Where to celebrate Yalda night? Itinerary for the longest night of the year

Yalda night, the longest night of the year, is a great opportunity to spend time with family and friends. Traveling can help you experience Yalda night in a different and memorable way; Especially since each region of Iran has its own customs and traditions, and by traveling to different cities, you can learn about these differences and have a richer experience of Yalda night. For your travel destination, you can choose from nature tourism in mountainous and forest areas to desert climbing and visiting lesser-known areas of Iran. In any case, if you plan to travel on Yalda night, this step-by-step guide will help you prepare a short and pleasant travel plan.

Short itinerary for Yalda night:

Choosing the right destination for Yalda night

Forest areas

If you are interested in nature, you can travel to forest areas. Many ecotourism resorts in these areas hold special programs for Yalda night.

• Reason for choosing: Relaxing environment of nature, breath of fresh air, spectacular views
• Recommended places: Elimistan forest, Barjistank dam lake, Nakhlebar forest
• Activities: Hiking in the forest, camping in nature, photography

_{Brinjstanak dam lake, photo source: Google Map, photographer: Alireza Adelzadeh Naini}

Historical cities

Old and historical cities with their spectacular architecture and numerous attractions can be a good destination for a cultural Yalda night.

• Reason for choosing: Beautiful architecture, historical and cultural attractions, a pleasant atmosphere to spend Yalda night
• Recommended places: Isfahan, Shiraz, Yazd
• Activities: Visiting historical places (Naqsh Jahan, Isfahan, Pink Mosque, Shiraz, Amirchakhmaq Square, Yazd), visiting traditional bazaars.

Desert areas

If you are looking for a different experience, traveling to the desert and enjoying the starry sky can be very attractive.

• Reason for choosing: The view of the night sky, the heartwarming silence, the pristine atmosphere of the desert
• Recommended places: Egypt desert, Maranjab desert, Caracal desert
• Activities: Spending the night around the fire, stargazing, listening to local stories, camel riding

_{Caracal Desert, photo source: Google Map, photographer: Ali Rashidifar}

South coast

The southern coasts of Iran are an excellent choice for autumn trips; Especially since you can celebrate Yalda night by the sea.

• Reason for choosing: Pleasant weather, sandy beach, sea waves, a different and relaxing atmosphere
• Recommended places: Derek beach of Sistan and Baluchistan, Roimhar beach of Bushehr, Hormuz island beach
• Activities: Walking on the beach, swimming, watching the sunset

Lesser known areas

Areas whose names you have heard less can give you a different Yalda experience.

• Reason for choosing: Discovering less-seen attractions, watching spectacular views
• Recommended places: Shidur Island known as Iran’s Maldives, Bandar Kong known as Iran’s Santorini with white houses
• Activities: Walking, photography

_{Bandar Kong, photo source: Google Map, photographer: Mehdi Mehrabi}

Northern cities and villages

Yalda night is a good opportunity to travel to the northern regions of Iran; Especially in the winter season, there are no crowds of tourists and you can have a relaxing trip.

• Reason for choosing: Green nature, delicious local food
• Recommended places: Masal, Kalardasht, Ramsar
• Activities: Walking in nature, buying local souvenirs, photography

Investigating weather conditions and planning Yalda travel method

Check the weather conditions

Before any trip in the second half of the year, especially around Yalda, be sure to pay attention to the weather forecast. By knowing the weather conditions of the destination, you can plan more accurately and experience a more comfortable trip. Whether you’re looking for an adventure in the mountains or relaxing on a tropical beach, knowing the weather will help you include the following in your travel plans:

• Choosing the right clothes: Depending on the temperature, you can choose warm or light clothes to be comfortable during the trip.
• Choosing the right place: In favorable weather conditions, it is possible for you to hold a part of the Yalda celebration outdoors; But if the weather is cold and rainy, you should go to a warm and covered place.
• Planning activities: According to the weather, you can plan suitable recreational activities.
• Disease prevention: A decrease in temperature can be one of the main causes of colds and aggravation of some diseases. So, by checking the weather, prevent seasonal diseases.

_{Naqsh Jahan Square, Isfahan, photo source: Google Map, photographer: David Gómez}

Travel planning

Choosing the right vehicle is the first step to a pleasant trip. From big cities like Mashhad, Tehran, Isfahan, etc., there are buses, trains and airplanes to most cities in Iran. If you are looking for a quick and comfortable trip, the plane is the best option. For more economical and longer trips, choose the bus; But if your goal is a relaxing and memorable trip, the train can be a very good option. With the train, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the route and have a good time with your friends and family.

Reservation of accommodation in Yalda night

Choosing the right place to stay for Yalda night is one of the most important stages of planning for this memorable night, which you should think about a while in advance and don’t miss the option you want by making a timely reservation. According to your taste and budget, you can choose from a variety of options such as ecotourism accommodations, traditional hotels, beach villas, or even camping in nature.

• Ecotourism residences: Traditional architecture and beautiful decoration, yard and green space, experience of rural life and familiarity with local culture are among the advantages of ecotourism.
• Hotels: These hotels have modern facilities; Therefore, they are suitable for those who are looking for a more luxurious experience than ecotourism accommodations.
• Beach villas: These villas, which have complete amenities, offer you a beautiful view of the sea and are suitable for those who love the sea and water sports.
• Camping: With camping, you can experience life in nature; So you must be interested in adventure and nature tourism to choose this style of accommodation.

_{Bomardi Lutka resort complex, photo source: Google Map, photographer: Jehlo Javaheri}

Preparing a list of essential supplies for a short trip to Yalda

To experience a pleasant and memorable trip on Yalda night, you should prepare a complete list of essential supplies. In the autumn travel checklist, you should pay special attention to items such as appropriate clothing for the season, camping equipment (if needed), light and nutritious food, first aid kit, essential medicines, and other travel necessities. Toiletries such as wet wipes, hand sanitizer, soap, nail clippers, toothbrush, shampoo, soap, etc. should also be included in your travel items.

Electronic devices, including mobile phones, hands-free, power banks, charger cables, electrical tees, etc., are considered as efficient travel tools. In addition to providing access to essential information such as maps and weather forecasts, these devices allow you to have fun while traveling and keep in touch with others.

_{Neor Lake, photo source: Google Map, photographer: AmirSayyam Maleki (Juya)}

In order to enrich free time during autumn trips, in addition to essential supplies, it is recommended to carry books, intellectual games, a diary, painting tools, musical instruments, headphones, and a camera. Also, depending on your travel destination, you may need a travel iron, umbrella, and sewing supplies.

For autumn camping, it is necessary to prepare suitable sleeping equipment, including sleeping bags, air pillows, blankets, sheets and mattresses. You will also need cooking equipment such as a small gas stove and cooking utensils to prepare meals in nature.

Getting to know local foods and traditions of Yalda night

Yalda night, as one of the ancient Iranian celebrations, in addition to social and family aspects, is also associated with rich customs and traditional foods, which are different in different cities. For this reason, it is better to be aware of traditional foods and customs of different cultures on Yalda night before traveling.

Consuming fruits such as watermelon and pomegranate, nuts and local sweets are among the common customs on this night. Also, traditional Iranian dishes on Yalda night double the charm of the last hours of autumn. Every city and region has its own special dishes; For example, Nardoni chicken in the north of the country, fish roe in the southern regions of Iran (Khuzestan and Bushehr province residents), Gilan pomegranate stew, Shirazi cabbage and… are just a few of the colorful dishes of this night.

Telling stories, reading Hafez’s poems, playing reeds along with local songs and spending time with family are other customs of this beautiful night. One of the interesting rituals of Chele night is eating watermelon (Chile Qarpizi) among the people of East and West Azerbaijan who believe that eating watermelon on Yalda night prevents the feeling of cold during winter. Cheleshu or Chele night in Mazandaran is associated with house shaking and astrology with walnuts. The people of Kurdistan celebrate “Shehu Chele” (Yalda night) with sour melon and various fruits on their Yalda table. Yazidis also prepare their famous Ash Shuli for this night. Happy and exciting customs such as “Shawl Tanzi” and “Chairseri” are also a constant part of Qazvini ceremonies for Yalda night.

_{Photo source: unsplash.co, photographer: Fatane Rahimi}

Do you also have a special plan for your Yalda night? Would you like to gather at your elders’ house and celebrate Yalda or take a trip to one of the scenic areas of Iran and spend Yalda differently? Be sure to share your opinion and experience with the valuable companions of Kajaro.

_{Cover photo source: unsplash.co, photographer: Mohammad Mohammadpour}