Tami Lake

Shat-e Tami Lake (Tami Lake) is a unique mountain lake on the border of Khuzestan and Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari provinces. It lies near the city of Dezful, in the Shahyun district of Darekayed Rural District in Khuzestan. In the Bakhtiari Luri language, "Tami" means a flat, level place in the highlands, which aptly describes the lake's geographical setting. The lake sits at an elevation of about 2,220 metres above sea level, among the Zagros mountain ranges. It consists of two main parts: an oval-shaped lake in the north of the plateau and a seasonal, triangular-shaped lake in the south, connected to each other by a narrow gorge.

The water of Shat-e Tami Lake comes from spring floods and the melting snow of the surrounding mountains, especially Mount Kino. These mountains have permanent glaciers that remain covered in snow and ice all year round. Because of its particular geographical position, the lake has no outflow and is classed as a closed lake. As a result, it contains no aquatic life. The area around the lake is covered with vast pastures and meadows, which give the region an incomparable beauty in every season, especially spring. The area is used as a summer pasture by Bakhtiari and Dezful nomads during their seasonal migrations.

Around Tami Lake you will find a diverse range of vegetation, including oak, wild almond (arzhan), walnut, fig, hawthorn and jujube trees. Other plants such as bloodroot-like gulkhunak (vonushak), astragalus (gavan), wild barley, maidenhair fern (parsiavushan), iris, fritillary (crown imperial) and more also grow here. This plant diversity creates beautiful scenery around the lake and provides a suitable habitat for many animals. The area around Tami Lake is home to a variety of wildlife, including brown bears, leopards, wolves, wild boar, wild goats, hyenas, hares, foxes, eagles, falcons, chukar partridges, ducks and wild waterfowl. Mountain nightingales and goldfinches can also be seen here. The presence of these animals shows how pristine and biologically rich the region is.

There are several ways to reach Shat-e Tami Lake. One common route is to travel from Ahvaz towards Dezful, then continue towards Andimeshk and finally to the village of Susan Sorkhab. From this village, a dirt mountain track continues to the lake, which requires an SUV and suitable equipment. Along the way you can see refreshing mineral springs and beautiful natural scenery. Because the route is difficult to traverse and there are no amenities in the area, it is advisable to bring full equipment and a local guide. The best time to visit the lake is spring and early summer, when the weather is mild and the landscape is at its most beautiful. In these seasons, walking along the footpaths around the lake and camping on the surrounding plains makes for an unforgettable experience.