The impressive Merrikhi Mountains (aka Miniature), which catch the attention of all tourists on Chabahar-Guatr Road, are among the most beautiful but neglected attractions of Iran.
Situated 40 to 50 km from Chabahar, this mountain-range is flanked by the sea. Its attractive slopes on one side of the road and the sea on the opposite side make the Chabahar-Guatr Road one of the most picturesque attractions of Sistan-Baluchestan province, Aftab reported.
However, not many tourists visit the mountains, due to the absence of any promotional initiative. Surprisingly, the mountains are not even protected by the Department of Environment.
Dreamy Ambience
Merrikhi Mountains remind visitors of the moon’s mountains. Soil erosion has created beautiful fissures, as if a skilled painter has carved them.
The mountains do not have any flora and have been called Merrikhi (literally meaning Martian) in recent years because of their unusual geometric patterns.
The immense heat and relatively high humidity as well as the sea facing the mountain range create a dreamy ambience. The array of colors also delights visitors, as the conic grayish white mountains contrasts the green sea with its reddish sand.
Wetlands in the region are pinkish along the seaside and almost white near the mountainside.
A wetland is named Sourati (pink), because of the color of its soil. In fact, even the wetland’s water has also become pink. Sourati Wetland, which originates from a region called Ramin, is one of the unparalleled and beautiful attractions of Chabahar.
In the past, Merrikhi Mountains were buried under piles of soil and became visible after a long passage of time. The geometric patterns of the mountains have been created by rapid soil erosion caused by wind and rain. The phenomenon, however, prevents the growth of plants in the region.
The roadside mountains peters out after one reaches Tis Village, which dates back to 2,500 years. Tis was an active commercial port ruined by Mongols.
A visit to the region is highly recommended.

Tourism houses will be launched in 27 provinces and their directors will be appointed soon, ICHHTO’s director general for marketing and publicity said.
Majid Esfandiyar also told IRNA that tourism houses in Tehran, Zanjan, Kohkilouyeh-Boyerahmad and Hormuzgan have not been launched yet due to the shortage of human resources and suitable places.
“Information dissemination about attractions, capabilities and tourism facilities of different regions; introduction of unknown tourism attractions; promotion of the culture of traveling and hospitality, and holding different training classes are among the main objectives of setting up the tourism houses,“ he said.
The official noted that the first seminar on the role of these houses in promoting tourism was held last year, whereby the views of university professors and pundits were sought.
“According to the studies already conducted, the tourism houses of Kermanshah, Ardebil, Kerman, Ilam, Yazd, Hamedan, North Khorasan and Semnan provinces have been the most active ones,“ he said.
Esfandiyar stated that setting up tourism houses and tourism information dissemination bureau at Tehran’s permanent international fairgrounds is among the main program of this sector.

Iranian archeologists have obtained new information about the burial rituals performed at the country’s historical Gohar Tappeh site.
Tests carried out at a number of child burials under Gohar Tappeh showed that they dated back to the fourth century, Presstv reported.
Archeologists also found human skeletal remains dating back to the first and second centuries, along with earthenware, daggers and jewelry.
Anthropological studies found traces of common diseases in northern Iran, including a type of parasite.
The fourth phase of Gohar Tappeh excavations was aimed at collecting information about the economic, social and political structures of ancient communities living along the Caspian Sea.
Previous excavations indicated the prevalence of powerful political and economic systems in the area over 3,000 years ago.
The Gohar Tappeh site is located in Iran’s northern province of Mazandaran.

Iranian and British archeologists have unearthed the ruins of a Sassanid city during excavations at the Great Wall of Gorgan.
The Sassanid city is located two kilometers to the north of the wall and spans an area of approximately 50 hectares, Presstv reported.
“The team has found coal, earthenware and animal remains, which suggest the city was built over an Iron Age settlement,“ said team director, Hamid Omrani.
“Geophysical studies show that the Sassanid city was surrounded by a trench and had interconnected streets and a citadel in the center.“
Experts say houses were built from bricks dating back to the late Sassanid and early Islamic eras, and differed from those used in the Gorgan Wall.
Previous excavations yielded a fortress and an ancient canal, which was used to direct water from Gorgan River to the fortress.
The Great Wall of Gorgan, also known as the Red Snake, is located in Iran’s northern Golestan province and includes water canals, an aqueduct and 30 military and barracks.
The wall was built during the Sassanid era more than 1,000 years before the construction of the Great Wall of China.