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Volcano Tourism in Iran: Mt Damavand, the Highest Peak in the Middle East 183

The south face: Favourite route for It takes five to seven hours slow and steady walk
Damavand visitors to reach the summit of Mt Damavand at 5671m
The most popular route to climb Mt Damavand is from the Bargah-E Sevvom camp. There is no
the south route, which takes about eight hours shelter or camp at the peak and nowhere to spend
from the base camp to the summit. It in fact starts a long time in shelter. Visitors are recommended to
from Tehran and also it’s the easiest way to reach return back to Bargah-E Sevvom camp quickly due
the peak. It takes about 1.5 hours by car from to the high risk of quick weather changes once
Tehran to Polour, which is the first camp in south they have reached the top. The second most popular
route, and belongs to the Iranian Mountain route to the summit is the south-west route, which
Climbing Federation. The second camp is takes about seven hours to reach the summit. This
Goosfandsara and it is about an hour away from the route also starts at Polour village in the south face
first camp (Polour) by an off road car. This is the of Mt Damavand and there is Camp Simorgh at
base camp (3040m) where the journey to Mt 4159m altitude in this route to support climbers
Damavand usually starts on foot. Visitors walk the (Figure 12.5). The other routes to the summit are
distance between the base camp and the next one the north and north-east routes, which are longer
called Bargah-E Sevvom for about three to four and not as popular as the routes in the south face of
hours and stay overnight there at 4150m to get the volcano. These routes attract repeat visitors to
ready for climbing up to the peak early next Damavand, those who have tried southern routes
morning (Figure 12.4). and are seeking a different experience.

Figure 12.4 Bargahe-E Sevvom camp, Mt Damavand 4150m, south route

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