Iran desert expedition(15days)

Iran desert expedition detailed itinerary

Day 1 : Arrival Tehran

You fly to Tehran and our agent meet you in Imam Khomeini airport and transfer to Hotel

Transfer : 1 hours

Accommodation: El. : 1200m , Hotel

Day 2 : Tehran – Maranjab (B/L/D)

After having breakfast, we start our journey to the south and by passing through Qom city and before arriving in Kashan, we branch off to the east and now begin our journey to the Dasht-e-Kavir (salty desert) then we continue our way to Aran and Bidgol and from this city which is the entrance gate to Maranjab desert and salt lake.

We enter to a dirt road in the heart of the desert and after 40 km we reach the Marnjab caravanserai. We make a short stop to visit the caravanserai of Maranjab that built under the Safavid dynasty(15th to 17th centuries AD). Then we continue to the salt lake and the surrounding dunes and spend the night next to the salt lake (which is a death lake) next to the dunes in tent .

In the evening, we enjoy the tranquility of the desert and the beautiful sunset in the heart of the Marnjab desert, and we spend the night at dinner by the fire.

Transfer : 6 hour (290 km)

Trekking approx. :  2 hours

Accommodation: El. : 810m , Tent

Day 3 : Maranjab desert : trekking on salt lake and dunes(B/L/D)

This morning we start our walk into the salt lake and by passing a part of this dry salt lake we reach an island in the northern part of this lake which are called wandering islands. After that we return to our tent and after having lunch and rest , in the afternoon we walk on dunes around our camping area .

Trekking approx. :  4 hours

Accommodation: El. : 810m , Tent

Day 4 : Maranjab – Zavareh – Anarak(B/D)

This morning we drive  to south and leave the Marnjab desert and continue our way to the historic city of Zavareh.

We stop in this city and visit its historical and beautiful mosque which belongs to the Seljuk period (11th to 12th century AD). This mosque is the first four-porch mosque in the world. The altar of this mosque is the most beautiful part of it. The stunning architecture of this mosque and its huge dome attracts the attention of every viewer.

Then we continue our way to the city of Anarak and this beautiful and historic city, which is surrounded by rocky hills, belongs to the Sassanid era (3rd to 7th centuries AD) and shows a wonderful view at sunset. Walking in the back alleys of this old brick city allows you to feel yourself in ancient times. Climbing the tower dominating the city offers a spectacular panoramic view. We spend the night in the old caravanserai, which is now used as a hotel

Transfer : 6 hours (330 km)

Accommodation: El. : 900m , traditional hotel

Day 5 : Anarak –  trekking on Rig-E-Jen (B/L/D)

Early in the morning, after breakfast, we continue our journey to the desert of Rig Jan (ghost hills) to spend three dream days in this mysterious desert.

This area was uninhabited due to extreme dryness and lack of water, and even caravans refused to cross it, which is why it was known as the nest of ghosts. Which was considered a nest of ghosts, the caravans that passed through it avoided staying in it.

During these three days, we will walk in the sand dunes and oases around the Rig Jan desert and spend the night in a tent by the fire.

Trekking approx. :  4 hours

Accommodation: El. : 800m , tent

Day 6 : trekking on Rig-E-Jen(B/L/D)

Continuation of visits and excursions in the Dasht-E Kavir desert as described in day 5.

Trekking approx. :  4 hours

Accommodation: El. : 800m , tent

Day 7 : Rig-E-Jen – Tabas – Esfahak(B/D)

After the last walks in Rig-e-Jen, we will go to Khor village and from there to Tabas. And from there we go to Esfahak village. After having lunch We do a light trekking around Esfahak

Esfahak is a residential village with historical architecture style and textures of dry and mud. This village is a masterpiece that parts of it survived the deadly earthquake in Tabas in 1978.

In 2011 , the process of reconstruction of the old texture of Esfahak began and part of the houses were renovated and provided for hosting tourists. Esfahak architectural design won the TO DO Award in Germany in 2020.

Trekking approx. :  1 hour

Transfer : 5 hours (300 km)

Accommodation: El. : 700m , Guesthouse

Day 8 : Esfahak – Canyon Morteza Ali – Birjand(B/D)

We Leave Esfahak and follow the magnificent valley of Morteza Ali which leads us to the canyon of the same name. We walk on the valley and visit Safavid Shâh Abbâs dam, which will be the final objective of our walk for the day.

Then we leave this canyon behind us to head towards Birjand, a stopover town which provides access to Dasht-e-Lut. Capital of South Khorasan, Birjand is known for its production and export of saffron and handmade carpets. We spend the night at the hotel.

Trekking approx. :  2 hours

Transfer : 5 hours (300 km)

Accommodation: El. : 1400m , Hotel

Day 9 : Birjand – Dasht-E-Lut (Deh salm) (B/L/D)

We move from Birjand to the south and after passing Nehbandan, we enter the great plain of Lut (Dasht-E Lut) , where the small mountains that have been created as a result of soil erosion due to wind and rain make us wonder.

We cross the dunes of Yalan (Rig-e-Yalan) (the highest one is about 500 meters high) and walk in these hills and valleys and salt lakes and enjoy the amazing views of the Lut desert .

At night, we set up our tents by the fire.

Trekking approx. :  3 hours

Transfer : 4 hours (250 km)

Accommodation: El. : 700m , Tent

Day 10-12 : Dasht-E Lut trekking and sightseeing(B/L/D)

During these days we continue the visit and trekking on lut desert. The Dasht-E Lut stretches for hundreds of kilometers in the northeastern part of the province of Kerman. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage.

Studies have shown that the center of this desert is the hottest place on earth. No form of life exists in this part of the desert, even bacterial life, hence the fact that a dead animal in this area does not decompose but dries up in the sun. Lout means “naked” in Persian. No plant can survive there.

On the other hand, there is an exceptional natural phenomenon called kalout. The word is formed from “kal” which means “city” in the Baloch language, attached to the word Lout. Kalouts are the deep corridors that have formed in the region over time, dug by the erosive action of wind and rain. At night, we set up our tents by the fire.

Trekking approx. :  5 hours per day

Transfer : 3 hours (100-150 km)per day

Accommodation: El. : About 700m , Tent

Day 13 : Dasht-E-Lut – Bam(B/D)

This morning we leave Dasht-E-Lut and move towards Bam. In this city we will visit the historical citadel of Bam ( Arg-e-Bam).

Arg-e-Bam is the largest brick structure in the world. In 2003, it was damaged by the Bam earthquake, but at the beginning of the accident, due to its importance, it was immediately endangered in the World Heritage List, and a rescue project was carried out with the cooperation of UNESCO and many other countries.

Bam and its cultural space are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List (as part of the “Bam and its Cultural Landscape” World Heritage Site). This huge citadel was built in the sixth to fourth centuries BC (Achaemenid Empire) and was still in use until 1850 AD.

Transfer : 3 hours  , 230km

Accommodation: El. : 1060m , Hotel

Day 14 : Bam –Rayen- Kerman(B/D)

We drive to Kerman and before Kerman we stop  on Rayen to visit Arg-e-Rayen then continue to Mahan, to visit the garden of Shahzadeh .

our last stop is in Kerman, Kerman was founded as a defensive outpost, with the name Veh-Ardashir, by Ardashir I, founder of the Sasanian Empire, in the 3rd century AD, in Kerman, we visit the old bazaar and Ganjalikhan complex .

Transfer : 3 hours  , 230km

Accommodation: El. : 1700m , Hotel

Day 15 : Kerman – flight to Tehran(B)

End of Kerman tours. Transfer to the airport  and flight to Tehran.

Transfer : 2 hours

Accommodation: El. : 1200m , Hotel

Iran desert expedition services included :

• Full board (all meals are included) in Desert
• Half board in the cities
• All transfers & sightseeing trips in private vehicles ( 4WD cars)
• Entrance fee for sightseeing in the cities
• Accommodations  in guest houses and  tents in Desert and 3 stars hotel in the cities
• English speaking  trekking guide
• English , German or French speaking cultural guide during sightseeing in the cities ( dependent on clients language)

Iran desert expedition required equipment :

• Backpack (30 Liter)
• Wind stoppers (polar jacket)
• Light trekking pants
• Light down jacket for night ( night is cold ib desert)
• Warm hat
• Light Trekking boots
• Sleeping bag (comfort level :0)
• Warm gloves
• Sunglasses
• Sun creams
• Headlight
• Sticks , poles