Elizabeth SchmitzKaleidoscopic collections of water fold into cribs of rust-colored travertine. The colorful puddles flow atop each layer of rock at Iran’s Badab-e Surt, draping over the naturally molded verandas and transforming the terraces into a display of burning hues of reds, oranges, and yellows.
Reflections from the sky and clouds above will also occasionally enhance this natural masterpiece with swirling tints of iridescent blues and grays, creating a canvas with a palette bursting with tones of supreme, beautiful nature. This Iran travel gem will blow you away.
Photo: Siamaksabet via Wikimedia Commons
Pilocene’s Gift
Contrasting from other hot spring terraces, which do exist in Yellowstone National Park, Turkey, and China, which are mostly shades of whites and blues, the travertine terraces of Badab-e Surt are vivid and brilliant shades of the fiery rock beneath. This is due to large amounts of iron oxide sediments. Badab-e Surt is an extraordinary, not to mention rare, geological, Iran travel treasure, and was formed during the Pliocene Epoch, anywhere from two to five million years ago. Travel to Iran to see this natural wonder!
Photo: Samaee via Wikimedia Commons
Heaven Reflecting Staircase of Mirrors
On your Iran travel adventure, it’s important to know some history. The Terraces of Badab-e Surt is seated almost 2,000 meters above sea level and is the zenith of thousands of years of elements left behind by the flowing water from hot springs that are brimming with minerals. One of the hot springs spews salty water and is said to behold properties that can heal, including curing ailments like rheumatism and some skin conditions. The other spring surges bitter deposits brimming with oxide, which gives the water its blazing orange color.
Badab-e Surt caught the name from a blend of the Persian word for “gassed water” and the ancient name of the nearest village, which means “intensity.” As water reaches the surface, gasses of carbon dioxide fade, leaving behind carbonate. Heavier minerals perch at the top of the steps. The water becomes clearer as it flows down the “stairs,” turning this already rare Iran travel marvel into a dreamy heaven reflecting mirrored staircases. Almost like a magical spell, depending on the time, and especially at sunset, the water changes into different shades in front of your eyes. How much more convincing do we need to do to get you to travel to Iran to see it?
Photo: Ninara via Wikimedia Commons
When and How To Go
As far as when to travel here, this is just a choice between weather of the two seasons: winters are mild and rainy, while summers are hot and dry. Badab-e Surt may not be in the most accessible spot, but Bâdâb-e Surt is most definitely worth the travel. There are two main routes from either Semnan or Mazandaran that lead to this Iran travel site, which is almost 400 kilometers from Tehran. The more scenic of the two routes goes through Mazandaran and passes through Sari and the forests around Kiasar before arriving at Orost.
Photo: Hadi Karimi via Wikimedia Commons
How We Keep Badab-e Surt
Environmentalists have constantly voiced apprehension, fear, and concern regarding defending and keeping this natural Iran travel wonder intact, and despite being registered as a natural site in Iran since 2008, the powers have not taken any measures to safeguard the Badab-e Surt springs and terraces from the guests who are not, and unless researched, could not be aware of how delicate this millennia-old staircase is. So, while marveling at this geological travel present that nature has gifted us, please be respectful on your journey.
Happy travels!
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