The name ‘Lut’ means bare and empty in Persian, and ‘dasht’ means plain The Lut Desert, also known as Dasht-e Lut, boasts an extreme landscape in more ways than one. It is considered one of the hottest and driest places on the planet, with temperatures reaching as high as 159 degrees Fahrenheit (70 degrees Celsius). However, this scorching superlative is not the only thing that makes this region unique.
Speckled with gigantic rock formations, some of the tallest sand dunes in the world, salt plains, sinkholes, forgotten castles, and friendly wolves that roam around at night, visitors will soon discover the beautifully strange scenery that makes this place one of a kind. One can camp outside under the stars and feel tiny between the surreal rock formations. However, visitors are advised not to explore the Lut Desert, in the Kerman Province of Iran during the summer months, as the temperature can be dangerously high. On the other hand, in winter and spring, the nighttime temperatures can drop below zero, so it's best to be prepared.
The desert is known for having one of the highest land surface temperatures on Earth, reaching up to 70.7 °C (159.3 °F).
The Lut Desert is a unique and extreme landscape measuring about 51,800 square kilometers (20,000 square miles), making it the 33rd-largest desert in the world.
The desert is home to massive sand-seas that are formed by the sands carried by wind and water, creating active dunes. These dunes can reach heights of up to 475 meters (1,558 feet), making them some of the largest in the world. The desert also has extensive stony deserts, where hard rocks are stripped bare of soil and sand-blasted into faceted stones. One of them is the Gandom Beryan plateau, which is a black stony desert covering a basaltic area.
The Lut Desert is also famous for its aeolian yardang landforms, which are massive corrugated ridges that can be followed for more than 40 kilometers (25 miles) and can be up to 155 meters (508 feet) high. Between June and October, the Lut Desert experiences strong winds, which cause aeolian erosion and transport sediment on a massive scale.
This results in some of the most spectacular examples of aeolian yardang landforms, including massive corrugated ridges called kaluts. These yardangs cover approximately one-third of the desert and are bedrock features that have been streamlined and carved by sandblasting. The ridges and corridors are oriented parallel to the dominant prevailing wind and create a dramatic and unique landscape.
The Shahdad civilization was a Bronze Age culture that thrived in southeastern Iran, near the edge of the Lut Desert. It was discovered in 1968 by Ali Hakemi, who conducted excavations at the site for seven seasons. The Shahdad civilization was known for producing distinctive stone and metal objects, such as axes, seals, containers, and ornaments. The civilization had a metal production center, an urban settlement of around 200 hectares, and several cemeteries with rich burials and artefacts.
If you're travelling towards the deserts of Kerman, make sure to take a 30-mile detour to see the Bagh-e Sangi, also known as the Garden of Stones. Located just east of the town of Sirjan, this remarkable site looks like something out of this world at first glance. Surrounded by only a few sheep, a new playground, a toilet, and lots of sand, the garden of stone trees consists of hundreds of tall, dry trees that stretch across the sand. Each tree is adorned with small and large stones, some of which weigh over 20 pounds. It's a man-made paradise for those seeking something unusual and absolutely uncanny .
Maymand, a village in Iran, is believed to have been founded around 12,000 years ago, as determined by fragments of stone etchings that indicate the existence of human settlers. However, the village's most distinctive feature, its 300+ in-ground cave homes, date back only 3-4,000 years. It is believed that these cave dwellings initially served as religious sites but eventually evolved into permanent homes as settlers began to stay in the area for longer periods of time.
Sar Yazd Castle, located about 30 miles outside of Yazd, Iran, is a stunning fortress that looks like a giant sand castle rising from the desert. It was constructed during the Sassanid Dynasty in the 7th century and served as a storage facility for grains and food, as well as a safe place to keep valuable items such as gold and jewels during times of attack. In fact, this ancient fortress was once the largest and oldest treasury in the world.
The castle of Kharānaq is a fort that was built in the Sassanid era, about 1800 years ago. It has 80 houses, watchtowers, and a wall that surrounds it. The castle was designed like a maze to confuse enemies and thieves who entered it.
Mahan, About 150 kilometers from Dasht-e Lut, is a small town with a beautiful mausoleum complex called the Shah Nematollah Vali Shrine. The complex features intricate tilework and stunning gardens.
This small town of Rayen is located about 180 kilometers from Dasht-e Lut and is home to another impressive citadel, which is often compared to the one in Bam. Rayen Citadel is much better preserved than the one in Bam and is definitely worth a visit.
If you plan on visiting the Lut Desert, there are several places to stay including the Kalut Local House, Kavir Ecolodge, and Vakilabadi Traditional House. Alternatively, you can choose to stay at the Shahdad Desert Camp, which is located 10 kilometres away from the Shafiabad village. At the camp, you can pitch your tent on a flat area and enjoy sleeping under the clear, starry skies.
Fly to Kerman: This is the most convenient option, as Kerman has an airport with regular flights from Tehran and other major cities in Iran. From Kerman, you can hire a guide or join a tour to explore the desert.
Drive to Shahbad: If you prefer to drive, you can head towards Shahbad, which is on the western edge of the desert. You can park your car on the side of the road and explore the desert on foot, but be careful not to wander too far.
Hire a driver or guide: Another option is to hire a driver or guide who can take you deeper into the desert with a 4x4 vehicle. This way, you can see more of the amazing landforms and wildlife that the desert has to offer.
The best time to visit Dasht-e Lut Desert is during the cooler months between late October and early April. During this time, the daytime temperatures are more moderate, making it easier to explore the desert without being overwhelmed by the heat. However, even in the cooler months, temperatures can still be quite high during the day, so it's important to come prepared with plenty of water, sunscreen, and appropriate clothing.