CLIMB THE HIGHEST VOLCANO IN ASIA

Only ascend to the Damavand

DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN TEHRAN.
DAY 2: TEHRAN – POLOR – CAMP 1 (3020 M).
DAY 3: ACCLIMATION DAY.
DAY 4: ASCENT TO CAMP 2 (4236 M).
DAY 5: DAMAVAND ASCENSION (5610 M).
DAY 6: CAMP 1 – TEHRAN.
DAY 7: VISIT TO TEHRAN.
DAY 8: FLIGHT BACK HOME.

Ascent to Sabalan + Damavand

DAY 1. FLIGHT TO TABRIZ
Flight city of origin with destination to the city of Tabriz. Stopover in Istanbul. Arrival in Tabriz and meeting with our local transportation. Transfer to our hotel.

Hotel accommodation, Tabriz.

DAY 2. TABRIZ – SHABIL HOT SPRINGS (2.700 m)
Breakfast.

In the morning, before leaving for the mountain, we will make a visit to the city. Tabriz is the fourth largest city in the country and the economic center of the northeast region of Iran. It has around 2.2 million inhabitants and is located at an altitude of 1,400 meters above sea level next to the Adji Shai River. Walk to know the Blue Mosque, built in 1474 with turquoise tiles, the ruins of Fort Arg-e Tabriz built in 1295 in Mongolian style and stroll through the Grand Bazaar, UNESCO World Heritage in 2010 and one of the biggest in the world. In the afternoon drive to Shabil (200 km, 3h30),

small town located on the northern slopes of the Sabalan. This town is known for the emergence of thermal waters at 49ºC with medicinal properties. We will set up a tent camp in the area at a height of 2,600-2,700 m.

Tent accommodation, Shabil.

DAY 3. ACCLIMATION DAY
Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Full day to acclimatize. A walk through the foothills of the Damavand will be scheduled, climbing some secondary summit of more than 4,000 meters. At the end of the walk we will move to the Base Camp, located next to the Goosfand Sara refuge (3,650 m). The luggage will be transported by vehicle from Shabil to the Base Camp.

Tent accommodation, Goosfand Sara.

DAY 4. ASCENT TO SABALAN (4.811 m)
Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Early morning departure to the summit. From the refuge, follow a dusty track to the end (3,770 m). At this point the base of a kind of hill / ridge is reached. From here the path is less defined and goes up sandy and stony ground at the top of the ridge with a uniform inclination until reaching the foot of the antecima. Here you can still see residual pieces of the old glacier on the north face of the Sabalan. We pass the antecima, known as Mehrab (4,700 m) and continue along the slightly ascending plateau until we reach the beautiful lake installed at the bottom of the Sabalan somital crater. This lake, 100 meters in diameter and 15 meters deep, is permanent and is frozen 9 months a year. Going back a few meters along the rocks we will reach the highest point, 4,811 m. Nice and extensive views over the vast northeast region of Iran. Return by the same path to the Base Camp

Distance: 11 km
Difference in altitude: +/- 1,200 m
Duration: 7 hours
Tent accommodation, Sabalan.

DAY 5. RETURN TO TABRIZ
Breakfast.

In the morning we will dismantle the camp and start the trip back to Tabriz. Arrival in the early afternoon and free time.

Hotel accommodation, Tabriz.

DAY 6. FLIGHT TO TABRIZ TEHERAN. TEHERÁN – POLOUR – CAMPING 1 (3.020 m)
Breakfast.

Early in the morning transfer to the airport to take the domestic flight to the capital. Arrival in Tehran and direct transfer to the town of Polour (95 km – 2h). After taking the corresponding steps, the vehicle will transfer our luggage along a track to the camp located at a height of about 3,020 meters. We will get off before (at 2,450 m) to trek to the camp next to the Saheb al Zaman mosque.

Distance: 3.9 km
Difference in altitude: +580 m,
Duration: 3 hours
Tent accommodation, Polour.

DAY 7. CAMPING 1 (3.020 m) – CAMPING 2 (4.236 m)
Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Day to walk to Camp 2, (also known as Bargah) at 4236 meters high. The day will be short so we will take advantage of the afternoon to rest and prepare for the climb to the summit, scheduled for a few hours later.

Distance: 9 km
Altitude difference: +1220 m
Duration: 4-5 hours
Tent accommodation, Bargah.

DAY 8. ASCENT TO DAMAVAND (5.610 M)
Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

We will leave for the top of the Damavand after having an early breakfast, around 3 in the morning. The climb to the summit will take us about seven hours, following a calm and continuous rhythm. The slope is uniform and we continue on slopes of sand, rock, and crossing some snowfield. Arriving near the summit and the somital crater, the sulfur formations and spectacular active fumaroles begin to appear. Once we have reached the objective (highest summit in the country and highest volcano in Asia), and after enjoying the impressive panoramic view from the highest point of the crater, we will descend along the same path to Camp 1.

Distance: 15.5 km
Difference in altitude: +1365 / -2590 m
Duration: 10-12 hours
Tent accommodation, Damavand.

DAY 9. CAMPING 1 – TEHERÁN
Breakfast.

Very early in the morning I descend on foot to the meeting point with the vehicles. Transfer back to the town of Polour where a vehicle will take us back to Tehran. The rest of the day will be spent getting to know a little of the capital of Iran and its main areas of interest. A historical city, which already existed as a town since the 9th century and which was destroyed by the Mongol empire in the 13th century. Later it would become the most important urban nucleus of Persia. Its charm lies not only in its majestic buildings, but in its own personality. We will also find fabulous gardens.

Hotel accommodation, Tehran.

DAY 10. FLIGHT TO TEHERÁN – HOMETOWN
Breakfast.
Free time. At the agreed time, transfer to the airport and flight back home.