Mount Sarak Chal in Iran Mount Sarak Chal (or Sarakchal) is one of the highest summits in the central Alborz Mountains in Iran, at 4210m above sea level. There are three Sarak Chal peaks which are located on the famous Kolon Bastak-Sarak Chal mountain ridge line. All three mountains are above 4000 m. The closest village to this mountain is Shemshak, the last one on the famous mountainous road of Tehran-Fasham. It is 60 km away from downtown Tehran. As a matter of interest, one of the most notable ski resorts in Iran for professional skiers is in Shemshak village. The altitude of the village is about 2700 m above sea level, which is the starting point of the trek to Sarak Chal peak. There is a shelter at 3492 m on the way to the peak, which is convenient as it is also the ideal location for acclimatization. There is a 15 km famous ridgeline above Shemshak village from west to east, which starts from Mount Koloon Bastak (4170m) in the west and ends at Mount Sarak Chal 3 (4210m) in the east. Between these two mountains, there are the two peaks of Sarak Chal 1 (4080m) and Sarak Chal 2 (4100m), making this ridgeline very challenging. From the peak, you have an excellent view of the immense Central Alborz mountains. In clear weather, you can see most of them, such as the Abak (3520m), Kholeno (4387m), Azadkuh (4350m), and Borj (4326m) mountains as well as the mighty Damavand (5610m), the roof of Iran. The season runs from mid-spring till the beginning of autumn. Summertime is the most popular period for ascending the mountain, as the weather is more stable for trekking. Mount Sarak Chal Ascend is the shortest hiking tour that we offer for this mountain. Hike
Mount Sarak Chal in Iran Mount Sarak Chal (or Sarakchal) is one of the highest summits in the central Alborz Mountains in Iran, at 4210m above sea level. There are three Sarak Chal peaks which are located on the famous Kolon Bastak-Sarak Chal mountain ridge line. All three mountains are above 4000 m. The closest
Shemshak Village Alborz Ski Region Shemshak village is one of the highest villages in Iran, situated in the heart of the Central Alborz Mountain, at 2,700 m altitude. It is only 65 km from the center of Tehran, about a 1 ½ hour drive to reach through a mountainous road. There is also a ski resort beside Shemshak village called Shemshak Ski resort. This ski resort is famous as it was the first to open in Iran in 1958, and is now the third largest ski resort in the country after Dizin and Darbandsar. Shemshak village is surrounded by numerous mountains above 3,000 m and 4,000 m, which makes the area ideal for hiking and mountain biking in Iran during spring, early summer, and summer. It is perfect for skiing in the winter. The 3,000m mountains are just right for easy and moderate hikes and are close to the village. For strenuous and challenging trekkers, the renowned mountains above 4,000 m. are perfect. There is a 15 Km mountain ridge above Shemshak village, stretching from Kolon Bastak (4,170m) in the west to Sarakchal (4,210m) in the east. Between the two peaks, there are even more mountains over 4,000m (Sarakchal 2 & Sarakchal 3), making this ridgeline very challenging. In the south, there is Mt Abak (3,520m) which is above Shemshak Ski Piste. If the weather is clear, you can view a number of Iran’s high mountains such as Kholeno (4,387m), Azadkuh (4,350m), Borj (4,326m), and the roof of Iran, Mt Damavand (5,610m). On the Adventure Iran website, we have a variety of hiking, mountain biking, and ski tours in this region, with different difficulty levels suitable for all travelers. We will briefly introduce some of these tours so that you can get a general idea. Shemshak Wall
Shemshak Village Alborz Ski Region Shemshak village is one of the highest villages in Iran, situated in the heart of the Central Alborz Mountain, at 2,700 m altitude. It is only 65 km from the center of Tehran, about a 1 ½ hour drive to reach through a mountainous road. There is also a ski
Tehran Mountain Biking Numerous mountains surround the area North of Tehran City with heights over 3,000 to 4,000 meters making perfect centers for selected adventure activities such as mountain biking. There are protected areas and national parks situated in the central part of the Alborz Mountain range. Varjin, Alborz-e Markazi protected areas, and Lar National Park are located northeast of Tehran and are just perfect for mountain biking. So far, the majority of Iran’s visitors have not received sufficient information about these regions. They travel to Iran believing they must go far afield for mountain biking, while near Tehran, in the heart of central Alborz, there are many areas for all types of mountain biking. There are various options for both moderate riders and advanced downhill bikers. There are also a number of districts for cycling in the northeast of Tehran. The biking terrains also vary depending on the region. They are a combination of asphalt, dirt, single-track, and age-old mule routes. In spring, the villages in Central Alborz are particularly picturesque, not only are they surrounded by different species of plants and flowers, but it is also interesting to observe the water level rising in the rivers from the melting snow. Cycling in Lavasanat countryside - Northern Tehran is one of the moderate mountain biking tours we offer in the spring as well as the Single-Track MTB in northern Tehran in the Alborz Mountains. During the summer, when most of the regions have hot temperatures, we can recommend a few trails in high altitudes to avail of the best weather for mountain biking. As mentioned, there are some mountains above 3,000 m in northern Tehran, which are ideal for this sport. Mountain Biking alongside Shemshak ski resort, a moderate short mountain biking tour in the high altitude of central
Tehran Mountain Biking Numerous mountains surround the area North of Tehran City with heights over 3,000 to 4,000 meters making perfect centers for selected adventure activities such as mountain biking. There are protected areas and national parks situated in the central part of the Alborz Mountain range. Varjin, Alborz-e Markazi protected areas, and Lar National
The Caspian Sea North of Iran The Caspian Sea is the largest lake in the world, situated in south-eastern Europe and south-western Asia. It is surrounded by 5 different countries, Kazakhstan, Russia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, and Iran. The Sea is home to a wide range of species. More than 850 different animals and at least 500 different types of plants live in this sea. However, the diversity of species can be considered almost too low for the size of this water body, most of them being indigenous like caviar. In Persian, the Caspian Sea is called Daryaye Kahzar, which is doubtlessly one of the most beautiful parts of Iran. In the summertime, millions of people from all over the country, especially Tehran, travel to this coast. In Iran, it is also known as Shomal-e Iran meaning Northern Iran, an area along the coast of the Sea. The forested coastal plains rise up to the Alborz Mountains. This region consists of the three provinces of Gilan, Mazandaran, and Golestan, each with plenty of attractions. The climate of the southern Caspian Sea is perfect for agriculture. There is an abundance of fruits, vegetables, and herbs as well as rice and tea, so important to Iranian culture. Northern Iran, to the south of the Sea, is the rainiest region. In addition, the area is located in the northern part of the Alborz Mountain Range with a lot of high-altitude mountains, where melted snow has created splendid rivers. Furthermore, there are many exquisite dense forests between the Alborz Mountains and the Caspian Sea. One of the most famous is the Hyrcanian Forests, registered on the list of UNESCO natural sites. There is also another UNESCO site in this region. Gonbad-e Qabus tower is a UNESCO world heritage site, being the tallest pure-brick tower in
The Caspian Sea North of Iran The Caspian Sea is the largest lake in the world, situated in south-eastern Europe and south-western Asia. It is surrounded by 5 different countries, Kazakhstan, Russia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, and Iran. The Sea is home to a wide range of species. More than 850 different animals and at least 500 different
Alborz-e Markazi Protected Area Alborz-e Markazi Protected Area is one of the biggest protected areas in Alborz Mountain Range observed by the Department of Environment of Iran. The area starts north of Tehran city and stretches to the Caspian Sea. It is situated in three provinces of Tehran, Alborz, and Mazandaran. The whole area is around 400,000 hectares and is home to 48 species of mammals, 156 species of birds, 1,400 different species of plants, and 26 species of reptiles who live in this area. It is one of the main sources of water as there are many rivers in this region. The most famous mountains of Central Alborz, above 4,000m, are located in this protected area. Mount AzadKuh 4,400m, Mount Kolonbastak 4,150 m, and Mount Sarakchal 4,250m are its most famous peaks. In addition, Abali Ski resort, the first ski resort in Iran, built around 60 years ago (1960), is located in Alborz-e Markazi protected area. The main ski resorts of Dizin, Shemshak, and Darbandsar are also found here. Adventure Iran is one of the pioneer tour operators focusing on this region to conduct and create action-packed tours in Iran. Short and long mountain trekking, Mountain biking, and Ski touring are a variety of Adventure Iran tours that are carried out during the most suitable period for each activity throughout the year. A couple of tours with fixed departure dates are included in Adventure Iran Group Tours too. Due to the high altitude, the temperature and climate vary in each season. We, therefore, arrange appropriate trips for each season. One of the most popular moderate treks is Hike in Iran through off the beaten tracks which is one-week trekking in the Central Alborz Mountains and includes several protected areas such as Alborz Markazi protected area. For Mountain
Alborz-e Markazi Protected Area Alborz-e Markazi Protected Area is one of the biggest protected areas in Alborz Mountain Range observed by the Department of Environment of Iran. The area starts north of Tehran city and stretches to the Caspian Sea. It is situated in three provinces of Tehran, Alborz, and Mazandaran. The whole area is
