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Mashhad

Almost everything about Mashhad relates to its role as the holiest city in Iran, even its name (literally: burial place of the martyr). As the capital of Iran's Khorasan province, Mashhad's year-round cool temperatures and fascinating insights into the Shi'ite heartland have much to offer visitors.

339km

36.359.6

Kandahar

a Taliban-influenced southern city, not safe for travel at this time

466km

31.616765.7167
Sights (3)

Herat Citadel

On a hill to the west of the old city, with great views overlooking the city. It has reopened to visitors after being used by the military to store ammunition for the last few years, and is under restoration by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture. It has an eerie deserted feel, and you're free to roam and climb around all you want. However, be a little careful as some of the paths are slightly precarious. The guards generally demand a US$5 entrance fee, though bargaining can get you in for less, or even for free.

0m

34.3419444462.20305556

Great Mosque of Herat

More than 800 years old, full of life and incredibly beautiful. Be sure and seek out the craftsmen's shop behind the main entrance, where you can watch them cut tiles and lay out new pieces for the building.

809m

34.3430555662.19583333

Musalla Complex

Once a mosque, a medressa, and a mausoleum, all that remains is a single, precariously tethered minaret and the large domed tomb of Gowhar Shad, who commissioned the original complex. If you have time, wait for the keeper to come unlock the tomb, this might involve asking the guard to call, he will ask for a few dollars it's worth it to see the interior. At the very back of the park behind the mausoleum, part of a second minaret, part of the madrassa, can be found with a rusting tank parked nearby.

2.5km

34.35928462.18608
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Someday we will visit Herat or begin to dream about going there! However, for now its not on our radar. Let us know in the comments if you think that should change!

Herat

Herat (Dari: هرات) is a big, relatively wealthy city in western Afghanistan.

Herat dates back to ancient times (its exact age remains unknown). During the period of the Achaemenid Empire (ca. 550-330 BC), the surrounding district was known as 𐏃𐎼𐎡𐎺 Haraiva (in Old Persian), and in classical sources the region was correspondingly known as Aria (Areia). In the Zoroastrian Avesta, the district is mentioned as Haroiva. The name of the district and its main town is derived from that of the chief river of the region, the Herey River (Old Dari Hereyrud, "Silken Water"), which traverses the district and passes some 5 km (3.1 mi) south of modern Herāt. Herey is mentioned in Sanskrit as yellow or golden color equivalent to Persian "Zard" meaning Gold (yellow). The naming of a region and its principal town after the main river is a common feature in this part of the world—compare the adjoining districts/rivers/towns of Arachosia and Bactria.

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Climate

Average temperatures

Jan

9.1°C-2.9
Precipitation: 51.6 mm

Feb

11.9°C-0.6
Precipitation: 44.8 mm

Mar

17.9°C3.8
Precipitation: 55.1 mm

Apr

24°C9.1
Precipitation: 29.2 mm

May

29.6°C13.3
Precipitation: 9.8 mm

Jun

35°C18.2
Precipitation: 0 mm

Jul

36.7°C21.2
Precipitation: 0 mm

Aug

35.1°C19.2
Precipitation: 0 mm

Sep

31.4°C13.2
Precipitation: 0 mm

Oct

25°C7.4
Precipitation: 1.7 mm

Nov

17.8°C1
Precipitation: 10.9 mm

Dec

12°C-1.4
Precipitation: 35.8 mm
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