MT Sabalan Ascent

5 Days

Duration

Strenuous

Activity Level

Jun, July, Aug, Sep

Best Months

Trekking & Hiking

Activities

Adventure Travel

Travel Styles

Trek to Iran’s 3rd highest peak and Asia’s 3rd highest volcano mountain (Mt Sabalan 4811m)

TOUR CODE

031-STN-TRK

START

Tehran

FINISH

Tehran

REGION(S)

Tehran & Ardebil Province

INCLUDED

MEALS: 4 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 4 Dinners
ACCOMMODATIONS: Hotel: 2 Nights, Camp: 1 Night, Local House: 1 Night
TRANSPORTATION: Flight, Private vehicle
All transportation according to the itinerary Accommodation as mentioned in the itinerary Meals as indicated in the itinerary English speaking tour guide Backpack handling by Mules/Horses (limited to 15kg per person)

NOT INCLUDED

Entry fee for the sites not mentioned in the itinerary
Travel insurance
International airfare
Excess baggage charges
Airport and departure taxes
Any extra hotel costs such as early check in or late checkout
Laundry
Mini bar used in the room
Meals not stipulated in the itinerary
Tips (optional)
Cost of medical immunizations
Bottled water
Phone calls
Any other service not mentioned in the itinerary

One night sleep in 2700 m altitude for acclimatization
Spectacular view of highest peaks in central Alborz mountains
Ascend Mt. Kolon Bastak 4156m
Climbing Sabalan mountain 4811 m, the third highest mountain in Iran
Shahbil mineral host spring spa
Sheikh Safi al-din Khanegah and Shrine Ensemble world heritage site

Kolon Bastak Peak

Northern Tehran is located on central Alborz mountains. Koloon Bastak is one of the highest summits in the region with 4170m altitude from sea level. The closest village to this summit is Shemshak. This village is at 40 km north of Tehran and 60 km to Tehran central areas. The village is trekking start point to Sarakchal and its altitude is 2700 m. Shemshak is famous as it was the first ski resort in Iran opened in 1958 and still is the third largest ski area after Dizin and Darbandsar.

Most of climbers ascend Mt Sabalan before Alamkuh and Damavand mountains as an acclimatization program while the amazing untouched region of Sabalan could be as an individual trekking itinerary for who would like to visit north west of Iran with combination of trekking in inactive volcano mountain of Sabalan. This mountain is one the most attractive mountains in Iran and it’s the third highest mountain of country. We also combine this mountain with Koloon Bastak peak for pre-acclimatization purposes which is in central Alborz mountain and its in north of Tehran. On the first day, you will be transferred to Shemshak village at 2700m height from sea level. You will stay in a local house. This altitude will prepare you physically and mentally for tomorrow’s climbing. The day after, we will drive up to 3300m by car and from there (base camp of Kolon Bastak) we will ascend to the peak at 4156m. Afterward you will be back to Tehran and you have domestic flight to Ardebil. Then there is a transfer to the base camp (2600 m) and hike up towards the first camp (3300 m) of the peak. The next day is summit day and transfer back to Ardebil. The last day of the tour will be city tour of Ardebil and fly back to Tehran.
This trekking itinerary is tight trip only for Sabalan Peak and it will start from Tehran and finish Tehran too. If you need a full package itinerary with Tehran accommodation or you would like a tailor make, please send your inquiry. If you would like to combine it with other mountain like Damavand and Alam Kuh, you can find it those trips in Adventure Iran web site.

Day 1: Tehran to Shemshak village

You will be picked up from your hotel in Tehran at 5.00 p.m to drive about 60 Km towards Shemshak village through a mountainous road taking 1 hour and a half. Tehran is around 1200m from sea level but the village is at 2700m altitude; so we will drive up around 1500m. This altitude is good for acclimatization one night before summit day as your body and brain will be adjusted for mountaineering program. On arrival, we will walk up to the highest point of the village using 110 stairs as there is no road to the house. The house has a good view to Shemshak ski resort and Sarakchal mountain. Once in the house, we will have some time to enjoy the area and take some photos before sunset. Dinner will be served in the house and tea/coffee is available at any time. Overnight stay in the village house. (D)

Day 2: Ascending Mt. Koloon Bastak (4125 m) - acclimatization day

7.00 a.m. wake up for breakfast and start at 8.00 a.m. From the village (2700m), we will drive to the starting point of trek (3300m). From there we start trekking towards the summit. It takes approximately 5 hours to reach to the top. After one hour rest, we will come back to the starting point and drive back to the chalet. After changing clothes and/or taking shower, drinking coffee/tea, we will drive back to Tehran in the afternoon. In Tehran, we will transfer you to the domestic airport of Mehrabad to catch a domestic flight to Ardebil. Check in to the hotel in Ardebil. (B, L, D)

Day 3: Drive to Shahbil- Hike up to the base camp (Shahbil)

After breakfast in the hotel, you will pack your backpack and will be transferred to Sabalan base camp takes around two hours (110 km). You will have stop on the road to take picture of great view of Sabalan and mountain around. Then from the base, we will transfer your backpack and camping gears with 4×4 cars and you will strat hiking from 2700 m up to 3300 m of the first camp. Total ascent is 600 m taking 3-4 hours. we will make our camp and have good acclimatization for the next day. Overnight stay at tents. (B , L, D)

Day 4: Summit day – transfer to Ardebil

Early morning at 5 a.m; you will rise up and after breakfast start ascending toward the peak. Total ascent is around 1500m from the first camp taking 6-7 hours. There is a magnificent lake in the top make the mountain so attractive. Also, you will have a great view of the region from the summit and it would be perfect for panoramic photography. After one hour rest in the top, you will decent toward the 1st camp and after collecting the camp, you will be transferred by jeeps to the base camp. From there we will go to the hot spring spa and then transfer back to Ardebil. Overnight stay in hotel. (B, L, D)

Day 5: Ardebil city tour –flight to Tehran

After wake up and breakfast you will have Ardebil city tour. First you will visit the grand bazar and then you will visit Sheikh Safi al-din Khanegah and Shrine Ensemble (UNESCO world heritage site). You will back to the hotel for check out and will have lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon according to the flight time you will fly back to Tehran in Mehrabad airport. (B, L)