• 5 days desert trekking around 120 km
• Passing through oases on your trek
• Unforgettable experience of sleeping in a historic caravanserai
• Visiting 7  of Iran’s main UNESCO sites
• Open air camping in heart of Dasht-e Kavir desert
• Visiting 4 main Iran touristic destinations of Tehran, Esfahan, Yazd and Shiraz
• Experience traveling with train in Iran
• Taste of local cuisine in desert regions of Iran

Most travelers travelling to Iran miss out on the opportunities of Iranian deserts. Some of them just touch the desert and have no idea about the attractions of this quintessential place. Trekking in the Dasht-e Kavir would be a great opportunity for hikers as this area is fabulous and untouched without many tourists. On this trip which is perfect for Iran first visitors, we provide a memorable journey, an adventurous 5 days trek into the heart of the desert alongside of your cultural-historical exploration which covers Iran’s quintessential main well known attractions.

Sven Anders Hedin was a Swedish geographer, topographer, explorer, photographer and travel writer who travelled by paddle steamer in 1886. This itinerary has been designed taking into account the travels of Sven Hedin in Iran. Keeping his book (Through Persia, Mesopotamia and the Caucasus) in mind guided us through the routes he had taken while travelling in the desert. For those who are interested, we advise reading his book before starting the journey. For more information please check SVEN HEDIN link.

About this IRAN ACTIVE TRIP

 This trip is a combination of two main elements of desert trekking activity and cultural-historical tour via Iran Classic Route. In your active part of your trip you will do 120 km long desert trek in heart of Dasht-e Kavir desert which was a part of the ancient Silk Road. In the exploring part of your trip, you will visit the main Iran’s highlights which includes 7 of Iran’s most famous UNESCO world heritage sites that is located in the four major tourist cities of Tehran, Kashan, Esfahan, Yazd and Shiraz. Along the two main above mission of your journey, you will have two other important experience.

• Traveling with one of Iran best quality trains which is around 900 km allows you to be in touch with people and socialize with them to understand the local culture and the famous Iranian hospitality
• Staying in one of the best historical renovated caravansaries of Iran in the middle of desert which is now operating as a boutique hotel.

Those four elements on this travel itinerary is very carefully designed to enable you have a good image of Iran after you finishing your trip. The length of this trip is two weeks with a tight timetable so Traveling light with a duffel bag enable you travel to be easier and travelers must be physically as well as mentally prepared for an adventurous journey. The activity level of the trekking part is moderate to challenging. The trip start from Tehran and finishes in Kashan which is about 2 hours away to IKA airport of the capital. The best travel time for this trip is in middle of autumn (October & November) and early spring (March & April).  As this trip is one of the more special tours of the company and we have been operating it since 2012, we have a limited departure date but the bonus point is that one of the founders of the company will definitely be leading it.

 About the TREK

The chosen route is part of the ancient Silk Road that was in more or less continuous use for about 2,000 years before modern transportation put an end to it. The same route was taken by Sven Hedin who followed this path about 100 years ago.

We will be covering a variety of terrains including oases, mountain slopes, heavily weathered rock formations, sand dunes, salt dunes and other large scale crystalline formations.  We will pass an old underground water reservoir, palm date orchards and ancient villages with still standing primitive buildings. It is worth stopping in these villages in order to taste some of their local food offerings.

This combination of desert trekking, local cuisine and open air desert camps create an epic and unforgettable atmosphere that helped ancient travelers with their caravans and merchandise cross the desert on the Silk Road.

You will start your trip from the capital and after a short visit of the main sites and Golestan palace UNESCO site, you will continue your trip with a comfortable night train towards south to Shiraz. Then you will have a day tour in Shiraz, which is known as the city of lovers. Eram Garden which is one of Persian Garden UNESCO site, the Pink Mosque, the ground Bazaar and Hafeziyeh (temple of lovers) are the main highlights of your Shiraz city tour. Afterward you will continue your trip towards Persepolis (UNESCO) which is the main Iran historical site and it was the capital of Achaemenid Empire. The next stop will be Pasargadae (UNESCO), the tomb of Cyrus the Great.  Then, you will continue your trip towards Esfahan which is the capital of art and culture of Iran. After visiting the most important sites and the two UNESCO sites of Esfahan (Naghsh-e Jahan & Jame mosque), you will head towards Dasht-e Kavir desert which is the active part of your adventure holiday. You will stay in one of the most beautiful Iran caravanserai (Kuhpa) and enjoying of experience of silent in the historical monument of the Silk Road period. The next day we will drive to Yazd which is a UNESCO world heritage city. You will have a short visit of Yazd and staying the night in traditional hotel in the lonely Iran’s heritage city. Afterward we will transfer you from Yazd to the starting point of your trek in the desert and from there you will have 5 day desert trek through a few oases in central desert of Iran. We will carry your backpack during the trek and you only carry your daypack during your trekking time. You will have different experiences in the desert like staying with locals, the taste of their food and lifestyle, camping in heart of desert as well as crossing a few oases and seeing the amazing landscape of the Dasht-e Kavir.  After finishing your trek you will be transferred to Kashan historical city and staying the last night of your trip in one of traditional historical houses of Kashan .Your tour will finish by its next day and according to your return flight ticket you will get back home.

Trekking through Dasht-e Kavir

• Frequently Asked Questions About Desert
• Iran Travel Visa
• FAQ of Iranian Foods & Drinks
• Dress Code FAQs
• General Iran FAQs for Traveling

1. Those who already visited the cultural part of this trip and would like to join us only in the trekking part, we will arrange to join them to the desert trekking part of this travel itinerary.
2. After your tour booking, we will send you the complete detail itinerary including the guide and tour manager number and the name of your hotel.
3. If you could not fix your travel time to our fixed departure date, we could make it as a private tour according to your desire date.
4. If you have more than two weeks of holiday and you would like to extend your trip in Iran, we can suggest an additional package according to travel time which is make complete your Iran visit. Please get in touch with our travel expert.