Mt Damavand Ascend and the Capital

Duration

8 Days

Activity Level

Strenuous

Best Months

Jun, July, Aug, Sep

Full package tour of Mount Damavand with acclimatization program and stay in Tehran

TOUR CODE

026-STN-MNT

START

Tehran

FINISH

Tehran

REGION(S)

Central Alborz Mountains

INCLUDED

MEALS: 7 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 5 Dinners
ACCOMMODATIONS: Hotel: 3 Nights, Shelter: 4 Nights
TRANSPORTATION: 4WD, 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

An enjoyable strenuous climb to the Asia’s highest volcano from the south face
Observing wildlife
Frozen waterfall and a rejuvenating mineral bath after a memorable climb
Exploring Nava village one of the best photography spots of Damavand
Visiting Shahandasht village & its waterfall
Exploring Larijan hot Spring & spa.

Damavand with 5670 meters (according to the latest estimate) elevation is the highest mountain in Iran and Western Asia; however it holds the title of highest volcanic cone-shaped peak of Asia. Its volcanic activity has been in the geological past and there is no human historic record of any known activity so it is considered as a non-active former volcano. As a former volcano it is endowed with many natural gifts due to its past such as hot and cold springs abound on her slopes and the surrounding land. There are sizable areas on its slopes covered with sulfur still active enough to give off that special sulfur odor. There are also relatively large glaciers, frozen waterfalls, gas and steam wells. Because of many deep valleys and high slopes surrounding it, the region harbors a great variety of vegetation and wildlife. There are great vistas where one can take in some quiet moments and gaze at the beautiful panoramas while standing in the heart of this remarkable mountain.

It is located in the Central Alborz Mountain chain and has at least 16 recognized routes for ascending to its peak. There is a long and colorful history of numerous ascends some have become quite mythical in their colorful accounts, courageous deeds and tragic ends. The mountain itself is the subject of many mythical and folkloric tales. In the spring the slopes are covered with green pastures and wild flowers. From the peak one can see quite some distance. To the north are the waters of the Caspian Sea, to the west there is the waters of Lar Reservoir and the sprawling city of Tehran and the south one can gaze into the vastness of the desert which is called Dashte Kavir.

Ascend Mount Damavand from south face having plenty of time to relax, mix with locals in the spectacular scenery around Damavand and an opportunity to photograph the majestic volcano from vintage point. You will have time for acclimatization and preparing yourself for the strenuous journey ahead of you until you arrive at the top of the Iranian plateau and the Middle East.
Damavand is a high altitude mountain (5670m from sea level) requiring fit and prepared participants. We assume all the participants applying for this tour are aware of the situations and have experience of high altitude mountaineering. On the second day of your arrival to Tehran, we will depart for a village which is a good photography spot of Damavand Mountain and then we drive to the base camp. From the base camp we will drive to the 2nd camp with a 4×4 vehicle. Ascending will start from here to the third camp. For acclimatization, we will stay one night at the 3rd camp. The next day would be a challenging day climbing up the peak and descending to the third camp. In the last day we will go down to the second comp and travel back to Tehran.

Day 1: Tehran Arrival

Check-in to your hotel. As travelers arrive with different airlines at different times, the first day will be free but you will have a meeting with your tour guide in the afternoon for a short briefing in order to give you the necessary information and having a chat, checking your equipment and preparing for the next day departure.

Day 2: Drive from Tehran to MT. Damavand, sightseeing and photography Nava & Shahandasht

In the early morning (around 6 A.M), you will be picked up from your hotel driving to the south face of Damavand. It will take about 2 hours. As you will not have a complete view of the peak from now on, we will drive off road to Nava village where is one of the best locations for photography of the peak on the south face. We will have a short trekking around the village for about 2-3 hours and then will continue to visit Shahandasht village and waterfall. Then we will drive to the base camp (1800m). Overnight stay at local home stay/shelter. (B, L, D)

Day 3: Drive from Base Camp to the 2nd Camp & climbing to 3rd camp

In the early morning after breakfast you will be picked up from base camp by a 4WD car taking you to Damavand south face second camp called Goosfand Sara (3000m). It will take about 1 hour. Hiking will start from the second camp to the third camp (Bargah Sevom or Shelter 3) in 4250m altitude. Hiking time is between 5 to 6 hours depending on the ability and speed of the group. There will be a good opportunity to socialize with other hikers and climbers who are usually in the shelter (total ascend 1250m). We will make our camp there and take a rest, dinner and overnight stay at camp. (B, L, D)

Day 4: Acclimatization Day

This is a very important high altitude acclimatization day. We strongly believe that rushing people up to the peak is unsound and unwise. So this day is spent getting used to the high altitude but we will not go to the summit. We will hike from the shelter to a frozen waterfall which is at about 5000 meters and return. This will take about 6 to 7 hours and will be very suitable for our purposes. (B, L, D)

Day 5: Hike to summit (5671m), return to Bargah-e Sevom (3rd camp)

Early morning wake up. After breakfast (around 4 am) we will start climbing from 4200 m to the top 5671m. This day will be the hardest day since we will push for the summit which usually takes about 6 to 7 hours. We will enjoy the amazing view of Damavand volcano. The terrain is difficult, with loose rocks and scree and the weather can change at any time so please be prepared for anything even snowfalls in the middle of summer. Some 500m below the summit we come across the aptly named ‘Sulphur Hill’ (Dood Kooh) where we can see the evidence of the mountain’s turbulent pass amongst the volcanic era and sulphurous fumes rising up from the earth. Making the final ascend to the top we hope to reach the summit around midday, affording us an opportunity to enjoy the breathtaking views before the clouds cover the peak (conditions permitting). From here we then begin the descent to our 3rd camp, a journey of some 7 hours that should bring us back to the camp in time for dinner. Total Walking Approx 12 hours. Ascend/descend 1521m. Dinner and overnight stay at camp. (B, L, D)

Day 6: Descend the mountain and drive back to Tehran

Descending to second camp (Goosfand Sara). This morning total descending time would be approx 4-5 hours, 1250m. We then rejoin our 4WD vehicle for driving back to Rineh from where we continue back to Tehran. If we have time in the evening we will drive to Larijan natural hot spring bath to leave the tiredness in the hot mineral water then will be driven to the hotel in Tehran. (B, L, D)

Day 7: Old to the modern Tehran excursion

After breakfast we will have Tehran sightseeing and city tour. We spend all day visiting the capital’s attractions. Before noon we will visit the National Museum of Iran and Golestan Palace. In the afternoon we will go to Artists Park “Park-e Honar Mandan” for a vegetarian meal. You will be able to spend some time walking around the park after lunch visiting its attractions depending on your interest. We will spend a couple of hours there. Most of the times there is painting and photography show/exhibition inside the park as well as a theatre and cinema hall. Also, there are a few good coffee shops for refreshment. In the late afternoon we will drive from downtown to the northern part of Tehran. First, we stop for a couple of hours in Water and Fire Park “Abo-o-Atash “. This is an interesting park in terms of arts and architecture and is the third symbol of the city. Afterwards we will drive to the northern part of Tehran to see the capital from over the mountains. In the evening we will come back to the hotel. Overnight in Tehran. (B)