Circuit de Trekking Tochal et Damavand

This morning we visit Sa’dabad complex (Sa’d Abad Museum complex), located in the north of Tehran, to get a taste of the culture of Iran. Then we have lunch at Darband, a famous region located at the foothills of Mount Tochal where locals often go to enjoy the nice weather alongside a delicious meal. Having some rest, we start trekking up to Shirpala Hut at 15:00 (2-3 hr trekking). Shirpala hut (2750 m high) is built by mountaineers during Pahlavi dynasty, dates back to before the Iranian Revolution in 1979 and is one of the oldest and most beautiful huts in Iran. This hut is fully equipped with beds, restaurant, baths and toilets. You get to see the stunning landscape of the grand city of Tehran at night from the balcony of Shirpala hut. We’ll have dinner and spend the night at the hut.

Accommodation: Tents or Rooms at Shirpala hut (2750m)

Meals included: Lunch | Dinner

Today we get up at 5:00 and leave Shirpala hut for Tochal summit at 6:00 (4 hrs trekking). In 2 hours we’ll stop at Amiri Shelter/Sang-e Siah Shelter (3500 m high). This shelter was built by the family of a mountaineer who died at this spot. Afterwards we continue trekking to Tochal summit (2 hrs). Arriving at Tochal summit we can see Mount Damavand and other summits in the central Alborz Mountain Range and enjoy the amazing view. We’ll rest at an aluminum shelter on the summit for a while and then we’ll trek to the cable car station (7th station) for less than half an hour and then descend all the way down with the cable car (1 hr). We’ll have lunch when we get down and leave Tehran for Rineh village afterwards (2-3 hrs driving, 100 km). Our day will end having dinner at a lovely guesthouse in Rineh Village.

Accommodation: Hostel/GuestHouse at Rineh Village (2200m)

Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch(lunch box) | Dinner | Snacks

Today we have breakfast at 6:00 and leave Rineh at 7:00. We’ll be transferred to Goosfandsara (a sheep pasture at 3100 m), the Southern base camp of Damavand also known as the Mosque, and load our luggage onto the mules. Afterwards we trek up to Bargah-e Sevom hut (4200 m high, 4 hrs). Arriving at the hut, we’ll have a light lunch and rest till the evening when we’ll leave for an acclimatization trek. We’ll trek up to 4700 meters of altitude and descend back to Bargah-e Sevom to have dinner at 19:00. We go to bed early to have enough time to sleep before Damavand Summit day.

Accommodation: Rooms/Tents in Bargah-e Sevom hut (4200m)

Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Here comes the day. It’s time to conquer the most prominent peak in Iran and the Middle East (elevation gain: 1460 m, 6 hrs). We get up at 4:00 and after having breakfast we head for the peak at 5:00. We start trekking from the right ridge and continue on this path until we reach the elevation of Abshar E Yakhi (Damavand icefall) at 5000m. Then we traverse to the left ridge and continue up to the triangular rock (known as Damavand fake summit, almost 5350m), 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 to accelerate the process. We’ll arrive at Bargah E Sevom in 3 hours. If we have enough energy we descend back to Goosfandsara (2 hrs) after resting and eating at the hut. Then we’ll take the jeeps to Rineh village, take the things we need we head to Larijan village to experience the hot spring pool and 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.

Accommodation: Hostel/Guesthouse at Rineh village or Bargah-e Sevom

Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Today is considered as backup day (reserved day). In case we’re unable to reach the peak on the 4th 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 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 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.

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

Accommodation: Hostel/Guesthouse at Rineh village (2200m)

Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

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 (2 hrs, 100 km).

Meals included: Breakfast

Note: This program can be followed by a cultural tour (Click).

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