MTB enduro trip in Iran: 10 days in the north of the country, from Damavand to the Caspian Sea

We meet you at Tehran airport and take you to your hotel, time enough to rebuild your bike and take your first steps into Iranian daily life. Then we leave the buzz of this ten-million-strong capital for the surrounding hills: a first bike check on playful trails, with a sweeping view over the vastness of the city.

In the evening we take you to our favourite spots for a typical meal: zereshk polo or ghormeh sabzi, washed down with a cool doogh.

An early start for a shuttle up above the capital, with one last view down over Tehran. The descent follows a superb rocky, playful ridge line, with a few good freeride options, down to the outskirts of the city.

Then comes the road transfer, five hours towards more mountainous, rural country. The landscapes shift as we go, and we stop along the way for tea or a koobideh, before reaching the guest house for the night.

Today it's time for our essential mule shuttles. These natural 4x4s take us up a long ascent through a spectacular, wild valley near Kelardasht, to the start of the day's trail at 3'800 m.

A good way to acclimatise, and above all the chance to ride the most technical trail of the trip. A treat: tight, slipping switchbacks, ground that looks hostile at first sight, and yet the flow eventually settles in. The day ends on the road, heading for the Caspian Sea.

After a generous breakfast of dates and carrot jam, the cars lift us 2'000 m above the sea. The gentler side of the trip awaits up there: a fast, playful singletrack through the forest, dropping all the way back to sea level.

Then a transfer to Golestan, the eastern province where the landscapes change face once again.

Another vehicle shuttle, saving us nearly 2'000 m of climbing, then a short 300 m push to reach the day's line. The Caspian Sea stays in our sights: it's where we're heading.

In between, the balance is perfect: plenty of flow, a light technical touch, an unusual forest and green meadows, with a fine finish in a fast, playful natural half-pipe.

It's nearly time to leave this Iranian Riviera, but not without enjoying its green flow one last time. Today it's a double helping: two vehicle rotations for close to 4'000 m of descent in two runs, with drivers putting their pickups to work to make the most of every minute.

At the end of the day, transfer to Mazandaran and a night in a guest house, at the gates of the Damavand massif.

Our faithful mules are back in service for the day's ascent, and not a small one: reaching the base camp refuge at 4'200 m, where we spend the night. We have the whole day to climb steadily, relieved of our bikes and bags, which travel on the mules' backs.

The landscape unfolds as we gain height, with a plunging view over the vast Lar nature reserve: quite simply breathtaking. On arrival at the refuge the altitude makes itself felt, and the sunset over the massif makes you forget the effort.

Depending on your form, your motivation and the weather, you can get up very early for the walk to the summit of Damavand. The route is on foot and remains manageable, but only if you are entirely comfortable with high altitude. Otherwise you stay at the refuge and enjoy the sunrise, which is hardly a consolation prize.

Then we finally get on the bikes for the big descent from base camp: 2'000 m of vertical drop from the highest volcano in Asia, on unique volcanic ground, before reaching the hotel for the night.

Travelling this far isn't only about the trails. Iran has a thousand faces, and Persian history is exceptionally rich. So we devote this day to discovering Tehran, with an excellent English-speaking guide.

He shares the tales of the old kings and the birth of Persia as readily as the country's contemporary history. Between museums, wandering the grand bazaar and street life, it's a real day of travel, not just a stopover before the flight.

We organise your transfer to the airport according to your flight time.

We warmly encourage anyone who can to extend their stay in Iran, as there is so much left to discover. If that's your case, we're happy to help you plan the rest, and we can store your bike and any surplus luggage safely.