Hiking Mount Damavand & Trek Alborz Mountains

Hiking Mount Damavand & Trek Alborz Mountains

In this section, you will be familiar with the Damavand hiking tour and the Alborz mountains details. What is the daily itinerary like? What time do we start hiking? Where do we sleep and rest and other details …

Please note that the itinerary may have changed due to weather conditions or your mountain guide’s decision.

1st Day

Toward Damavand Base Camp, Trekking in Alborz Mountains

Early in the morning before the daily traffic in Tehran, the company’s agent and your mountain guide, will pick you up from your residence and drive you through the Haraz Road to Polour village, 75 km northeast of Tehran at the foothills of Damavand Peak.

After having breakfast and putting extra stuff in the guesthouse (or local house), you will register your Damavand Climb at the Iran Mountaineering Federation at Polour and get the Damavand Certificate by paying 50 $ (or EUR) in cash. Then we will drive to the beginning of the Gol-e-Zard peak at an elevation of about 2650 meters and start your first-day hike.

This peak is located southwest of Damavand Peak and southeast of the Lar National Park. We will start hiking from the northern route.
In spring, this mountain is covered by small yellow flowers, it’s why it is called Golezard which means yellow flowers.

With proper rest during the 5 to 6 hours of hiking, and enjoying the unique view of Damavand in the background, we’ll reach the Gol-e-Zard peak at approximately 3750 meters altitude.

To get acclimatized well, we will have a relatively long rest on the peak, have lunch (lunch box including chocolates, snacks, juice, nuts, etc.), and enjoy the views of the Alborz mountain range and the Dobrar ridge. Then we’ll head back to the village.

There are facilities such as WiFi, Hot showers, shared rooms with beds (usually 6 people) in our accommodation, and also if you need something you can buy it from the supermarket in the village/town.

O /N at the local house or guesthouse in Polour/Rineh village full board (Breakfast. Lunch box. Dinner).

NOTE: Considering the season and snow coverage at Gol-e Zard, the group numbers & fitness, dry and high temperatures, etc, we offer our clients to change this summit with a hike up to Goosfandsara camp from the village which is so beautiful. The best decision, for “WHERE TO GOING” will be taken by your experienced guide.

2-3 hrs       +1100 m       5-7 hrs       Local House/Guesthouse       Full Board

2nd Day

Trek in Alborz mountains, Pashoreh peak 3870 m

This morning, after eating a delicious breakfast, we will move to the historical and beautiful village of Nava at an altitude of ~2300 meters for the trek in the Alborz mountains and Pashureh peak.

As mentioned, the advantage of this tour is the good exercise and well acclimatization in the Alborz mountains, which guarantees your successful hiking to Damavand by trekking in the Golzard and Pashureh summits.

We ascend along seasonal rivers to reach a vast and beautiful plain called the Azoo Plain with unique vegetation.

On this route, we’ll see a beautiful and different view of the eastern routes of Damavand while climbing.

After 5 to 6 hours of effort and continuing the ridge leading to the peak, we’ll reach the 3870 m peak of Pashureh, where the majesty of the Dobrar ridge with an approximate length of 70 km appears on the south side, and we find ourselves surrounded by these mountains and Damavand peak.

In spring, Doberar ridge with peaks above 4000 meters is one of the best destinations in Iran for ski touring.

In good weather and having enough time, we will rest on the summit for an hour (for better acclimatization). After enough rest and enjoying photography with beautiful views, we will descend on a different route from the south.

After two hours, we’ll reach a summer village called Lasem at an altitude of about 2800 meters, where the car is already waiting for us and we move towards Polour/Rineh village (about 30 minutes).

After a shower and eating a tasty dinner, we will go to bed sooner to be ready for the hike Damavand tomorrow.

O /N at the local house or guesthouse in Polour/Rineh village full board (Breakfast. Lunch box. Dinner).

NOTE: Considering the circumstances of the area, group fitness, time, weather, etc, you may decent in the same route you climb (the northern slope) by the decision of your experienced guide.

1 hrs       +1400 m       5-7 hrs       Local House/Guesthouse       Full Board

3rd Day

Start Hiking Mount Damavand

Today, after climbing two peaks ~4000 m and passing a good acclimatization process, we are ready to hike up Damavand hut (Bargah-e-Sevom).
This shelter is located at an altitude of 4200 meters on the southern route of Damavand and we want to reach this camp today.
Using jeeps, we drive an hour of driving on a dirt road to Gosfandsara (Camp 1 Damavand) at an altitude of 3,000 meters. Goosfandsara (or the mosque camp) is the beginning of the Damavand hiking trail.

While we coordinate with the porters or mules to transfer our luggage to a higher camp, we can visit the nomads of the area and take beautiful photos. After handing over our stuff to the porters, we will hike to the Damavand shelter.

Today we ascend 1200 meters, which will take about 4 to 6 hours. We try to have a short rest every hour and drink as much as possible water and drinks better acclimatization with altitude.

After arriving at the camp, we are greeted with hot vegetable soup, tea, and coffee.
After a little rest, we try to have a light activity throughout the day. Take a light dinner and go to our sleeping bag. Considering the great acclimatization passed at the Alborz mountains before Damavand, we are expected to sleep peacefully.

O /N at the Tent Camp/ hut (full board, Breakfast. Lunch box. Dinner).

1 hrs       +1200 m       4-6 hrs       Tent Camp/hut       Full Board

4th Day

Damavand Acclimatization or Bad Weather Reserve Day

Today we can wake up later and have a good rest. After breakfast, we get ready to climb higher for better acclimatization.
We try to hike up around 300 to 500 meters at a slow pace and spend an hour at the altitude in suitable weather conditions.

From here we can see the central Alborz Mountains, Pashoreh & Gol-e-Zard summits that we climbed as well as the longness of the Doberar Mountains.

We drink enough water and drinks and enjoy taking photos of the beautiful scenery from a different perspective.
Then return to the camp for lunch and enjoy organic food made from fresh ingredients and vegetables.

Our team strives for you to consume enough fluids and fresh food suitable for altitude, to provide you safe and healthy hiking tour.
We will end the fourth day of the trip with a beautiful sunset from Lar Lake at an altitude of 4200 meters.

O /N at the Tent Camp/ hut (full board, Breakfast. Lunch box. Dinner).

In special circumstances, if the weather conditions on the summit day (according to the itinerary) will not be good, it will be possible to change the summit day to this day (move the itinerary forward one day).

N A       +300-500 m       2-4 hrs       Tent Camp/hut       Full Board

5th Day

Hiking Mount Damavand Peak

After good acclimatization and recovery, we woke up early this morning with more energy for hiking Mount Damavand.
By serving breakfast and picking up the necessary food for the lunch box (depending on your taste) we will hike up to the summit.

We will be about 6 hours to reach the summit while enjoying the unique scenery.
Depending on the group’s readiness, we will climb slowly with short breaks. Along the way, we enjoy the attractions of the Damavand south route such as the Icefall which is located at an altitude of about 5000, the sulfur hill which is at an altitude of 5400 meters, and so on.

Many climbers compare Damavand Sulfur Hill or the sulfur region of this mountain with Mars because of its yellow and orange sulfur rocks, interesting chimneys that volcanic gases come out of, and strange ice cubes around the summit.

Cheerful, energetic, and happy, we reach the summit, hug and congratulate each other, and enjoy a successful ascent to the highest mountain in the Middle East, and the tallest volcano in Asia (read about how tall is Damavand?).

In case of suitable and good weather conditions, according to your mountaineering guide’s decision, we can walk around the Damavand volcanic crater and realize more about the greatness of this mountain.

From afar, we can see the Caspian Sea in the north and the central desert of Iran in the south.
After taking memorial photos, we will descend on the same route and return to the camp.

O /N at the Tent Camp/ hut (full board, Breakfast. Lunch box. Dinner).

IMPORTANT NOTE:

1. According to the itinerary, we will stay tonight in the Bargah-e-Sevom hut & camp, but if possible, considering the time, the readiness of the group, good weather, the possibility of transferring luggage down, and the discretion of the guide, we can descent to Pleur/Rineh in the evening, to have a comfortable night in the village.
2.  Damavand Climbing Certificate will be available on request.

N A       +1400 m       6-8 hrs       Tent Camp/hut       Full Board

6th Day

End of Successful Hiking Damavand

Happy to climb the Damavand Volcanic summit, we will descend to Goosfandsara camp, after collecting luggage and supplies to send them down by mules or porters.

There are 4WD cars waiting to transfer us down to the village. By arriving at our guesthouse/local house, we will take a shower and lunch.

Before saying goodbye, you will get a Damavand Ascent Certificate, and later we will drive back to Tehran to your hotel/residence (airport transfer will be available for an extra charge).

If you like, it is possible to go to Hot Spring (mineral) within 10-15 km for an extra charge (10 to 15 EUR).

O /N at — (half board B.L).

3 hrs       -1200 m       3 hrs       N A       Half Board

Our Services do not Include –

Optional Services +

Damavand mountain has 16 hiking trails with different difficulties. There are four main routes and 12 sub-routes in this map, with different degrees of slope, length, and difficulty, which can provide good information for the hikers and climbers.

Well, in order to have safe and successful hiking in Damavand, it is not bad to get more familiar with the routes and specifications of Damavand hiking trails.

The creators of the map of Damavand have prepared it with great effort and published it in Persian for free for those who are interested. Meanwhile, the technical team of Iran Exploration has translated this map into English with great effort and accuracy and has provided it to Damavand hikers and climbers for free.

To download a high-quality and printable file of the Damavand map, click on the image or download it for free using the front button.

DISTANCES

Tehran to Damavand Southern Base Camp at Polour/Rineh Village: 75-95 km (3-5 hrs)

Goosfandsara (end of the gravel road) to Bargah-e-Sevom Camp 4250 m: 3.5 km (6 hrs)

Bargah-e-Sevom camp to Damavand Summit 5610 m: 3.8 km (6-8 hrs)

DANGEROUS AREAS

Below the Gol-e-Zard summit at Alborz mountains: Rocky and narrow paths with the danger of fall

At Pashoreh summit, Eastern neighbor of Damavand: Descent from the southern route that needs to know the paths and route or use of GPS

At the altitude of 5400 m Damavand Southern route to the summit: Danger of lost the main route in ascend or descend at foggy weather

FOOD MENU

Iranian Cuisine including delicious meals. You can inform us about your diet, so the cooks on the mountain or outdoors will provide your meals as your wishes. Also in the cities, the guide trying to find a restaurant that prepares meals according to your diet (if available and group acceptance).

Mount Damavand Map – Satellite – Click to see more details

GAIN ALTITUDES

Tehran (1600-1800 m) to Damavand Base Camp at Polour/Rineh (2300 m): +500-700 m

Damavand Base Camp (2300 m) to Goosfandsara camp (3000 m) by 4WD car or Pickup: +700 m

Goosfandsara (3000 m) to Bargah-e-Sevom Camp (4250 m) Trekking: +1250 m

Bargah-e-Sevom Camp (4250 m) to Damavand Summit (5610) Trekking: +1360 m

TRAVEL INSURANCE

As you may see in the INCLUDING SERVICES, travel insurance is not included in your package. So we strongly recommend you to buy full coverage insurance for Hiking Damavand and all the outdoor activity (including foreign travel insurance).

Hike Damavand South Route Tour FAQ

Frequently asked questions and answers about Damavand Hiking Tour from Southern Route & Trek Alborz Mountains

Didn’t find your answer?

We are online 24/7 days a week to answer your probable questions…