Taking a desert tour can be an amazing and memorable thing to do for many people. In fact, the beauties and marvels that desert lands can offer to visitors are beyond counting. Most of the globally recognized deserts in the world are located in Africa. However, the deserts of Iran are also very well-known. In this Asian country, there are in fact several vast desert lands that have international fame.
This has made many people around the world come to this beautiful country and take Iran desert tours. The most well-known deserts of Iran are located in two major regions, that is, Dasht-e-Kavir, and Kavir-e-Lut. These desert lands are among the aridest and maybe hottest areas of their kind in the world.
In the present article, we try to have a thorough overview of Iran desert tours and explain everything we think you need to know in this regard. Reading this article will help you a great deal in knowing Iran desert tours better and having an unforgettable desert journey in this country.
Where is Iran?
Iran is one of the oldest and culturally richest nations in the world. The country’s history indeed goes back to tens of thousands of years ago. This historical country, formerly known as Persia, is located in the Middle East region, in southwestern Asia. The country shares sea borders with the Caspian Sea, the Persian Gulf, and the Gulf of Oman.
Iran also has land borders with Turkey and Iraq to the west, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Turkmenistan to the north, and Afghanistan and Pakistan to the east. Iran’s capital and the most populated city is Tehran, located in north-central Iran at the foot of the Elburz mountain range.
What Are the Best Deserts in Iran?
Iran is a country with a warm and dry climate in general. Therefore, many deserts are spreading in different places all over the country, especially in central areas. It is good to mention here that nearly one-quarter of Iran’s territory is comprised of desert lands. Each one of these Iran deserts has different features of its own and its unique beauties are attractive to everyone.
That’s why taking Iran desert tours is always a top choice for nature lovers. Iran’s deserts in fact cover a vast area of the country. As mentioned above, two large deserts of Iran are Dasht-e Kavir (Kavir Desert) and Dasht-e Lut (Lut Desert). They span over an area of more than 360,000 km² and are among the most well-known and marvelous deserts in the world.
To put it in a nutshell, Iran’s desert lands are so unique and eye-catching that traveling to them would be one of the most exciting experiences of your life. In the following lines, we present to you the best destinations for Iran desert tours that you would love to visit.
1. Varzaneh Desert
Showing evidence of its 5000-years-old civilization, the Varzaneh Desert is surely one of the most ancient and most beautiful Iran deserts. This desert land is mostly known for its camping spots and the glowing night sky. Varzaneh Desert is located 120kms away from the city of Isfahan. You can go there by car or even buses are available to get you there.
Varzaneh Desert has a very rich animal and plant life and it is because of the Gavkhuni wetland, not far from the desert. Traditional guesthouses are also at easy reach when you go to Varzaneh Dessert. They are mostly situated close to the Varzaneh village.
2. Khor and Biabanak Desert
The desert of Khor and Biabanak is yet another magnificent work of nature art in Iran. Every year, the desert land attracts many domestic and foreign tourists who like to take desert tours. The desert is situated 399 km from Isfahan. Some of the most famous attractions in this desert land are Namak Khor Lake and the Village of Iraj.
The former is the largest seasonal salt lake in the world, and the latter is more than 4,000 years old. In this beautiful desert land, you can do things like camelback riding, star gazing, riding desert safaris, sandboarding, etc. There is, therefore, no surprise that Khor and Biabanak is one of the top choices for those who want to take Iran desert tours.
3. Mesr Desert
In the village of Mesr in Khor and Biobank county, Isfahan province, there lies a lovely and eye-catching desert land. It is located 45 km east of Jandagh and 60 km north of Khor. The desert is called Mesr Desert and is internationally known as the sandy sea. This name is because of the yellow dunes that are the most spectacular part of the Mesr Desert.
The beautiful palm trees, bushes, and sandhills have created spectacular scenery in this desert. For those who have in mind to take an Iran desert tour, the beauty of the Mesr Desert and the uniqueness of the atmosphere can surely be an unforgettable experience.
4. The Maranjab Desert
If you look for a fascinating desert with dazzling tranquility, then the Maranjab Desert is the one you should go and visit. This beautiful desert is an extraordinary destination for an Iran desert tour. It is located in the north of Aran and Bidgol city, Isfahan province.
The Maranjab Desert is especially great to visit from the beginning of November to the middle of April. Namak Lake and Abbasi Caravanserai are among the attractions of this lovely desert. Going to the Maranjab Desert, you can enjoy seeing golden dunes, special vegetation and amazing salt lakes, and many more natural beauties.
5. Shahdad Desert
Located somewhere in the Shahdad Kerman region, the Sahand Desert is indeed an exhibition of various beauties. The desert is specifically situated on the western edge of the Lut Plain and east of the Kerman Mountains. The land is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful desert landscapes in the heart of the Lut Desert.
The night sky in the area is so fantastic that spending only one night there would make an unforgettable, life-long memory for anyone. Sahand Desert is an exceptional work of nature art that attracts lots of tourists every year. All in all, when taking an Iran desert tour, leaving the Sahand Desert behind and not visiting it is a big mistake.
What Are the Activities to do in Iran’s Deserts?
When taking an Iran desert tour, there are a lot of activities you can enjoy doing. You can choose to visit the desert lands and walk on the sand dunes, which is a great experience. You can also ride on the back of a camel and see how nicely this beautiful animal can treat you. But that’s not all.
You can also lookup especially at night to see just how different and unimaginably beautiful the night sky in a desert land can be. Visitors can also set up a fire and enjoy looking at the stars and drinking tea, coffee, etc. Desert safaris and Sand surfing are also among the popular activities that desert lovers can do when taking an Iran desert tour.
What’s the Best Time to Visit Iran’s Deserts?
The best time for an Iran desert tour is during fall, which means October, November, and December. It is not at all recommended to visit Iran’s deserts in summers or winters as the weather can get too hot or too cold. During spring, especially in April and early May, it is still good to take an Iran desert tour. But it is in fall that you can really enjoy your desert journey as the weather is the most pleasant.
What Things Should You Take With You When on an Iran Desert Tour?
When going on a desert tour in Iran, it is of pivotal importance that you take with you some items because you will surely need them during your journey. Taking enough water is important because, in a desert, each person should have about 4 liters of water a day. Proper clothing also mattes. Take some shirts with sleeves, especially if you are going to dunes, to avoid getting sunburned.
Also, get warm clothes with you because the temperature at night gets very low in deserts. You also need to have suitable shoes with you. Having a backpack with you and nutritious foods such as chocolate, peanuts or nuts is also necessary. Get a scarf and a pair of sunglasses to protect your eyes and head from the sharp sunlight.
Lights, sleeping bags, sunscreen, and tents are also among the things that you should take with you when taking an Iran desert tour.
Conclusion
Deserts are among the most beautiful places on this planet to visit. Although about 20 percent of Iran is dry land, it contains some of the most well-known deserts in the world. Taking an Iran desert tour is therefore an amazing experience that you will never forget for the rest of your life.
The variety and uniqueness of landscape and scenery in each of Iran’s deserts make them the best locations for dessert lovers in and out of Iran. The present article was an effort to give you a rather comprehensive view of Iran’s desert tours. We highly hope that reading this content could help you have a better trip to Iran and really enjoy visiting Iran’s deserts.
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