Looking for information on the deserts in Iran? Then you’re in the right place!
You may have looked at map of Iran and questioned yourself about the two vast deserted places on it. Those spots are the two major deserts in Iran, Dasht-e-Kavir, and Kavir-e-Lut which are the most adventurous places to visit. They are both some of the most arid and maybe hottest areas of their kinds in the world. In addition to these major deserts, there are a number of other touristic deserts in Iran too. The deserts of Iran are one of the most unique tourist spots in our country. Of course, anyone who is fan of taking the safari desert tour must remember that deserts of Iran are as beautiful as they are hazardous.
Which desert to go?
The best deserts in Iran are located in South Khorasan, Isfahan, Kerman, Yazd and Semnan provinces.
Looking for information on the deserts in Iran? Then you’re in the right place!
You may have looked at map of Iran and questioned yourself about the two vast deserted places on it. Those spots are the two major deserts in Iran, Dasht-e-Kavir, and Kavir-e-Lut which are the most adventurous places to visit. They are both some of the most arid and maybe hottest areas of their kinds in the world. In addition to these major deserts, there are a number of other touristic deserts in Iran too. The deserts of Iran are one of the most unique tourist spots in our country. Of course, anyone who is fan of taking the safari desert tour must remember that deserts of Iran are as beautiful as they are hazardous.
Which desert to go?
The best deserts in Iran are located in South Khorasan, Isfahan, Kerman, Yazd and Semnan provinces.
Welcome to Kashan, one of the oldest, most cultural places in Iran, with amazing architecture, lots of old, beautiful houses to see and many stories!
Here we’ll be visiting the Tabatabei’s House, Borujerdi House, Fin Garden, Agha Bozorg Mosque and the bazaar of Kashan.
Dasht-E Kavir or The Central Desert (the largest desert in Iran)
Also known as Kavir-e Namak or the Great Salt Desert. Dasht-E Kavir is considered the largest salted desert in the central plateau of Iran. It is located in the southeast of the Alborz Mountain. In hot summer days, the temperature reaches 50 degrees. This is despite the fact that the day and night temperatures of this area differ by about 70 degrees.
Why this desert is a must see?
- Seeing one of the strangest natural phenomena
- Doing activities such as camel riding, safari, walking in the desert and observing the night sky
- Watching the meteor phenomenon in the heart of the desert
- Staying in desert camps and making unforgettable memories
Dasht-e Kavir actually gets increasingly dangerous and mysterious the further you hike towards the center, and so travelers and campers are recommended to always be accompanied by certified guides.
Mesr Desert
One of the most popular deserts in Iran is Mesr desert which is located near a village called Mesr in the west of Isfahan province. This desert with its natural beauties fascinates every tourist.
The availability of entertainments such as camping, Night star watching, off-roading, motorcycling, camel riding, and dune travers makes traveling to Mesr desert more exciting.
One of the best areas for photography in this desert is its reeds which is located in the village of Mesr.
Do not worry about finding accommodation, since there are suitable places such as eco camps in the villages near the desert for overnight stays. For camping in the desert, you can also find a suitable place to stay using the guide and route map.
The best time for visiting Mesr desert is the second 6 months of the year.
Lut Desert (Dasht-E Lut)
Kavir-e Lut or Dasht-e Lut is the first natural item from Iran which was inscribed on the UNESCO’s World Heritage List. It is the 27th largest desert in the world and also one of the hottest areas on earth. The word Lut in Turkish means bare, naked, thirsty and without water or grass. Therefore, this title for Lut desert is a reference to this meaning and waterlessness of this desert among the deserts of Iran. Kavir-e Lut spreads between three provinces of Iran; Sistan and Baluchestan, Kerman and South Khorasan. The most sights and attractions of the desert are in Kerman Province, near the city of Kerman, to be more specified in Shahdad Village.
There are a number of ecolodges in Shahdad, so if you are looking to travel to this amazing area and see the sunlight in Kaluts, be sure that there is always a vacant place to stay!
Some of the unique features making Lut desert worth exploring are:
- Includes the tallest and longest range of Kalouts.
- Having the record of the highest temperature on earth. (Between 2004 and 2009)
- It is the first natural item from Iran which was inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
- There are reports that no living creature can survive for long in this region, with Lut generally considered an abiotic zone
The Maranjab Desert
Maranjab desert is located in the north of “Aran o Bidgol ” city in Isfahan province. Due to the proximity of this desert to the city of Kashan, you will have the opportunity to visit the historical sights of this ancient city too. Also, the short distance of this desert to the capital (about 270 km) and its convenient facilities make Maranjab desert a popular destination for the residents of Tehran and its surrounding cities.
Safety, balance, various attractions and variety of wildlife have made Maranjab one of Iran’s most beautiful and touristy deserts and attracts many visitors yearly.
Sand boarding and sand skiing are two of the most popular desert activities tourists engage in. In Maranjab desert, you can enjoy activities such as safari, camel riding, four-wheel motorbike, stargazing at night and night tour in the desert.
The best time for visiting Mesr desert is the second 6 months of the year.
Varzaneh desert (the closest desert to Isfahan)
The closest desert to the city of Isfahan (approximately 100 Km) and the most famous desert of this province is called Varzaneh desert. The distance between Varzaneh desert and Tehran city is about 530 km. It is is located in the classic route of Iran. The location of this desert has made it easy for travelers from many Iranian cities.
Varzaneh desert has the largest recreation site in Iran, and by camping in this desert, you can enjoy the facilities of the desert site, such as riding with a four-wheel motor, zip line, camel riding, and touring the desert on the sands with an off-road vehicle. Apart from all these things, one of the best moments in the desert is walking on the hot sand dunes.
The best time to travel to this desert starts from September and lasts until the beginning of April. Many people may not be able to imagine the coldness in the desert; But if you plan to travel there in autumn or winter, you should know that the temperature drops to minus 10 degrees at night; But in these seasons during the day the weather is pleasant.
Caracal Desert, Yazd
Caracal Desert or Sadegh Abad Desert is located near Bafaq city of Yazd and is one of the most famous deserts of Yazd province. A special species of wild cat called caracal lives in this desert, which is the reason for the name of this desert.
In the Caracal desert, you can reach the ultimate relaxation from the combination of colors that exist in it. Also, watching the desert and the sky come together is really spectacular.
One of the important points of access to this desert is the presence of an asphalt road to the destination, which makes it easy for everyone to access.
Caracal desert attractions
Watching palm groves and desert starry nights
Visiting vahshi bafqi house
Kakamir Reservoir and Bath
Baqerabad Castle in Bafaq
Camel Riding, safari, motorcycle ride in Shahid Barzegari complex
Shahdad desert
Shahdad Yardang is one of the tourist hubs of Kerman province. This extraordinary Yardang has been chosen as the fourth natural attraction in the world by National Geographic magazine. Shahdad’s Kaluts are more than 20,000 years old and spread over an area of 145 km long and 70 km wide.
The flowing sands of Shahdad, along with its tall cliffs, have given the Shahdad desert an eye-catching beauty. Shahdad desert includes volcanic cones, high sand pyramids, wide areas, gray and brown ridges, undulating sand dunes and the highest hills in Iran, which attracts many tourists every year.
Shahdad desert attractions
Safari and off-road riding, four-wheel motorcycle riding and camel riding
Nebka and Polygon phenomenon
There are more than 100 thousand salt fields
Salt River (Shour Rud)
Shafi Abad Caravanserai
Klot Shahdad camp
Rig-e Jenn Desert
Rig-e Jenn Desert is one of the most impassable places in the world where no traces of living creatures can be seen. Rig Jen desert in Semnan has an area of nearly 3,800 square kilometers and is the third largest desert in Iran in terms of size.
This desert has barkhan dunes, sedimentary rocks, pyramidal sand dunes and salt marshes, and due to the lack of vegetation, the sands of these hills are always shifting.
Due to the condition of Rig-e Jenn Desert and its little known nature, there are currently no facilities and recreation such as off-road riding and camel riding. This desert is more suitable for those who love desert climbing, nature and desert nights.
It takes more than one day to visit the Rig Jen desert, and for staying around this area, you can use the accommodations in the cities of Semnan or Garmsar. If you are interested in a more traditional setting, stay in country houses located in villages near the Rig Jen desert, such as Anark and Jandaq.
Tourist attractions around Rig Jen desert
Anark Castle
Varton Village Spa
Ashin village
Now with all this given information what do you know about our Iran desert tours? Which desert are you more curious to see?
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