Saffron Kick TourIn IranYour Adventure Begins
This venture is the spirit of Persia and unparalleled in terms of culture that Iran has to offer.
The Saffron Kick tour as a unique blend of motorcycling from the Zagros mountains to mystique dessert cities, awe-inspiring mosque and hidden shrines is living the fairy tale of 1001 nights. If you had to chose one tour to start with, this is it!
Day 01 - Welcome to the heart of Iran, Shiraz
This is where the magic happens. You made it into the former Iranian capital, Shiraz at 1540m above sea level. Take time to relax in a tea house nearby, explore the busy bazaar and try your first oven-fresh lavash bread straight from the bakery. Don’t miss out to go on a stroll and visit the Shrine of Shah-e Cheragh in the enthralling ambient light during the night.
Day 02 - Shiraz Tour
Be sure to get up early today and head for the Nasr-ol-Molk-Mosque right in the morning to enjoy the awe-inspiring window colour play of the sunrise. Now it’s time to take over your crotch rocket and our first ride takes us to the famous Eram-Garden. To familiarize ourselves with the bikes we explore the surroundings of Shiraz around Bamou national park.
Day 03 - Shiraz to Pasargad
Today it’s time to leave Shiraz and we are heading northeast through the Zagros massif always staying above 1600m. For our break we’ll stop at the imposing Persepolis. After sipping some Persian tea and exploring this ancient 500bc world heritage site we kick in the gears and the next world heritage site is just around the corner. Tonight we will stay right in the neighborhood of Cyrus the Great, in Pasargadae, the former capital of the Achaemenid Empire.
Day 04 - Pasargad to Abarkooh
After this load of culture, we leave the mountains behind us and head towards the desert. Right before we embark in a dusty desert leg towards Yazd, for tonight we exchange culture for nature and stay in the Abarkooh village. Since quite a while this is the hometown of the oldest living tree, Sarv-e Abarkuh, the Zoroastrian Sarv. It’s somewhat between 4k-5k years old, nevertheless actually looks pretty handsome despite its age. But go check for yourself and unwind over a cup of tea in the shadows of this coloss. en-fresh lavash bread straight from the bakery.
Day 05 - Abarkooh to Yazd
Today it is going to be sandy! As the Zagros range disappears on our rearview mirrors, we ride through the desert, an inhospitable sea of dust. In the middle of nowhere, in the ghost town of Dehshir we have a well deserved break and replenish on Kebap for what lies ahead, crossing the +4000m Shir Kuh mountains. Our route leads us up to a pass at somewhat 2600m which is gated by two majestic +3200m peaks to our left and right. As we descend along the Shir Kuh north edge also the performance of our bikes enjoys the normalization in oxygen levels. We smoothly roll downhill surrounded by bizarre rock formations till we reach our oase, the literally breathtaking desert city of windcatchers, Yazd.
Day 06 - Explore Yazd city
It’s time to explore! Get lost in Yazd either on two wheels or by feet, or both. This remotest place is the perfect spot to soak up the mystic persian atmosphere of 1001 nights by getting around in the endless maze of tiny streets. Absorb this unique blend of desert, culture and great food. Don’t miss out to step under the spectacular arc of the Jame-Mosque. And then do it all again during nighttime: An extraordinary ambience!
Day 07 - Yazd to Naein via ChakChak
Today is epic! On this demanding leg we take a detour to search for the well hidden Zoroastrian shrine in the remote desert mountains. The last few hundred meters we leave back our bikes and surrounded by dark rocks we climb up in the heat of the desert to be rewarded with shadow and a some refreshing drops of the live-saving spring. We embark our journey towards Naein surrounded by an endless sea of dust. Along our way we may discover and ride through one of the many remote caravanserais abandoned in the desert. There, at the edge of the horizon! Or is it just a mirage? We’ll find out. Just on time we touch down in Naein in front of the old Jame-Mosque to see the sunset colouring it in flaming red.
Day 08 - Naein to Esfahan
Lot’s of sand plus an ascend up to 2400m separates us from Nesfe Jahan. That’s what Esfahan is called in persian and it means “half of the world”. This is our final destination for today, right between the Zagros mountain range and Dasht-e Kavir desert. This former Iranian capital, world heritage site and cultural exuberance will leave you awe-struck.
Day 09 - Explore Esfahan
Go for it! Take the opportunity either by bike or feet to get lost in the buzzling bazaars of Esfahan, loosen up from the miles already covered and replenish on delicious kebap for the amazing journey that’s still to come. Don’t miss out on the spectacular Naqsh-e Jahan Square, Jame-Mosque and the Khaju bridge.
Day 10 - Esfahan to Kashan
It’s time to leave Esfahan, almost more than half a world on it’s own. On your way to Kashan you conquer a 2700m Pass in the Karkas Mountains and cruise by some of the remote mountain villages. Up here time stands still and you have a unique view over the countless snow capped +3000m peaks surrounding us.
Day 11 - Maranjab desert tour
From Kashan we embark on a day tour off the tarmac and into the sand. Already after a few miles tarmac becomes gravel, becomes sand. We have one day of fun riding in the dust ahead of us. We plow the dunes of Maranjab desert along the Namak salt lake and have a well deserved tea in the remote Maranjab caravanserai. The only shy spectators in this inhabitable but enthralling landscape we will encounter on our way are some camels on their search for water.
Day 12 - Kashan to Tehran
We leave the abandonment of the Maranjab desert behind us and head past Qom straight to the crazy capital of Iran. Welcome to Tehran! We highly recommend to extend your stay for a few days and explore this city rich of contrast and flavors. If you still can’t get enough of motorcycling, or Iran, or both, you can just keep your rocket and ride along the lush green hills of northern Iran, cool down in one of the waterfalls and climb the highest active volcano in all Asia on our Beluga Delight Tour. Join us!
