Maranjab Desert Tour

Maranjab

Maranjab desert is one of the deserts of Isfahan province and is located in the north of Aran and Bidgol cities of Kashan. The Maranjab Desert extends from the north to the “Masileh Salt Lake” in Aran and Bidgol, from the west to the Masileh Desert and the freshwater desert, from the east to the desert behind the sand and the desert national park, and from the south to the Rig Desert and flowing sand dunes.

The name Maranjab is taken from the caravanserai and historical aqueduct in this area belonging to the Safavid era. Maranjab desert is one of the best desert hiking options for tourists and desert enthusiasts and is in fact one of the main desert tourism hubs in Iran. Although the Maranjab Desert is very pristine and beautiful, various novice groups as well as experienced desert climbers visit this desert throughout the year.

Hiking among the high sand dunes and surrounded by hawthorn forests and salt lake is one of the prominent attractions of the Maranjab desert. The word lake in the desert environment is different from our perception of this word. Desert lakes are wide and hollow areas in the desert that are covered with salt instead of water. However, in some years, adequate rainfall causes water to accumulate up to a few centimeters in desert lakes.

Maranjab Desert Caravanserai

Maranjab Caravanserai is a historical building from the Safavid era and now its rooms are rented to tourists. Staying in this caravanserai will be very enjoyable for those who are interested in historical monuments.

Maranjab Caravanserai, that is one of the sights of Aran and Bidgol, is a square-shaped castle with an area of ​​3,500 square meters, with six towers built into its walls.

The caravanserai is located in Band Rig, one of the most famous and largest sand dunes in Iran. In the past, this area was a crossroads of permanent and seasonal rivers and waterways, and even in spring it was very dangerous due to the passage of floodwaters. Of course, there is no more news of those floods now, and the sand dune becomes beautiful with vegetation in the spring, and when the sand dunes move due to the wind, it creates an original view.

There are three main ways to access the area; The first is the route from Aran and Bidgol to the Maranjab dirt road. Next to the Imamzadeh of Hilal Ibn Ali is actually the beginning of the Maranjab desert road. The distance of this route is 50 km; But you can’t speed up with passenger cars; so, take two to three hours to walk this route. There are no villages from Aran and Bidgol to Maranjab Caravanserai, only a few small fields are at the beginning of the road. There is only one water well along the way, near the caravanserai dirt road.

The best time to travel to Maranjab desert

The second half of the year is the best time to travel to desert areas; Because in this season, the weather is balanced in desert areas, including Maranjab; Of course, in winter, especially at night, you should be careful and bring warm enough clothes, because the weather is very cold. In the first half of the year, the beginning of April is the best time to travel to the desert; Because in the continuation of this season, the weather will be warmer and the scorching sun, high sweating and excessive thirst will not be very pleasant.

In addition to hiking in the quicksand, in the Maranjab Desert you can enjoy activities such as safaris, camel rides, four-wheeled motorcycles, stargazing at night and night walks in the desert.

Vegetation and fauna of Maranjab desert

Marnjab desert entertainment

The flora and fauna of the Maranjab Desert includes plants such as turmeric, hawthorn, scissors, cow tail and artillery, and animals such as wolves, jackals, chameleons, beetles, hyenas, snakes and lizards, foxes and sand cats, and birds of prey. In recent years, a pair of Persian cheetahs have also been seen in the Maranjab Desert.

Sights of Maranjab Desert

The most prominent sights of Maranjab desert are Chah Kanjeh, Namak Lake, Wandering Island, Maranjab Caravanserai, Chah Dastkand, Long Sand, Ko Klang, Karshahi Castle, Watermelon Well and Yakhab Mountain. Due to the proximity of Maranjab desert to Kashan, during your trip to this desert, you will also be able to visit the historical sights of this ancient city.

The area of ​​Masileh salt lake in the north of Maranjab desert reaches about 650 square kilometers and is covered with salt most of the year. After the evaporation of water from seasonal precipitation from the salt deposit in this lake, interesting geometric shapes appear. Drilling fresh water wells in Maranjab desert is one of the most interesting points of Maranjab desert.

In this trip, we intend to visit the scenic areas of the Iranian desert. Get to know the people of the desert. Travel in the desert and experience the freshness of the desert. At night, watch the desert sky and enjoy desert tea and enjoy the tranquility of the desert. This trip is planned focusing on the attractions of the central desert of Iran, along with visiting other cities in Iran and visiting the historical and beautiful monuments of Iran.

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Tour Highlights

Travel to Tehran, awake city, noises, crowded and lovely

Visit the beautiful market of Kashan

Visit Maranjab desert

Visit Salt Lake

Visit Imam Square of Isfahan and its beautiful mosques

Visit Nasir Al-Molk Mosque (pink mosque) of Shiraz

Discover Persepolis and the tomb of Darius the Great

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Itinerary

Day 1
Tehran

We will be glad to meet you at Imam Khomeini Airport and transfer you to the hotel. You will have time to rest and relax before Tehran-tour starts. First we go to visit Golestan Palace of Qajar dynasty that has been in use from 18th to 19th centuries. In building of this palace, Persian architecture is used with Iranian art decorations such as seven-glazed tile, geometric and plant designs that make everyone admire. Inside of the palace is designed with wonderful Persian and European art. Then we go for walk in bazaar. When you walk in bazaar you smell different spice. You can see a lot of tasty nuts. Get acquainted with handicrafts. We have lunch near bazaar. Today circulation will end by visit the National Museum of Iran. The design of the museum is such that you will familiar with the advent of early civilizations on the plateau of Iran such as Elmaite. You can see the magnificence and art of three great Iranian emperors including Achaemenid, Parthian and Sassanid. Getting acquainted with Seleucid art the inheritors of Alexander the Great. After visit the museum we will offer you drink best coffee behind the museum while you enjoyed landscape.

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Day 2
Tehran

Today we leave Tehran to Kashan to see Tepe Sialk is a large ancient archeological site. The Sialk ziggurat was built around the 3000 BC. Fin Garden the second place select for visit that is famous for irrigation system while you are waking behind nice cypress tree and hear the sound of water, see the beautiful flower, you feel in paradise. We offer for you drink Persian tea in coffee shop. For lunch we go to the best traditional restaurant. In afternoon we go to visit historic houses of Borujerdiha and Tabatabaeiha related to the Qajar era. At the end we will visit bazaar of Kashan and Timche Amin Dawla which are the masterpiece of Iranian architecture.

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Day 3
Kashan

Today we leave Tehran to Kashan to see Tepe Sialk is a large ancient archeological site. The Sialk ziggurat was built around the 3000 BC. Fin Garden the second place select for visit that is famous for irrigation system while you are waking behind nice cypress tree and hear the sound of water, see the beautiful flower, you feel in paradise. We offer for you drink Persian tea in coffee shop. For lunch we go to the best traditional restaurant. In afternoon we go to visit historic houses of Borujerdiha and Tabatabaeiha related to the Qajar era. At the end we will visit bazaar of Kashan and Timche Amin Dawla which are the masterpiece of Iranian architecture.

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Day 4
Maranjab

Today we Leave Kashan, Here used to be the caravans of the famous Silk Road. In this exciting landscape is also the old caravanserai of Maranjab. Now it goes into the dunes! We are looking for a camp for our desert camp and enjoy the sunset, while the crew prepares us a delicious desert meal. After all, shooting stars count – night in the desert is one of the most beautiful natural experiences far from civilization. In the middle of the desert we sleep in the tent today – a unique experience.

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Day 5
Maranjab

Early morning is time to witness the magical dawn experience on the dunes. Here along the northern edge of the Dasht-e-Kavir desert large dunes follow one another harmoniously along a 40-kilometer front. Afterwards stop at the salt lake a spectacular stretch of salt that creates bizarre geometries and optical illusions.

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Day 6
Isfahan

In morning the driver pick us up to Abeyance (red village). This village is one of the highest spots residential in Iran. The altitude in this village is 2222 m. when you walk in the village feel relaxed, coolness and beauty. After we continue to Natanz. In this nice village we visit fire temple with 2000 years old and Jameh Mosque. We have offer to drink coffee in park in front of fire temple.

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Day 7
Isfahan

Today our tour start with the Naqsh-e-Jahan square which is second biggest square in the world. Sheikh Lotfollah and Imam Mosques, and Aliqapu Palace three place was built with order of Shah Abbas the Great. By writing cannot described the glory of Naqsh-e-Jahan square. After we visit and waking in bazaar we have perfect coffee in nice coffee shop. Before lunch we go to visit Chehel Sutoon which the beautiful image of this palace will remain in the mind for a long time. In the afternoon we going to walk near Zayanderud River and see three old bridge.

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Day 8
Isfahan

Jameh Mosque is the first place to visit in morning. Architects believe this site like a tube of time. During the time by order of kings many Structure added to the main mosque with wonderful design. Next we will visit Vank Cathedral. The cathedral was established in 1606, dedicated to the hundreds of thousands of Armenian deportees that were resettled by Shah Abbas I. Then we go for lunch out of town in nice restaurant which has beautiful landscape. We leave Isfahan to Shiraz.

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Day 9
Shiraz

At 8 am we are ready to see Nasir al-Mulk Mosque (pink Mosque). In this mosque, colored glasses are used, which double beauty of the mosque in morning sunshine. Narenjestan e Ghavam the seconded place we go to visit. You can see special painting on woods (Mrjvk). Then we go to visit holy shrine of Shah Cheragh. Shiraz is considered by Shia Muslims to be the three most sacred city in Iran after Mashhad and Qom. We have lunch near Zandieh complex are contains mosque, Bathroom and bazaar in afternoon we will visit them.

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Day 10
Shiraz

Early morning 7.30 we are ready to visit Persepolis, Necropolis and Pasargadae belong to Achaemenid dynasty. By writing cannot described the glory of these places. In afternoon fly to Tehran.

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Day 11
Tehran

We fly to Tehran. Our friends leave Iran with beautiful memories.

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Inclusions

  • Invitation letter for Iranian visa
  • 9 nights of accommodation in 3*, 4*, 5* hotels
  • 2 night desert camp
  • 11 days of guided tours with a licensed tour guide
  • 11 days of private transport
  • 11 lunch & Dinner
  • All entrance fees
  • A domestic flight from Shiraz to Tehran

Exclusions

  • Visa Fee
  • Visa Extension
  • All Tipping
  • Intl airfare
  • Extra Activities

You can send your enquiry via the form below.

Maranjab Desert Tour