Despite man’s all kinds of unkindness to natural environment, mother earth still takes care of its habitants with generosity. Iran’s Mount Sabalan is not an exception. Located in northwestern Iran, it is an inactive stratovolcano. The hot springs, which are located in Sareyn town near Sabalan mount, are rich with sulphur particles, which attract tourists to the region especially in summer time due to its charming climate.

The cold spells occur until late spring in the region and several people travel there to benefit from refreshing cool air. However some tourists are aware of Alvares resort, which lies near the town, where you can find ice even in the middle of summer.

------------ Off the beaten path: Alvares village

Located 12 km from Sareyn, the village is one of the oldest residences of the region. On the road to the village, the fragrance of native plants shifts your attention from scenic landscapes to locals who sell the plants they’ve collected alongside the road. They also offer local dairies to tourists.

Alvares people mostly grow wheat and barley and have dairy farms and hives. Women weave kilim, carpet and jajim.

You can also see women who roam around the village in traditional dresses. They wear “tuman Koynak”, which literally means skirt and dress.

As the name suggests, the clothing consists of a tuman (broomstick skirt) and koynak, which is a long loose dress. They cover their hair with big scarves, which are usually white and use a part of scarf to cover their mouth.

-------------- Breathe fresh air in Alvares ski resort

If you continue your way for 13 km more, you reach the Alvares Ski resort, the biggest area for skiing in Iran. The resort is in use for skiing for 6 to 8 months of the year.

In summer, you can enjoy the fair weather and the chill of autumn as well. Before you reach the ski resort, a blue pond catches the eye amid the green plain on the left side.

There is also a ski lift which rides you in the air over to the mountain. Getting off the lift, you can enjoy a vast plain and a river cross it. There is also a café at the ski lift station up the mountains where you can enjoy the beautiful landscape of the region.

Iran is a great country with so many natural and architectural attractions; many of them are unknown to tourists. Get off beaten track to enjoy paradisiacal sceneries and untainted nature!


PHOTO: Getting off the lift, you can enjoy a vast plain and a river cross it (Photo: Setareh Behroozi)

PHOTO2: There is a ski lift which rides you in the air over to the mountain(Photo: Setareh Behroozi)

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