6 Day With the Qashqai: Zagros Nomad Migration from Shiraz
Duration
6 days
Max Group Size
12
Departure Type
Request
Guiding Method
Fully guided
Physical level
moderate
Operated In
English
Age Requirement
16 - 70 Ages
About this tour
Ride the spring migration with a Qashqai family through the Zagros - black tents, herds and the great weave. Over 6 days the journey runs Shiraz – Zagros highlands – Shiraz, travelled overland, living in camp with a host family at a gentle trekking-and-riding pace.
Route
- 1ShirazAsiaIranStart
- 2Zagros MountainsAsiaIran
- 3ShirazAsiaIranEnd
What makes this tour special
Itinerary
Leave Shiraz for the highlands, a half-day drive of about 2–3 hours depending on where the family is camped, to meet your Qashqai host family and their black tent (spring camps sit at roughly 1,800–2,200 m). An afternoon with the herds, an easy hour's walk around camp, and dinner in the tent. Overnight: Nomad tent.
Strike camp at dawn and move with the flocks along the migration route; learn to pack the mules and read the day's pace. A full day of gentle trekking and riding: about 4–5 hours on the move (roughly 10–15 km), mostly on foot with 1–2 hours on horseback, and long breaks while the herds graze. Overnight: Nomad tent.
Morning in camp: milking, bread-baking and the women's famous gabbeh weave at the loom. In the afternoon, a 2–3 hour ride at walking pace across the highland pastures, suitable for beginners. Overnight: Nomad tent.
Trek with the shepherds to the high summer pastures, the most rewarding walking of the trip: about 5–6 hours (roughly 12–15 km) with around 500–700 m of climbing, topping out near 2,500 m. Back in camp, a feast under the stars. Overnight: Nomad tent.
Descend to the settled villages and a guesthouse, about 1–2 hours on foot or by vehicle; the tribe's summer quarters and an afternoon on Qashqai history and weaving. Overnight: Guesthouse.
Road back to Shiraz (half-day, about 3 hours), with the option of Persepolis on arrival (entrance extra; allow 2–3 hours on site). Evening at leisure. Overnight: Shiraz.
Trip includes
Included
En-suite double room in Shiraz (Shiraz Grand Hotel, 4★).
Special stays as per itinerary: nomad black tents in camp, and a village guesthouse.
A 5★ Shiraz upgrade is offered as a paid add-on (see Rooms & Add-ons).
English-speaking expert guide and the Qashqai host family (shared small group of 2–12; private guiding on request)
Guiding Method
Fully guided
EnglishFull board - ALL meals provided, in camp and with the host family
Private vehicle & all ground transfers; riding horses and pack mules on the trail
All camping equipment and camp fees
Entrance fees to the sites on the itinerary
24/7 on-the-ground support
Season: the Qashqai start moving north toward their summer pastures in April, and the spring move runs roughly April to May. The exact days depend on the weather, the grazing and the family, so every departure is on request and the dates are confirmed with you closer to the time.
Pace and fitness: about 3–6 hours a day on foot or on horseback at an easy pace, with one longer trek on Day 4 (around 500–700 m of climbing). Normal fitness and comfortable walking shoes are enough.
Riding: the rides are at walking pace and suit beginners. If you would rather walk, you can skip any ride.
Altitude and weather: the camps sit at roughly 1,800–2,500 m. Spring days are usually 18–25°C, and nights can drop to around 5°C, so bring warm layers.
Camp facilities: you sleep in the family's black goat-hair tent or a guest tent next to it, on carpets with blankets and pillows. Bring a warm sleeping bag. There are no toilets or showers in camp: you use a bush toilet and wash in streams or with a bowl of warm water. The Day 5 guesthouse and the Shiraz hotel have hot showers.
Luggage: mules carry the camp loads, so you walk or ride with a daypack (water, layers, sun protection). Bring one soft bag and keep it light.
Persepolis on Day 6 is optional and the entrance fee is not included.
The route, campsites and timings follow the family and the herds, and can change on the day.
Excluded
International flights to/from Iran
Travel insurance (required) - adventure/trekking cover recommended
Iran visa / e-visa authorization (we can arrange it)
Drinks, tips/gratuities and personal expenses
Persepolis entrance on the final day (optional)
Anything not listed under Included
Availability
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Make this journey exclusively yours
By design, this is a group tour. You can however request a private, customized version of this tour for yourself or your private group of people. Private departures are usually more expensive, but come with these benefits:
Personal
Itinerary can be tweaked and customized.
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Professional
Access our Travel Specialists insider knowledge.
Privacy
Enjoy a tour focused solely on you or your travel group.
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