Iran Desert Detour, Dasht-e Kavir and Lut Desert

10 Days

Duration

Easy

Activity Level

Mar, Apr, Nov, Dec

Best Months

Multi-Activity

Activities

Off the Beaten Track

Travel Styles

Visiting the most beautiful part of the Iranian desert through off the beaten track tour of Dasht-e Lut and Kavir

TOUR CODE

069-STN-MUL

START

Esfahan

FINISH

Tehran

REGION(S)

Iran Central Desert

INCLUDED

MEALS: 9 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 2 Dinners
ACCOMMODATIONS: Hotel: 2 Nights, Guesthouse: 3 Nights, Local House: 1 Night, Cave: 1 Night
TRANSPORTATION: Private vehicle
All transportation according to the itinerary Accommodation as mentioned in the itinerary Meals as indicated in the itinerary English speaking tour guide Backpack handling by Mules/Horses (limited to 15kg per person)

NOT INCLUDED

Entry fee for the sites not mentioned in the itinerary
Travel insurance
International airfare
Excess baggage charges
Airport and departure taxes
Any extra hotel costs such as early check in or late checkout
Laundry
Mini bar used in the room
Meals not stipulated in the itinerary
Tips (optional)
Cost of medical immunizations
Bottled water
Phone calls
Any other service not mentioned in the itinerary

Additional information

FAQ	Frequently Asked Questions

Real Desert Tour for real adventurers visiting villages, tribes and local people in two vast deserts of Iran
An attractive journey through the ancient Persia exploring its old civilization
A trip to historic places of Persia
Visiting Yazd & Kerman old cities along with smaller towns of Na’in, Anarak, Meybod and Koohpayeh
Visiting historic villages of Qehi, Bayazeh, Kharanaq, Fahraj
Visiting Chak Chak Zorastian fire temple and Zien-o-din caravanserai
Experiencing a night in a handmade cave
Visiting few oases such as Mesr and Farahzad
An opportunity to taste local food of people living in deserts
Desert trekking and camping in the heart of Iran Central Desert
Off-road driving by 4×4 vehicle
Visiting 3 UNESCO sites
Lut Desert (UNESCO natural world heritage site), exotic village and cultural landscape of Maymand (UNESCO world heritage site) and Shazdeh Garden (Persian gardens UNESCO world heritage site)

This tailored made package has been designed to cover two Iranian deserts of Dashte–e Kavir and Lut. Attractions of Iran classic route are visited by any regular tourist but a real adventure lover will miss the chance of being in touch with locals and experience their way of life. One of the main highlights of Iran in terms of nature can be its deserts. As Iranian deserts were part of the Silk Road there are many historical monuments and sites left from that era worth paying a visit. There are many different flora and fauna living in this hot place and many caravanserais still accept guests. This tour is not only a desert tour, we have combined sightseeing in small towns, exploring rural areas and some activities such as desert trekking together to maximize the natural experience.
This tour will take you away from major touristic cities of Tehran, Esfahan or Shiraz … into the real life of locals. The tour starts from Esfahan and ends in Tehran with the option of finishing in Kerman. It has two parts and each part takes around 5 days. The first part is Central Desert (Dasht-e Kavir) from Esfahan to Yazd and the second part is Lut Desert starting from Yazd to Kerman.

Day 1: Joining tour in Esfahan- Arrival and check in to the caravanserai

Travelers coming with different airlines with different schedule and the meeting point of our sojourn in the journey ahead will be in the amazing KuhPa caravanserai located in kuhpayeh town only 80 km east of Isfahan. The caravanserai is between Isfahan and Nain. To know the exact location, please have a look to the hyperlink: Kuhpa caravanserai. The travelers coming from different locations traveling around Iran they can check-in to the caravanserai any time after noon. For those who would like to start from Isfahan we will send a vehicle to pick them up. The departure time will be at 12:00 pm (noon) towards the Caravanserai. The accommodation of this night is included in the tour package. (-,-,-)

Day 2: Friendly meeting in Esfahan Caravanserai – biking excursion

The town of Kuhpayeh is quite interesting and you have time to explore by your own before noon. You are free to enjoy the day until noon. Also there is an option to get a local guide to walk around the town and see the history behind it. In the afternoon, we considered a cycling activity to visit the neighboring villages. In the late afternoon we will have a friendly meeting with your Adventure Iran guide. This friendly gathering would be for briefing purposes and knowing your travel mates. We will give you sufficient information, maps, tips, etc. in order to make your journey enjoyable and hassle free. You will have the dinner in the caravanserai. Overnight you will stay in the private room with the traditional Persian style sleeping arrangement in the caravanserai. (B, L, D)

Day 3: Desert trekking & camping

Today is the highlight of the trip. After breakfast we will start trekking into the desert. The length of trekking is between10-20 km which would take about 4-8 hours depending on the fitness level of the group but for those who do not wish to participate in trekking there is a 4×4 vehicle to take them to our camping area. We will start from caravanserai at 6 AM driving around 300 km taking approximately 3 hours and half to the starting point of the trekking. You will have breakfast in Nain and continue the journey towards Anarak town. We have short time to see the main highlights of the town. We will continue the road towards the desert and commence trekking immediately after arriving. We will set up our camp in the desert and after a short rest; we would go to watch the sunset in the heart of the desert. Then we will make fire spending some time around it. We will have dinner in our camp enjoying the beauty of the desert sky and you can see the millions of the stars in the desert night. Overnight stay in tent. (B, L, D).

Day 4: Desert, Salt Lake

We will wake up at the crack of dawn (optional), walking about 10-15 minutes to watch the sunrise view of desert and walking back to our camp for having breakfast. After, the camp will be collected and trekking will continue till noon time. (B, L)

Day 5: visiting some desert villages- Garmeh -drive to Yazd

Early in the morning there is an optional plan to visit the village. We will explore the village and visit its spring water in Garmeh. There is a small mountain in the village that by hiking up you will have the best view of Garmeh and villages around to see the sunrise view. (B)

Day 6: Yazd city tour

After breakfast you will have a day sightseeing tour in Yazd to visit its attractions such as Zoroastrian site of Dakhmeh (Old cemetery & tower of silence) and the Fire temple. (B, L)

Day 7: Zien-o-din caravanserai- Drive to Maymand & trekking to the cave (UNESCO world heritage site)

Today we will visit one the oldest mosques of Iran in Fahraj. Visiting Zinoldin caravanserai on the way. Then we will drive to Maymand historic village. Maymand is famous for its handmade caves with more than 4000 years old, in fact for the night we will stay in one of these caves. (B)

Day 8: Drive to Kerman

After breakfast in the cave we will explore the village before driving to Kerman. Visiting the castle on the way and overnight stay at Kerman. (B)

Day 9: Desert tour to Lut desert & Kalut (UNESCO natural world heritage site)

After breakfast we will drive towards east to explore the Lut desert. Trekking through the Kaluts and explore the desert. (B)

Day 10: Drive back to Kerman- Night train to Tehran

Today we will visit some attractions of Kerman. In the afternoon you will back Tehran with train. The next day you will be arriving Tehran (on Day 10). (B)