Mount Damavand Ski Tour & Doberar Mountain Ski Touring
Tour Code: SP21/ST-C
Running Time:
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Tour Type:
Ski tour/ Cultural exploring
Tour Rating:
(5 / 5)
Price Per Person From:
From 990 €
Damavand Ski Tour Highlights
Best Ski Touring in Iran ★★★★★
If you are interested in the Mount Damavand Ski Tour, one of the rapturous adventure tours in Iran is ski touring in Mt Damavand, the highest volcano in the Middle East. Mount Damavand and Doberar Ridge (which is located beside Lasem village and just 20 minutes drive from the base of Damavand named Polour and Rineh) are the most popular sites to have a nice ski tour in Iran. This guided Damavand ski tour tour is one of the most popular Iran ski tours that attracts many participants every year (Read Nicole Steck story about the Damavand Ski Tour trio). To the usual climate of the Damavand area, March, April, and May is the best time to ski, with the most snow. (see Mount Damavand weather in Holiday Information above.) The short distance between the site you are skiing on during your trip makes it possible to have a warm shower after your day in guesthouses near. (if you are interested, you can Discover the Mythology of Mount Damavand in our blog) It’s worth it when you come to Iran to feel the cultural side of this big country which is reputed for its rich culture and history. Tehran capital of Iran and also the most populated city is one the city every traveler wonder to visit during his/her holiday in Iran. Kashan is a historical city in Isfahan province, 3 hour drive away from Tehran. In this beautiful city, you visit historical splendid houses with Iranian architectural design and Fin Garden, which has a complete design of a perfect Iranian garden. Niasar is the other city you will visit during your trip to Iran. Visiting a 2000-year-old fire temple, beautiful Rose gardens, Niasar waterfall, Rose-water festival & extracting rose water are the most highlighted sights of this tour in Niasar.
- Day 1: Arrive IK Airport, Sightseeing Tehran, transport to Polour village (~2400 m)
- Day 2: Ski-touring in Doberar mountain Ridge.
- Day 3: Ski-touring in Doberar Ridge, Changizchal summit (~4100 m).
- Day 4: Ski-touring in Doberar Ridge, Doberar summit (~4250 m)
- Day 5: Transport to Damavand base camp (Gosfandsara) 3000 m by 4WD cars, start ski-touring to Damavand shelter (Bargahe Sevom) 4250 m
- Day 6: Acclimatization/ bad weather reservation day
- Day 7: Summit day
- Day 8: Descend Polour and Hot Spring
- Day 9: Kashan historical city tour
- Day 10: Sightseeing Niasar town & Rose Water festival
- Day 11: Fly back home
DAMAVAND SKI TOUR FULL ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrive IK Airport, Sightseeing Tehran, transport to Polour village (~2400 m)
Arrive at Tehran I.K. Airport. After welcoming, we’ll transport your group to Hotel. After a short rest, we’ll go to visit the Persian metropolis capital, Tehran. Today we have enough time to visit Tajrish Bazar in the north of city, Sadabad palace complex, then we’ll go to visit Darband valley. After lunch, our Bus will transfer the group to Polour village at the foot of Damavand summit. Polour is a small village with about 2400 m altitude and placed on about 65 km far away Tehran in the northeast. O /N at guesthouse or local house in Polour village.
Day 2: Ski-touring in Doberar mountain Ridge.
After breakfast at early morning we’ll transfer group to Lasem village (about 30 min) at the foot of Doberar ridge (north side). Doberar is a mountain ridge that is too long and has many 3000 and 4000 m summit. Lasem village (~2700 m) is our start point for ski-touring. Today we climb Lasem summit (~3700 m), it takes about 4 hours to top. There we can enjoy and take pictures from the best scenes of Damavand and Doberar ridge. Descend down to Lasem village, transport to our camp at the Polour guest house/local house, take a shower, and have rest. O /N at guesthouse or local house.
Day 3: Ski-touring in Doberar Ridge, Changizchal summit (~4100 m).
After serving breakfast at the early morning, we’ll go to Lasem village and start our ski-touring to Changizchal summit (~4100 m). It takes about 5 hours to summit. Descend to Lasem village and enjoy the good snow conditions for downhill skiing. Transport to Polour guesthouse/local house and have rest. O /N at guesthouse or local house.
Day 4: Ski-touring in Doberar Ridge, Doberar summit (~4250 m)
After serving breakfast at the early morning, transport to Lasem village, we’ll start our ski-tour to climb Doberar summit with about 4250 m altitude (the highest summit in Doberar ridge). We ascend about 5 to 6 hours to reach summit. After taking pictures and enough rest, descend to Lasem, transport Polour village, take a shower, and have a rest. O /N at guesthouse or local house.
Day 5: Transport to Damavand base camp (Gosfandsara) 3000 m by 4WD cars, start ski-touring to Damavand shelter (Bargahe Sevom) 4250 m
After serving breakfast and leave our extra equipment in guesthouse, we transport the group to Gosfandsara by 4WD at 3000 m altitude. Depending on weather conditions and if mountain road will be closed by snow, we should have to start from the last place where we can go by cars on the road. There we leave our luggage (each 2person one 15 kg luggage) to mules or porters, and they carrying them for us to Bargahe Sevom. After about 5 to 6 hours we’ll reach Bargahe Sevom shelter in 4250 m altitude and have a rest there. O /N at Shelter or 2person tent.
Day 6: Acclimatization/ bad weather reservation day
This day is reserved in case of bad weather condition. In this case we can change the program. So there is enough time for after breakfast climb slowly to an altitude of 4800 m and have enough rest for good acclimatization. Descend to Shelter and enjoy landscape of Doberar ridge, Lar Dam and national park. O /N in shelter/2 person tent.
Day 7: Summit day
After breakfast at early morning, we’ll start ascend to top of the Iran, Damavand summit (5671 m). It takes about 6 or 7 hours to reach summit by ski. Near the summit in about 5400m, because of warmth and sulfur gas, there is not enough snow and you should take off your skis and climb summit by boot crampons. After reach summit you can see the Crater of old Damavand volcano and enjoy scenes, tacking memorial pictures. Then descend to shelter by ski (about 2 hours). O /N at shelter or 2person tent.
Day 8: Descend Polour and Hot Spring
Today morning we pack our luggage (will carrying by mules or porters) and descend to Gosfandsara by ski, there our 4WD transport us to Polour. Take a shower and collect the equipment. Go to Larijan local hot spring. O /N at guesthouse or local house.
Day 9: Kashan historical city tour
Today morning we’ll start driving to Kashan historical city in center of Iran, it’s about 200 km far away from Tehran in the south (4 hours driving from Polour). Kashan city is the capital of Kashan County, in the province of Isfahan, Iran. At the 2006 census, its population was 248,789, in 67,464 families. The etymology of the city name comes from the Kasian, the original inhabitants of the city, whose remains are found at good preserved archeological Tapeh Sialk dating back 9,000 years; later this was changed to “Kashian”, hence the town name. Between the 12th and the 14th centuries Kashan was an important centre for the production of high quality pottery and tiles. In modern Persian, the word for a tile (kashi) comes from the name of the town Kashan. In Kashan you can visit some historical sites like Brodjerdian house, Abbasian house, Fin garden (paradise garden), Soltan Amirahmad Bathroom, and etc. O /N at Hotel in Kashan.
Day 10: Sightseeing Niasar town & Rose Water festival
Niasar which is located in the slope of Karkas Mountains, at the foot of the first unique monument of the Sassanid era “Char Taqi”, is one of the main centers of producing rose and rose water in Iran. It is believed that Niasar is one of the oldest residential cities in the country. The ancient region embraces the Eskandarieh Spring, the 2000-year-old fire temple, a running water fall, and many beautiful gardens in which the village houses are dispersed, fascinating every visitor for several hours. The city observe a warm welcome by tourists. Niasar, which is located 24kilometers off Kashan in Isfahan Province, will be hosting many more visitors during the upcoming days. The season for picking rose and preparing rosewater is from early May to mid-June. Afternoon we drive back to Tehran (in case of choosing extra Isfahan tour by you, we’ll stay tonight in Kashan city). O /N at Hotel.
Day 11: Fly back home
Depends on your flight time we manage this day and transport the group to the airport.
NECESSARY INFORMATION FOR DAMAVAND SKIING
- Visa processes (Reference number or Invitation letter)
- Pick up from the airport
- Prepaid SIM Card with active Internet that you can charge with credit to use (pre-order is necessary)
- 3x nights in minimum *** hotel with breakfast in Tehran and Kashan
- 5x nights in the guesthouse or local house with a full board
- 3x nights in mountain hut/2person tent with full board
- Camping services
- Two person tent
- Duffel bag
- All transfer, bus, and 4WD rides
- Organization of the whole trek
- Luggage transport with mules or porters (each 2person one ~15 kg luggage)
- 1x farewell dinner in Tehran
- Professional Ski-tour guide and cook during the program
- Tehran, Kashan, and Niasar sightseeing
- Transport to the airport
- International flight
- Museum and Hot spring tickets
- Visa fee
- The phone credit on the sim-card
- Carrying ski board (shi’s) and ski shoes by mules to Damavand shelter (in case of less snow between Gosfandsara and shelter)
- Single room supply at hotels (charge 60 euro p/p night)
- Emergency rescue costs
- Extra plans in case of bad weather or changes in the program
- Climbing permits for Damavand summit 50$
- Tips and extra nights at hotels
- Any other services not specified above
- Iranian Cuisine
- Vegetrian Meals
- Your Desired
- All inclouded
- Guest House or Local House
- Two Person Tents & Camping Services
- Sleeping Bag & Mattress
No need to have any special vaccination. There is no contagious disease in Iran. But for abroad holiday its better to do your regular health care and vaccination or teeth treatment before you travel.
The currency of Iran is the Iranian Rial. Most of places does not accept Paypal or International credit cards, So you must pay in cash, or you can use Iranian Debit Card. You can charge your Travel Debit Card with local currency (You can charge this card ones (50 E, 100 E, 200 Euro or more) during your journey in Iran. We advise you to charge it until 300 euro before you visit museum, hot springs, market, shops and restaurant. With this card you can easily pay everywhere and withdraw local currency from any ATM. With this digital payment service you can spend money without worrying about changing money wherever you are or to be concerned about your budget. You can only spend the amount of money you charge on your card. You can also recharge easily the credit of your Sim-card)
Iran is an Islamic Country, So If you are a woman, You must wear scarf and mantoo and also man are prohibited to wear shorts in the cities.
NEEDED EQUIPMENT FOR SKI TOURING DAMAVAND
- Ski equipment:
Alpine Touring Skis (lightweight for uphill), Touring Binding, Alpine Ski-touring boots, Climbing Skins (fit size by the Skies), Ski repair kit, Ski Crampons, Ski goggles, walking Ice axe, Snow Shovel, Probe, Avalanche transceiver
Note: There is possibility to renting ski equipment in Iran
- Luggage:
Duffel bag 70-100 L (Carrying by 4WD cars or leave in Hotel/Guesthouse), Daypack 30-40 L to carry camera, water bottles, extra clothing, Lunch box (Ice axe attachment and Ski carrying system), Luggage tags and locks
- Camping Gear:
Sleeping bag and stuff sack (4season down sleeping bag), Mattress
- Outerwear:
Goretex jacket with hood (waterproof and breathable), Goretex/wind stopper pants (side zippers are convenient), Fleece pant, Merino Base Layer top and bottom, Fleece or Synthetic Mid Layer, Warm Down Jacket, Insulated vest (down or synthetic filled), fleece or wool sweater, Fleece pants, Mid-weight thermal underwear tops and bottom (synthetic or wool), Hiking pants, Long-sleeve shirts, T-shirts (synthetic are best), Underwear
- Clothing Accessories:
Sun hat, Wool or fleece hat (over ears), Mid weight and Down Gloves, Thin liner gloves, Neck Gaiter or Buff, Balaclava, Gaiters
- Footwear:
Alpine Ski-touring boots, Boot Crampon, types of Socks, Camp shoes (trail shoes or running shoes)
- City Clothing:
Bring a few lightweight, easily washable items for travel and daily wear, Comfortable shoes
Note: Woman should wear long sleeve shirt, Scarf and long Shirt in cities.
- Travel Accessories:
Headlamp (lithium batteries are best for cold weather), Termo Flask, Water Bottle, Pocket knife or pocket tool, Ear plugs, Small quantity of favorite energy snacks, hiking staff or trekking poles, Small waterproof pack cover for daypack, Sunglasses with strap (side-shields or glacier glasses recommended), Sun block cream and lip balm, Personal hygiene supplies including biodegradable soap, Small quick-dry towel, Personal first aid kit, medicines, Hand sanitizer gel or hand wipes and etc
- Optional Field Gear:
Camera, memory cards, spare batteries, Battery charging station for cameras or personal electronics, Solar charger for batteries, Travel Adapter (UK to EU) Antibacterial wet wipes.
SKI Tour DAMAVAND Dates & Prices
⇒ Certified Mountain Guide Free!
⇒ Group of <3 persons, contact for More Discounts!
Date | Reservation Code | Price | Trip Status | Don’t Wait More! Book It Now … | More Information |
Sat 2-12 March 2024 | SP21/ST-C1 | INQUIRY | Available & Guaranteed | More information
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Fri 8-18 March 2024 | SP21/ST-C2 | INQUIRY | Available & Guaranteed | More information
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Sat 16-26 March 2024 | SP21/ST-C3 | INQUIRY | Available & Guaranteed | More information
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Sat 23 March-2 April 2024 | SP21/ST-C4 | INQUIRY | Available & Guaranteed | More information
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Sat 30 Mar-9 April 2024 | SP21/ST-C5 | INQUIRY | Available & Guaranteed | More information
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Sat 6-16 April 2024 | SP21/ST-C6 | INQUIRY | Available & Guaranteed | More information
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Sat 13-23 April 2024 | SP21/ST-C7 | INQUIRY | Available & Guaranteed | More information
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Sat 20-30 April 2024 | SP21/ST-C8 | INQUIRY | Available & Guaranteed | More information
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Sat 27 Apr-7 May 2024 | SP21/ST-C9 | INQUIRY | Available & Guaranteed | More information
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Important Facts About Damavand Camps
As every destination in the world, if you want to climb Mount Damavand, you need to know about it facts, coordination, climbing difficulty, camps and accommodation.
Sometimes we see in maps, read on articles or climbing reports, that Mountain has one base camp (maybe high base camp), two, three or more camps on the way to the summit.
Regardless of meaning of Base camp & etc. it’s a question;
– HOW MANY CAMPS DAMAVAND HAS?
– IF DAMAVAND HAS BASE CAMP? OR NOT?
While searching DAMAVAND CAMPS on websites, internet and social medias, you will see many different information about Damavand base camp, camp 1, camp 3 and so on…
Now we want to tell you the real fact of Damavand camps.
To do this, you need to read more about Damavand climbing routes
Average altitude of village and accessible roads around Damavand is between 2400 to 3200 meters. So for climbing Damavand from any routes, you can reach to around 3000 meters by using access gravel roads (dirt roads) that made for nomads and sheared.
In the other hand, to climb Damavand summit, from normal routes, you need to start from around 3000 m and climb about 2600 meters.
As it described in “Required Time for Climbing Damavand” article , you need to spend at least three nights at mount Damavand to top the summit safety and successful whiteout altitude problem.
So the answer found. Two or three camps could be enough for climbing Mount Damavand.
Now that we understood how many camps are needed to climb Damavand, we tell you the story of Damavand Base Camp & Camp 1 and Camp 3, as well as answer of “Where is Damavand camp two?”
Generally, camps of Damavand comes from southern route and old Iran climbers who tried to reach this beautiful and magical summit of Mt.Damavand.
On that period of time (more than 50 years ago), while there wasn’t developed transportation and good access roads, it was too difficult for Iranian climbers to hike up Damavand peak. First they need to reach small villages like Polour, Raineh (today it’s town), Gazaneh (or Gazna) and Nandel (in north route).
It takes at least one day to reach one of this villages (remember it’s only 70-90 km distance). So on that time, the first climbers of Damavand called this villages as a first Bargah (first camp or base camp).
The second camp of Damavand (for example in southern route) was on around 3000 meters altitude that was accessible while one day climbing from village. So they called it second Bargah (camp).
The last camp of Damavand at the way of climbing summit, that was in around 4000 to 4500 m (except northern route), called third Bargah (or third camp).
Nowadays, thanks to developing transportation, asphalt roads and gravel roads to 3000 m altitude, sometimes climbers don’t spend a night at villages around Damavand. So base camp or first camp forgot during the years and left only 3000 meter camp (or Goosfandsara), and third camp (or Bargah Sevom/ third Bargah) at 4200 meters altitude in southern route of Damavand.
Summary is that, today:
Mount Damavand has some villages around, with asphalt access roads that they couldn’t call as “Damavand Base Camp”.
Goosfandsara or Camp one that today could be call as Base Camp and accessible by 4WD cars via gravel road.
And Third Bargah (camp three), that could be called as Damavand ONLY camp at 4200 m altitude.
Required time for climbing Damavand
Mount Damavand with 5610 meters altitude, is highest mountain in Iran and placed in the heart of Alborz mountain range (central part) in northeast of Tehran.
Required time for climbing Iran mountains and Damavand is completely depends on many different parameters. Physical fitness, acclimatization and accordance with high altitude, climbing equipment, season and weather conditions.
To find the right answer of this question that how many days will be enough for climbing Damavand (or climbing Iran mountains), we should consider all of this variants.
Normal Trekking season of climbing Damavand:
Most of successful climbs of Mount Damavand recorded at normal season that start from beginning of June to the end of October.
In this period of year, we have stable weather conditions, warmer temperature (between 5 to 15 degrees celsius), longer daylight time and less snow on Iran mountains & Damavand peak.
So now everything is depending on your fitness and accordance with high altitude (of course technical equipment like crampon, ice peak, ropes, etc. are not necessary for climbing Damavand at summer).
During many years of organizing and performing trekking/hiking tours in Iran mountains specially mount Damavand and IranExploration experiences, the best and successful plan for climbing Damavand is 5 days itinerary as below details:
Day 1: Reach to 3000 m by 4WD cars and hiking around Damavand Base Camp
Day 2: Trekking to Damavand hut (shelter) at 4250 m
Day 3: Climb to 4700 m for acclimatization and sleep at 4200 m
Day 4: Climbing to Damavand summits 5610 m, Back to the hut
Day 5: Back to Polour/Raineh village
Undoubtedly, the summit of Mount Damavand could be accessible in less time if you are adapted well by high altitude and are in good shape of fitness. In this condition, you can minus day one as well as day five. So it’s possible to climbing Damavand in three days.
Of course climbing Iran other mountains, need different time and their special itineraries
It’s good to know Damavand’s climbing time record was registered by one of Iranian climbers in 2012. He climbed summit from Damavand Base camp (3000 m) only in 3:45 hours (three hours & forty five minutes).
Also, it’s common for Iranian Sky-Runners to climb Damavand summit in one or two days.
* You can read more about Damavand climbing camps at five days itinerary at this link
Have any questions regarding Damavand Skitour’s information?
Visit the Ultimate Mount Damavand Skitour Information & Packages
Note: This article is merely an author’s perception of the Damavand climbing over time and cannot be said to be definitely correct.
Mount Damavand Ski Tour & Doberar Ski Touring Videos
AT A GLANCE
Group size: 4-8
Suitable for age: 18+
Activity: 6 days Ski tour & 2 days cultural exploring
Join in: Tehran, End in: Tehran
Best Time: April 1st till May 30th
Physical Rating: Level 6/10 (Moderate to Challenging)
Extra: Swimming in Hot Spring
ACCOMMODATION & MEALS
3 nights in mountain hut/2person tent with full board
5 nights in guesthouse or local house with full board
3 nights in minimum *** hotel with breakfast in Tehran and Kashan
All Meals (11 Breakfast, 8 Lunch, 8 Dinner)
Camping services
Extra: Two person tent
IS THIS TOUR FOR ME?
This trip grading involves a combination of our MODERATE and CHALLENGING levels. The emphasis is on moderate activity with several challenging stages. These adventures involve Ski-touring, trekking, cycling or rafting in remote areas in variable weather conditions for up to 7 to 8 hours a day (possibly more subject to weather conditions and altitude).
Damavand south route Ski-tour is not a technical, but it need skill skiing at high altitude and knowledge of snows kind and condition.
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