A quick guide on how to get from Rasht to Masuleh and Qa’leh Rudkhan in Iran by public transport via the town of Fuman. Includes travel times, locations, and prices.
After visiting the epic Alamut valley and the Castles of the Assassins, we headed to Rasht. Rasht is the base from where you can organize day trips to the mountainous Qal’eh fortress and Masuleh. To get to either of these, you first need to get to Fuman, a town known for its delicious klucheh cookies.
Getting from Rasht to Masuleh and Qa’leh Rudkhan
How to get to Fuman from Rasht
Getting to Fuman is easy and cheap. Go to the corner of Teleqani Street, across from Sabz Square–a five-minute walk from the central Shohoda/Shahrdari Square.
Here you’ll find several savaris shouting “Fuman!” The 30-minute ride costs 30,000 IRR per person, and the savari leaves when full, which shouldn’t take long.
The first thing you need to do when in Fuman is to get some klucheh cookies, an Iranian favorite filled with ground walnuts and sugar. Luckily, you are dropped off right next to a bakery, where you can see the baking masters at work. Though klucheh are made all throughout Iran, the cookies in Fuman are famous for being the biggest and thinnest variety of klucheh.
Getting a savari to Masuleh or Qa’leh Rudkhan
Once fully saturated with sweeeeet sugary and walnutty deliciousness, it’s time to find your next savari. It’s a 15-minute walk to the savari stand to either Qal’eh or Masuleh.
When you face the roundabout where you were dropped off from Rasht, go right, then left, following the road signs to Masuleh and Qa’leh. Pass all the yellow taxis that shout Masuleh at you–they’re not savaris.
After five minutes, you will arrive at another roundabout. Take the right exit for Masuleh, or the left one for Qal’eh. Again, there are signs.
Walk for another 400 meters in either direction to find the savari stand for the respective destination. Savaris to Masuleh are 40,000 IRR per person, and to Qal’eh they’re 50,000 IRR per person.
Note: The Lonely Planet says that after taking the savari to Qa’leh, it’s necessary to take a motorbike taxi from a nearby town. This isn’t true–the savari will take you all the way to the foot of the mountain where Qa’leh is. You’ll know it when you’re there–it’s almost theme park-like in appearance.
Although we liked Qa’leh Rudkhan, we didn’t care much for Masuleh. Want to know what we did like? Check out our off the beaten path Iran itinerary!
Getting back to Rasht
From Masuleh
The savaris from Masuleh to Rasht leave from the bottom of the mountain that Masuleh is on. Just keep heading downhill along the road you took to enter the town until you see a line of taxis and minibusses. The price is the same as getting from Rasht to Masuleh.
From Qa’leh Rudkhan
Head to the end of the parking lot at the bottom of the mountain. There will be some security people/parking attendants lurking at the park entrance that can call a savari for you if there aren’t any waiting.
Hi Alex!
It seems you two had such a enjoyable trip to north of Iran!
To tell you the truth, Rasht is my birthplace but i’m in St. Paul, MN now! I miss my hometown a lot 🙁
Have fun with Sebastian ….
Rasht is a very beautiful place (possibly more so than Minnesota, but shhh…). I hope you can go back and visit soon!
Hi Alex!
I am glad that you liked Rasht. Rasht is my hometown. But now I live in Tehran. I miss him.
I wish you a happy time
I am also a tour guide in Pakistan for more than 27 years but I am impressed of Alex.
Very useful information about far beyond villages so it’s rare as well and besides it is explained nicely in a beautiful way