The Kurdish West: Kermanshah, Kurdistan, Hawraman & Rural Delights

Welcome to the Kurdish side of Iran. Meet us in Kermanshah and start your cultural adventure with a visit to a treasured relic of Sassanid period: Taq-e Bostan Complex. Then, beside checking out parts of a historical bazaar, let Tekiye Moaven Al Molk charm you with its gorgeous religious architecture. In the afternoon, hit the road toward a hidden jewel near Kermanshah: Palangan Village. Take a walk around the terraced village, explore the natives’ traditional lifestyle and spend the night there.

Overnight: Ecolodge in Palangan

Start the day with a ride from Palangan to Mariwan (around 85 km). Near Mariwan, enjoy a visit to Darreh Tefi Village: a hospitable host to storks. Also walk around Iran’s largest fresh water city lake: the beautiful Zarivar Lake. Finally, end today’s adventure with watching the sunset on top of the Roof of Mariwan.

Note: If you visit Darreh Tefi Village from around mid-April to mid-November, you can enjoy the company of the storks.

First thing in the morning, have a road trip from Mariwan to the amazing Uramanat (around 62 km). Beside walking around the charming Hawraman Takht Village, pay a visit to the Tomb of Pir Shalyar. Listen to its lovely story and learn about the annual festival the villagers hold there (if you like to take part in the festival, let us know). In the afternoon, make your way toward Hajij Village (about 36 km). Enjoy some time beside the picturesque Sirwan River and the beautiful lake Daryan Dam has created. Also check out the nice terraced plan of Hajij, find its beautiful Bel Spring and discover its gorgeous religious retreats.

Overnight: Ecolodge in Hajij

Say goodbye to the adorable Hajij and head toward another lovely village in the amazing Uramanat: Sharekan (around 40 km). Discover Sharekan’s traditional lifestyle, scenic waterfall and ancient plane tree. In the village’s ecolodge, listen to the folk stories of the region and taste the delicious local bread. In the afternoon, make your way toward the beautiful Daryan Village (around 45 km). Walk around the lovely village, discover its traditional atmosphere, and in its gorgeous ecolodge, taste the mouth-watering local delicacies.

Start the day with a short trip from Daryan to Paveh. Stop by Paveh, one of Iran’s largest terraced cities, to enjoy the impressive cityscape. Then Quri Qala Cave (around 28 km) will fascinate you with its chambers, crystals, waterfalls and stalactites. After your exploration through the cave, make your way toward the beautiful Satyari Village (around 31 km). In the ecolodge in Satyari, be a guest to a sweet Kurdish family, get deeper in touch with Kurdish lifestyle, and dress up like a Kurd. Also, let a local treat you to a touching performance of a local song. In the afternoon, enjoy a tour around the traditional village.

Leave the beauties of Satyari and Uramanat region behind to discover yet another amazing Kurdish region: Dalahoo (about 160 km). In Dalahoo, give more depth to your adventure with folk music and local food. Fall in love with the region’s sacred musical instrument: Tanbur. Drown in the spiritual sound of tanbur, enjoy a live performance, and get familiar with its different Maqams (modes). Then, enjoy a walk around the village and check out its knife-making workshops.