Alam Kuh
Alam Kuh also known as Alam Kooh (Persian: علم کوه) is the second-highest peak in Iran.
“Alam” in Persian means “a flag” or “something that is visible from a far distance”.
“Kuh” or “Kooh” means “a mountain”.
Right after Damavand with an elevation of 5,671 m as the highest peak in Iran, Alam Kuh is the second highest summit with 4,850 m.
This tough mountain is located in Mazandaran province, the northern green belt of Iran. But it is visible and accessible from Alamut Valley of Qazvin province, as well.
Alam Kooh forms the peak of Takht-e Suleyman Massif, a range of some high summits. Here is the only spot in Iran where there are ancient glaciers.
Alam Kuh Climbing History
The first recorded ascent of the peak was made from Hazarchal over the south face by the German brothers Bornmüller in 1902.
Douglas Busk, a British mountaineer, two times climbed Alam Kuh in 1933 and 1934.
The 800 m high, steep granite stone in the north face provides some of the most difficult and interesting mountaineering routes in the whole country of Iran. This cliff is one of the main reasons for Alam Kuh’s fame.
The north face attracts European climbing teams. The first climb from the north was by Germans in 1936 via the northwest ridge.
The French and Polish teams established other routes on the north face during the 1960s and 1970.
A British team made a successful ascent in 1978, only one year before the Iranian 1979 revolution.
The first winter ascent of the north face was made by an Iranian mountaineer named Mohammad Nouri.
Source: wikipedia.org
Geographical Position of Alam Kuh
Alam Kuh stays at 20 km to the southwest of Kelardasht town in Mazandaran Province. The northern skirt overlooks Kelardasht and the southern hillside overlooks Taleghan Valley.
Alam Kuh is located southeast of Alamut Castle from 3:00 to 4:00 o’clock.
This peak is located northeast of Shah Alborz peak at 2:00 o’clock.
Itinerary to summit Alam Kuh
You will need a minimum of 5 days and a normal range of 6 days to hike to Alam Kuh.
If after the hike, you like to stay in Caspian and finish your tour in Mazandaran, then 5 days would be enough.
But if you like to finish up your tour in Tehran, Qazvin or Alamut Valley, then you will need at least 6 days.
The start of the plan to Alam Kuh is possible from three regions in Iran:
A – From Qazvin Province via Alamut Valley
B – From Mazandaran Province of the Caspian Sea
C – From Alborz Province via Taleghan Valley
Almost in all cases, you need to reach Mazandaran province by car and then start your trek.
An Itinerary to Summit Alam from Qazvin
Here I will introduce a classic, normal, and proper itinerary to hike to Alam from Qazvin:
Day 1: Starting from Qazvin – transfer by car for 5 hours – reaching Darjan – sleeping in a village house.
Day 2: Starting from Darjan, hiking for about 7 hours (elevation 2‘150 – 3‘150) via hot springs, reaching shepherd‘s place, sleeping in tent.
Day 3: Starting from shepherd‘s place, hiking for about 7 hours (elevation 3‘150 – 4‘200 –3‘800) via Laskarak, reaching to Hesarchal, sleeping in a tent.
Day 4: Starting from Hesarchal, hiking for about 10 hours (elevation 3‘800 – 4‘850 – 3‘800) via peak Alamkuh, reaching Hesarchal, sleeping in a tent.
Day 5: Starting from Hesarchal, hiking for about 3 hours (elevation 3‘800 – 3300), transfer by car for two hours, reaching Vandarbon, sleeping in a local house.
Day 6: Starting from Vandarbon – transfer by car for 5 hours – reaching Qazvin to Tehran – sleep in your hotel.
Caution!
If you like to climb to Alam Kuh, there are some points you should take into consideration.
First, you need a driver. Do not go alone. Reaching the first village to start your trek will be some hours of driving on the mountainous roads in Iran. If your driver is not a careful driver, you will be scared to death with the style of driving in Iran. So, I highly recommend booking a professional driver and saving up your energy and nerves for your trekking to the peak.
Second, you absolutely need a mountain guide. Unlike European trails, here in Iran, the trekking trails are not signed. And not always you can trek with the mobile application Maps.me!
Third, you will need accommodation in villages, you need a tent and other trekking gear. Of that, if you are not equipped, you really should reconsider your decision for trekking to Alam Kuh.
Our tours to Alam Kuh are full-board. We include everything from drivers, guides, mule, mule-rider, car transfers, accommodations and equipment needed.
How many days do I need for Alam Kuh?
The proper itinerary for this trek would be 6 days. 4 days for the trek and 2 days for transfers and minor sightseeing in Alamut (If you start from Qazvin).
Or you can let me know your open plan for some days, and I will happily write a nice itinerary for you.
If you are at home and you are reading this post, better to bring your own mountain gear.
But if you are already in Iran and you have decided to spend some days in the nature of Alamut and Iran and hit Alam Kuh, there is nothing to worry about. Even if you did not bring your trekking gear, we can prepare and include all of them in your tour.
What gear do you need for trekking to Sialan Peak?
Hiking to Alam Kuh by this route is not a technical hiking. You will not need ropes and ice axes.
The essentials for trekking to Alam Kuh would be:
– Trekking shoes
– Walking sticks
– Trousers (for cold and warm weather)
– Jackets (for cold, wet and warm weather)
– Sunglasses
– Headlight
– Cap
– Sleeping bag
– Mat
– Tent
– Small Backpack (To carry along your water and snacks)
– Big backpack (To carry along your main gear and items)
If you are in Iran and you just decided to go for this hike, no need to worry. We can prepare everything for you and include them in the tour. From shoes, to walking sticks, tents, jackets and etc. You should remember that in Iran, renting mountain stuff is not common. You have to buy them or some tour operators like us will prepare them for you.
Mule!
I love mules. Mules are the offspring of a male donkey and a female horse. They are the only strong and accessible vehicles in the mountains.
The good news is that you don’t need to carry your big backpack. We will hire a mule and a mule rider next to the mountain guide.
You will experience feeding the mule and if you will, tying up the luggage on the mule (which can be a technique!).
The guides will prepare food meals as well.
You will only practically save up your energy for your trek to Alam Kooh and enjoy your time in the mountains of Alborz.
With special thanks to my foreign friends:
Ranvijay from India
Armaan from India
and
Hans from Switzerland
This trek level, based on the season is different from 3.5 to 4.5.
If you think this trek is a bit difficult for you, you can take the other trekking options. We offer a range of different activities based on your interest.
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