The Best Deserts in Iran for Travel in the First Half of Autumn
Some believe that autumn marks the beginning of homebound season due to the onset of colder weather. During this season, the number of trips decreases, and fewer people are willing to brave the cold to enjoy nature. However, these individuals might be unaware of the joy of desert exploration in the first half of autumn!
You probably know that the general climate of deserts and arid regions is warm and dry. Therefore, embarking on a desert journey in summer can turn into a challenging travel experience. As autumn begins, the desert air becomes slightly cooler, and its cold nights provide a perfect opportunity to gather around a fire and marvel at the starry sky. In this article from Gulf City Pedia, we will explore which deserts in Iran are suitable for autumn travel.
Iran, in general, has a warm and dry climate, with the central regions being more stable than others. In these areas, you can find various deserts ranging from the Lut Desert and Maranjab Desert to the vast plains of Mergab and Kharturan. In these expansive deserts, you can walk on the warm sand dunes, enjoy the vast desert sky, and create one of the most beautiful travel experiences. The main question here is, which deserts in Iran are suitable for travel in the first half of autumn? Let’s find out with Gulf City Pedia.
Iranian Deserts
1. Mesr Desert: A Small Egypt in the Bosom of Dasht-e Kavir
Mesr is the name of a village situated in the heart of the desert, and its architecture is inspired by the warm and dry nature of Egypt. The houses and long corridors feature mud-brick walls and wooden doors designed to withstand the harsh desert heat. Mesr village, besides being one of Iran’s desert regions, has unique and picturesque spots that make you wish for more time to explore. If you are a fan of blue structures or the coolness of springs and waterfalls, a visit to the Middle East’s largest artificial lake, called Potash Lake, located 50 kilometers from Khur, is a must. Afterward, enjoying the canals and waterfalls in Jandagh and a little water immersion in them should be fascinating. Then, a visit to Dr. Fish Spring, teeming with fish with therapeutic properties, would be worthwhile.
For a trip to the deserts of Iran, buying a tourist tour is the best choice. However, if you want to travel to Mesr Desert with a group of friends, and your starting point is Tehran, after passing through Qom, Kashan, Ardestan, and reaching Nain, diverting towards Tabas and passing through Anarak and Jandagh, you will reach the village of Mesr after about 8 to 10 hours, considering the time spent in roadside restaurants.
2. Maranjab Desert: One of the Most Popular Deserts in Iran
Maranjab Desert is one of the destinations for nature tours that attracts a great deal of attention as the cold seasons approach. The beautiful nature of Maranjab Desert has always been a suitable choice for nature-loving groups looking for an affordable and, of course, close destination to Tehran. Nature tours usually head to the hot and burning lands of central Iran in the cold seasons, and among the deserts of Iran, Maranjab Desert is a suitable and economical choice for starting autumn tours.
Here, it’s not just a dry and empty desert! In the vicinity of the Maranjab Desert, you will see the salty Namak Lake, which alone is the main destination for planning a half-day trip to this area. In this vicinity, you will also see a strange and exotic island, the Wandering Island, which is 15 kilometers away from Namak Lake. The proximity of the island to the salt lake has made this area devoid of vegetation. When you look at the island from a distance, due to the visual error and light refraction, somewhere in the distant horizons, the end of the Maranjab Desert and the island have merged into the infinite sky. Perhaps, for this reason, it is called the Wandering Island.
3. Kharturan Desert: Africa of Iran
In the deserts (Kharturan Desert ) of Iran, it is not only about walking on the sand and watching the vast desert sky; in some desert trips, you encounter even more fascinating attractions. For example, the Kharturan Protected Area invites you to visit very rare species of animals. The Kharturan region, which covers an area as large as 1.4 million hectares, consists of three different zones: 8% for the Kharturan National Park, 75% for the wildlife sanctuary, and 17% for the Toran Protected Area.
The Kharturan Protected Area is the second extensive protected area in Iran, hosting rare species of plants and animals in its heart. Kharturan is the largest biosphere reserve in Iran and is the second biosphere reserve in the world after the Serengeti in Tanzania.
Have you ever seen an Iranian cheetah other than in wildlife documentaries broadcasted by the media? In the Kharturan region, you can easily see the Iranian cheetah at the research site and behind protective fences. Witnessing these wild animals in a place other than the flat and lifeless screens of television and mobile phones brings nature lovers and tourists to life.
Before going to Kharturan, think about booking accommodation in this area. If you want to spend a night in the style of charming desert villagers, you should go to the surrounding villages. Qaleh Bala village with the Boome Gardi Boor Guesthouse can be one of the options close to you. Also, the Amirkhan Guesthouse and Kalout Kooy Guesthouse can host you.
4.Khur and Biabanak; Among the Most Beautiful Deserts of Iran
One of the best deserts in Iran for desert tourism in the first half of autumn is the famous Khur and Biabanak desert, located 400 kilometers away from Isfahan. The Khur and Biabanak county is situated in the eastern parts of Isfahan and borders Semnan province to the north, Yazd to the south and east, and Anarak district of Nain county to the west.
Here, one of the most beautiful desert scenes awaits you. Khur, consisting mostly of sandy and desert plains, with sand dunes sculpted by nature, presents various shapes as the sand ripples with the wind. These sand dunes, shaped by the wind, create captivating landscapes that are perfect for nature photography.
It’s not just about desert plains here! The Khur salt lake, the largest seasonal salt lake in the world, is also located nearby. In addition to exploring the desert, make sure to visit the ancient village of Irj with a history of over 4,000 years.
5.Zardgah Desert; The Greenest Desert in Iran
Here, it’s not just a desert; you’ll encounter fruit orchards and hot springs. The Zardgah Desert, also known as Zardgah Village, is distinct from other deserts in Iran. The architectural style of the houses in Zardgah, with its stepped form, adds to the uniqueness of this region, often referred to as the “desert’s masterpiece.”
If you plan to travel to the Zardgah Desert, we recommend purchasing a tourism package. Otherwise, for a self-driving journey, you need to head to the city of Dehok. Dehok is strategically located on the main roads from Kerman to Mashhad and Yazd to Mashhad. After reaching Dehok, it’s advisable to use your mobile navigation app. The locals are also good guides for finding the way to the Zardgah Desert.
6.Abu Ghoveyr Desert; Desert Exploration in Dehloran
Some may mistakenly think that the most picturesque deserts in Iran are only in Yazd and Isfahan, but that’s not the case. The Abu Ghoveyr Desert is part of the Dehloran county, located in the village of Abu Ghoveyr, in the southernmost region of Ilam province, near the Iran-Iraq border. This desert is one of the most beautiful in Iran, strategically significant due to its proximity to the Iran-Iraq border.
Abu Ghoveyr Desert, with minimal vegetation and wildlife, is situated near the Khuzestan province and attracts many tourists throughout the year from both Khuzestan and Ilam provinces. Despite this, the area is still relatively unknown in Ilam province and has the potential to become a tourist-friendly desert with some attention and development.
Here, you can have an excellent desert hiking experience, marvel at the starry desert sky at night, walk on the soft sand dunes of Abu Ghoveyr, and enjoy activities like camel riding and desert bonfires. Sand therapy, recreation, and photography with friends and family are other enjoyable activities during a trip to the Abu Ghoveyr Desert.
7.Matinabad Desert Camp; The Best Option for Your First Desert Experience
If you don’t prefer a guided tour and haven’t experienced desert tourism before, Matinabad Desert is the best place to start. This eco-tourism region is located on the outskirts of the Central Desert of Iran, about 60 kilometers southeast of Kashan, making it the ideal starting point. Matinabad is designated as the first eco-camp in Iran and offers good facilities for amateurs. It’s not far from the urban area of Natanz.
You can have a great desert experience in Matinabad—walk on warm sand dunes, stargaze and observe the vast desert sky, enjoy camel riding, visit organic farms, and see horse and ostrich breeding grounds. Exciting activities such as sandboarding on the warm sands and live music under the starry sky make Matinabad an attractive destination.
For accommodation, there’s no need to worry. In Matinabad eco-camp, you can stay in rooms, tents, or specially designed eco-lodges according to your preference.
8.Polond Desert in South Khorasan
Another desert in Iran for autumn desert tourism is the Polond Desert, also known as Mazafari Desert. It is located in a barren area west of Ferdows city in South Khorasan province. Polond, situated about 40 kilometers west of Ferdows, near the villages of Chah Polond and inside the Mazafari protected area, is bordered by the villages of Kojeh and Chahno, Kal-e Namak, and the wildlife sanctuary of Robat Shour.
To reach Polond, you need to travel from Ferdows towards the villages of Ebrahimabad and Taherabad. Then, take one of the routes to Kojeh or Sang-e Surakh to reach Polond. We suggest combining your desert trip to Polond with a visit to Tabas since autumn is the best time to travel to Tabas. If you plan desert tourism, first head to Tabas and then allocate a day of your journey to exploring the Polond Desert.
9.Karakhal Desert, Home to the Black-Eared Cat
Lastly, the desert we introduce in this list is none other than the Karakhal Desert in Yazd! Every year, numerous desert tours take tourists and desert enthusiasts from Yazd to the surrounding deserts. However, the majority of desert tours in Yazd are associated with the Karakhal Desert. This desert is located about 8 hours away from Tehran, near Bafq in Yazd. To reach Karakhal, you need to travel from Bafq to the village of Sadegh Abad.
One reason tourists and travelers are highly interested in desert tourism in this desert is its easily accessible asphalt route. Also, having a secure desert camp is another reason that makes the Karakhal Desert more popular than other deserts in Yazd.
In Karakhal Desert, you can enjoy camel riding, exciting safari tours, and off-road motorcycling in the sandy plains. At night, you can listen to live music under the starry sky while counting the stars. If you choose the Shahid Borzorgi camp, fire shows and a water trampoline are added to the entertainment options in the Karakhal Desert.
Which of these deserts in Iran do you think is missing from the Gulf City Pedia article? Have you ever experienced desert tourism in the first half of autumn?
