Exploring both nature and culture of the central desert of Iran will take us all the way into one of the deepest and most pristine deserts which has not been crossed by humans until a few years ago. We will experience why Rig-Jen desert was abandoned throughout history.
We will learn how people in the vast neighboring desert brought water and civilization to a remote village and named it Mesr Desert. Via old abandoned routes we will visit other desert micro-climates and civilizations. They lead us to our final tour destination Yazd, the main civilization in central Iran.
DAY 1 TO 3 (JENNIES´ DUNES)
Depending on the starting point we can visit Naein and Anarak. Then, we will get into the dunes of Rig-e Jen desert which had not been crossed by humans until 2009. Locals believe that it is roamed by Jennies. So, we will figure it out by exploring different microclimates in the desert for 3 days.
Accommodation is camping and the food will be prepared by our chef. On the third evening, we will arrive at a local house bordering the desert for a taste of local hospitality. We get a chance to refresh and prepare to ride into the next desert.
DAY 4 & 5 (OUR “EGYPT”)
After a short walk in the green farms between the drylands, we continue our journey to the desert named “Mesr”, which means “Egypt” in Persian.
A few hundred years ago, a camel driver came to this desert to find his lost camel. When he saw the beauty of the place, he said: “I will make my own Egypt here”. So he started to dig a Qanat for 5 km to bring water to this area and build a small village called Mesr.
This village was destroyed by a flood a few years ago. The beautiful desert in this region is named after the village. During our 2-day expedition, we pass through some small oases which still bear traces of old desert architecture.
We will do one night of camping in the desert and then, on the second night, we will arrive in Garmeh. This village has the biggest palm gardens in the region and is the beautiful home of the pioneer of traditional local accommodation in Iran, Maziar AleDavood. We will stay at his Ateshooni House for the night.
DAY 6 & 7 (THE FINAL SURPRISE)
After a morning stroll through the palm gardens and the water cave in the village, we head to our next desert destination. It is again a unique and different place, so we keep it as a surprise for you to enjoy. The day before we arrive in Yazd, we visit one of the ancient villages on the way. Kharanagh, with its fortress-like 4-story architecture, is at least 3000 years old.
Upon request of our guests, we might visit the Zoroastrian temple of Chak-Chak before we bring our guests to their hotel in Yazd.
We will do four nights of camping and two nights in traditional local houses. These houses are two of the most beautiful traditional houses in desert regions of Iran.
During your trip we use a private fully equipped 4X4 safari vehicle for 7 days.
The tour includes a 24-hour airport meet & assist service in Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport, your arrival and departure airport-hotel transfers and all other transfers.
The tour price includes entrance fees to all the tourist sites mentioned in the itinerary. You will need to cover the cost of entrance to any other extra sites that you may wish to visit.
If you would like to book a place on this tour, please complete the online reservation form on our website. We will then contact you with more details about how to complete your booking. Payments can be made by making a bank transfer. Full details will be provided in your booking confirmation email. Please contact us if you would like any more information or have any questions before making a booking.
Passports should be valid for at least six months after your departure from your country. Please do not bring an almost full or almost expired passport. Visa arrangements are the responsibility of the traveller. For more information about how to get an Iranian visa please visit this page.
These tour joining details are provided on a provisional basis and may change prior to this tour departing. Any changes to these details will be updated on this page.
FARZANEH SARAFRAZ
farzaneh@surfiran.com
+98 910 928 3853
SABER BAHRAMI
saber@surfiran.com
+98 910 928 3853
This tour is also available for booking privately for travel anytime through the year, and we can also customise the itinerary to fit your personal requirements. Please contact us for details and prices.
