15 km 0 m 1'300 m Guest house

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.

25 km 1'200 m on foot 1'400 m Hotel

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.

25 km 200 m 2'000 m Hotel

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.

35 km 300 m 2'000 m Hotel

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.

38 km 200 m 4'000 m Guest house

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.

13 km 1'200 m on foot Refuge

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.

20 km 100 m 2'000 m Hotel

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.

Hotel

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.

A professional Swiss Cycling certified MTB guide who has been organising this trip for several years, supported on the ground by Iranian guides who know the ranges and the villages. You ride with people who speak your language and the country's.

Experienced riders, often in their thirties or forties, drawn as much by the riding as by discovering a country few travellers know. Coming solo is common.

Yes, and women take part regularly. Off the bike, a headscarf is required in public places and clothing covering legs and shoulders is expected in town. Our guides explain all this before departure, and the welcome given to women travellers is generally excellent.

Long, varied descents, from rocky high-altitude ground to Caspian forests, with loose rock, gradient and sometimes faint trails. The level is rated 3.5/4: riding skill counts, and so does endurance, over ten consecutive days.

No: the 4x4s follow us wherever possible and carry the luggage. You ride with your day pack, except for the refuge night, when you carry what you need to sleep.

Yes, several times during the journey, in the guest houses and at the hotel. No need to pack ten sets of riding kit.

Guest houses with local families, a comfortable hotel in Tehran and one night in a mountain refuge. The guest houses are simple and welcoming, and are an important part of the Iranian experience.

Yes, all meals are included, along with mineral water, except for meals on the last day in Tehran and soft drinks and fruit juices. The local food is one of the good memories of the trip.

A full-suspension MTB, 150 to 170 mm, fully serviced, new brake pads and a solid set of spares: Western parts are not available locally. The full list is in the gear tab.

That's what the 4x4s are for: you can skip a descent or a day and rejoin the group further on. The programme allows for gradual acclimatisation, and the guide keeps a close eye on everyone at altitude.

No, flights to Tehran, the visa and airport taxes are at the participant's expense. We provide the visa application form and all the necessary documents after registration.

Every participant must be covered for accidents, including on a mountain bike, and hold all the cover needed for mountain biking in the mountains: accidents, personal liability, as well as search, rescue, evacuation and repatriation costs from Iran.

Note: many insurers exclude Iran from their cover, or apply special clauses. Check this point carefully with your insurer before signing up, and ask for written confirmation.