Explore Tour
Conquer the Skies: Damavand Hiking in Iran
Hiking Damavand, Iran’s highest peak and the highest volcano in Asia is an exhilarating adventure that promises a 99% success rate for those seeking to conquer its majestic summit.
Tour Plan
Money exchange to become Iranian millionaires. Transfer from the airport to the hotel. Check-in at the hotel in the afternoon. Rest.
Individuals walk around the area or by metro in the city and prepare (last shopping) for the trip to Damavand. Logistics meeting with a local guide. Overnight stay.
Driving time: 1 hour
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer from the hotel first by minibus to the entrance to the Damavand area, where we will settle the permit.
We will continue with 4×4 jeeps to the base camp at an altitude of approx. 3020 m or to the foothills of Damavand. Accommodation in a mountain shelter that is part of the Saheb al Zaman Mosque. Afternoon acclimatization tour approx. 200 m higher and return. Dinner. Overnight stay.
Driving time: 3 hour
Hiking duration: 1-2 hours
Ascent: 200 m
Descent: 200 m
Breakfast in the mountain shelter. We will start trekking on Damavand to the Bargah Sevom shelter at an altitude of 4200 m.
First, we will walk on grassy plains, which are later replaced by rocks and stones. Our equipment will be provided by mules or porters.
Accommodation in a mountain shelter. Short acclimatization climb 100-200 m higher and return. Dinner. Overnight stay.
Hiking duration: 6 hours
Ascent: 1180 m
Breakfast in the Bargah Sevom mountain shelter. Acclimatization climbs to a height of 4700 m, from where we can see the occasional icefall of Ābshār Yakhī.
This day we will be breathing harder, walking will be slower, but the views will be more magnificent. At an altitude of approx. 4800 m, we will refresh ourselves with a packed lunch and get used to the altitude.
Descent along another route to Bargah Sevom at an altitude of 4200 m. Dinner. Overnight stay.
Hiking duration: 4-5 hours
Ascent: 600 m
Descent: 600 m
Breakfast in the Bargah Sevom mountain shelter. A very early start to climb Damavand 5671 m with headlamps.
When the sun rises, we will already see the shadow of the stratovolcano. Sulfurous eruptions will await us a little below the summit and soon we will be at the edge of the crater, where the highest point is located.
We will need approx. 7-8 hours of walking to the top and another 4-5 hours to descend. The route is a trekking walk - we recommend hiking poles; no climbing is required. Descent to Bargah Sevom at an altitude of 4200 m. Dinner. Overnight stay.
Hiking duration: 12 hours
Ascent:1471 m
Descent: 1471 m
Breakfast in the Bargah Sevom mountain shelter. An easy descent over grassy plains to the base camp, where we will be able to buy a commemorative T-shirt.
This is followed by a 4×4 jeep ride to the valley, where a minibus will be waiting for us to take us to Tehran. Hotel accommodation. Closing dinner and social evening. Overnight in Tehran.
Hiking duration: 3 - 4 hours
Descent: 1180 m
Driving time: 3 hours
Departure to Imam Khomeini Teheran (IKA) Airport or prolong your stay for one more night to do sightseeing in Tehran with a local guide.
Driving time: 1 hour
Included
- Meet & greet at the Tehran airport
- Return airport transfer and all land transfers within the tour
- 2 x accommodation in a hotel in Tehran on bed & breakfast basis in twin or double rooms
- Accommodation in tents for 2 people on the mountain r in the mountain hut (if there is availability at the time of booking)
- Local team: qualified guides, assistant guides, cook – depending on the number of people in the group
- A mule/horse that carries 15 kg of your luggage (duffle bag)
- All the food on the mountain: breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner
- Unlimited amount of (cold or hot) water on Ararat trekking for drinking
- Summit certificate
- Organization and taxes
Excluded
- Damavand mountain permit (paid in Polour) – $50/per person for EU citizens
- Tips or gratitude
- Single room in Tehran – cca 50 €/per person per night
- Heath and travel insurance that covers hiking up to 6000 m
- Flights or tour extensions like Tehran Tour
- Food and drinks before/after the climb, personal expenses, and souvenirs
Other Information
Trip Information
Accommodation
Before and after the trek you are accommodated in a hotel in Tehran in double or twin rooms. A single-room supplement is not obligatory unless you want a room for yourself; otherwise, we find you a same-sex roommate. Triple rooms are possible to arrange on request.
During the Damavand hiking tour, you sleep in quality high-altitude tents – two people of the same-sex share the tent. For your comfort bring a warm sleeping bag and a pillow. If there is availability, it’s also possible to get rooms in the mountain hut – for this, we advise booking the tour half a year ahead.
Transportation
Our Izimanija team members will wait for you outside Tehran International Airport and take you to the accommodation in Tehran. All land transports within the program are already included in the price. For smaller groups, we use taxis/cars/vans, and for bigger groups minibuses/buses, private.
Food and drinks
Our cook will daily provide you with the proper amount of food. Breakfast consists of eggs, pancakes, jam, fruits, peanut butter, bread, tea, coffee and similar. For lunch-time, you get snacks and make sandwiches you like. For dinner, there is always a tasty soup along with, rice, french fries, pasta, potatoes, salad, various meat (chicken, beef), fresh fruits and similar are served.
An unlimited amount of hot or cold water is provided daily during the trek. We provide you with tea bags, coffee, milk powder, and similar; but it is advisable to bring your extras to mix the cold water.
Health and Safety
You need to have your health insurance that covers trekking up to 6000 m with you. Mountain rescuing is not as well developed as in Europe. Please consult with your doctor before coming.
Iran is generally a safe country and the Iranian or Kurdish people we work with are very trustworthy.
Tips and money
The official currency in Iran is Iranian rial IRR (1 € = cca 46.000 IRR) and you can change it at the airport (recommended) or in Tehran city. Exchange offices often run out of money.
For an appreciation of the staff, there is an optional tip, which you give to the main guide on the last morning of the trek, so he can share it with other team members.
Equipment and luggage
We send you the equipment list once you apply for the tour. Unfortunately, there is no big possibility of renting the equipment (like a sleeping bag) in Tehran, so you need to bring everything from the list with you.
During Damavand trekking, you can leave your extra stuff at the accommodation till you return. Luggage storage is free of charge.
Payment and Cancellation Policy
400 € per person at the time of booking; the rest on arrival in Euros EUR.
For cancellations more than 30 days prior arrival we keep 100 € per person; for cancellations 29-15 days prior arrival we keep 200 € per person; for cancellations 14 days prior arrival or no-show we keep the full amount.
*The trip can only be rescheduled once free of charge if we are informed no later than 30 days before the arrival. Price difference may apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
How difficult is Damavand climb?
Mount Damavand is regarded as one of the easiest 5000-ers you can get, but do not forget it’s still more than 5000 m high.
High altitude sickness can occur like headaches. For the summit day, you need to be physically fit. Sulfur clouds close to the summit can make the trip smellier.
How does the environment on Damavand look like?
The trek starts at the mosque in the grassy embrace. The first part of the mountain hut at 4200 m is grassy with a few stones. Later on, the landscape becomes full of loose stones.
Close to the summit, you will see clouds of sulfur. It’s very unlike there is snow during the summer period (July, August).
What to pack?
The equipment list we send to you once you sign in for the tour. In short, you need a warm sleeping bag, comfortable hiking boots, and warm clothes, because the temperatures can be as low as – 10 °C.
Can I rent the equipment in Tehran?
It is not a common practice to rent equipment in Tehran, so we advise you to bring your own.
If it happens your duffle bag is lost by the airline, we will try to provide you with complementary equipment for trekking, which might be of a lower quality.
How to prepare for trekking Damavand?
If you are a sporty person there should not be a problem. You should run, cycle, or do other cardio sports.
Mountains experiences are very helpful. We recommend you do a 12h-long night hike with a cca 2000 m elevation gain and a 3-day hike with cca 1600 m+ elevation gain daily. After all, you need to be stubborn, persistent, motivated, and goal-oriented.
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