Elbrus & Damavand

Day 1-5: Arrival and Trips for acclimatisation

Day 1: Flight via Moscow to Mineralny Vody and overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 2: Early departure after a short night – transfer (4h ) to our hotel in Terskol at the foot of the Elbrus. Short acclimatization tour (1-2h) in the afternoon with lift support up to 3460m. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 3: Another acclimatization trek with lift support. After a walk of 3 hours, the 3570m high Gumachi False Pass is reached. Descent and overnight stay in the hotel.

Day 4: From Azau (2200 m) we will take the cable car lift to the mountain station Mir and then continue to the Garabashi station at 3750m with the chairlift, above which the famous “space capsule” cabins are located. Following an acclimatization trek to the Diezelhut at 4050m, we will return to the lower hut for the night (3900m). 

Day 5: Acclimatization trek to Pastuchov`s Rocks at 4650m, which can be reached within about 3-4 hours. For the night we will again descend to the hut (3900m).

Day 6-9: Climb Elbrus and Transfer to Teheran

Day 6: Summit day. Early departure at 3 o’clock with a long and exhausting day ahead of us. If the weather is clear, we will be able to see the Black and Caspian Seas from the summit. After reaching the peak, we will return to the hut at 3900m and stay there overnight.

Day 7: Reserve day in case of bad weather.

Day 8: Descent to Azau and transfer to the hotel where we will eat, relax and celebrate abundantly. 

Day 9: Transfer to Mineralny Vody and flight to Tehran, where we arrive late at night. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 10-15: Climb Damavand and Teheran

Day 10: Following a late breakfast, we will be transferred to the village of Rineh (2.060m) located in the Elbrus Mountains (150 km / 2hrs) at the southeast foot of Mount Damavand, the highest peak in the Middle East. The Iranian mountaineers association offers us accommodation in their guesthouse. Total travel time: about 8 hours. Overnight stay in the guesthouse.

Day 11: Rineh – Bargah-e-Sewom Hut: Depending on road conditions, we will drive as close as possible to the starting point for the ascent of Damavand (Gusfandsara Mosque at 3.031m). Pack animals or porters will take over the transport of large and common luggage. Already adapted to the altitude, we will proceed to the Bargah-e-Sewom hut (4.260m) at walking speed. Hm 1,230 . Overnight stay in the hut.

Day 12: Bargah-e-Sewom Hut – The Damavand – summit day also starts very early. On a clear day you can see the lights of Tehran. After about 8 hours or more (we have enough time) we should reach the summit of Damavand (5,671 m). The break at the summit and the magnificent panoramic view of the Alborz Mountains will make you forget all the effort. At the Bargah – e – Sewom hut we will interrupt the descent into the valley for a longer break and a second breakfast before we descend the last few meters in altitude with a burst of new energy. Helpers and participants will all meet again at the Gusfandsara mosque, where we will say goodbye to the locals and depart for Rineh. Hm 1,410 Hut – Summit – Hut, Hm 1,230 Hut – Gusfandsara Mosque. Overnight stay in the guesthouse.

Day 13: Reserve summit day or programme as on day 14.

Day 14: We drive back to the hotel in Tehran and have the afternoon for sightseeing. Travel time: about 3 hours to the hotel in Tehran. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 15: Homeward journey with the return flight from Tehran in the early morning and arrival at home on the same day.