Dasht-e Lut Desert

Introduction of Lut Desert

The Lut Desert also called Kavir-e Lut, or Dasht-e-Lut Desert is the second desert of Iran in terms of vastness, and is located in the southeast of the country. It is the world’s 27th largest desert, and was inscribed on UNESCO‘s World Heritage List on July 17, 2016. It stretches about 480 kilometers (300 mi) long and 320 kilometers (200 mi) wide. A huge mass of dunes and sand rises in the east, while in the west an extensive area of high ridges is separated by wind-swept corridors.

Lut Desert Location in Map
Dasht-e Lut Desert Location in Iran Map

 

Lut Desert map

 

At its lowest salt-filled depression, less than 1,000 feet (300 meters) above sea level, the summer heat and low humidity are believed to be unsurpassed on the planet. Between June and October, this arid subtropical area is swept by strong winds, which transport sediment and cause aeolian erosion on a colossal scale. Consequently, the site presents some of the most spectacular examples of aeolian yardang landforms (massive corrugated ridges).

 

Kalouts & Rigeh Yalan

 

 

Gandom Beryan in Lut Desert

It also contains extensive stony deserts and dune fields. The property represents an exceptional example of ongoing geological processes. NASA research results suggest that Gandom Beryan in the Lut Desert is one of the hottest places on Earth. According to satellite data from NASA in 2005, a surface temperature of 70.7 degrees Celsius was recorded here. This temperature is the highest temperature ever recorded by satellite from the surface of planet Earth. That’s why it’s called the ‘2005 point’.

Gandom Beryan Temperature Lut Desert

Gandom Beryan- Lut Desert
Gandom Beryan- Lut Desert, IRAN

 

Altitude in Lut Desert

The lowest point of the property in Lut is found at 117 metres above sea level, in the northeast of the Yardangs region, while the highest point, in the sand dunes of Rig-e Yallan, reaches 475 metres.

 

4X4 Desert Safari, Dasht-e-lut Desert, Iran
4X4 Desert Safari, Dasht-e-lut Desert, Iran

 

Mountains in Lut Desert

There are so many high mountains around the Lut desert and some of them are very famous and are above 4000m. Chains of mountains stretch northwest–southeast across much of the desert area; Laleh Zar (4,374) and Hazararan (4,419 meters) are extinct volcanoes in the region. Mount Joopar at 4,150 m, is the most famous mountain in Kerman for hiking.

Hazar Mountain Range of Kerma - Dasht-e Lut Desert
Hazar Mountain Range of Kerma – Dasht-e Lut Desert

 

Climate and Weather in Dasht-e Lut

High temperatures, a precipitation rate below 50 mm, and a high potential evaporation rate of 5000 mm per year, are the main climatic characteristics of the Lut Desert. The Lut Desert is the only area in Iran with a Tropical Hyperdesertic climate, the driest possible bioclimate in the Global Bioclimatic Classification System.

temperature in Dasht-e Lut Desert Iran

 

 

Kaluts of Lut Desert

Kaluts, also known as Dasht-e Lut Kaluts, are unique geological formations found in the Lut Desert. These extraordinary formations are a result of wind and water erosion over thousands of years, shaping the soft rocks into stunning, surreal landscapes.

Kaluts Dasht-e Lut Desert
Kaluts formation in Dasht-e Lut Desert

 

Best time to Travel to Lut

From the end of spring till the beginning of autumn, the desert is extremely hot, and you can use the desert for traveling. The season starts in November and ends in March. The best traveling time would be December and January as you will have very pleasant days during the day and the night will not be too cold. If you are traveling to Iran for the first time and would like to combine your desert tour in Dasht-e Lut with Iranian tourist cities, we advise you to travel in the 2nd half of November to have ideal weather for both regions.

 

How to travel to Lut Desert

Dasht-e Lut is located in the three provinces of Iran. There are South Khorasan, Sistan and Baluchestan and Kerman. The two cities of Birjand, in “capital of South Khorasan” and Kerman, “capital of Kerman” would be the proper entry/finishing points of your journey. Depending on your trip type, duration and the type of activity you would like to do in Lut desert, you can choose your entrance. For those who would like to only have a short trip in Lut, we advise them to start and finish from Kerman. You could reach both cities of Kerman and Birjand by flight as well. There are a few regular flights traveling to both cities.

 

Tours and Activities

We have a few different short and long Lut desert tours in Adventure Iran. One of our famous desert adventure tours is Iran Lut Desert 4X4 Expedition. For those of you who don’t have enough time available to experience this long trip, there is a shorter adventure tour we can recommend; Desert safari in Dasht-e Lut Desert & Discover Hidden Spots, which would be just perfect.

4X4 Desert Safari, Dasht-e-lut Desert, Iran
4X4 Desert Safari, Dasht-e-lut Desert, Iran

 

 

Gandom Beryan Lut Desert

 

Video Story: 4×4 safari Tour in Dasht-e Lut Desert

Comments

Leave a Reply