Trekking Iran - Highlands of Talesh Trek
Talesh is a region in north western Iran along the south western coast of the Caspian Sea and offers some of the most stunning trekking in Iran. Originally a much larger area, Talesh is believed to be where the Aryan People (the first Indo-European people that moved down from what are today the Russian steppes to Europe, Iran, Central Asia and northern India in the second millennium BCE) first settled. It is also said to be the birth place of Zoroaster, the prophet of the ancient Persian religion, Zoroastrianism. 
Talesh has a sub-tropical climate with a lush green landscape. The region can be divided into two parts, the lowlands and the highlands. The lowlands lie along the fertile coastal plain of the Caspian Sea and are abundant with rice paddies and orchards. The highlands constitute almost three quarters of the area of Talesh and are covered by dense deciduous forests and meadows. The Talesh Massif forms a 300 km long natural barrier against the drier climate to the south and west. Its highest peak, Bagharo Dagh, has an altitude of 3200 meters.
The people of Talesh have their own distinct language and culture, which have been preserved over the centuries by the remoteness of their land. A great many of them are pastoralists and semi nomadic. They migrate to the highlands with their herds of sheep and goats every spring for pasture. They live in wooden houses or a kind of fixed tent called Chapar in their summer encampments. During this undiscovered superb trek we will experience their genuine hospitality at first hand by staying and eating with them or camping next to them. 
We start our trek from a picturesque village deep in the Caspian Forest. To get there, we come off the coastal road and drive up the mountain on a forestry track. The next morning we walk through the forest up to the pass, where the landscape changes dramatically. Here, the forest gives way to an alpine scenery of flower strewn meadows, springs, verdant valleys, streams and pretty hamlets. This is the kind of landscape we will be exploring for the rest of this undiscovered and unforgettable trek.
Special Highlights
* All prices are land only and do not include flights. Day 1 Arrive in Tehran. You will be picked up from the airport and taken to the hotel, where you can relax and catch up with some sleep for a few hours. Meet the rest of the group then lunch. Explore Tehran. Dinner and back to hotel. Day 2 
Visit the National Archaeological Museum and Golestan Palace complex.
After lunch, stroll in the mountains north of Tehran. Dinner and early night. Day 3 Early morning drive to the Caspian city of Rasht. Visit ancient mountain fort, the biggest in Iran. Stay in a charming mountain village. Day 4 
Visit Anzali's massive weekly market ( from fresh produce to local art and craft), a special feature of this area.
Visit the lagoon, home to local and migrant birds. Drive to the village, where we start our trek. Home stay. Days 5-11 Trek in the highlands of Talesh. Day 12 Drive to historic city of Ardabil (derived from Zoroastrian name Artavil), famed for its silk and carpets. Visit Sarein, famous for its spas (hot springs). Drive to Astara, a city with 6,000 years of history. Hotel in Astara. Day 13 Drive back to Tehran. Hotel in Tehran. Day 14 Visit the Grand Bazaar in Tehran or free day to explore the capital. Hotel in Tehran Due to the nature of these tours, from time to time, the itinerary may slightly vary. This would be because of circumstances beyond our control, such as footpaths damaged by seasonal flooding or landslides. View Larger Map |
