Tour Type
Nature
Cultural
Maharloo Lake Tour
Duration: Max 8 hours
Customizable: Yes
Main City
Based on Shiraz City
Quick Access
Maharloo Lake Tour (Shiraz Pink Lake)
The Maharloo Lake tour is typically part of the Shiraz city tour, which lasts approximately 3 hours.
The best time to visit the lake is in perfect light conditions, and for this reason, it is better to include it at the beginning of the tour.
Maharloo Lake is a seasonal lake located in the southeast of Shiraz, close to the hillsides of the Zagros Mountain range. This Salt Lake is famous as a Pink Lake because of its pink algae species.
The lake’s high salinity, intense sunlight, and warm temperatures create ideal conditions for halophilic microorganisms (algae and salt-loving bacteria) that produce reddish carotenoid pigments.
All about Maharlu Lake or Pink Lake
Maharlu Salt Lake, with an area of 600 sq km, is used for the extraction of normal salt, and during mid-summer, due to high evaporation rates and salt concentrations, its water turns pinkish red and exposes the white lake bed.
It attracts many visitors who come to Shiraz, especially those who enjoy taking spectacular pictures with the magical colors and the beautiful reflections of light.
Maharlu Lake was once a suitable habitat for various kinds of migratory birds, including flamingos and ducks however, due to recent droughts, the number of these birds has decreased, although throughout the year a wide range of birds such as Pelicans, Herons, Flamingos, Ducks, Chickpeas, and some other Birdwaters are visible in small numbers and increasing in the beauty of the lake.
Customers Reviews
Maharloo Lake looks like a dream painted on Earth. The pink water, the silence, and the reflection of the sky make you forget time exists. Truly one of nature’s hidden masterpieces in Iran.
Can’t believe this place is real! Pink Lake looks like someone spilled pink magic all over the desert.
Totally worth the trip!
Maharloo Lake Tour Map
Included (optional)
- Refreshments
- Entrance Fees
- Accomodation
When is the best time for the Maharloo Lake tour?
The best time for Maharloo Lake tour is during the warm seasons because as the water evaporates, the salt concentration of the lake increases and its color becomes pinker.
But the best time for watching migratory birds is late winter to early spring when the lake water level reaches its highest level, followed by a decrease in water salinity.
The depth of Maharloo Lake comes down to 3 meters in some parts, but it is worth mentioning that because of the seaweed covering the surface of the lake and its extremely salty water, there are no fish or any other living creatures in this pink lake except for a few very small crustaceans and microscopic algae.
Amphibians are seen around the Maharlu pink Lake; also, the environment around this lake is a suitable habitat for snakes, lizards, and turtles.
Rudkhane-ye-Khoshk, a seasonal river flowing through the city of Shiraz, brings most of the floodwater to the lake bed during intensive precipitation events.
Since evaporation of water is so high, the main source for taking back the evaporated water is small branches of rivers that pour into the lake from the northwestern and southeastern parts of it. The size of Maharloo Salt Lake is different because of the different amounts of rainfall during the year.
How to get to Maharloo Lake from Shiraz
To visit the Maharloo Pink Lake and enjoy both the lake and the beautiful surrounding scenery, you need to choose the Shiraz Road to Fasa. 30 km from the city center, you will reach a beautiful countryside called Maharloo, which is named after the lake and located next to it.
Most travelers arrange a driver or small group tour rather than relying on public transport. It is better to bring sunglasses due to the salt-covered surfaces and strong light reflection.
The village of Maharloo is on the southern slopes of the high mountains of Zagros. Horticulture is considered the most important economic pillar in this village. Scattered gardens filled with almond trees, pomegranates, and figs, created in the vicinity of the village’s mineral springs, have added to the beauty of Maharloo Lake.
Many villagers believe that water is a healing spring and heals many skin diseases. You can visit the shrine of Khadijeh Banu, located on a hill in the Maharloo Village.
There are also remains of a caravanserai belonging to the Safavid era, also known as Shah Abbasi Caravanserai, near the village.
How much does a Maharloo Lake tour cost?
Since the duration of a visit to Maharloo or Pink Lake is not more than 3 hours, a visit to the lake is usually part of a daily tour of Shiraz, which lasts between 6 to 8 hours and has different prices depending on the services used and the number of passengers.
Contact us for more information and pricing.
* The duration of Maharloo Lake Tour Packages is flexible (Maximum 8 hours).
* This tour begins and ends at your preferred location in Shiraz.
* You are able to create a customized tour based on your interests.
Maharloo Lake Tour
Maharloo Lake is a peaceful pink gem near Shiraz.
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