Damavand Expedition

Obtaining an Iran visa normally takes around two weeks for citizens of most countries. The process takes between about 2 months and sometimes more for passport holders of the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada (ABC nationals). Visa services are included in our Mount Damavand trekking tour packages. If you’re not traveling with us, you can request a visa service or apply for it on your own. Check Iran Visa Page for more information on Iran tourist visa and visa fees.

Damavand trekking season begins in mid-June and ends in mid-September. The best time to climb Mount Damavand is during the summer when the weather is stable and the warmest. You can also find detailed information about Damavand weather reading the Mount Damavand Page.

The level of physical fitness necessary to climb Mount Damavand depends on various factors such as your current level of physical fitness, experience in being at high altitudes, the length of your Damavand trekking tour, and the amount of time that will be spent trekking each day of the tour. Generally speaking, if you can afford 10 hours of hiking a day you can conquer the summit following the provided acclimatization plan and your mountain guide’s tips. You can contact our professional mountain guides at Cheetah-Adventures for any questions regarding Mount Damavand, trekking, and medical matters. You can also get more information reading the article about Damavand Difficulty.

Providing trekking equipment and clothes is not a service included in any of our Iran trekking tours. However, you can rent some of the equipment you don’t have or can’t bring from us. It’s recommended to use your own trekking boots to make sure you’re comfortable but you can rent other equipment such as sleeping bags, ground cloths, trekking poles, and clothes ( if available in your size). You can request the equipment you don’t have after checking the list of necessary equipment for a Damavand trekking tour on our website.

The southern route is the easiest Damavand trekking route due to many factors such as having a gentle slope, being non-technical, and having many facilities at the Damavand camps on this route. The northeastern route is the second easiest Damavand trekking route. You can also find detailed information about Damavand trekking routes reading the Mount Damavand Page.

Yes, there will be vegetarian options as well. All meals and snacks served during your Mount Damavand trekking tour are provided by locals as it is one of the main principles of ecotourism. All meals are prepared with fresh ingredients by our cooks in Damavand camps. There are also some snacks you can enjoy during your Damavand tour, and there’s always hot water available at the camps to make coffee and tea.

Yes, you’ll have access to a cellphone ( mobile phone) signals up until near Damavand peak. You can ask Cheetah-Adventures for a portable Wi-Fi modem as a complimentary service. We recommend you focus on enjoying your Damavand trek on the summit day and don’t worry about staying connected. Your guide can contact the camp using both his mobile phone and a walkie-talkie in case of emergencies.

Women can dress freely while at Mount Damavand. They can wear trekking pants, t-shirts and caps. However, a certain dress code applies to women when in the city while traveling in Iran. You can get complete information on Iran dress code Page.

Our experts will check the weather in advance and inform you if it will be unstable during your Damavand trekking tour; however, the weather is usually stable during summer when our Mount Damavand tours are performed. In addition, we normally include a back-up day ( reserved day ) to our Iran trekking tour itineraries in case such problems occur. You can also ask for an extra day during your Damavand trekking tour with an extra charge if it’s not included in your tour package.

Yes, you can choose one of the Iran cultural tour packages that you like from our website and book it for after or before your Damavand trekking tour. Our experts will help you choose the Iran tour package that suits you best based on your schedule and weather conditions. You can also request a customized tour in the Iran tailor-made tours page on our website. You’ll receive a bundle discount if you book both tours.

You can find general information on this Iran trekking tour and its features at the beginning of this page. You shouldn’t have any problems climbing Mount Damavand if you regularly trek and do cardio exercises.

Yes. Our private Mount Damavand trekking tours can be altered based on your preferences. You only need to mention the desired changes in the comment section when booking your Iran Trekking tour. Our experts will contact you later and ask for the details. Unfortunately, it’s not possible to change the travel itinerary for Iran group tours except for minor changes.

Mount Damavand gets rather crowded during the Persian weekends ( Thursdays and Fridays ). You may have some issues using the facilities available and won’t be able to enjoy the silence of the mountain as many mountain climbers and adventurers come to Mount Damavand at this time. Therefore, it’s best to choose one of the weekdays of the Persian calendar for the beginning of your Damavand trekking tour.

In short, by having proper acclimatization. The professional mountain guides at Cheetah-Adventures use their years of experience in leading Iran trekking tours and climbing mountains with 7000 – 8000 m of elevation when designing Iran trekking packages. They carefully design acclimatization programs and regularly check the overall well being of the mountaineers to make sure they can conquer Damavand peak safely and successfully. In addition, all Iranian mountain guides working at Cheetah-Adventures have successfully completed special medical courses certified by the National Mountaineering and Sport climbing Federation. In case any of the mountain climbers get altitude sickness, our guides will perform all the medical means necessary until he/ she is feeling better.

You can see them all checking the Equipment list. Plus, your guide will check your equipment and inform you if anything is missing before you leave the camp for Damavand peak. In addition, your mountain guide will have all the necessary first aid equipment including medicine for altitude sickness. It’s recommended to have a bottle of hot water and extra clothes such as socks, gloves, and a ski mask in your backpack on your Mount Damavand summit day.

You may or may not need crampons to climb Mount Damavand depending on the time of the year you choose and the amount of snow on the mountain. You don’t normally need crampons to climb Mount Damavand during summer ( Damavand high season) as there isn’t much snow. However, it’s recommended to bring crampons if you’re trekking before June or after September. Your Iranian mountain guide will inform you if you need crampons, also you can rent them from us if you don’t have them.

Yes. You can leave your extra luggage at our office. Your stuff will be safe with us and you can pick them up later or request for them to be sent to your address before your departure.

We normally book shared accommodation for all our Iran trekking tours. It’s either rooms with the capacity of four to six people or tents with the capacity of two people. You can also request private rooms or tents with an additional fee. It’s best to make your request as soon as possible to have a higher possibility to find an empty room but you can usually get a private tent.

An Iran small group tour normally consists of less than 10 people. You can book an Iran private tour package with the number of your companions. Larger group tours can be perfectly performed by increasing the number of tour guides and assistants. In this case, a Persian tour guide will be designated to the tour for each 4 people for safety measures. Cheetah-Adventures have successfully performed tours with more than 20 people.

Absolutely. You can choose one of our Iran small group tour packages with a fixed date. These Iran tour packages are designed for solo travelers and those traveling in small groups. They are also a great option for travelers who are cost-sensitive and looking for a more affordable Iran tour. You can find fixed-date offers in the price section for each Damavand tour package.

All travelers are required to purchase travel insurance prior to traveling to Iran. Insurance companies offer different types of insurance and services. We recommend you check the sorts of medical attention and accidents that your travel insurance covers when purchasing it and get another one if necessary. We can also provide you with additional insurance with an extra fee. In any case, your Iranian mountain guide will contact the emergency units and rescue units if any accident occurs. You’ll be rescued by a helicopter when necessary.

Yes. You can use international emergency numbers in Iran in case of emergencies or ask your Iranian Tour guide to call emergency units. Note that these numbers can also be dialed without a SIM card.

You won’t need much cash money as your Damavand trekking tour is full-board .We recommend you have at most the Rial equivalent of 50 euros cash in case you want to buy extra snacks or souvenirs. You can always ask your guide for cash if you run out and pay them back later.

No. Unfortunately credit cards and international debit cards can’t be used in Iran and you have to pay for everything in cash. Our team at Cheetah-Adventures travel agency always values the comfort and satisfaction of travelers, thus you’ll be given an Iranian Local debit card to use during your trip. You can charge this card anytime you want by giving Dollars or Euros to your guide or transferring money to our account. Note that the exchange rate will be calculated daily.

Yes, however, it’s recommended to use smaller cameras or cellphones to carry less weight during your Damavand climb. You can have your extra stuff brought to Damavand high camp (Bargah-e Sevom) with mules to be able to carry your camera easier. Nevertheless, It’s best to carry your camera yourself to avoid the risk of it being broken on the way.

If you’re a meticulous person and plan things in advance we recommend you book your Mount Damavand trekking tour 3 to 6 months in advance to get an early bird discount. Generally, it’s recommended to book your Iran trekking tour package at least 2 months before the beginning of your Iran trip. This way we’ll be able to apply for your Iran tourist visa in time and book the best accommodation for you. If you’ve already obtained your Iran visa or are currently in Iran you can book a tour up to 1 week before the start date; however, private accommodation will be unavailable. Note that the visa process takes longer for passport holders of the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada thus; these travelers have to book their tour at least 3 months in advance.

Your Iranian mountain guide will take the necessary actions in case of an accident . All of our guides will have a first aid kit with them and are certified for medical care in the mountains. At first, your guide will contact a doctor and then mountain rescue and the Iranian red crescent society if necessary. Rescuing by helicopters is also possible for severe cases if the weather is stable.

Yes. Please inform us of any special diseases such as cardiac disease, respiratory disease or brain lesion background or any prescription drugs you need to take. Also please let us know if you’re on a special diet (vegetarian, vegan, etc.) or have allergy to any type of food (spices, gluten, lactose).

Each mountain climber may prefer either types of accommodation based on his/ her personality . The Damavand southern hut gets very crowded during Mount Damavand high season, especially on Iranian weekends. Using the Hut the noises may disturb your rest especially in the midnight and early in the morning when everyone is preparing to have breakfast and leave. However, you’ll have the privileges of a bed to sleep on and enough space to put your stuff. On the other hand , staying in a tent is more peaceful as the tents are set up away from the Hut. You’ll also get a ground cloth and a blanket along with your tent. Please contact us before choosing any of the options.

Mountain climbers normally leave the camp at 5-6 in the morning. However, this depends on several factors such as the weather at Damavand summit, the progress rate of the team, the general physical condition of the mountain climbers the night before Damavand summit day, the temperature early in the morning, wind speed, time of sunrise and sunset, etc. Your guide will consider all of these factors and measure the progress rate of the team before deciding on the time to leave on your Damavand summit day.

You can request different types of food when booking your tour and we’ll replace the dishes we normally serve with your preferred ones if possible. We generally recommend hot watery dishes such as soup and dishes that are rich in carbohydrates and proteins such as pasta and rice with meat or soybeans as these types of food are easily digested and give you maximum energy at high altitudes.

You only need to carry the amount of water you’ll need during each trekking day as your Damavand trekking tour is full-board. We recommend you have 1.5 liters (one big bottle) of water for the trek between Damavand basecamp and Damavand high camp (Bargah-e Sevom Hut) and the same amount plus a flask of warm water for your Damavand summit day. You’ll be given daily some juice and cola during your Damavand trek as well. You’ll be given bottled mineral water daily for trekking, also hot water will be always provided in the camps. Note that staying hydrated can help your acclimatization process.

There are seasonal rivers supplied by the melted snow. However, it’s recommended to not drink this water as it contains sulfur and other natural impurities and may cause stomach aches.

Yes there is drinkable bottled mineral water available at all of Mount Damavand camps.

Yes, there are toilets at Damavand southern basecamp and third camp (Bargah-e Sevom Hut) that you can use while paying attention to hygiene. There are no toilets between Mount Damavand camps and between the high camp and Damavand peak.

No, the normal route leading up to Damavand summit is amoderate trail. However, some parts of the southern Damavand trekking route are steep, forcing you to pass using the zig-zag technique. In addition, some parts of the route may be covered with snow during June. Your Iranian mountain guide will provide you with the necessary equipment to pass these parts.

Yes, you can give your mountain guide a small backpack with a maximum weight of 15 kg to have it brought up with the mules. This service is free in most of Cheetah-Adventures Damavand Tour, check out the inclusions list. However, if you want to have more weight brought to Damavand high Camp for you an extra charge will apply. You can also share a large backpack with your fellow mountain climber and both put your stuff in it.

Yes, You can use electricity and light provided by a generator at Damavand southern basecamp. This service is only available from 8 pm until 10 pm. There is also electricity available at Damavand Bargah-e Sevom Hut provided by solar panels besides genrators. This service is usually available from sunset to 10pm depending on the amount of electricity used by the mountaineers. There is also a generator at one of the Mount Damavand shelters.In addition,there are some tents that have electricity powered by generators.

No. It’s generally not recommended to bathe at Mount Damavand to avoid catching cold. You’ll be able to bathe at Rineh or Polour village before and after your Mount Damavand climbing. You can also enjoy a hot spring pool after your Damavand trek if you get back in time.

Yes, your guide will set the time taking your progress rate, physical condition, distance to Damavand peak and time of sunset into account. The descending time from Mount Damavand is usually between 12 to 14 depending on daylight time and the month of your Damavand climbing tour. Note that insisting to continue trekking after the deadline may be dangerous and lead to accidents. At Cheetah-Adventures, we make the safety of our fellow travelers and mountain climbers a priority.

The acclimatization program of this Damavand trekking tour is designed in a way to make sure you’ll conquer Mount Damavand without any issues. Some of the general suggestions for having better acclimatization are staying hydrated, reducing the weight you have to carry, keeping up a good trekking pace, reducing stress, etc. Your Persian mountain guide will give you all the necessary information.

Yes, it’ll be possible to conquer the Damavand summit in less than two days if you’ve been on peaks with more than 4000 m of altitude in the previous weeks and are in good physical shape. You can climb Mount Tochal or Mount Alamkuh ( Alam-Kuh), the second most prominent peak in Iran, to acclimatize better before climbing Mount Damavand. You can book our combined Tochal & Damavand tour package or Alamkuh & Damavand tour package.

Yes, the sulfuric gas can be irritating when it’s directly in contact with you. Your guide will slightly change the route based on the direction of the wind near the holes that emit sulfuric gas to reduce the amount of gas you inhale. For more information, you can read the article Damavand Volcanic Crater and Sulfuric Gas.

The Damavand route you’ll take when descending the mountain depends on several factors. Some mountain climbers choose the same route they came from for descending while others choose a faster route which is covered by gravel. Your Iranian mountain guide will choose the fastest and safest route considering the amount of snow covering Mount Damavand and the time of your descent. Your descent from Damavand peak can involve sliding on the snow at times. Thus, you must be careful with steep parts and sharp stones!

Yes. You can request a private Damavand tour, a tour that only includes you and friends or family that you’re traveling with. It’s also possible to request a private guide in an Iran group tour.

Yes, you can request a female guide when booking your Iran tour package.

Yes, In cheetah-Adventures Damavand Tours we always rent the whole spring pool to make sure our travelers feel comfortable. Note that gender separation in hot spring pools does not apply to foreign travelers. Read more about Damavand Hot spring.

The acclimatization programs included in our Iran trekking tours and Iran mountain climbing tours are designed based on years of experience gathered by mountain climbers, instructors, and tour operators. You won’t have any problems if you’re in good physical shape and pay attention to your Iranian mountain guide. In general, we spend 2-3 days gaining and losing altitude before summiting Damavand. You can check the details reading each Damavand tour package itinerary.

You can book either a group or a private Mount Damavand trekking tour. You can make your request when booking your Damavand tour.

You’ll be provided with every service that is included in your Mount Damavand trekking tour package. Basically our Damavand tours are full board (all accommodations, transportations, meals, expert mountain guides, etc.) and travelers don’t need to allow extra money for anything. You can read detailed inclusions and exclusions.

The trekking time from Damavand southern basecamp (Goosfandsara at 3100m) to Damavand high camp (Bargah-e Sevom at 4200m) is 4-5 hours and it’s 6-7 hours from the high camp to Mount Damavand summit without the time we spend at Damavand camps and the acclimatization program. The descent from Damavand peak takes about 3-4 hours to the high camp, depending on the chosen route, and 2-3 more hours from the Bargah-e Sevom to Damavand southern basecamp. Note that it takes about 1 hour from Damavand basecamp to Rineh/Polur village with 4WD cars.

The majority of Iran trekking tours are spent trekking; however, you may get the chance to visit some of the nearby attractions as well depending on the type of tour you book.

You can find the complete list of the necessary equipment to climb Mount Damavand in the equipment list on our Damavand trekking tour page.