We offer day hikes, multi-day treks, rock climbing, ice climbing, ski mountaineering and skyrunning, as well as desert expeditions and mountain biking anywhere in Iran.
In the Caspian Sea we offer rowing, excursions in motor boat, water-skiing and in the Persian Gulf we have scuba diving on offer.
If you have a particular region in mind such as the Iranian Kurdistan, Shiraz, Isfahan, Yazd and wish to undertake a nature based activity there, then please send us an email and we would be happy to advise or organize it for you.
You may also wish to have a look at our sister website www.alamuttrek.com
If you are coming to the Caspian region of northern Iran to explore its nature and culture and wish to stay in one of the most authentic rural eco-lodges, then we would suggest Khoonegeli as your base.
From here, we would take the car and drive some 35-45 minutes to get to the trail-head. This means we would start hiking at around 900 m. Khoonegeli is located at 83 m above sea level. The Caspian Sea lies 27 m below sea level.
The valleys of northern Alborz lie south northerly and are quite steep, for example, one can reach a 3000 m summit from the Caspian Sea in about 30 km straight ground line, hence starting a trek from about 1000 m means a sharp ascent.
Day Hikes
A full day hike between April until November may be a nice 3000-3500 m summit, for example Kangarchal or Yaan for fit and fast walkers; or a gentler pace up to one of many remote pastoral settlements such as Noosha, Lashm and others in or above the forest line.
In winter the area receives quite a lot of snow, but it is still possible to trek and reach the summits provided you have the required equipment and allow extra time.
Multi-Day Treks
From April until November, the duration of a multi-day trek could be anything from 2 to 14 days. They may or may not include summits. As there is little or no amenity along the way, we would require mules to carry our gear for longer treks. We would camp in nature where there is a water source. In the summer months, we would stay close to shepherds so these treks include close cultural encounters with semi nomadic people of the area.
A typical day would be 6-7 hours of walking and an altitude difference of some 1000 m on average. As the treks are tailor-made we could adjust them to your wishes.
Generally speaking, shorter treks (i.e up to 3 days) would be undertaken in a north-south direction often trekking a summit. Medium-length treks of 4-5 days would be a traverse of several valleys from west to east and longer treks would be a combination of south to north and west to east until reaching the Caspian littoral.
Summits
These are all trekking summits:
Gerd Kooh (3050 m), Siyah Kol (2950 m), Niyar Darreh (3600 m), Chalaki (3000 m), Kangarchal (3100 m), Yaan (3500 m), Khane Bon (3700 m), Somamoos (3700 m)and Beles Kooh (3300 m).
The starting point for the majority would be around 900 m ASL.
They are done in 2 days and 1 night, although in the summer many can be trekked in one long day.
All of the 4000 m summits in this region can be trekked, although some have climbing routes also.
Kalahoo (4400 m), Kalvan (4100 m), Siyah Kaman (4600 m), Suzansar (4,650 m), Ghabi (4300 m), Siyalan (4250 m), Kaschechal (4120 m) are some of the nicest 4000ers.
Alam Kooh or Alamkuh (4850 m) is the second highest summit in the Iranian plateau after Mount Damavand (5610m) and has several climbing routes via Alam Chaal.
It may also be approached via the famous Alamut Valley. This is a 5-7 day trek through some of the least explored areas of Alborz. This trek is only possible between July and October.
Alam Kooh wall (4000-4850 m) and Siyahsangha routes are technical and semi-technical routes which are also on offer.
Damavand 5610m
Mount Damavand is a stratovolcano and the highest summit of Iran whose last eruption was 5350 BCE.
This summit is generally trekked via the southern route starting from Goosfandsara (2900 m) and nights in Bargah Sevom refuge (4200 m), where good logistical support exists in the high season between June until October.
The north eastern and northern routes are less crowded and are ascended via Nandal or any other village close by.
If you want something exceptional you should try the 11-12 day trek through Laar National Park all the way to the summit of Damavand. For details please drop us a line. We would like to keep it pristine and un-crowded!
Zarrin
"Zarrin," meaning "golden" in Farsi, owes its name to the changing light on the dunes, which become intensely golden in the late afternoon at sunset. This L-shaped stretch of sand dunes is approximately 70 km long and 15 km wide, located in Yazd province in the heart of the Iranian plateau. Surrounded by high rocky mountains, it is easy to navigate yet offers a surreal landscape where you can see snow-capped mountains in early spring and winter while treading on some of Iran's most beautiful sand dunes. On the periphery of the dune lie ancient ab anbar, traditional water reservoirs that were once used by locals to gather rainwater for consumption. Drinking this unfiltered rainwater, rich in natural minerals, was believed to be key to good health. Nowadays, water purification systems are installed in the tiny villages surrounding the vast dunes, such as Haji Abad Zarrin. The southeastern periphery of the dunes boasts some of the densest Saxaul (Haloxylon ammodendron) forests, and nearby you'll find a large expanse of playas or sabkhas. The trek in this spectacular area can be undertaken over three days and nights, with the option of carrying all logistics oneself or having 4WD support.
Maranjab
Popular and busy during the season, especially on weekends, Maranjab offers a quieter experience a few kilometers east towards Ghasre Bahram Caravanserai and Sefid Ab rangers headquarters. This is where the mighty Kavir National Park starts, and a written permit is required to enter. If you seek the beauty of desert sand dunes, camels, a spectacular salt lake, an island (Sargardan), a hand-dug well for camels, and ancient caravanserais that were on the Silk Road, Maranjab is ideal. With its proximity to Tehran, it offers a real adventure in a short time. The desert's altitude is 850 m above sea level, and on a clear winter day, Mount Damavand is visible from here.
Lut
For desert lovers who have seen the rest of the world's deserts, Lut is by far the most varied and spectacular. Located in southeastern Iran and accessible via Kerman or Zahedan cities, Lut has been the hottest place on Earth, reaching 70.7°C (159.3°F) and the driest. It boasts the tallest yardangs, the highest sand dunes, and the largest nabkhas globally. Additionally, there are vast erosional trenches, hydrological networks, tectonic basins, rare salt phenomena, and extensive rocky plains (hamadas). Alongside these natural wonders, there are historic villages and human settlements on its periphery, home to 6,000 residents. In July 2016, Lut was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, the first such natural wonder in Iran to be listed. Whether you wish to see and feel the desert in a safe 4x4 or undertake a multi-day trek in the heart of this plain, Caspian Trek is your partner. For the hard trekkers, we offer a unique 10-day trekking expedition into this desert with full logistical support by locals who know this vast expanse of natural wonder like the back of their hands. Write to us to organize the desert trek of a lifetime. The best season is from late October until late February.
Haj Ali Salt Lake
This beautiful and wild salt lake near Damghan is a very doable yet absolutely mind-boggling destination. This 40 km by 10 km salt lake is inundated with water in the spring, making it impassable. However, come autumn, you're in for a surprise. As you enter the heart of the salt lake, layers of salt gradually appear on the mud, forming perfect hexagons a few kilometers in. To trek this desert, you'll need to carry enough water to last you three days. We suggest camping for two nights, although it is possible to trek the entire length in two days and one night.
Caspian Trek can organize any desert expedition on foot or by vehicle in any desert of Iran, be it Lut, Mesr, Zarrin, Maranjab, or any other. Simply email us with your desired trip, and we will do our utmost to please!
Special Tours
Bird watching, winter birding, bear and Persian wild ass watching and watching the stags bellowing the in rutting season are all activities which may be organized with the greatest of pleasures.