Dehsalm village, a gem in the heart of the Lut Desert, is located in South Khorasan Province. This historic village, with its ancient heritage, serves as the gateway to the Lut Desert and its unique attractions.
If you’re planning to explore Iran’s deserts, we suggest visiting a place where a stunning and lovable village lies right next to the vast sands. If you’re tired of noisy urban life and endless traffic, the peace and tranquility of the desert might be just what you need. While wandering through the Lut Desert, be sure to visit Dehsalm Village, located just 35 kilometers away. Dehsalm is one of the few Iranian villages whose beauty is renowned far and wide, and it’s famously known as Rig-e Yalan.
To visit this village, you’ll need to travel to Nehbandan County. You can purchase bus tickets to Nehbandan via Mr. Ticket (Mister Belit). Dehsalm is approximately 82 km from Nehbandan, and once you arrive in town, you can catch a ride on a local vehicle headed toward the village. If you're driving your own car, take the Nehbandan–Shahdad road.
A trip to Dehsalm is more than just a visit—it’s a journey to another world. You can experience something akin to walking on Martian soil thanks to the high miniature mountains and sand dunes surrounding the area. These stunning formations make Dehsalm a dream destination for desert lovers. Due to its location, you won’t find lush forests here, but instead, you’ll discover towering palm groves and unique desert flora like Tāgh and Askanbil, adding a distinct charm to the village.
You’ll also witness the impressive pyramids of sand, sculpted by the 120-day winds that blow from Sistan and Baluchestan.
With its position as the main gateway to the Lut Desert, Dehsalm is an essential stop for anyone wanting to explore this natural wonder. You may find it hard to believe, but Dehsalm is considered one of the hottest desert areas in the world, featuring vast, upright sand dunes stretching across the borders of Sistan and Baluchestan and Kerman provinces.
The village is also known for its historic qanat system, which delivers warm, abundant water—more than many others in the region. This highlights Dehsalm’s deep-rooted history, going back to the same era as Nehbandan itself.
Thanks to support from the Imam Khomeini Relief Committee, Dehsalm has established a handicrafts center where many of the locals showcase their talents. You’ll find carpets and rugs woven with camel hair, kilims, local textiles, and woven straw products like hats, mats, and adorable handmade dolls that appeal to your inner child.
Women play a major role here—not only in creating crafts but also in packaging and marketing 13 types of dates grown in Nehbandan, often sold in nearby areas like Sarbisheh and Sistan and Baluchestan.
Dehsalm's beauty doesn’t only attract Iranian visitors. According to data from 2017, about 40 international tourists visited the village, along with more than 3,000 domestic travelers.
Locals are highly active—not just in handicrafts or running eco-lodges—but also as tour guides, providing brochures and informational booklets to visitors as welcoming gifts.
Another highlight of Dehsalm is its ancient windmills (Asbads). These structures represent the ingenuity of early desert settlers who made the most of natural forces. Unlike European windmills, they have horizontal shafts and are designed to harness the 120-day winds blowing through the region.
While exploring this desert region, you might encounter rare desert wildlife like sand cats, snakes, scorpions, and fennec foxes.
Visiting Dehsalm is a one-of-a-kind experience, offering a deep connection with the desert and its wonders.
Here are some practical recommendations:
🕶️ Visit during cooler seasons – Due to extreme desert heat.
🌞 Use sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat – Essential protection from the sun.
🚰 Bring plenty of drinking water – Dehydration is a real risk.
🥾 Wear proper shoes – For walking comfortably on sandy terrain.
🤝 Respect local customs – Embrace the culture and traditions of the village.
