Worth a thousand words...

The route from Uraman Tahkt to Paveh is touted in the guidebook as the highlight of Iran, one of the most beautiful routes in the country. Of course, we don't want to miss out on such a treat. Kurdistan's mountainous region pushes up our altitude contingent, but the kilometres per day are modest. As is so often the case, we have plenty of stories to tell about exhausting cycling sections, thousands of encounters and breathtaking landscapes. But for once we let pictures speak instead of words and hope to give a good insight into the region.

We would like to comment briefly on the following pictures, because the region is in a state of chaos at the time of our visit. The idyllic region with its roads winding up and down the mountains is overrun with cars and Iranian tourists. People (mainly Kurds) have come from all over the country to celebrate the Pir-Shaliar festival. If you want to read more about it, you are welcome to google it, because despite repeated explanations, it is difficult for us to put into words what exactly is being celebrated. Anyway, it feels first and foremost like a huge folk festival. We almost fly up the mountain because of the constant cheering. During the breaks we are given food and we are probably immortalised a hundred times over in selfies. Picnicking is once again celebrated, the meadows are full of people who eat the goodies they have brought with them on their blankets. The roadsides are lined with Iranians taking photos and the mood is exuberant. So we let ourselves drift along and immerse ourselves in the hustle and bustle.

Without realising exactly when, we leave the Kurdish province and move on towards Kermanshah, a somewhat larger city, where we will spend a few days. Through contacts from Switzerland, we are already expected there and spend a few wonderful and eventful days with a family, of which a specific post will follow.