Explore makes inaugural Mt Damavand Climb

On the 29th July 2010, 8 courageous Explore customers and their trusty tour leader Mark Steadman became the first Explore group to attempt to summit Mt Damavand in Iran.

Damavand is the highest volcano in Asia. At 5,671 metres only the Alps to the west and Himalayas to the east threaten its lofty status on the Asian plateau. The mountains legends are deeply entwined in Iran’s religious fabric; it is revered by Muslims, Zoroastrians and Jews alike. Arash let fly an arrow from Mount Damavand that landed by the Oxus river, to determine Iran’s border with the ancient land of Turan. Through the millennia Mount Damavand has looked down over revolution, empires and invasions.

It is with all this in mind that Explore introduced the Damavand Mountain Persian Trek - a combination of a serious peak and a unique destination.

The first group departed on the 29th July 2010 (after election tensions interrupted the first planned departure), and a second group departed on the 12th August 2010, with a total of 14 customers travelling in total.

During the trip, fascinated travellers took a full day sightseeing tour of Tehran, followed by an ascent of Touchal Mountain and then Mt Damavand, where they encountered friendly locals whose freedom is symbolised by the mountain they love to climb.

To read a full account of the first ascent - read Mark Steadman's story here.