Duration

8 Days

Activity Level

Challenging

Best Months

May, Jun, July, Aug, Sep, Oct

Activities

Mountain Biking

Travel Styles

Off the Beaten Track, Adventure Travel

Spring and summer mountain biking holiday tour in heights of central Alborz Mts and stay with local in the village

TOUR CODE

116-STN-BIK

START

Tehran

FINISH

Tehran

REGION(S)

Northern Tehran

INCLUDED

MEALS: 6 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 6 Dinners
ACCOMMODATIONS: Hotel: 2 Nights, Camp: 1 Night, Local House: 4 Nights
TRANSPORTATION: Private vehicle, Support vehicle
All transportation according to the itinerary Accommodation as mentioned in the itinerary Meals as indicated in the itinerary English speaking tour guide

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

Cycling in Iran untraveled destinations
Passing rivers and canyon by Bicycle
Local home stay in non-touristic village in Iran
Dizin and Darbandsar single track mountain biking
Crossing two protected areas in Central Alborz mountains
Overnight staying in Shemshak village near the ski resort
Crossing Lar National Park with mountain bike
Adventure mountain biking in Lar national park
Camping inside of the protected area
Spectacular view of Mt Damavand in cycling route

The geography of Iran and the Iranian plateau located in between various mountains ranges offers excellent opportunities for cycling of various degree of complexity and mountain biking. North of Tehran, Alborz Mountains with peaks reaching 3,000-4,000m and numerous canyons, lakes and rivers, are ideal for cycling and mountain biking. The vicinity to the Iranian capital and the international airport is also a major advantage for those flying in from abroad. The Alborz Mountains area is divided into three special sections under the supervision of the Department of Environment of Iran.

This mountain biking tour takes visitors through two protected areas and one national park. The biking terrain is a combination of dirt roads, mule trekking as well as single tracks. Depending on the schedule and your preference, we will also cross numerous rivers with a varying degree of current. Carrying one’s bicycle may be required on certain sections of the route.

In spring, various plants and flowers blossom across the Alborz plains and the temperatures are cooler with a possibility of rain. One needs to be very fit to do the tour in early spring. In summer, temperatures in the Central Alborz Mountains are pleasant and ideal for cycling, especially at higher altitudes. The level of water in the mountain rivers is lower, making it relatively easy to cross. In autumn, nature in the Central Alborz is particularly colourful, but it gets quite chilly and warm clothes become a must. It rains sometimes as well.

Central Alborz Mountains in northern Iran is one of the best locations for both amateur and experienced cyclists. Depending on your preparation and fitness level, we offer easy to moderate cycling routes on dirt roads or challenging downhill on single track roads for small groups. The itinerary below is recommended for end of spring, summer and early autumn, but can be adjusted in accordance with your time of travel and preparation level.
The tour is tailor-made for a small group of 2-4 people. Please contact us if you are planning to cycle in a larger group and we can prepare an alternative programme. For road cyclists, we customize a route running between towns and villages in the Central Alborz Mountains, starting or finishing in Tehran with overnight stays in hotels or private houses.

Day 1: Arrival in Tehran

Upon arrival in Tehran we will meet and greet you at the airport and transfer you to a hotel in the historic part of the city. Check-in and overnight in the hotel. (-)

Day 2: Cycling in Lavasanat

After breakfast, we collect you from the hotel and drive to the Adventure Iran office in Lavasan where we explain the programme and the route. Having done all the equipment checks, we set off and embark on the 35km-long cycling journey. We stop en route to enjoy the scenery of the Central Alborz Mountains and to take a rest. This part of the route is mostly asphalt with a short dirt road via a small forest. The cycle route lies through backroads between villages and the destination on the first day is a small mountain lake, where we can swim, weather allowing. From here we return to the starting point, where a driver will pick you up to bring you to a mountain village for overnight stay. (B, L, D)

Day 3: Cycling in the canyon (protected area)

Today’s cycle lasts approx. 4-5 hours, taking us past backroads towards one of the mountain villages. We set off at 08.00 after a hearty breakfast and cycle on the asphalt road towards the canyon located at 1,700m above the sea level. From here we will cycle up to the altitude of 2,400m, first for 15km on asphalt road, stopping for rest and taking pictures. We will also visit an interesting cave. After the ascent, our biking adventure will continue from the village located at 2,300m above the sea level, via a single-track road towards the vast canyon. This part of the tour entails mostly cycling alongside of the river bed and at times carrying one’s bicycle. We will have lunch by the picturesque waterfall, after which we will cycle for 10km downhill through the canyon, descending approx. 500m. We will then have dinner, take shower and overnight in a mountain village. (B, L, D)

Day 4: Dizin to Darbandasr ski resort – mountain biking on the ridge

After an early breakfast, we head to the village of Shemshak from where we resume our mountain biking tour, first along the asphalt road to reach to the bottom of the canyon and from there along a single-track road towards Dizin ski resort, located at the altitude of 3,300m. From here we cycle further up to the altitude of 3,700m. After some rest and a pleasant lunch at the top of the mountains (if the skies are clear we can even spot Mount Damavand in the distance), we will be mostly descending towards the Darbandsar peak. Carrying one’s bicycles may be required on some sections of the route. From Darbandsar, we will take one the most attractive routes downhill towards the valley. Here we will rest and overnight in one of the villages. (B, L, D)

Day 5: Lar National Park

After an early breakfast, we set off at 07.00 in the morning and cycle for 50km through mountain dirt roads, single tracks, canyon and rivers where have dinner and camp for the night. Today’s cycling will take approx. 8-9 hours. (B, L, D)

Day 6: Lar protected area to Polor – Mount Damavand 1st camp

After breakfast at 07:30, a 4×4 vehicle will transport our heavy luggage and we will start mountain biking towards mountain Damavand’s 1st camp. Today is another full day of mountain biking, starting from the mountain’s western and proceeding to its southern slope. Today, we have to ascend approx. 45km to the altitude of 1,500m. En route we will enjoy beautiful views of the Damavand’s western slope. The highest altitude today will be around 3,200m. The route is mainly ascending and lies entirely along dirt roads with a lot of adventure. We will have a picnic lunch before arriving in Polor in the late afternoon. Overnight in Polor in mountain hut. (B, L, D)

Day 7: Tehran experience

After a good night’s sleep, we drive back to Tehran (approx. one and a half hours) where we visit the main city sites with a local guide and have a dinner in one of the capital’s nice restaurants. Overnight in a hotel in Tehran. (B, L, D)

Day 8: Tehran

After a good night’s sleep, we return to Tehran where we visit the city’s highlights and have a dinner in one of the capital’s best restaurants. (-, -, -)