Bastak Salt Domes

The Bastak Salt Domes, in Bastak County in the west of Hormozgan Province, are among the tourist attractions of southern Iran. The domes cover an area of 450 hectares. The play of colors among the tall mountains and limestone cliffs is a phenomenon you cannot easily pass by. With their unrivaled range of colors, the Bastak salt domes are so astonishing that it seems as if the Rainbow Valley on Hormuz Island, the Salt Arch and the Martian Mountains of Qeshm had been combined to create mountains and salt domes of a thousand colors.

The Bastak salt domes were registered on Iran's National Heritage List in 1398 (2019). However, in 1394 (2015) part of the domes was destroyed by salt extraction; with the national registration, the salt extraction permit was also revoked. The area is also known for its diverse wildlife. Because of the arid and semi-arid conditions here, drought-resistant plants grow in the area. These include medicinal and aromatic plants such as thyme, mint and sage. Some plants in this region tolerate the salinity of the soil and groundwater. These plants usually grow in areas near the salt domes and can survive in harsh conditions. The Bastak area and its surroundings are recognized as a habitat for various birds. Birds such as flamingos, storks and other species of water birds and land birds can be seen in the area.

Because the Bastak salt domes are located in the southern part of the country, the best time to visit them is autumn, and especially the month of Dey (late December to January), when visitors can make the most of Hormozgan's mild, low-humidity weather. If you are traveling to see the Bastak salt domes, be careful not to be tempted to taste these beautifully colored mountains: they look like ice cream, and their different colors may tempt you to try the flavor of the salt dome. These remarkable hills are a combination of metal alloys and accumulated salts, so never try to taste them.