The North of Northwest

1

Sardasht

Sardasht is located in the West Azerbaijan province, however, most of its people is Kurd who speak in Kurdish language. Sardasht is among the border cities of Iran and it has a 100kilometer common border with Kurdistan of Iraq. The city shares land borders with Kurdistan to the south and is about

2

Khoy

Khoy in the northwest of West Azerbaijan, on the border of Turkey, is located in a vast plain at the height of 1130 meters above the sea level. Khoy is 135 meters lower than the Urmia lake level. The climate of this city is warm in summer and very cold in winter. Khoy c

3

Maku

Maku is located in the north east of west Azarbaijan and enjoys a specific geographical and natural location. Maku has been established at the height of 1294 m above the sea level in a valley passes through which the Zangmar River and divided the city into the northern

1st Day

Travel to the extreme northwest of Iran will start from Sardasht. A city where civilians were targeted during an awful chemical bombing made the city internationally well known. Therefore, it is not surprising to see a street named Hiroshima in the city because there is also a street named Sardasht in this Japanese city.

In spite of the memory of hard times, Sardasht’s pristine nature has been always attractive for travelers. Shalmash Waterfalls and Zab River are the main natural attractions of this city and Bistun Historic Bathroom, a Qaja heritage at the heart of Sardasht, is also another important historical attraction of the city.

Leave Sardasht for Oshnavieh; Oshnavieh is an amazing city located in the vicinity of the border of three countries: Iran, Iraq and Turkey. It is highly celebrated for its cherry gardens. Up-countries of Oshnavieh are also popular among tourists. It should be also mentioned that there exist many hot water springs along the road of Oshnavieh to Urmia.

2nd Day

Spend night in Oshnavieh and leave it for Urmia, the capital city of West Azerbaijan Province, tomorrow morning.

Undoubtedly, you know Urmia by its beautiful Lake. In addition, there are many other spectacular attractions inside city as well, including Shahrbani Palace, Se-Gonbad (three domes) Tower, Urmia Museum, Noh-Pelleh (nine stairs) Ice House, Barandouz Bridge, Urmia Caravanserai, Old Bazar, and Akhond Historic Bathroom; visit all these places takes at least one day. You can pay a visit to Urmia Dam at night and enjoy the delicious foods sold there. Prepare yourself to leave for Khoy tomorrow morning.

3rd Day

Khoy city and Razi border are of crowded passages along the border of Turkey. Khoy is also celebrated by the name of Shams-e Tabrizi. It is interesting to know that Khoy has signed the twinning pact with Konya in Turkey and Jermuk and Vayk in Armenia. Don’t forget to spend one night in this city and visit monuments as Pouria-ye Vali Tomb in person.

4th Day

Leave for your travel’s destination, Maku, on the forth day’s morning. The city is located inside a valley where a river named Zangmar is flowing. immediately after arriving at Maku you can go for its attractions. Interesting in this respect are Chapel of Dzor Dzor, Basaltic Rock Columns, Baqcheh Jooq Palace as well as St. Mary Church in the north of the city.