Daq-e Esmail Mahlu

Daq-e Esmail Mahlu is one of Iran's pristine and lesser-known destinations, located in Damghan County, Semnan Province. The area is part of the Dasht-e Kavir and lies on the natural border between salt flats and sandy terrain. The daq (salt clay pan) is bounded on the south by the expanse of the Dasht-e Kavir, on the north by the Torud–Moallemān road, on the west by the heights of Mount "Se Pestan", and on the east by the highlands south of Torud. Its landscape of cracked ground and white salt flats creates a dreamlike atmosphere, quite different from the sandy deserts, and attracts many travellers for photography and desert trekking.

Geologically, the surface of Daq-e Esmail Mahlu is covered with hard, puffy clay deposits, with scattered volcanic hills rising from it. These deposits consist of a mix of evaporite and Tertiary rocks such as marl, sandstone and celestine. In some parts of the daq, salt domes can also be seen, adding to the beauty and geotourism value of the area. Vegetation at Daq-e Esmail Mahlu is limited to halophytes (salt-tolerant plants) along its margins, including ashnan (saltwort) and tamarisk. The wildlife in the surrounding areas is very diverse and includes wolves, jackals, red foxes, hyenas and goitered gazelles, as well as birds such as the houbara bustard, chukar partridge and steppe eagle.

At Daq-e Esmail Mahlu, visitors can enjoy walking in the silence of the desert, photographing sunrise and sunset, and stargazing under the clear night sky. Because the area is so pristine, desert trekking and camping here require full equipment and a guide. Thanks to its proximity to the main routes, this desert makes a good destination for an adventurous yet peaceful trip into the nature of Semnan. To reach the area, it is recommended to use a 4x4 (off-road) vehicle, as the tracks leading to the daq are unpaved and rough.