Maharlo Lake, Shiraz Travel time and access route

Iran is a place that has set aside a trip for every taste. With a simple and short internet search, you can find places that are equivalent to foreign countries, but not as well known. If you are adventurous, this time we have a unique offer for you. What do you think about traveling to the pinkest place in Iran? Where the earth is pink and the sky is light blue with pink streaks and the birds are pink?! You must be asking yourself if there is such a place inside Iran? We must say yes. The Maharlo lake of Shiraz is the same as in this article from tourism magazine Fly Today We will introduce you to the destination of your next trip.

About Maharlo lake in Shiraz

Maharlu wetland in Fars province, which is known as Maharlu lake among the general public, with an area of ​​24 thousand hectares, is one of the The most visited tourist destinations in Iran Is. Travelers who travel to Shiraz must include visiting this lake in their itinerary. This lake is one of the prohibited hunting areas of Maharlo Shiraz.

The interesting point is that this lake is seasonal and in the summer season, a large part of it dries up and turns into one of the biggest salt deposits of Iran. But in autumn and winter, due to atmospheric rains, it is reloaded and life returns to the pink flow of the lagoon.

The water of Maharlo Lake is supplied from the western floods of Shiraz, which is collected by the dry river of Shiraz, Chenarah and Sultanabad and flows towards Maharlo. Also, there are many springs around this wetland, which finally end in Maharlo.

This lake is a habitat for migratory birds and a wildlife refuge, and by traveling there you can see birds such as angut, flamingo, tanje, all kinds of kakai, big Gilanshah, small Salim, all kinds of waterbucks, herons, green ducks and mallards. Also, wild animals such as jackals, hyenas, wild cats and foxes live by the lake.

History of Maharlo lake in Shiraz

The pink lake of Maharlo in Shiraz has many names such as Mahlo, Mahlowayh and Mahlobeh, and in the past it was also called Jankal or salt lake. The great geographers and travel writers of history have also mentioned this lake in their books, for example, Istakhari and Ibn Battuta called Maharlo lake Jamkan, and Ibn Balkhi and Hamdullah Mostofi called it Mahluwieh.

Life of Maharlo Lake, Shiraz It reaches 20,000 years, and from about a thousand years ago, the salts of this river started to accumulate, and today it welcomes adventure travelers in two states, the blue lake and the salt lake. Regarding the current name of this lake, it should be said that because there is a village called Maharlu near it, the same name was also given to the lake over time.

Where is Maharlo Lake in Shiraz?

Maharlu Lake is undoubtedly in List of the best places to see in Shiraz Placed. Access to Maharlo Lake It is to go 60 km from Shiraz to Fasa road. This lake is about 18 kilometers southeast of Shiraz and is close to Dasht Gol or Maharlo village. Distance from Maharlo Lake to Shiraz It is about 1 hour and 30 minutes by car. This sightseeing place with its unique features is on the south side of the Iran map and you can see it during your trip to Shiraz.

Why is Maharlo lake pink?

Unlike other lakes in Iran, the water of Maharlo lake is pink in color and the reason is due to some kind of algae in the water of the lake. These algae, which are called Salina, increase the salt concentration of the lake water as the air warms, in a way they change the type of sodium-magnesium chloride and sodium sulfate in the water; As a result, the color of the lake water becomes reddish pink instead of blue.

It is interesting to know that this algae grows in this lake due to the high light and excessive saltiness of the water, and they do not pose any danger to the environment, and they are even food for saltwater shrimps, one-centimeter artemia or migratory flamingos.

The climate of Maharlo Lake, Shiraz

As mentioned at the beginning of the article, Maharlo Lake loses its water in the hot seasons of the year; So it is important to know whether you want to see a water lake or see a salt lake during your trip. From the beginning of the autumn season to the middle of April is the best season to visit Maharlu Lake, because you will see its most watery state and the weather is cool and very pleasant.

If you don’t mind the heat and you want to see the pinkest of the lake, it is better to postpone your trip to summer. Of course, at this time, you can take beautiful pictures of the salty parts of the lake and see the parts where there is still water in bright pink.

Access routes to Maharlo Lake, Shiraz

You must use a car to reach Maharlo Lake; Of course, there is nothing to worry about. If you have traveled to Shiraz by plane or train, you can easily join tourist tours or rent a car yourself or go there by taxi and return. To go to this lake, you have to go from Shiraz to Fasa road and drive about 60 km to reach the village of Maharlu or Dasht Gol, where the lake is also located.

Status of Maharlo lake for habitation

It is generally forbidden to live in Maharlo lake in Shiraz; Because this area is part of the wildlife of Shiraz. In addition, the environmental conditions of the lake do not allow you to stay or camp there for a long time. Unfortunately, this lake is dealing with environmental hazards and drought today.

A trip to Shiraz and its pink lake

Shiraz is the city of love, passion and poetry; A place where you can see and enjoy all kinds of beauty. There is a lake near Shiraz that is one of the most different places in Iran. Maharlu pink lake. This wetland, known as the pink lake of Iran, is the habitat of wildlife and migratory birds such as flamingos. The water of this lake has turned pink due to the presence of a special type of algae, and due to its seasonal nature, most of its water evaporates in the summer and turns into a salt deposit. If you have seen this spot up close, tell us about the experience of the pinkest spot in Iran.

Frequently asked questions about Maharlo lake in Shiraz