Directory A–Z - Iran - page 648

Mt Damavand (5671m) Northeast of Tehran, Iran's highest and best-known peak has a
classic Fuji-esque profile, but reaching the summit is not of great technical difficulty
( Click here ) .
Alam Kuh (4850m) Mt Alam is Iran's most technical peak with an 800m near-vertical
granite wall on its most difficult northern face: a world-class challenge ( Click here ) .
Mt Sabalan (4811m) An elegantly soaring peak usually approached from Meshgin Shahr,
though it's worth arranging guides and equipment in Tabriz.
Mt Oshturan (4070m) Too tame for climbers, Oshturan is the most accessible peak of the
splendid Zagros Mountains. It has an attractive lake near the summit and is ideal for
mountain walkers ( Click here ) .
EQUIPMENT RENTAL & PURCHASE
Camping and climbing equipment is relatively inexpensive and stores in Tehran, Shiraz
and Qazvin, in particular, are well stocked. A limited range of equipment can be rented at
Darband and from some mountain guides.
GUIDES, PORTERS & MAPS
The cost of a guide depends on your bargaining skills, the number of climbers in the
group, the equipment needed, the length of the trip and the difficulty of the route. English-
speaking guides charge about US$90 a day. A donkey and handler will cost between
US$45 and US$120 a day.
Few trekking or mountain-climbing maps are available in English, though climbing
maps for the Alam Kuh are available at the climbing centre in Rudbarak ( Click here ) .
Elsewhere, spend the money you saved on maps on a local guide. Gita Shenasi ( Click
here ) in Tehran has a map of the Alborz Mountains with peaks and walking routes.
OUTDOOR & ADVENTURE AGENCIES
We've had positive feedback about the following companies, which specialise in trekking, mountaineering and eco-
tourism in Iran. If you have good (or bad) experiences with these or other agencies, please let us know at
www.lonelyplanet.com/contact . Some agencies listed under individual cities also arrange walking and climbing
trips.
Aftab Kalout ( 021-6648 8374/5; www.kalout.com ) Professional Tehran-based out-
fit specialising in eco-tourism, desert trips, trekking and eco-cum-cultural tours.