Qeshm-Bicycle-Cruise
Through Iran by bicycle? Is that possible?
Sure! Anything goes, you just have to find the right area for it. Iran is a big country and a very hot country, at least in summer. The distances that we cover with the motorcycle are of course illusory for the bicycle. But if you look, you will find.
And we found what we were looking for in Iran's island world in the Persian Gulf. Little is known to many that Iran has a large number (more than 20) of beautiful small and large islands. The most famous is Kish. It is quite crowded and a visit is only partially recommended in the main season, in winter.
Instead, we looked at the island of Qeshm and the neighboring islands of Hormuz and Hengam, and this is where our bicycle tour will take place, mainly on Qeshm with short detours to Hormuz and Hangam.
Our bikcycle cruise is a treat for the body and mind, and it is sustainable and gentle on the environment. We mostly live in small guest houses and pensions run by locals. We have to do without comfort. The money we spend here stays on the island and supports the local population.
One more word about bicycles. It is recommended that you bring your own bicycle. For very little money (approx. 100 €) or sometimes free of charge, the airlines take bicycles with them as luggage on the trip. But we will also get a small fleet of bicycles, which will then be available for the tour free of charge.
Important note
The tourist infrastructure on Qeshm is still in its infancy or is deliberately not based on international standards. For us, this means that there are hardly any single rooms. Sometimes there are no beds available, but you sleep like the locals on mattresses on the floor. But you have the authentic pleasure of experiencing the "real" Iran. So, even if you book a single room, you will mostly have to share the room with someone.
Routing
1. Day: Getting there
You will probably fly to Tehran with Turkish Airlines and arrive there at night.
2. Day: Getting There
The journey here is lengthy and tiring, and after many hours on the plane and at the airport, you will be happy to be able to stay in a nice hotel and prepare for your bike tour through Iran's islands.
The Irman Boutique Hotel is one of the best addresses in Qeshm and this is where you will spend the first two nights.
3. Day: Qeshm City / ca. 25 km
Today we want to have a look around Qeshm City and get used to the new environment and the unfamiliar climate.
There is a lot to see: a small but worth seeing bazaar, the Portuguese Fort and, last but not least, the beautiful sandy beaches.
4. Day: Hormuz / ca. 20 km
Early in the morning we leave for a beautiful island, Hormoz, after which the strait between Iran and Oman is named.
The Red Beach, Silver Beach, Rainbow Cave, Statue Valley, Turtle Beach... there is so much to see and admire on this small island.
We stay in one of the numerous small, family-run guesthouses.
5. Day: One more day on Hormoz / ca. 25 km
Hormoz is such a wonderful, unusual, colorful island that we absolutely have to spend a second day here. We will go all the way around it with our bikes. In the mountains we find rocks and soils with over 75 different shades. You can even paint with the colored earth. You will experience it. The whole island is a geologist's paradise.
6. Day: Ride to Suza / ca. 40 km
We have to get up early again to catch the ferry back to Qeshm. We won't stop in Qeshm City, but will continue straight ahead to our next destination, Suza.
But before we arrive in Suza, we'll make a few more stops. There is a lot to see along the way.
7. Day: Day trip to Hengam Island / ca. 55 km
Today we take a trip to Hengam Island. This is the ideal place to watch dolphins. If the weather cooperates, and of course the dolphins too, we can watch them dance in the water.
We will circle the island with our bikes and finally pay a visit to the small, local bazaar. Then it's back to Suza by boat. If we are too exhausted, we will take a taxi the last few kilometers to our guest house.
8. Day: Ride to Gachoo / ca. 55 km
We make our way to Gachoo, where we will spend the remaining days of the trip in the guest house of the same name. From here we will cycle in a star pattern to the places worth seeing and, depending on the distance, either bike or take a taxi back to our guest house in Gachoo.
9. Day: Big round trip / ca. 55 km
Today we spend the night in Naghashe, at the Khalo inn. But when we get there, we just quickly deposit our luggage and continue to the small village Salakh . The ride to this village alone is worth the trip. We always ride you along the sea, and the landscape is overwhelmingly beautiful.
A very special surprise awaits us in Salakh. Old women have an ancient tradition here. They use their tongues to cleanse their clients' eyes. Admittedly, this is not for everyone, but if you want and have the courage, you can have your eyes cleaned.
10. Day: By boat through mangrove forests / ca. 25 km
Have you ever heard of "Avicennia Marina". These particular plants are popularly known as gray and white mangroves, respectively. And there are also here. We will cycle back near Tabl and rent a boat there and sail through the mangrove forest. A very special experience. Afterwards we cycle, mostly downhill, back to Gachoo.
11. Day: Bandar-e-Laft / ca. 60 km
Laft is the oldest town on the island. The old town is still well preserved and in my opinion Laft is the most beautiful place on Qeshm. But everyone has to decide that for themselves. The special thing about Laft is not only the old town but the sunset. In the high season, tourists are carted in by the hundreds to witness this spectacle. It's still nice
Before we reach Laft, we make a detour to an idyllically situated lake, where we will have a small snack. If you feel like it, you can also visit a shipyard where large "plastic boats" are manufactured.
12. Day: Namakdan Salt Cave / ca. 55 km
Today we have a really long distance to cover. It almost always goes along the south coast. The road conditions sometimes leave a lot to be desired, unless the road has been renewed. A lot is changing on Qeshm and fast. If we're lucky and the pin cafe still exists, we'll make a stop here.
For the visit of the salt cave we absolutely need headlamps or flashlights because it is pitch dark here. You can also rent headlamps, but they don't really help much. After we have thoroughly enjoyed the shapes and colors in the cave, we take a taxi and HILUX back to Gachoo.
13. Day: To the Chahkooh Canyon / ca. 40 km
And once again we have quite a distance to cover. We head to Chahkooh Canyon. You should have good shoes with you so that we can climb safely through the rocky landscape.
En route we visit one of the oldest shipyards in Qeshm, where traditional wooden boats are made. The craftsmen will explain and demonstrate to us the effort involved in making these ships by hand as in the ancient times.
Back we switch to taxis and the bikes are brought back by HILUX. We'll be back Gachoo in time for dinner.
14. Day: Flight to Teheran
Bye, bye Qeshm. Today you leave the island and fly back to Tehran.
15. Day: Flight home
And that ends our Qeshm bike cruise. We hope you enjoyed it and we can welcome you again soon on one of our trips to Iran, India or another of our travel destinations.