Maranjab desert

In the heart of Iran, where the sunrise and sunset are more than just natural phenomena, like a symphony of light and color, a shimmering jewel stands out: the Maranjab desert.

Etymology of the Name Maranjab Desert:

The name "Maranjab" is derived from the Persian words "maranj" (meaning "trouble" or "hardship") and "ab" (meaning "water"). This seemingly contradictory combination reflects the unique characteristic of this desert: the relatively easy access to water compared to other arid regions. Unlike many other deserts where finding water can be a perilous and arduous task, Maranjab is home to an abundance of shallow wells. The water level in these wells often lies within half a meter of the ground's surface, making it relatively effortless to retrieve water. This abundance of accessible water is what sets Maranjab apart, giving rise to its name, which essentially translates to "place of effortless water."

Geographical Location of Maranjab Desert:

Spanning an area of approximately 800 square kilometers, the Maranjab Desert lies within the Isfahan Province of Iran, specifically in the northern part of Aran and Bidgol County, about 50 kilometers from the city of Aran-o- Bidgol. Its elevation stands at around 850 meters above sea level. The geographical coordinates of the desert are 33.2667° N and 51.4667° E.

Environmental Characteristics of Maranjab Desert: A Unique Blend of Desert and Oasis

The Maranjab Desert is a captivating fusion of desert and oasis, showcasing an astonishing array of characteristics that embody both arid and semi-arid ecosystems. On one hand, it boasts a remarkable presence of vegetation and wildlife, with fertile soil supporting agricultural activities. On the other hand, the presence of sand dunes, saline water and soil, and a high water table underscores its undeniable desert nature.
Beneath the desert's seemingly barren exterior lies a world teeming with life. Despite its harsh, dry appearance, the Maranjab Desert harbors an astounding diversity of flora and fauna. It's as if nature, in all its ingenuity, has taken this unforgiving landscape and transformed it into a stage for remarkable creatures that have adapted to the desert's extreme conditions.

Flora of the Meranjab Desert:

The plants of the Meranjab Desert can be broadly classified into two main categories: halophytes and sand-loving plants.

Halophytes:
These plants have adapted to the saline conditions of the desert soil and water, enabling them to thrive in salty and water-scarce environments. Examples of halophytes found in the Meranjab Desert include Tamarix (saltcedar), Eucalyptus, Calligonum (tagh), Salsola (common saltwort), Anabasis (Anabasis aphylla), Suaeda (sea blite), Salicornia (glasswort), and Haloxylon (Persian saltbush). Among these, Calligonum is one of the dominant plant species in the region. Its wood produces excellent charcoal, but due to its excessive harvesting for this purpose, cutting of these trees has been banned. Haloxylon is a rare plant in this area, growing in regions with high groundwater levels. Unlike other desert trees that have needle-shaped leaves due to lower evaporation rates, Haloxylon is a broadleaf plant. The waxy coating on its leaves provides significant heat resistance, reducing water loss from its surface.

Sand-loving plants:
These plants possess deep and extensive root systems that enable them to extract water from the depths of the sandy soil. Examples of sand-loving plants in the Meranjab Desert include Astragalus (milkvetch), Citrullus colocynthis (watermelon), Alhagi sparsifolia (camelthorn), and Eremurus (giant desert lily).
Other plants:
In addition to these two main categories, other plants such as Thymus tomentellus (woolly thyme), Rosa damascena (Damask rose), and Carthamus tinctorius (safflower) are also found in the Meranjab Desert, adding a touch of beauty to this golden land.

Fauna of Maranjab Desert: A Symphony of Adaptation and Resilience

Alongside these resilient plants, diverse animals have adapted to the harsh conditions of this land with their finesse and strength. Striped hyenas, wolves, jackals, desert hares, date palm rats, hedgehogs, and the endangered sand cat are just a few of the creatures that call the Meranjab Desert their home. And, of course, there are the camels, the undisputed conquerors of the desert, roaming freely across the vast expanse of Meranjab.
Chucker, partridge, houbara, bustard, eagle, Egyptian vulture, hawk, falcon, owl, crested lark, and bee-eater soar through the cerulean desert sky, searching for sustenance above this boundless land. Some of these birds, like the houbara and bustard, migrate to warmer regions during the winter, demonstrating their remarkable ability to adapt to the desert's harsh conditions.
Sand vipers and cobras, the marbled skink (an extremely rare species found only in the Meranjab Desert), various geckos, lizards, turtles, and black and yellow scorpions, with their thick, scaly skin, are resistant to the desert's intense heat and water scarcity. These reptiles slither cautiously through the sands, seeking prey and shelter in the absolute silence of the desert.
Locusts, ants, spiders, and beetles are among the invertebrates that inhabit the desert and play a crucial role in the food chain of this ecosystem. These tiny creatures contribute to the decomposition of organic matter and soil fertility through their activities, playing a vital role in maintaining the delicate balance of this extraordinary ecosystem.

Attractions of Maranjab Desert:

The Maranjab Desert, with its abundance of natural and historical attractions, draws countless tourists every year. Strolling through the rolling sand dunes, witnessing the sunrise and sunset over the vast expanse of the desert, and experiencing the thrill of off-roading are just a few of the unforgettable experiences in this land. But the attractions of the Meranjab Desert do not end there. Continue reading to discover a treasure trove of wonders, each with its own story to tell.

Wandering Island: A Mysterious Island in the Heart of the Salt Lake

Wandering Island, with its unique and mysterious appearance, rests on the surface of the Masile Salt Lake. The island's surface is composed of porous volcanic rocks and is devoid of vegetation due to the salinity of the soil. Wandering Island consists of a main circular island with a diameter of approximately 3 kilometers and several smaller islands to its west. The distance from Wandering Island to the southern shore of the salt marsh is about 4 kilometers. The island is named Wandering Island because when viewed from a distance, the two ends of the island fade into the horizon, creating the illusion of a ship adrift in the vast desert sea. This fading of the ends is due to the heat of the region, optical illusions, and the refraction of light.

Masile Salt Lake: A Land of Contrasts

Masileh Salt Lake, nestled north of the Maranjab Desert and 30 kilometers from Aran-o-Bidgol, is Iran's second-largest saltwater lake. This vast, white expanse is enveloped by absolute dryness for most of the year. Salt particles form a thick carpet across the lakebed, and the reflection of the sky from its surface creates breathtaking vistas. However, during the rainy months, a remarkable transformation takes place in this land. Raindrops fall like tears on the salty cheeks, and Masileh Lake becomes a life-giving source for the region's fauna. But this freshness is short-lived; as the weather warms and the sun beats down, the water evaporates, and salt particles once again dominate the lake's surface. The Salt Lake is a land of contrasts, where nature's relentless cycle is clearly visible.

Sand dunes of Maranjab:

The sand dunes of Maranjab are one of the most popular attractions of this desert. The tallest dunes in Maranjab reach heights of over 80 meters, and in some areas, steep-sloped dunes can be found. The color of the sand dunes in Maranjab varies from light yellow to brownish-red due to the presence of different minerals. Wind plays the main role in the movement of these dunes, with a general west-to-east direction of movement.

Wells of the Maranjab Desert:

The Maranjab Desert is not water-scarce. The name "Maranjab" itself originates from the ease of access to water in this desert, attributed to the abundance of wells in the region. The water level in these wells is less than half a meter from the ground surface, and the water table is high. In the past, this unique characteristic of the Maranjab Desert was utilized during the summer season by creating pits in areas like Chah Aroos, Chaleh Chartaqi, Senbak, and Pasht Rig for cultivating rainfed (unirrigated) watermelons. This technique, still practiced to a lesser extent in the Maranjab Desert by locals, is known as "chaleh-kari". Other notable wells in the Maranjab Desert include Chah Konjeh, Chah Magas, Chah Dastkand, and Chah Pir. These wells play a crucial role in the Maranjab Desert, providing drinking water for local residents, supporting agriculture and livestock rearing, and serving as one of the region's major attractions.

 Salt Mountain:

Maranjab Salt Mountain is formed from salt deposits and is located in the southeast of this desert. The mountain has a bright white color and offers unique landscapes.

Maranjab Caravanserai:

The 880-year-old Maranjab Caravanserai is one of the 999 caravanserais built by Shah Abbas during the Safavid era. This caravanserai was built on the old Ray and Khorasan roads and had a military-residential use. It is currently used as an accommodation for tourists. The Maranjab Caravanserai is made of adobe and has traditional Iranian architecture.

Khatbe-Shekan Region:

The Khatbe-Shekan region in the Maranjab desert stands out like a shining jewel on the sandy expanse of the desert. This area, with its beautiful kloots and valuable sand dunes, captivates every tourist.

Three highlights of beauty in the Khatbe-Shekan region:

•    Chah Aroos: This part of the desert, in addition to its sand dunes, also has fresh water, which makes it possible to cultivate dates organically.
•    Rig Boland: This sand dune is the highest dune in the Khatbe-Shekan region, and from its top you can have a unique view of the entire desert.
•    Arghavani : The name of this dune is due to the special color of its sand, which turns purple at sunrise and sunset.

Accommodation in the Maranjab Desert:

 Ahmad Desert Camp:

In the heart of the Maranjab desert, Ahmad Desert Camp awaits you to create an unforgettable experience of accommodation and diverse activities in the desert. In this 38-hectare camp, 688 to 638 beds are available for you in two, three, four-person or group rooms. Each room is equipped with a bathroom, split air conditioning, self-service breakfast and a restaurant to ensure your comfort and well-being throughout your trip.
But the adventure in the desert does not end with accommodation. A variety of programs are available for you, including camel riding, horseback riding, quad biking, trail biking, buggy cars, patrol cars for touring the desert, and more. You can also sit around a campfire on the starry nights of the desert, drink fire tea, listen to music and record an amazing observation of galaxies and stars in your memories.
If you are looking for a unique experience, choose the Ahmad Pond building. This building with 1 two, three and four person room with a capacity of 88 people, located 608 meters from the main building, offers you a unique view of the pond and the desert. The exclusive restaurant of this building also doubles the pleasure of eating next to the beautiful desert scenery.
A trip to Ahmad Desert Camp is an opportunity to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and immerse yourself in the peace and beauty of the desert.

Suggested Desert Tours in the Maranjab Region:

Two- and Three-Day Tours:
Itinerary:

•    Day 1:
o    Kashan sightseeing and visit to Maranjab Desert 
    Depart from your starting point and head towards Kashan.
    Enjoy a comprehensive tour of Kashan, including visits to:
    Fin Garden
    Historical houses such as Sultan Pir Ahmad Bathhouse, Boroujerdi House, and Tabatabaei House
    Underground City of Nushabad
    Surrounding villages like Qamsar (witnessing rosewater distillation and flower picking during specific seasons) and Abyaneh
o    Proceed to Maranjab Desert and settle into your accommodation at Ahmad Tourist Complex.

•    Day 2:
o    Full day dedicated to exploring the desert and its attractions, including:
    Masileh Salt Lake
    Sand dunes
    Chah Aroos (Bride's Well) area
    Khatb-Shekan region's hoodoos (clonic rock formations)
    Chah Konjeh area's salt forests and textures

 One-day tours: 

This tour only includes a visit to the Maranjab desert and its attractions. You can stay in the desert the night before and start your desert visit the next morning.

Camping tours: 

Camping tours are another type of desert safari that are usually done in late spring and summer because in summer it is less possible to see the desert attractions during the day and as you will continue to understand, camping tours can be the best type of desert safari programs; but they require specific scheduling. The first program starts before sunrise, sits to watch the sunrise in the desert and see the attractions and returns to the accommodation before the weather gets hot. The next type of camping tours is overnight, which requires a number of facilities; these facilities include tents, sleeping and cooking facilities, and it is such that you enter the desert before sunset and visit a number of attractions and then camp in the sand dunes. In this type of camping tour, you will have programs such as stargazing, having dinner in the desert and fireworks and music. The next morning you will watch the sunrise and have breakfast in the desert and then return to the accommodation or leave the desert.

Half-Day Off-Road Tours:

Embark on an exhilarating adventure through the Meranjab Desert in a rugged off-road vehicle. These tours typically last between three to five hours and offer an unforgettable opportunity to explore the desert's unique landscapes and hidden gems.

Aran-o-Bidgol Farm Visit:

Immerse yourself in the rustic charm of Aran-o-Bidgol on these tours. Discover a traditional Persian house garden and farm, where you can interact with friendly farm animals, milk goats, experience horseback riding, and savor the taste of fresh, locally-sourced eggs.

Meranjab Desert Access Routes:

The choice of route to reach the Meranjab Desert depends on your preferences and transportation options.

For a comfortable journey:

Opt for the Aran-o- Bidgol route. From Kashan, take the Aran-o-Bidgol road towards Noushabad village. This well-maintained route is approximately 80 kilometers long and easily accessible by personal vehicle.

For an adventurous experience:

Embark on the Abu Zeydabad route. Keep in mind that this route requires a sturdy off-road vehicle and the guidance of an experienced driver.