From the humid forest to the arid steppe (a motorcycle journey)

Iranian north forest (Hyrcanian forests) is a narrow strip has laid between the Caspian see in the north and the Elburz Mountains in the south. Its width is about 70 km in maximum and about 10 km in narrowest part. In fact the Elburz Mountains is the southern boundary of Hyrcanian forests and is the main cause of humid climate in this region, because it stops the clouds above Hyrcanian region and force them rain. Exactly due to mentioned reason southern areas of the Elburz are drier and have steppic to semi-arid conditions.
Thus in a rather few distance we can find several different climates and vegetation status, like fertile alluvial seashore, humid temperate forests, mountainous forests, alpine and semi-alpine ecosystems (all of them in the north part of the Elburz), and in the southern part of Elburz steppes, arid and semi-arid areas and finally sand deserts (all in a profile with about 150 km length).
That was my childhood dream to go and explore the southern parts of the Elburz, and during my education period it became a scientific purpose. Eventually in August 2008 I faced a good fortune to accomplish it. So I organized a journey, provide enough supply and moved on at early morning. I have seen many different scenes, which some of them are visible in the below pictures.
During this journey I have crossed from several villages and districts e.g. Lai, Zenget, LaterGaz, Badabsar, Tajerkhil, Lend, Nemeke and Kelate.















The start of journey from the Caspian see beach (north of city of Behshahr)

Northern slopes of Hyrcanian forest

Toward the south


















The Elburz highland areas (in Hezar Jarib district)
















A mountainous village ( Bande Ben )
















The end of the broadleaf forest and beginning of the juniperus forest (Changi)


















A fountain, a nice place for thirsty and tired explorer like me!

















The south of the Elburz
(mostly covered by junuperus species and shrubs)


















Its me, an inexhaustible explorer toward new worlds!
















Steppes in south of the Elburz range, it seems to be endless.

















An old castle in the area (called Nemeke)

A salt lake in the south of th Elburz range (called Soort)

At the end I gratefully thank Mr. Ali Baghery who have helped me with this journey and was responsible for motorcycle.