Category: Deserts

Varzaneh

The desert closest to the city of Isfahan and the most famous in this province is called the Varzaneh desert. It is located 100 km east of Isfahan, 150 km west of Yazd and is surrounded by the city of Varzaneh and Zayandeh Rud to the north and the Gavkhuni wetland to the east. The entire Varzaneh Desert is covered by longitudinal pyramidal dunes in the shape of a crescent, reaching a height of 100 meters at the highest points.

The Varzaneh Desert is also known as the Khara Desert and takes its name from the vast Khara Desert. But today, in the desert division of this region, the Khara Desert and the Varzaneh Desert are considered two distinct desert areas. Currently, the Khara Desert is located 30 km from the Varzaneh Desert, near the town of Khara.

Varzaneh is one of the most beautiful deserts of Iran in the province of Isfahan and Lake Gavkhuni is one of the most important places near this desert. The existence of the Gavkhuni wetland has led to the appearance of shrubs and animal species in this area. Of course, it must be remembered that this wetland has no water during the hot months of the year.

If you are passionate about mountains, hiking, mountaineering, desert camping, anthropology, historical landscapes and the fascinating culture of the Middle East, SITO Travel will help you organize your trip to Iran. Get in touch with us because our experience is born and developed in this field.

Rig-e Jenn

The Rig-e Jenn desert in Semnan is known as a mysterious and fascinating place throughout Iran. There is no trace of life in this desert, which is part of the central desert of Iran in the desert plain where the third largest sand dune in Iran is located.

The Rig-e Jenn desert covers an area of ​​about 3,800 square kilometers and its swamps are very dangerous. Rig-e Jenn is known among its inhabitants for being sinister, terrifying, and mysterious. The reason is, in fact, the legends that are told about the silence and the noises of the wind in the area. Due to the lack of vegetation and strong winds, the appearance of the sandstones is constantly changing. The eroded plain of the Rig-e Jenn desert is littered with sand dunes, and salt deposits everywhere make access to different parts of the desert impossible.

For many years, due to the anonymity of this area and its dangers, no one visited this desert. Also, it was very worrying for travelers going to this region to be trapped in the sand. The lack of access to this desert and the fear of entering it sparked many rumors until 1997 when an Iranian desert scientist flew over the Rig-e Jenn desert with the head of Kavir National Park. A year later, with his entire team they crossed the desert and put an end to the unfounded rumors about this region.

The lack of access to parts of the Rig-e Jenn desert until then, due to lack of water and saline resources and the high impassable dunes, had led the inhabitants to consider the control of the area to alien forces and jinn. Other reasons for the rumors were the overheating of the desert and strong winds. The large difference in temperature between day and night causes the rocks to collapse, creating a terrible noise in the desert. This phenomenon is called “stone crying.” Around the desert, the dunes are surrounded by different heights and mountains, but there is no clear boundary to the Rig-e Jenn desert.

If you are passionate about mountains, hiking, mountaineering, desert camping, anthropology, historical landscapes and the fascinating culture of the Middle East, SITO Travel will help you organize your trip to Iran. Get in touch with us because our experience is born and developed in this field.

Reygan

The Reygan Desert is part of the Lut Desert and is located in the extreme southeast of the Kerman province. The appearance of the sandstones in this desert is different from that of other deserts in Iran. The Reygan desert is light in color and the sand dunes reach a height of 75 meters. According to the locals, the sands of this desert have healing properties.

The dunes of the Reygan desert, located in a north-south direction, are 20 km long and 4 km wide. There are many towns around the desert. The Reygan sands are expanding and the extent of desertification in this desert threatens the habitat of the locals. Near the Reygan desert are the typical forests of the region that have had a significant impact on the control of desertification. Trees in this region have been severely damaged by drought; Fortunately, these plants are very resistant to desiccation. These trees have a great capacity to absorb moisture from their leaves.

The Iranian hedgehog is an endangered species that lives in the Reygan desert. The protection and maintenance of this rarity is of great importance to the international community in the environmental field. A species of lizard lives among the nests and holes dug in the desert. Other animal species in this desert are foxes, sand cats, hawks, and other birds of prey.

If you are passionate about mountains, hiking, mountaineering, desert camping, anthropology, historical landscapes and the fascinating culture of the Middle East, SITO Travel will help you organize your trip to Iran. Get in touch with us because our experience is born and developed in this field.

Mesr

The Mesr Desert is one of the most famous in the province of Isfahan and boasts a beautiful and unique nature. Mesr, which means Egypt in Persian, is a desert town located in the central district of Khur, in the province of Isfahan, 45 km from the city of Jandaq and 371 km from Yazd.

Mesr is an oasis located in the central desert of Iran, and is best known for its unique sand hills and incredible bamboo field. The sandy hills that surround the town are known as thrones because strong winds have flattened the surface creating special and attractive shapes. Takht-e Arús and Takht-e Abbasi are among the most famous flat hills in the area. To get to these sandy hills, you have to travel a short distance through the desert, which is only possible in 4 × 4. Once at the top of each sand throne, there will be a breathtaking view of the town and the desert.

One of the most important places in the desert is the “salt lake.” Of course, this lake is not permanent and is one of the largest seasonal salt lakes in Iran. The salt extracted from this lake is the oldest in Iran. The lake has a peculiar appearance and its bottom is covered in pentagonal shapes covered with salt. In winter these shapes turn black due to the combination with clay and in summer they turn white. Another attraction of the desert is the Neyzar (reed bed). This area, with reeds surrounded by quicksand, is located 6 km northeast of the town of Mesr. The height of these reeds reaches up to four meters, so they constitute an adequate refuge for the animals of the area.

The old name of the village was Joseph, changed to Chah Deraz (long well) as this deep well provided water to the village. With its beautiful gardens, the town of Mesr is a green dot in the middle of the arid desert that makes this oasis so special for travelers. The highlight is undoubtedly the beautiful night sky when the stars seem as close as if they touch the sands.

If you are passionate about mountains, hiking, mountaineering, desert camping, anthropology, historical landscapes and the fascinating culture of the Middle East, SITO Travel will help you organize your trip to Iran. Get in touch with us because our experience is born and developed in this field.

Matin Abad, ecological camp that respects nature

Matin Abad desert, throughout the year, attracts the attention of desert lovers thanks to its natural camp in the middle of a magnificent landscape.

The Matin Abad desert is located 25 km south of Natanz and 60 km southeast of Kashan. Renewable energy sources are used in the camp and bathing water is supplied by solar and wind thermal energy.

The vegetation and animals are also interesting in this desert where you can see unique species of cats, sand foxes and desert otters.

The vegetation in this area is also made up of turmeric and hawthorn bushes.

Among the beauties of the Matin Abad desert are the starry night sky and its unique golden hills. In his camp there are camels to discover the most remote destinations. Also, you can go cycling in the desert or a 4 × 4 race. The camp also offers the opportunity to visit camel, ostrich and horse farms. Due to the peaceful environment of the Matin Abad desert, many people travel there to enjoy the tranquility of the desert. The Matin Abad camp is located between the cities of Isfahan and Kashan, and therefore close to the main historical attractions in the area. During the Matin Abad desert excursion, you will be able to visit the attractions of Kashan, such as Fin Garden and historic houses, Abyaneh village and Natanz Jameh Mosque.

If you are passionate about mountains, hiking, mountaineering, desert camping, anthropology, historical landscapes and the fascinating culture of the Middle East, SITO Travel will help you organize your trip to Iran. Get in touch with us because our experience is born and developed in this field.

Maranjab

The Marnjab Desert is one of the deserts of the Isfahan province that is located north of the city of Aran O Bidgol in Kashan. The flora and fauna of this region are very rich, so, in addition to the landscapes, you can see the various species present. The name of Maranjab comes from the caravanserai and the qanat of this region from the Safavid era. The Maranjab Desert is one of the best desert trekking options for those traveling to the central part of Iran. Despite the intact environment of the Maranjab desert, various groups of beginners and experts visit it throughout the year.

Hiking among the high sand dunes, hawthorn forests and the salt lake is one of the main attractions of the Maranjab desert. The word “lake” in the desert environment is different from our perception of this word. Desert lakes are large empty areas, covered in salt instead of water. However, sufficient rainfall causes water to collect up to a few inches in lakes. The flora and fauna of the Maranjab desert includes plants such as turmeric, hawthorn and animals such as wolf, jackal, chameleon, hyena, snake and lizard, fox and sand cat, and birds of prey. In recent years, a pair of Iranian cheetahs have also been sighted in this desert.

The Masileh Salt Lake area in the northern Maranjab Desert covers about 650 square kilometers and is covered in salt for most of the year. After the evaporation of the water due to the seasonal rains, the deposition of salt in this lake reveals interesting geometric shapes.

If you are passionate about mountains, hiking, mountaineering, desert camping, anthropology, historical landscapes and the fascinating culture of the Middle East, SITO Travel will help you organize your trip to Iran. Get in touch with us because our experience is born and developed in this field.

Karakal

One of the deserts of Iran is Karakal, located in the central desert plain of Iran. The Karakal desert is located near the town of Sadeqabad, in the city of Bafq, in the province of Yazd. The altitude of this desert reaches 50 meters and covers an area of ​​more than 1500 hectares. The name of the Karakal desert comes from a species of feline that is found in the pristine nature of this region. The vegetation of this desert is very limited and sparse, and most of it consists of robust plants and thorny shrubs. The sands of the Karakal desert are very suitable and soft for hiking and for those interested in driving motorcycles and SUVs in the desert. Other activities offered by the desert are camel trekking, star gazing, and strolling through the soft sands of this desert.

During the Karakal desert excursion, you can also visit other nearby attractions. Sights surrounding the Karakal Desert include the poet Bafqi’s house, Kakamir Reservoir with its round brick dome, Titus Garden, Khan Square, and the Choqart Iron Mine. Bagherabad Castle is a historical monument of Bafq and one of the historical monuments of Yazd. The city of Bafq is located in the eastern part of Yazd province and the Karakal desert is located 10 km northeast of this city.

If you are passionate about mountains, hiking, mountaineering, desert camping, anthropology, historical landscapes and the fascinating culture of the Middle East, SITO Travel will help you organize your trip to Iran. Get in touch with us because our experience is born and developed in this field.

Lut desert and its famous Kaluts

The Lut Desert is located in southeastern Iran and benefits from a subtropical continental zone characterized by a rich variety of spectacular desert morphologies. Lut is surrounded by a buffer zone of 1,794,134 hectares, and in the Persian language ‘Lut’ means bare land, without water or vegetation. The area is located in an interior basin surrounded by mountains, so it is a rain shadow and with the high temperatures the climate is hyper-arid. The region often experiences the highest temperatures on the planet such that a temperature of 70.7 ° C has been recorded in mid-summer in this area.

A strong north-south pressure gradient develops in the region in spring and summer, causing strong winds between June and October. These winds lift the sand grains at high speed, transferring sediment and creating colossal-scale wind erosion. As a result, the region boasts what are considered the best examples of Yardang in the world: the Kaluts. Yardangs are earth elements, sculpted and molded by sandblasting. They cover about a third of the surface and appear as massive and spectacular ripples across the landscape, with ridges and corridors oriented parallel to the prevailing wind. That is why this part of the planet is called Earth’s Mars, perhaps.

If you are passionate about mountains, hiking, mountaineering, desert camping, anthropology, historical landscapes and the fascinating culture of the Middle East, SITO Travel will help you organize your trip to Iran. Get in touch with us because our experience is born and developed in this field.

Dasht-e Kavir

Dasht-e Kavir, also known as the Central Desert, is a vast desert about 800 km long and 320 km wide south of the Alborz mountain range. The Central Desert is the largest desert in Iran, stretching from the north to the central and eastern slopes of Alborz and from the west to the road from Damghan to Jandagh. The Kavir National Park, the Kharturan National Park, the Bajestan Desert, the Haj Ali Al-Gholi (Damghan) Desert, the Maranjab Desert and the Rig Desert are located in this region covering more than 77,000 square kilometers.

Its temperature reaches 50 degrees Celsius in summer and, sometimes, the temperature difference between day and night (thermal amplitude) reaches almost more than 20 degrees Celsius. This plain has some very spectacular features, including a salt lake, salt domes, and sand dunes. The largest dune field in Iran is called Rig-e Boland that starts from Aran O Bidgol and continues towards Ardestán, and has a length of 90 km. Isfahan province has 16 dune fields in Dasht-e Kavir, of which 300,000 hectares have been reforested and stabilized.

Nowadays, with the particular increase in both internal and external tourism, this desert part and many typical towns on the periphery of the desert, have resumed a growth phase valuing and reviving abandoned villages. In fact, almost abandoned rural houses and villages, both due to lack of water and lack of pasture, have today been converted into traditional houses capable of accommodating tourists who appreciate the desert landscape.

Dasht-e Kavir, due to its vastness, offers many opportunities for adventure. Now it is possible to organize, even during a classic trip, an overnight stay in one of these wonderful places.

If you are passionate about mountains, hiking, mountaineering, desert camping, anthropology, historical landscapes and the fascinating culture of the Middle East, SITO Travel will help you organize your trip to Iran. Get in touch with us because our experience is born and developed in this field.

Abuzeid Abad Desert

The Abuzeid Abad desert is a desert in the province of Isfahan located northeast of Kashan. At a distance of about eight kilometers from the city, there are flowing sand dunes; But to go to the largest and most beautiful hills, you have to travel the desert road and the salt lake Arus pass. In the Abuzeid desert there is also observable desert vegetation that has brought together various species of animals. The fauna of the area consists of hawks, eagles, rabbits, sand foxes, sand cats, jackals, wolves and different types of agamas and snakes. The Abuzeid Abad Desert spans a small part of the great Band Rig Desert and, in addition to its many natural attractions, is doubly famous for its historical and ancient monuments. Many tourists plan to hike to this desert for so many historical places that are close to this desert.

The best places to visit near the desert are Karshahi Castle, Yakhab Mountain, Abyaneh Village, Underground City, and Noshabad Historic City.

If you are passionate about mountains, hiking, mountaineering, desert camping, anthropology, historical landscapes and the fascinating culture of the Middle East, SITO Travel will help you organize your trip to Iran. Get in touch with us because our experience is born and developed in this field.