Circuit de Trekking Damavand et Alam-Kuh

Welcome to 5 days Alam-Kuh Trekking tour. You’ll be introduced to your guide at your hotel after breakfast, having a short briefing and checking the equipment we’ll head to Kelardasht via Chalus Road (4 to 5 hours – 200km). Chalus Road, passing through the mountains, is one of the most beautiful roads in Iran and one of the three main roads heading north. We’ll have lunch on the road and then continue our path to Kelardasht where we’ll stop shortly to buy the food supply for Alamkuh Trekking Tour. 

Afterwards we head to Rudbarak village through an asphalt road (20 minutes, 6 km) and later on to Vandarbon village through a dirt road (1 hour, 16 km). The mountaineering federation hostel is located in Vandarbon village.  

At Vandarbon, we’ll reach 2200 meters of altitude in the mountain camp. The camp building is equipped with rooms, dining room, showers and other facilities. We’ll have dinner, pack our equipment and stay the night at this camp.

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Rooms at Vandarbon Camp (2200 m)

Today we’ll have breakfast at 6, then at 7 we’ll head to Tang-e Galu, the beginning of the southern route of Alam-Kuh, by 4WD cars.

We reach Tang-e Galu (2800 m high) after riding on a dirt road (1 h, 15 km). Afterwards we hand the luggage to the mule owners and then we continue the rest of our way to Hesarchal camp on feet (taking 2 h). Hesarchal camp (3750m) with its seasonal rivers and amazing combination of snowfields and green fields is a replica of paradise on earth. This camp is surrounded by peaks higher than 4000 meters and the highest of them is Alam-Kuh. Arriving at Hesarchal, we set up tents and have lunch. The rest of the day will be spent resting, exploring surroundings and acclimating around Hesarchal Camp.

Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Accommodation: Tents at Hesarchal camp

This morning we’ll trek up to Lashgarak summit (4250 m high) at 8:00 and after having breakfast (taking 2 to 3 hours). You’ll only need a light backpack for this trek. Today we get to see the magnificent Lashgarak Lake on our way and enjoy the panoramic view of Takht-e Soleyman region and its impressive summits from Lashgarak Peak. In case you have enough energy and interest, it’s possible to continue the route and conquer Gardun Kuh(4300 m high) as well (in 1hour). Afterwards, we descend back to Hesarchal camp and have lunch (1 to 2 hours descending).This afternoon you’ll have time to spend on your own, rest and get prepared for Alamkuh Summit day.

Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Accommodation: Tents at Hesarchal camp

Today we’ll have breakfast at 5:00 and leave Hesarchal at 6:00. The route we take is a normal trekking route, however; it becomes narrow at the last 200 meters. Arriving on the summit of Alamkuh (taking 4 to 5 hours), we can see other teams camping on the north face, nearby summits such as Takht-e Suleyman, SiahKaman, Miansechal Shakhak etc. We’re also able to see Alamchal Glacier located in the north face of Alam-Kuh, you will be amazed by looking down due to the vertical big wall of Alam-Kuh (approximately 600m) creating an empty face. We might also be able to see the Caspian Sea if the weather is clear.

Leaving the peak behind, we also conquer Marjikosh/Marjikesh peak (4550 m high) as our way back to Hesarchal is technically easier from there. We’ll head back to Hesarchal and spend the night there to end the day.

Note: In case we arrive at Hesarchal early and have enough energy, we can pack and trek back to Tang- e Galu (taking 1 hour), take the 4WDs back to  Vandarbon and spend the night at this village.

Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Accommodation: Tents at Hesarchal camp or Rooms at Vandarbon village

This morning we leave Hesarchal for Tang-e Galu at 8, after having breakfast and packing up the tents.Then we’ll take the 4WD’s back to Rudbarak Village. We’ll have an hour to shower and freshen up in the mountaineering federation hostel in Rudbarak and afterwards we head to Kelardasht. We’ll enjoy local food at Kelardasht in a nice restaurant and then we drive to Abbas Abad Jungles and Caspian Sea (2-3 hours, 150km) to get a taste of the stunning nature of the northern part of Iran. We’ll spend the night at the amazing coast of Caspian Sea. You can walk on the beach, watch the sunset and do aquatic activities (such as boating, swimming etc.)

Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Accomodation: Beach Hotel at Mahmoudabad

This morning having breakfast,  we leave the hotel at 9:00. We’ll get to Traditional Bazaar of Mahmoud Abad where is famous for selling fish, spices, vegetables and all kinds of food and handicrafts from the north of Iran. Then we take the northern bypass near the Caspian Sea to Haraz road. We’ll have lunch at a great restaurant on the road and then continue our way to Rineh Village (2-3 h, 120 km). Arriving at Rineh we’ll have dinner and go to sleep.

Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Accomodation: Hostel/Guest House at Rineh Village

Today we have breakfast at 6:00 and leave Rineh at 7:00. We’ll be transferred to Goosfandsara (3100 m high) using 4WD cars, the Southern base camp of Damavand also known as the Mosque, then we load our luggage onto the mules. Afterwards we trek up to Bargah-e Sevom Hut (4200 m high, 3-4h). Arriving at the hut, we’ll have a light meal for lunch. In the afternoon we rest and get prepared for Damavand Summit day. We’ll have an early dinner at 19:00 and go to bed.

Note: As we climbed Alamkuh (4850m) and spend some days on high altitude we don’t need extra days for acclimatization on Damavand.

Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Accomodation: Rooms/Tents in Bargah-e Sevom Hut

Here comes the day. It’s time to conquer the most prominent peak in Iran and the Middle East (elevation gain: 1460 m, 5-6 h). We get up at 4:00 and after having breakfast we leave Bargah-e Sevom and head for the peak at 5:00. We start trekking from the right ridge and continue on this path until we reach Abshar-E Yakhi (Damavand icefall. Then we traverse and switch to the left ridge up to the triangular rock (almost 5350m), known as Damavand fake summit which is where we see sulfuric hills. At this point the only thing standing between us and the beautiful summit is a 1 hour trek .Standing on the peak of Mount Damavand, we can enjoy the spectacular scenery and if we’re lucky enough to be there on a cloudless day we can see the Caspian Sea and other peaks in Alborz Mountain Range. After making some memories by taking photos, we descend back to Bargah-e Sevom through an easier route which accelerate the descension. We’ll arrive at Bargah-e Sevom in 3 hours. If we have enough energy we descend back to Goosfandsara during 2 hours after resting and eating at the hut. Then we’ll take the 4WD cars to Rineh village, take the things we need we head to Larijan Village to experience the hot spring pool and delicious lamb Kebab that it’s famous for. Our long and great day ends as we head back to the hostel to sleep.

Note: In case you’re tired, it’s possible to stay at Bargah-e Sevom for the night.

Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Accomodation: Hostel/Guest House at Rineh village or beds/tents at Bargah-e Sevom

Today is considered as backup day (reserved day). In case we’re unable to reach the peak on the 8th day we’ll do so today and continue with the rest of the schedule. Otherwise we’ll spend this day sightseeing in Rineh village and exploring the surroundings of Damavand.

After visiting Rineh and experiencing rural life in Iran, we’ll visit Shahandasht Waterfall located in Haraz road. This breathtaking waterfall is the largest in Mazandaran province and one of the highest in Iran. After spending a while listening to the calming sound of the waterfall and enjoying the sight we’ll head to visit Kafar Koli Caves. These manually hand-carved caves date back to the time Arabs attacked Iran and served as homes for non-Muslims. We’ll also visit Shekl-e Shah epigraph and stroll around Lar National Park.

Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Accomodation: Hostel/Guest House at Rineh Village

This morning we’ll leave Rineh at 9:00 and after having breakfast. We’ll take Haraz road to Tehran and you’ll be dropped off at your chosen spot (2h, 100km) and that would be the end of our adventure.

Note: This program can be followed by one of Iran cultural tours, you can see here.

Note: Extra nights for accommodations in Tehran can be requested (before/after the tour start/end date).

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: –