Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
http://damavandmt.blogspot.com
www.damawand.de
CLIMBING THE MOUNTAIN
There are 16 routes up Damavand, but the vast majority of people take the classic south-
ern route. Brief details of the southern route follow. For information on the northern route,
talk to the English-speaking owners of Varzesh Kooh (
Click here
)
who are happy to share
their knowledge and put you in touch with guides.
From a technical point of view, Damavand is basically a walk-up. Climbing so far so
quickly is its most dangerous aspect, with altitude sickness (watch for dizziness, head-
aches, nausea and swollen fingers) killing people every year. Most first-timers use a guide
and you can expect to pay about US$550 for an all-inclusive (transport, food, lodgings,
donkey, guide etc) three-day tour from Tehran. This includes the US$50 mountain fee for-
eigners must pay, during summer, at Gusfand Sara or Base Camp. A guide for a two-day
climb will cost about US$200. See
Click here
for reliable guides and companies.
Damavand is best climbed in three days, starting at Polour Camp and going 11km by
road to Camp 2, then trekking from there to Camp 3 or Base Camp before making the as-
cent. The Damavand websites have maps and details of the various routes. There's no wa-
ter en route and no way of booking the hut; on Thursday nights and holidays it is packed
with students from Tehran. Bringing a tent, sleeping bag and perhaps a stove (and leaving
it in camp during the final ascent) is recommended, though one reader reported hiring a
tent at the shelter. Even in July, nights are freezing and it can be -10°C at the summit. A
reader recommends filling water bottles in the evening since the water will be frozen
when you get up.
In August you should be able to climb to the peak without special equipment. The sum-
mit doesn't require any technical gear but it does require fitness, warm clothes and hiking
boots for the loose rocks. Bear in mind that the weather can change suddenly and snow-
falls are a possibility, even in summer. Most people return from the summit to Tehran in
one day.
HOT SPRINGS
After expending all that energy climbing Mt Damavand, you'll be pleased to know that
just 4km east of Reyneh, at
Ab Karm
, several hotels have been built around hot springs.
You can rent a room for the night for around US$25, including breakfast, tea and a dip in
one of the baths.
