BRIEF EXPLANATION

A world away from the cities and deserts of Iran is the beautiful Alborz Mountains range, rising from the Caspian Sea, a lesser explored region beacon. Experience a glimpse into a quieter, greener, and more traditional side of Iran Travel to Alamut, one of the castles on Freya Stark’s route in her 1930s classic book, The Valley of the Assassins’ before visiting the impressive Roudkhan Castle. From the traditional village of Masoule, you will begin a series of walks into the hills and high plateaus of the Talesh Highlands taking in a combination of the stunning mountain scenery and visits to the nomadic Shahsavan, The Shahsavan Nomads are Pastoralists who have spent their summers on these high pastures tending to their herds for thousands of years. Here you will camp, (although don’t be surprised if you are invited to stay with the locals), experiencing their warm hospitality and excellent local cuisine A journey brimming with diversity, you finish in vibrant Tabriz with its vast UNESCO World Heritage-covered bazaar and nearby troglodyte stony village of Kandovan

ITINERARY

Day 1- Arrival in Tehran

Welcome to Iran! Upon arrival in Tehran, you will be met and transferred to your hotel, the remainder of the day is at leisure for you to explore on your own or simply relax
Tehran has a relatively short history and is quite often smoggy and manic. Many travelers do not spend much time here at all. Although it is a concrete jungle, there is a fascinating side to this hectic city. Expect bold fashion statements, a range of ethnic and international restaurants, chic cafes, and plenty of art galleries. What Tehran lacks in history, it makes up for it with impressive museums. Overnight at Ferdowsi Hotel or similar   H.B

Day 2 – Tehran Sightseeing

Following breakfast at your hotel this morning, you will be met by your local guide and begin a sightseeing tour of Tehran. Spend time exploring the Bazaar, the lavish Golestan Palace which was once the heart of Tehran, and the excesses of the Qajar rulers. A short walk south of Imam Khomeini Sq, the Golestan Palace complex is made up of several grand buildings set around a carefully manicured garden. From here, visit the crown jewels including the glorious Peacock Throne. Most of the collection dates back to Safavid times when the shahs scoured Europe, India, and the lands of the Ottoman Empire for booty with which to decorate their capital, Esfahan. But as the Safavid Empire crumbled, the jewels became a high-profile spoil of war. When Mahmud Afghan invaded Iran in 1722, he plundered the treasury and sent its contents to India. On ascending the throne in 1736, Nader Shah Afshar dispatched courtiers to ask for the return of the jewels. When their powers of persuasion proved unequal to the task, he sent an army to prove that he was serious. To get the soldiers off his back, Mohammed Shah of India was forced to hand over the Darya-ye Nur and Kuh-e Nur diamonds, a Peacock Throne (though not the one you’ll see here), and assorted other treasures. After Nader Shah’s murder in 1747, Ahmed Beg plundered the treasury and dispersed the jewels. The Kuh-e Nur, the world’s largest cut diamond, found its way into the sticky fingers of the colonial British and has been locked up in the Tower of London since, The Qajar and Pahlavi rulers enthusiastically added to the jewels collection, which grew to be so valuable that in the 1930s it was transferred to the National Bank of Iran (now the Central Bank of Iran) as a reserve for the national currency.  Overnight at Ferdowsi Hotel or similar   B.L.D

Day 3 – Tehran – Alamut – Zarabad

Your adventure begins today as you head north to the Alborz Mountains visiting Lambsar and Alamut ‘assassins’ castles, approx. three to four hours of walking. This evening, you will spend the night in a local guesthouse. Overnight Local House B.L.D

Day 4 – Zarabad – Roudkhan – Masuleh

After breakfast, farewell to your local hosts as you drive to Roudkhan castle, one of the best-preserved in the country, following your visit, head for your overnight stop in the lovely old village of Masoule. Built right into the slope of an Iranian mountain, the small town of Masoule has a unique, purpose-built architectural style where the front yard of each of the houses on the incline is the roof of the house below it, with roof lawns trickling down to the base of the mountain. The tiny village has existed in the area for around 1,000 years and the strange stacked building tradition seems to have existed nearly the entire time. Looking almost like a clay-covered rendition of Sao Paulo, Brazil’s cramped favelas, the communities of Masoule make much better use of the space. Atop the roofs of many of the cascading houses, lawns have been planted and other traditional yard fixtures have been laid out by the tenant above who in turn is covered by the front yard of their upstairs neighbor, and so on so tightly packed are the buildings that there is only room for a maze-like network of stairs and narrow roads connecting each of the structures automobiles are not allowed in Masoule simply because there is no room for them. The landscape surrounding Masoule is lush and mountainous with a frequent covering of dense fog, so much so that many of the homes in the town are covered in bright yellow clay so they can be seen better through the haze, approx. two or three hours of walking. Overnight Mehran Hotel or similar B.L.D

Day 5 – Masoule – Talesh

You’ll have the morning to enjoy the charming delights of Masoule, famed for its traditional wooden buildings, before heading towards the Caspian Sea town of Talesh. B.L.D

Overnight Negin Hotel or similar

Day 6 – Talesh – Subatan

Be sure to have a hearty breakfast this morning. You’ll make your way up on foot to the beautiful village of Subatan, centered on a local spring and set amidst wonderful scenery, approximately. four to five hours of walking overnight camping. B.L.D

Day 7 – Subatan – Neor Lake

Moving on from the village you’ll make your way on foot through the green hills to Givi and Neor Lake, a beautiful stretch of water at an altitude of 2700m. approx. 4-5 hrs.’ walking

Overnight Camping B.L.D

Day 8 – Neor Lake – Meshkinshahr

Rejoining your vehicle today you head to the agricultural Khalkhal region and on to the town of Meshkinshahr, one of the most ancient cities in Iran, which flourished in the 16th century in the Safavid period

Overnight at Aran Hotel or similar B.L.D

Day 9 – Meshkinshahr – Shabil thermal spring

This morning you drive to a region inhabited by the Shahsavan Nomads where you will go walking amidst the stunning mountain scenery. Shahsavan means ‘protectors of the king’ and refers to the fact that this nomadic tribe guards one of Iran’s most remote and vulnerable frontiers, at Azerbaijan. approx three to four hours of hiking. B.L.D

Overnight Camping with the Nomads

Day 10 – Shabil thermal spring

Enjoy a whole day in this region with opportunities to spend more time with the local nomads and, for those wanting to keep trekking, there are various trails on offer. For those who are experienced climbers, an option may be to trek to the summit of Mt. Savalan (Sabalan) (4811m). (Additional cost for mountaineering guide and weather dependent. Further information on this can be provided at the time of booking.) approx. five to six hours of walking

Overnight Camping. B.L.D

Day 11 – Shabil – Kaleybar

This morning you head to the dramatic mountain fortress of Babak where your trek today will lead you through some spectacular mountain scenery. approx. four hours walking. B.L.D

Overnight at the Grand Hotel of Kaleybar or similar

Day 12 – Kaleybar – Tabriz

A three-hour drive takes you to Tabriz, the former capital of Iran, which is home to many famed sights including the Blue Mosque, which was constructed in 1465. Visit the Blue Mosque as well as El Goli Lake. Overnight at Gostaresh Hotel or similar B.L.D

Day 13 – Tabriz

Today you head to the nearby stony village of Kandovan which is known for its troglodyte housing reminiscent of Turkey’s Cappadocia region

Kandovan is a photogenic settlement of troglodyte homes and storage barns carved out of curiously eroded rocks. These sit above a newer lower village like a conference of stone ice cream cones. Scrambling along steep, narrow paths between them gives you an ample idea of the place within a few minutes. Afterward, return to Tabriz for exploring and shopping in the UNESCO World Heritage Bazaar. B.L.D

Day 14 – Departure

Following breakfast, the remainder of the day is yours at leisure until it is time to transfer you to the airport home.

Airport transfers
Hotel total 13-night  (7 nights 3-4 star hotels, 3 nights homestays, 3 nights camping)
Camping equipment
Best quality 13 breakfasts, 12 lunches, 12 dinners
Transportation by private Van
Local English-speaking experienced guides
Sightseeing as mentioned in the itinerary
Refreshments on long-distance days e.g. water, tea, coffee
Visa invitation letter as reference number

Visas cost
Travel Insurance
Tips, Laundry
Items of a personal nature
Anything not mentioned in the itinerary

BOOKING PROCEDURE

Send passport and flight ticket scan, and send by email can be clear and so payment 1000 € per person through the Turkey bank and rest money will be received in cash

Note: We strongly advise all adventure lovers to have their medical and rescue evacuation insurance in their own home country

CANCELLATION POLICIES

Cancellation before 60 days- Full refund (after deducting bank fees)
Cancellation within 50 days-       35 % of the payment
Cancellation within 30 days-       60 % of the payment
Cancellation within 08 days-       No refund