They are not that spicy to cause you run all around the city!

Bushehr and Bandar Abbas are located by the Persian Gulf, fishing has been a thriving job for the southern people and accordingly seafood is so popular in these cities. It is said that at noon the appetizing smell of spicy seafood is spread all over the houses!

Ghalieh Mahi:

Ghalieh (fish stew) is at the top of southern cuisines! There might be different recipes for cooking Ghalieh Mahi but the main ingredients are fresh chopped vegetables, including cilantro, fenugreek and lots of onion, garlic and spice. The key ingredient that makes the Ghalieh Mahi tasty and sour is the tamarind sauce. The fish used in Ghalieh Mahi should be firm with no tiny bones. Ghalieh is sometimes cooked with prawns and it is called Ghalieh Meygoo. This tasty cuisine is usually served with steamed Persian rice.

Ghalieh Mahi (fish soup).