Desert Trekking, the Epic of Sand, Sun and Silver Moon

This Mirage to Miracle expedition aims to make you feel the real atmosphere and magic of the desert within two days. About three hours’ drive from Tehran, you will stay in a pristine and unspoiled area in the privacy of the desert between Kashan and Maranjab. Old Caravanserais, salt lake and flawless sand dunes, have made Maranjab an attractive destination. Off the beaten tracks, you are going to experience the real silence and enchantment of the desert, and its eternal charm will captivate you forever.

On the first day, you will have breakfast on the road before entering Kashan city. Five kilometres away visit the ancient underground city of Nushabad, Also known as "Oei", this old city is a network of underground canals beneath the main city. In the past, inhabitants used it for security and religious reasons.

An inhabitant digging his house has discovered the underground city only 15 years ago and it’s now a virgin playground for archaeologists. This endless maze will show you the ingenuity of locals: deep under the ground, they arranged those canals to be livable, so they can hide in case of danger, and even defend themselves with some traps… the underground wonderland definitely hires your imagination, take it or leave it!
After visiting “Oei”, we will continue to the small city of Abu ZeidAbad. This city is located near vast sand dunes, called "Band-e-Rig" by the locals. In Abu Zeid Abad, you will have the chance to visit an old Caravanserai (if the opening time allows it) which used to be a relaxing and remarkable stop for merchants on the Silk Road.

Then we'll enter a dusty road that meets sand dunes frequently. Whether you're a capable adventurer or not, you will never forget this thrilling drive, feeling like you're fighting a battle over the conquest of the sandy roads in the desert. Under the hot and pitiless sun, you might see some mirages, how does a mirage work? Let's reach your final destination in this desert experience; There, in the middle of nowhere, and kilometres away from any civilization you will feel seeing a mirage-like the little prince in Sahara but the more you progress the mirage convert to reality. Finally, you’ll stay overnight at the guesthouse of a palm trees farm.

Take some rest and enjoy the view over the palm trees garden, in this oasis-like atmosphere. Meals will be cooked with meat and organic vegetables picked up on the farm. Then, you will have the luxury of enjoying your lunch right in the heart of the desert. Of course, Persian food cannot be conceived without Persian tea, so like Iranians, we will enjoy drinking this hot beverage after the meal, in the silence of the desert.

After drinking tea, it will be trekking time! As the air becomes cooler, we will start our hike. We will climb on top of the sand dunes and you’ll figure out how easy a task it is NOT! Indeed, after each step forward, the sand pushes you back, as if it was playing with you. But the efforts are worth it: on top of the dunes, you will see an incredible landscape of endless sand dunes and desert you could never think of it. And at sunset, the lights of the day will fade away on the red horizon, creating the most amazing sightseeing. Photographers may call this combination Heaven.

Back to the farm, you’ll benefit from some rest in an idyllic setting. In this quiet atmosphere, you’ll observe the organic dates and vegetables planted here and pierce the secret of the living of these plants in such a dry climate: digging the soil only with your hands, you’ll reach after 50 centimetres, the origin of their survival… and be amazed by the greatness and cleverness of Mother Nature.

For dinner, you will gather around the fire to listen to the farm owner’s stories about local culture, traditions, livestock life, local activities, local songs and stories... Then, when the darkness will have totally invaded the sky, you will look up to discover billions of stars over your head. In this clean atmosphere, away from any light pollution, you can observe a true virgin sky and admire the majestic Milky Way. Prepare your wishes, because you’ll probably even catch sight of some shooting stars… As your eyes are slowly closing, it will be time to go to your bed. But not just any bed: you will sleep on a comfortable mattress settled on the ground, just as locals have always done in desert nature.

Admiring sunrise over the sand dunes

Eager for more adventure? On the second day, you will wake up early, to go into the desert before the first lights of the day. With a warm cup of tea, you will observe one of the most stunning event: a sunrise over the sand dunes. You will see the dark sky turning red as if inflaming the dunes to give them a new life; shadows dancing over the sand, while slowly feeling the warmth on your skin.

Back to the farm, you will be served a fresh and local breakfast and rest for a few hours. You can also have one last trek in the desert, or do camel riding as well as ATV riding in the sand dunes if the season and the facilities of the farm allow it. Take a deep breath, listen to the deep silence one last time and fill yourself up with this incredible experience in nature, because it’s now time to leave the desert. The departure from the farm will take place around 11 a.m., to join Kashan for lunch and head toward Tehran or your next destination.

Brief Itinerary

Day 1: Tehran to the desert

Departure at 6:00 a.m. followed by two hours’ drive in a private car or minibus to Kashan. Contributors may join at a point that needs to be fixed with the leader. On our way to the desert, we will visit the Underground City of Nushabad, then head back to the desert. We will reach noon our final destination, the local house and farm, where we will spend the night.

At the end of the afternoon, we will be trekking on the sand dunes and admire the sunset on top of it. Back at the farm, we will enjoy dinner before listening to the farmer stories around the fire and watching the sky singing through constellations.

Day 2: Desert farewell

Waking up before sunrise to watch the death of the dark when the silver Moon salutes to golden Sun. Back at the farm, have breakfast and rest for two hours, to relax and enjoy the sand view. Then you’ll be driven to Kashan for lunch, from where you can go back to Tehran or your next destination.