Climb Mount Damavand volcano at 5610 meters in Iran

Today’s capital of Iran, Tehran is a modern city whose thousand riches are hidden in the heart of a megalopolis of fourteen million inhabitants. Small trading town, Tehran developed after the destruction of Ray – Raghès for the Ancients – during the Mongol invasion of 1228, but became capital only under the Safavids in the 16th century.

Excursion in the northern part of the city with a walk that, by a pleasant path, leads us into the mountain for a last lunch in a typical restaurant ... We visit the Niavaran Palace (Shah’s Palace) and then, after a walk in the Jamshidiyeh Park, one of the most beautiful parks of Tehran, continuation to visit in Sad Abad, the White Palace.

In the early morning we will leave Tehran and take the road north to the Caspian Sea and the mountains of Arborz. After 140 kilometers, we arrive at the town of Kelardasht in the province of Mazandaran, which runs along the southern shore of the Caspian Sea. We have about fifteen kilometers to travel on a small mountain road to reach the village of Vandarbon where we settle down at the complex of the federation of the mountains. Small fitness hike. 

Early departure by 4X4 vehicle, to follow a chaotic track for about ten kilometers along the river in the valley until the end at Tang-e-Galu (3300 m). Our local team is waiting for us with mules to join the base camp of Lashgarak and Alam Kuh, the Hesarchal Camp (3750 m).

Beautiful day of acclimatization on the slopes of Mount Lashgarak (4256 m) which faces the Alam Kuh. From the Hesarchal Mountain Camp, you climb up easy slopes to a glacial lock. Beyond, a small lake marks the lower limit of what was undoubtedly a vast glacier. The path goes up directly above the lake, crossing the boulders that lead to the summit ridge. 360° view with Alam Kuh on one side and Damavand on the other, but still far away. Return to Hesarchal Camp in the afternoon.

The Alam Kuh, second highest summit of Iran offers contrasting faces. North of large granite walls and even a glacier.  Iranian mountaineers come to train in these vertiginous faces. At the foot of this slope, due to the proximity of the Caspian Sea, the vegetation is green. The southern slope, arid and bare, offers regular slopes that climb without particular difficulty. 

Early start for the ascent. At the beginning of our progression, we will undoubtedly meet some climbers. After three hours of walking on a well-marked path, we reach the foot of the summit slope. We finish the ascent by climbing a large stone tree. At the summit, at 4848 meters, if the sky is clear, superb view of the Damavand, our final objective. The summit, made up of large blocks, unfortunately offers little space to settle. Descent by the same route to the camp of Hesarchal, then return to Tang e Galu where the vehicles are waiting for us to return to Vandarbon. 

Transfer to the foot of the Damavand by a road that crosses between the peaks of the Alborz, before reaching the coastal plain that precedes the shores of the Caspian Sea. What a change of vegetation between the dry south slopes and the very green north slopes of the Alborz! After the mountain, summer atmosphere at the beach for a little lunch break... We drive along the Caspian Sea between the villages of Chaloos and Mahmudabad where the road again forks southwards. The road is marked by deep parades. Suddenly, at a bend, the perfect pyramid of Damavand appears in all its glory. We drive along the east face to reach the village of Polour located at the foot of the south face of Damavand and starting point for most of the ascents of Damavand. If the accommodation in Polour is full, we stop about ten kilometers further at the village of Reyneh. 

Transfer by 4X4. We take a well-marked track to the refuge of Camp 2 (3040 m) of Damavand, also called base camp or Goosfand Star. We set up our tents near the small refuge. The afternoon is devoted to rest, with the summit of Damavand in focus.

Early start. The first part of the climb is on a well-marked path. The beauty of the landscape at dawn puts balm in our hearts... In the afternoon we arrive at Bargah Sevom Camp (4220 m), last stop before the summit. 

We leave early to the summit. A few hundred meters higher, the first sulfur smells testify to the proximity of the summit. We finish the climb by a large slope of volcanic sand where, occasionally, fumaroles appear. We end on one of the edges of the large crater that makes up the summit of Damavand. Crossing or tour of the crater, to appreciate this moment... If the weather is clear, the view extends to the Caspian Sea.

We leave our high camp to go down into the valley leaving behind us this impressive summit that is the Damavand. Transfer to the hot springs of Abegam. In a narrow alley, the baths of the village with warm and sulphurous waters are a moment of relaxation very appreciated.

NB: this day is a reserve day that can allow, or try again the ascent of Damavand if the weather conditions have not met the day before, or to make a trek in the morning in the valley of Nava located opposite the Damavand from where we have a magnificent perspective on the master of the place (3 h trek. M = D: 300 m, 1 hour 30 transfer).

Return to Tehran by crossing the Alborz (Elbourz) range.

Day dedicated to the visit of the capital. Choice of visits based on what people want in light of their previous visits.

• The Archaeological Museum 
• The sumptuous Golestan Palace (Unesco)
• The Museum of Glass and Ceramics 
• The Carpet Museum.

Walk in the souks and on the Tabiiat Bridge that connects the Parks Ab-o-Atashet Taleghaniet whose third level offers a beautiful view of Tehran.

In the evening, transfer to the airport for the return flight.