About Mashhad

Iran’s second-largest city and spiritual center, Mashhad is located in the northeastern province of Khorasan. A historically important transit city along the Silk Road, Mashhad, which literally means ‘place of martyrdom’, is most famous for accommodating the tomb of Imam Reza, the 8th Shia Imam. Mashhad is located in a valley between two mountain ranges, the Valley of Kashaf River. As you’ll see with many cities that are located in intermountain valleys, a series of canals (qanat) are drilled into the ground to the slopes of the mountains.

About the Climate of Mashhad

Mashhad has hot summers and cold winters. During the hot and dry summers, the temperature sometimes exceeds 33 °C (91 °F). Winters are typically cool, with temperatures dropping below freezing some nights. Mashhad enjoys on average just above 2900 hours of sunshine per year.

Mashhad World Heritage Sites

The city of Mashhad has one world heritage site, which is:

Imam Reza Shrine Complex

The Imam Reza Shrine Complex, known as the Haram-e Razavi, dominates the city center and needs several visits to properly appreciate the scope of its magnificence. With seven massive courtyards, and a total area of nearly 600,000 square meters, by some measures, it is the largest mosque in the world. The millions of pilgrims who flock to the shrine all year round from all over the world endow this part of the city with a decidedly multicultural atmosphere, and there is a tangible sense of the spiritual as visitors demonstratively mourn the 8th Imam's martyrdom. Intricate blue tile work and Arabic calligraphy are virtually omnipresent across the numerous iwans and minarets, and an impressive golden dome stands centrally above the shrine itself. Non-Muslims are not permitted into the inner sanctuary, and (confusingly) only camera phones are permitted.

Attractions of Mashhad

Imam Reza’s Shrine

Mashhad, the most important pilgrim site in Iran, has paramount importance for Shias from all around the world. The Imam Reza’s (8th Imam for Shi’as) Shrine is located at the heart of the city. But you should keep in mind that during Mouharam the place is so crowded that it may be difficult to even reach the shrine.

Tomb of Ferdowsi

Ferdowsi is well known as one of the most important figures of Iranian culture. The Tomb of Ferdowsi is located only a few miles away north of the city of Mashhad, and is definitely, a must-visit. 

Neyshabur

Discover the city that paid a heavy tribute for killing the husband of Genghis Khan’s daughter. Visit the tombs of Omar Khayyam, Kamak Almok, and Attar. Don’t miss the caravanserai and the fantastic turquoise mines that supplied the world with this unique rock for centuries.

Mashhad Medical View

Mashhad has quickly gained a reputation as one of the major medical tourism destinations of West Asia. Mashhad’s hospitals are among the best in the region and most private hospitals have internationally recognized quality standards. Mashhad has become the chosen destination for medical travelers from all across the world due to many reasons. The cheaper cost of treatment in Mashhad, highly qualified doctors, and picturesque tourist destinations. A normal cardiac bypass surgery (CABG) would cost around US $6,000-6,500 in Mashhad. Most private hospitals in Mashhad provide accommodation facilities to tourists. Given Mashhad’s low cost of living, the accommodation does not cost a lot to the medical tourists. Mashhad ranks among the top four centers of medical tourism in Iran. In 2016, about 15,000 foreign patients sought treatment in Mashhad. Many hospitals in Mashhad have set up international departments to cater, especially to international patients. The government sector is actively promoting medical tourism in Mashhad. As a result, the number of private hospitals providing quality medical care to international patients has increased over the years.

Medical and surgical procedures in Mashhad cost only 20 to 25 percent of the same in the USA or UK. The official language of Mashhad is Persian or Farsi, but English is spoken and understood by a majority of the doctors and health staff. The prices of medical and surgical procedures are a fraction of those in developed countries. For example, a breast enlargement procedure in Mashhad costs around £2,000, whereas in the UK it costs between £3,5000 and £5,000. Thus, patients achieve a full 50 percent savings. Patients seeking a full facelift including upper and lower eyelid lift, brow lift, and neck lift would have to pay out about £2,900 in Mashhad. Whereas in the UK, this procedure would cost between £4,000 and £6,000.

Traditional medicine services in Mashhad regarding tourist health

Mashhad School of Traditional and Supplementary Medicine

The Mashhad School of Traditional and Supplementary Medicine was established in 2010. This school is currently comprised of 14 active members of the academic board with 6 members in the Department of Iranian Traditional Medicine, 6 members in the Department of Acupuncture (Chinese) and Supplements, and finally 2 members in the Department of Traditional Clinical Pharmacy. Additionally, this school can hold 7 Ph.D. courses in Iranian traditional medicine for more than 45 individuals. The treatment department of this school is currently in joint research and providing services in the fields of Iranian traditional medicine, Chinese acupuncture, and supplements alongside 4 different research centers residing at Imam Reza Hospital, Qaem Hospital, Isar Clinic, and School of Traditional and Supplementary Medicine.

Departments

• Iranian traditional medicine

• Acupuncture and supplements

• Financial office

• Education’s office

• Research office

• Treatment office

Facilities

• Library

• Traditional medicine pharmacy

• Conference hall

• Meeting rooms

• Department of healing

• Traditional medicine and supplements clinic

• Iranian traditional medicine clinic

• Pharmaceutical plants laboratory

• Resident’s pavilion

Medical Tourism Packages in Mashhad for Cosmetic Surgery

Deciding to change the way you look through cosmetic surgery or plastic surgery takes courage and a lot of consideration. It is your body, so naturally, you will want to place it in the safe hands of someone who is highly respected in the field of plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery.

Rhinoplasty, also called plastic surgery of the nose or a “nose job”, is a very popular procedure that can make profound differences not only in the balance of facial features but also in a person’s self-esteem. The aesthetic improvements that a rhinoplasty surgeon can make include decreasing or increasing the size of the nose, altering the tip or bridge of the nose, and narrowing or changing the shape of the nostrils.

What is Rhinoplasty (Nose Job)?

Rhinoplasty is a type of cosmetic surgery that is performed to reshape the nose. Although rhinoplasty is most often sought for cosmetic reasons, it can also help correct structural defects that may cause breathing problems.

Plastic surgery of the nose begins when the rhinoplasty surgeon makes an incision either inside the nose or across the skin that separates the nostrils (this skin is called the columella). The cartilage and bone that make up the framework of the nose are then exposed and sculpted to create the desired shape and profile. The plastic surgeon then stitches the skin back into place to complete the nose surgery. Rhinoplasty surgery generally lasts one to two hours and is usually an outpatient procedure.

Medical Tourism Packages in Mashhad for Orthopedic Surgery

Several orthopedic procedures are available such as hip and knee replacement and spine surgery. Many hospitals specialize in the latest techniques and treatments such as minimally invasive surgery, cartilage and bone transplantation, spine surgery, and limb-sparing surgery. All kinds of musculoskeletal problems ranging from Arthritis to sports injuries, to complex broken bones, bone tumors, and childhood conditions like scoliosis are treated most effectively. A wide range of spinal surgeries including fixation, stabilization, and fusion are regularly undertaken.

Joint Replacement Surgery

Shoulder/hip replacement and bilateral knee replacement surgery using the most advanced endoscopic surgery and arthroscopy are done at several hospitals in Mashhad. Knee joint replacement costs about 4000 Euros in Mashhad, whereas in the UK, a similar surgery using the same implants and medical consumables costs around 10,000 Euros.

Medical Tourism Packages in Mashhad for Heart Surgery

A heart care surgery which costs in the region of USD 30,000 in the USA can cost as low as USD 6,000 in Mashhad. This clearly states the price difference that exists in Mashhad when compared to the West. 

The heart surgery technology in Mashhad is contemporary and world class and the volumes handled match global benchmarks. Our doctors also specialize in offering surgery to high-risk patients with the introduction of innovative techniques like minimally invasive and robotic surgery. Their success rate at an average of 98.5% is at par with leading cardiac centers around the world.

Surgical treatment packages are offered in the following areas:

• Cardiac Surgery & Cardiology

• Open Heart Surgery

• Angiographies

• Angioplasties

• Pediatric Cardiac Surgery

• Pediatric Intervention

Some other procedures available are:

• Directional coronary atherectomy

• Rot ablation

• Coronary artery stenting

• Intravascular ultrasound

• Balloon valvuloplasty

• Non-surgical closure of holes in the heart such as ASD, VSD, and PDA.

Dental services in Mashhad

There are many service packages used in Mashhad to provide tourists with better health services. However, these services are dependent on the patient’s needs and requirements. These services include:

• Smile design

• Implantation

• Root canal therapy

• Teeth whitening

• Metal-free bridges

• Composite tooth coloring

• Various types of periodontal surgery

Medical Tourism Packages in Mashhad for Eye Surgery

The cost difference for most eye care procedures in Mashhad varies as high as 8 to 10 times from that of the USA and UK. Some of the treatments available are:

• Eye LASIK Refractive Packages

• LASIK Treatment

• Refractive Eye Correction Package

• Vision and Eye Care

• LASIK Eye Surgery

• Laser Refractive Surgery

• Natural Eye Care Treatment

• Eye Refractive Care Packages

Mashhad has some of the most up-to-date hospitals with state-of-the-art equipment. Mashhad’s surgeons are some of the most qualified, and active in all medical areas. The province has activities in all the medical fields; especially in heart disease, orthopedics, eye surgery, skin, and beauty. Mashhad is also the heart of Therapeutic Hypnosis in Iran.