Chah Jam Sand Dunes

Chah Jam is located in Shahroud County, in Semnan Province, and the Chah Jam sand dunes are part of this beautiful desert. The area lies about 75 kilometres south of Shahroud, and its closeness to the village of Tarud gives it a distinctive climate and geography. The Chah Jam tourist eco-camp in this area invites travellers to experience desert life, natural silence and starry night skies at first hand.

At Chah Jam, towering sand dunes up to about 40 metres high make a striking sight and form the core of the dune field. Because of the arid climate, the vegetation consists mostly of hardy shrubs such as tamarisk (gaz) and saxaul (tagh), which play an important role in stabilising the soil and resisting wind erosion. However, some reports point to a gradual decline in saxaul cover in this area, which could pose a serious threat to the environmental stability and natural balance of the desert ecosystem.

The Chah Jam sand dunes can be reached by a dirt road; one common route is to drive from Shahroud towards Tarud and then turn off towards Chah Jam. The Chah Jam eco-camp, at kilometre 75 of the Shahroud–Tarud road, is an ideal place to stay and to experience the desert atmosphere fully. The best time to visit is when temperatures are milder, particularly from early Mehr (late September) to the end of spring, when conditions in the desert are most favourable. Responsible tourism is very important when visiting these dunes: collecting your litter, avoiding damage to the saxaul vegetation and taking care to prevent soil erosion are key to preserving the area's beauty and environmental sustainability.