Secret Compass Theres Always A Way https://secretcompass.com Iran: Damavand This Handbook contains everything you need to know about this classic Secret Compass expedition to summit Mount Damavand in Iran. Read on to discover our ethos and team-centred approach and for the nitty gritty like flight and visa advice, insurance requirements and kit recommendations. Use the buttons below to ask questions or to apply for this team or, once approved, to secure your spot on the team with a Booking Form and a £400 deposit. Key facts Arrive: by 1200 on the 5 August into the team hotel in Tehran. Depart: leave any time on the 16 August. Insurance: Ensure you have comprehensive cover. Docs: send your flight, insurance and passport copy in. Balance due: 90 days before departure on 5 May. Find FAQ and Testimonials online. Overview The aim of this Iran expedition is to complete a traverse of the Lar National Park, making a summit attempt of Mount Damavand (5610m). In preparation, the team will also be making summit attempts on several neighbouring peaks over 4000m. Not only do these peaks serve as an adventurous addition but also provide excellent opportunity for vital acclimatisation, increasing the team’s chances of summit success. Highlights Experience the raw, natural beauty of Iran. Climb Asia’s highest volcano, Damavand (5640 m). Aim to also summit Azad Kuh (4355 m) and Kholeno (4375 m). Trek through the Lar National Park from west to east. Relax in Tehran with the opportunity to explore this ancient city. To do Flights You need to organise your own international flights. We have a unique partnership with Student Universe (a specialist division of the Flight Centre Travel Group and no, you don’t have to be a student to use them). The dedicated Secret Compass team understand us, our destinations and use global buying power to save you money and offer security along with a 24hour assistance helpline. Fill in a contact form or call (UK) 0844 560 9799 for assistance in booking international flights. It is advised that you book a flexible flight ticket that can be changed for fee or refunded if the expedition dates are changed or if it is cancelled for any reason. You need to be at the team hotel in Tehran by 1200 on the 5 August 2018 and the expedition officially ends after breakfast on the 16 August 2018 although you are free to depart anytime as many flights depart early in the morning. Insurance 1 / 10 Insurance that provides cover for emergency repatriation in case of a medical emergency is compulsory for all expeditions. You should be aware that many standard insurance policies may not cover you adequately for all aspects of a remote expedition and so we strongly recommend that you purchase a suitably designed insurance policy. Secret Compass cannot comment on the suitability of your cover so if you are in any doubt please contact your policy provider and ask them to confirm that you are covered to our minimum standard (below). a. Emergency medical repatriation (to home country) including any associated expenses abroad of at least $500,000. b. Activities – ensure that any activities carried out on the expedition are included, these could be trekking, horse riding, rafting, mountain biking etc. c. Geographical region – check the geographical region you are going to is insured (often the US and Canada or countries such as Afghanistan are not insured). d. Foreign Ministry advice – check your insurance is not sensitive to any travel warnings issued by your respective foreign ministry. In the UK, many insurers will not insure you when the Foreign Office warns against travel to this area. Foreign Office advice will not necessarily mean we cancel an expedition or do not travel to a particular area. Please check @FCOtravel and https://www.gov.uk/travelaware e. Dates – make sure the period of cover begins at the departure and ends at the return to your home country. Many flights take a day or two and time zones vary. Insurance companies may prejudice your claims due to this. f. Pre-existing medical conditions – if you have any pre-existing medical conditions please ensure you disclose this to your insurance company and to Secret Compass. Prior to travel Secret Compass will require the name of your insurance policy provider, their 24hour emergency contact number and your policy number. For full information on travel insurance and links to suggested companies, please visit the insurance page on our website. Visas Visas are your responsibility. The application process is in two stages: a visa reference number then the visa application itself. Secret Compass will provide a comprehensive document detailing the application process and will apply for your visa reference number, however visa applications remain your responsibility and you are encouraged to start the process at least two months before departure. British, American and Canadian travellers will be required to submit copies of CVs and social media links to support their visa application. They should also be accompanied at all times in Iran by a government approved guide. Some nationalities are eligible for visas on arrival however this is not recommended as the VOA service has been suspended at short notice in the past. Please note that recent changes to US entry requirements mean that if you live in a country which is part of the US Visa Waiver Program but have recently (since 2011) travelled to Sudan then you will not be able to use the Visa Waiver Program and must apply for a full visa to travel to the US. See here for more details. Passports You should have a passport valid for 6 months beyond the date of visa application and covering the duration of the expedition and your travel dates. Please note if your passport has an Israeli stamp you may be refused entry to Iran. Please send a clear, colour copy of your passport to Secret Compass ahead of the expedition and carry photocopies with you on the expedition in a safe place. 2 / 10 Itinerary Day 1: Aug 5 – Tehran Arrive at the team hotel in Tehran by 1200 for an expedition briefing and shopping trip for expedition supplies. Many flights arrive very early in the morning so you may wish to arrange an extra night’s accommodation. Day 2: Aug 6 – Kalek Bala Drive from Tehran to the trailhead for your trek. En route you’ll be able to see your final goal, Mt Damavand. Meet your local support team and mules in the village and redistribute supplies before trekking a short way to this evening’s campsite in the shadow of Azad Khuh. Day 3-8: Aug 7-12 – Lar National Park Trek through the Lar National Park taking in the summits of Azad Khuh (4355 m), Big Kholeno (4375 m) and Little Kholeno. Even with mules to carry food supplies, this will be a challenging trek with considerable height gain and loss as you cross river valleys and high passes to reach the base of Mt Damavand. From this point, the team will be self-sufficient as they bid farewell to the support crew and mules for the summit attempt. Day 9: Aug 13 – Mt Damavand Start your ascent of Mt Damavand from the western side, this route is far less busy than the popular southern ascent so you may even have the mountain to yourselves. The pace will be steady as, even with your days of acclimatisation, the route is steep and conditions may be challenging. Reach Simorgh Hut (4200 m) for the night in time to relax and enjoy the spectacular sunset and (hopefully) far-ranging views towards the Caspian Sea. Day 10: Aug 14 – Mt Damavand An early start for a summit attempt on Mt Damavand, the highest volcano in Asia. This will be a long day as the team ascend to the summit at 5610m before descending the southern route of the mountain towards Tehran. Depending on the team’s speed and mountain conditions, tonight will be spent camping at the mountain hut en route or back in a comfortable hotel in Tehran having been picked up at the base of the mountain. Day 11: Aug 15 – Tehran Today is a contingency day for use during the trek or on Mt Damavand. If the team are on schedule, there will be a full day of sightseeing in Tehran to round off your adventure through this diverse and unique country before the team head out for a final celebratory meal. Day 12: Aug 16 – Expedition ends The expedition officially ends after breakfast today although you are free to depart at any time as many flights leave in the early hours. If you are extending your stay, please ensure your visa is valid for the entire duration of your trip and you make any necessary arrangements for guides as required by your nationality. Note on this expedition itinerary Please remember that this itinerary acts as a framework plan. It provides guidance as to our intentions but will not be followed religiously. This is an adventure and by definition the outcome is uncertain. The leadership team may flex and change the plan depending on numerous frictions encountered en route. An adaptable, team-centred approach is required. Prepare 3 / 10 Fitness All our expeditions are achievable by people with an active and healthy lifestyle. However, this is an arduous expedition that will test you and at times you will be sore, tired, hungry and possibly wet! You must be prepared physically and mentally for the expedition and for living in basic conditions for the duration.