Maranjab Desert

The Maranjab Desert is a popular tourism destination in Aran and Bidgol County of Isfahan Province. As far as the eye can see in the desert, you will find sand dunes, soft and orange sand in which you can take fascinating photos and experience exciting desert fun. In addition to the sand dunes and hills that are the main attractions of the desert, salt lake, Sargardan Island and Shah Abbasi caravanserai are other attractions of this region.

Shah Abbassi caravanserai of Maranjab is one of the spectacular places of this stunning desert. The structure was built in 1012 AH by the order of Shah Abbas Safavid along the Silk Road to allow travelers who traveled through the desert to spend nights at this roadside inn. The Maranjab Desert has the appropriate climate for star-gazing and Astro tourism tours which attracts many tourists eager to see the beauty of the night sky.

After traveling to Maranjab, Dastkand Well is another great site to visit. The well is located five kilometers east of the Shah Abbasi caravanserai and stores fresh and drinkable water. The reason for the purity of the water is the layers of sand that absorb the salt and purifies the water. Another attraction of Maranjab is Jazire Sargardan (Sargardan Island) which is also located close to the lake. This island is floating not in the water, but in a sea of salt.

The floating and movement of the island can be seen after the rains. When the rain starts, water surrounds the island. The movement of the water makes it look like it is the island that is moving around. Walking on the tall sand dunes and playing with the flowing sand, rapidly changing into different forms, is one of the important activities of a trip to the Maranjab Desert.