Capture the Iranian Night Sky upon Saffron Fields

A connection to regain

There is the sky above and Earth down below. Our ancestors lived for thousands of years involving them. Big cities have been formed and humans lost those Interactions. Today, we are all aware of the threats. Since the cities were polluted with artificial light, the new generation also lost the stars in their life, and their compassion for nature disappeared but some rural areas conserve this tradition.

We try to keep humans and the nature of Earth and the sky together, hoping that humans restore this lost connection to live safe and sound, joyful and creative under the stars.

Let's recite the countless stories from South Khorasan's night sky

It is Khorasan, the land of red filaments in the nocturnal flower where we discover the night on a journey through the wonders. We pass through the gate of the city that has risen again like a phoenix in a quest to reveal the secrets of the autumn flower, Saffron, the red gold.

Experience eastern Iran starting from Esfahak Village, where the residents have turned a dark destiny into a bright opportunity after the dreadful earthquake in 1978. Esfahak Village is living a life of sustainability and it can leave you in awe feeling this earthen village surrounded by date palm trees in the middle of the desert land. With a lantern in hand, walk through winding lanes next to date palm trees, in search of a sign on the fields. Desert’s charm has opened the arms.

Our next oasis is Birjand, the capital of the Iranian province of South Khorasan whose saffron, barberry and handmade carpet are very popular. We will visit Akbariyeh Persian Garden, one of the nine Persian Gardens registered on the UNESCO World Heritage List. From the top of the Birjand castle, look at the ancient history of this land. Pass by the barberry shrubs and taste the arils like red jewels.

We drive an hour to a beautiful village where the sound of wooden sticks in a local dance is heard and the neighbour's women bake flatbread in a traditional oven. Take a bite and follow the sound. Try the handmade towel weaving and hit the delicate warp and weft. Then look for a sign from the traditional dyeing.

Saffron, the bride of the Khorasan night sky

Eventually, we get to the climax of the itinerary in Qaen, the City of Saffron. Qaen is a major saffron producer and its saffron is prized worldwide for its unique aroma and strong colour. Experience the mind-blowing local music and dance, each move plays a musical note following the sound of separation and tearing.  Now it is time to unlock the secrets of stars and constellations over the saffron fields. 

The twilight harvest of this nocturnal flower finishes till the sunrise, then we get ready to bundle the filaments with locals which is a fun time to enjoy. The next day we hit the road to the land of Barberry, Afin. Join the Dotar music event and feel the passion of the soul when looking at barberry gardens. After dinner, we catch the sky for sky watching and night sky photography.

The ancient genius of qanat breeds life

From this point on, slide down on a blend of natural and cultural heritages such as Persian Qanat, the UNESCO site in Ferdows, the eye-catching landscape of the Lut Desert in Se Qaleh village, the World Intangible Heritage of Dotar instrument and ancestral watermills remained from hundreds of years ago that supply the high- quality flour from wheat. 

In search of genius humans, you will find thousands of years old renewable energy in the middle of the desert! Qanat the historical underground water system has a lot of subsystems around itself. One of those historical hydraulic systems is water mills. It also provides humans consuming water and enters the plain around the city where it has enabled planting and farming.

Ask the stars about water and get to know the concept of the aqueduct (Qanat) and its mechanism. The camels know the way! So, pass through the wind catchers like wind and get to the water mill to discover the mystery of making wheat flour.

Brief Itinerary

Day 1: Morning Flight Tehran – Tabas from Mehrabad Airport, Lunch in Tabas, Visit Golshan Garden, Drive 40km (2hr) to Esfahak Village, walk in the winding lanes in a renovated mud-brick village, Dinner, stay overnight in Esfahk, Observe Night Sky in the Village.

Day 2: Breakfast 6-7, visiting Date Palm tree gardens in the village, 250 km (5hr) Driving to Birjand, Akbarieh Persian Garden (UNESCO Site), Lunch, 20km (1hr) Drive to Khorashad, Visit Tobafi towel weaving (UNESCO Heritage) and Natural Dye Technique in Khorashad, 30km (1hr) Drive to Harivand village, Dinner, [Maybe Visiting Observatory], Stay Overnight in Harivand.

Day 3: Breakfast 8-9, Drive 50km to Birjand (2hr), Snack in Doll House, Drive 110km (2hr) to Qaen, Lunch, Rest, Traditional event (Music, Dance or Kaf zani), Dinner, Stay Overnight in Qaen, Observing and astrophotography of Night Sky in Saffron Fields (FAO Heritage) Koroh & Baraz Town, Breakfast in the Village, Local products.

Day 4: Morning Rest in Qaen, Lunch, Bundle Saffron Flower traditional techniques of Dokhtar Pich (Bundle), Local Foods for dinner, stay overnight in Qaen.

Day 5: Breakfast 9-10, 80km (2hr) Drive to Afin, Barberry Gardens, Rest, South Khorasan Traditional Dance and Dotar Playing (UNESCO Heritage), walking in gardens, Dinner, Observing Night Sky, Stay overnight in Afin.

Day 6: Breakfast 6-7, 200km (7hr) Drive to Qaen – Sarayan – Se Ghale, Lunch, enjoy sand dunes in the desert, watching Sunset in the desert, Observing the Night sky, Dinner, Stay Overnight in Se-Ghale.

Day 7: Breakfast 8-9, 60km (2hr) Drive to Ferdows, Persian Qanat (UNESCO Site), Dotar Workshop (UNESCO Heritage), Lunch, 100km Drive (2hr) to Boshruyeh, Jajim and Barak Workshop, Natural Dye by Pomegranate, Lunch, Watermills and Assassin castle, stay overnight in Boshruyeh.

Day 8: Breakfast 8-9, 100km (2hr) Drive to Tabas, Flight Tabas - Tehran