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.