Shahkooh Voyage Tips and guide

Contents

"Shahkooh" means "the king of mountains" in Persian. Almost 3,900 m above sea level, it's famous for the fresh cool air in summer. Shahkooh is a 45-minute drive from Gorgan, and almost an hour from Shahroud.

People in Shahkooh are mostly farmers (potatoes, wheat), and some have sheep.

36°33′36″N 54°24′36″E

Map of Shahkooh

• Gorgan-Shahkooh Road (Tuskestan Road). One of the most beautiful roads in the world. (updated Nov 2018)
• Old Shahkooh. In 2016, a fossil was discovered there. (updated Nov 2018)
• Visit the local wilderness areas and forests above the clouds.
• The Shahkooh tree is special and its plants have therapeutic properties.
• Gokoshan Mountain (گوکُشان) has the highest summit in Golestan province.

Norouz (Iranian new year): at the start of spring (March 20), you can see nature, snow, flowers, and new blooms. This is when winter and spring meet.

Ashura: like in other Iranian settlements, residents of Shahkooh mourn during these days (the first 10 days of Muharram) and special food and traditions make this the most important Islamic event. (Old Shahkooh Hosseinieh, New Hosseinieh, and Shahkooh Jama Mosque are local religious places.)

Other days of the calendar, like Ramadan month in summer (because this village, due to its elevation, is cool even in summer) are popular.

Fresh milk, jigar (liver) and lamb kebabs.

Gusht-tah-Chin (گوشت ته چین) is delicious, especially at Ramadan and Moharram nights. Shahkoohi fetir is a regional bread made with sugar, flour and egg. It is different from other types of bread and fetirs.

The Shahkoois drink tea, often daily before and/or after meals.

Internet connectivity is good in Shahkooh.