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Voykit pocket guide · Iran
Shahdad
Half a day is enough to see the town and its castles; add a dawn trip to Gandom Beryan (the hottest place on Earth) and the Kalouts, which needs a full day from Kerman.
Shahdad is a small desert town in eastern Kerman Province, the gateway to the Lut Desert and the Gandom Beryan plateau. Its main draws are ancient castles, caravanserais and the nearby Kalouts (yardangs). Most travellers visit as a day trip from Kerman or spend one night in an eco-lodge to catch sunrise over the desert.
- Country
- Iran
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- Avoid
- Jun–Aug (extreme heat)
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- IRR
- Money
- Foreign cards and ATMs do not work in Iran: see Insurance & payments above.
- Daily spend
- Budget IRR 1,500,000–3,000,000 excl. bed · Mid IRR 3,000,000–6,000,000 excl. bed · High IRR 6,000,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- Emergency
- Police 110 · Ambulance 115 · Fire 125
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Bus Kerman–Shahdad | IRR 200,000–400,000 |
| Private taxi Kerman–Shahdad (one way) | IRR 1,500,000–2,500,000 |
| Eco-lodge dinner | IRR 300,000–600,000 |
| Bottle of water (1.5 L) | IRR 15,000–30,000 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- KER · Kerman Airport
- About 2 h by car/taxi from Shahdad; domestic flights from Tehran and Mashhad.
Typical fares
- Bus Kerman–Shahdad
- about IRR 200,000–400,000, about 2 h
- Private taxi Kerman–Shahdad
- about IRR 1,500,000–2,500,000, about 2 h
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
The town is walkable. For the Kalouts and Gandom Beryan you need a private taxi or a guided tour from Kerman.
See and do
Known for
- Gandom Beryan – possibly the hottest land on Earth
- Kalouts (yardang formations)
- Shafee Abaad Castle
- Godeez Castle
- Aratta civilization site (6,000 BC)
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Kerman | Bus or taxi, about 2 h | 2 h |
| Kalouts (Lut Desert yardangs) | Private taxi from Shahdad, about 30 min | 1 h |
| Gandom Beryan plateau | Private taxi from Shahdad, about 1 h | 2 h |
| Rayen | Taxi via Kerman, about 3 h | 3.5 h |
Sleep
- Eco-lodges near the Kalouts
- Basic but atmospheric; book ahead via phone (+98 9393926423).
- Kerman city
- More hotels and guesthouses; 2 h drive from Shahdad.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | سلامsalaam |
| Thank you | مرسیmersi |
| How much? | چقدر؟cheghadr? |
| Where is the toilet? | دستشویی کجاست؟dastshooyi kojast? |
| I don't understand | نمیفهممnemifahmam |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Scams and watch-outs
- Summer heat is extreme: carry water, sun protection and a hat.
- Gandom Beryan is best visited at dawn in winter or spring.
- No ATMs in Shahdad; bring enough cash (Iranian rials) from Kerman.
- Check your own government travel advice for Iran before planning.
Shahdad is a quiet desert town; the main risks are heatstroke in summer and the lack of medical facilities. Bring cash, water and a charged phone.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Shahdad yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Gandom Beryan – possibly the hottest land on Earth
- Kalouts (yardang formations)
- Shafee Abaad Castle
- Godeez Castle
- Aratta civilization site (6,000 BC)
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Shahdad, revision 3508820 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=3508820
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/shahdad). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.