Amid the mountains of Iranian Kurdistan, I secured a taxi to the remote village of Palangan.
Along the way, the driver took me to his village – where I met his family and had lunch.
CONTENTS
(His mother and sister ate in the adjoining kitchen, as is custom to separate male and female when an outsider is present).
Along western Iran near the Iraq border, I noticed military bases and watch-towers shadowing the quiet mountain roads of Kurdistan Province.
The village rises steeply up the sides of a valley amid the Zagros mountains, and an offshoot of the Sirwan River divided the village in two.
Traditional Kurdish houses step up the slopes like stone stairs, each house’s roof-top forming the front yard for the home above.
Getting to Palangan Village
I was based in the city of Sanandaj and did a day-trip – this was back in 2010.
And aside from renting a car, there are very few transport options to Palangan.
I took a bus to Kamyaran, 60 Km from Sanandaj, and from there I got a taxi (locals will help you).
Palangan Was Not Touristy
And I believe it still isn’t, but now a trickle of foreigners are getting there and certainly Iranians are aware of it.
Spring and summer could be popular with touring Iranian families; but it was quiet in winter.
Travels in Iran – 2011
