5 Days

Duration

Strenuous

Activity Level

May, Jun, July, Aug, Sep

Best Months

Adventure Travel

Travel Styles

A long mule hike in one of Iran Off the Beaten Track region of MT Alborz and ascent MT Sialain

TOUR CODE

012-STN-TRK

START

Tehran

FINISH

Tehran or Tonekabon

REGION(S)

Alamut Valley, Caspian Sea

INCLUDED

MEALS: 4 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 4 Dinners
ACCOMMODATIONS: Camp: 2 Nights, Local House: 2 Nights
TRANSPORTATION: 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

Visiting the remains of Lambesar Castle
Sightseeing & photography around Ovan Lake & village
Photography from Andej canyon”Red-rock”
Visiting the fabled ruins of the Alamut historic castle “Eagle Nest”
Local homestay & socializing with locals
Exceptional trekking route through spectacular mountain scenery
Crossing 2 vast valleys called Alamut and the valley of 2000
Ascending Mt Sialan 4250 m
One day exploring tour in the Caspian tea plantation & factory, pottery workshop, rice plantation, local fresh market, orange & tea garden, felting workshop
Swimming in the Caspian sea (Optional)

This is a memorable trip not only because of its physical beauty and the variety of landscape encountered, but also because we cross paths with history and myth some of which have acquired world renown. This is a voyage through a region that was the territory of Ismaelies and the famous Hassan Sabbah and his infamous Alamut Castle. The castle and quite a few other fortifications belonged to the Hashashin or what in the west is more commonly known as the Assassins.
This tour will start from Tehran to Tonekabon on the shore of the Caspian Sea. You will be back to Tehran from Tonekabon by VIP bus. In this trekking and sightseeing tour you will have the chance of having an activity and enjoying beautiful landscapes. Although the highlight of this tour can be visiting the castle of Alamut and know more about its history but you will also visit the remains of another castle used at the same era called Lambesar. On the way to the Caspian you will visit a beautiful lake “Ovan” having the chance of staying with local people and tasting their food. The route encountered in this itinerary is mountainous scenery with many beautiful spots ideal for photography.
The trekking is tough approximately hiking around 8-10 hours per days for 3 days. We will start at 2200m crossing the Sialan pass at 3850m, finishing at 1600m. Also optional climbing to the summit is available for professional hikers from Sialan pass (3850m) to the top (4250m).
On the trek we have many attractions like viewpoints, spring waters, waterfalls, snow fields and some villages.
North of Iran around Caspian Sea is an ideal climate for planting rice, tea, and fruits and so on, that’s why one day of this tour has been allocated to an exploring day visiting pottery workshops, rice farms and a tea factory giving you the maximum time to mix with local people and know more about their culture and customs.

Day 1: Tehran to Alamut Valley

Depart at 6.00 a.m. and drive towards the city of Qazvin. It is about 300 km. Half of the road is highway and the other half is curvy mountainous which we will stop every now and then to have a quick shot of photographs. In the beginning of this tour we will drive to Shahroud valley and visit the remains of Lambesar Castle. We will spend some time climbing to the top. After a short visit and taking some photographs, the journey will continue towards Ovan village. There is a beautiful lake in the village where we will have lunch. After lunch we will visit a spectacular valley called Andej. The Andej canyon is surrounded by three awesome red-rock, side canyons. After a short stop for photography, we hit the road to visit the main attraction of the trip”the Alamut Castle”. First, we reach to village of Gazorkhan which has historical significance and then will drive to the Castle. From the main gate it takes around half an hour to climb to the Eagle Nest. We spend some time visiting & photography from the remains of the castle and get a much better idea why they built it in such a place and some of the historical facts related to the Hashashin. We have panoramic views from the top of the castle to see the vast valley. Then we will go back to the village of GazorKhan checking in to the guest house. The remainder of the day will be spent at the village which has quite pleasant surroundings. We will have time to socialize with locals and hear the fables of the Hashashin. Overnight stay at the guest house or local homestay. (B, L, D)

Day 2: Haniz to the shelter (3279 m)

6.00 a.m. wake up for breakfast and start at 7.00 a.m. From Haniz (2200 m) we will pick the old historical trail through the mountains and work our way up to the shelter (3270 m). We will pass under and through a waterfall and some impressive fields and plantations. After lunch we continue to gently climb our way up to about 3270 meters for the first night camp. This is an excellent site for rest and photography with spectacular views. We make camp close to the shelter and have dinner and overnight stay in tents (B, L, D)

Day 3: Summit day 4250m

After breakfast at 7:30 a.m. we will hike our way through some spectacular scenery towards the Sialan pass 3850m. We will pass many view points and spring waters. We will have lunch on the way. There are lots of fields and plantations on the trail. We will hike around 600m to arrive the second camp. We will stop for taking some rest and optional climbing to the summit. Then we would continue and hike 400m more to get to the summit. From here you will have a great view of all the mountains around such as Khashe-Chal, Shah-Alborz (4180m) and Alam Kooh (4850m). On a clear day you can even see the Caspian Sea in the distance. We will come back to the second camp and join the first group (if any decided not to climb to the summit). We have dinner and overnight stay at camp. (B, L, D)

Day 4: Descending to the Caspian Sea

Early morning rise up and after breakfast we will continue the hiking from Sialan pass to the Daryasar. We have full day trekking and most of the trek is descending. We start around 3850m to 1600m. The terrain is beautiful and spectacular. After passing the mountains we arrive to a beautiful valley covered by green pastures, plants and trees before entering the forest. We will lose altitude around 2200m and from there our vehicle will pick us up to a village at the coast of the Caspian Sea. We cross the valley of 2000 arriving to the coast in the evening. We will take shower and socialize with local people enjoying the hospitality of native people. We will have traditional local food for dinner. Overnight stay. (B, L, D)

Day 5: Explore Caspian, Drive to Tehran

After breakfast, we have one day sightseeing and exploring tour around Tonekabon in the Caspian. We have a lot of attractions in the north of Iran and for a one day tour according to the time of your travel, climate and local situation you see some of the attractions like tea plantation & factory, pottery workshop, rice plantation, Old Bazzar & local fresh market, orange & tea garden and felting workshop. Also Swimming in the Caspian Sea would be nice if we can find extra time. Also, we have traditional local lunch there. In the afternoon you will transfer to bus terminal to leave for Tehran. We will be in Tehran around evening. (B, L)