Iranian Holiday Package: Alamut Castle

The rise and fall of the power of the Assassins is one of the most extraordinary of the middle ages. The founder of Assassins was an adventurer by the name of Hassan Sabbah also known as old man of the mountains, who was exiled from Persian court and took refuge in the grim tangle of Alburz mountains, which stretch in a great arc around the southern end of Caspian sea. Whilst wandering with his tiny band of retainers in these hospitable mountains, Hassan Sabbah stumbled across the Assassin valley- a huge fertile gash in the very heart of the sierra, which soar upward like jagged ramparts on every side of hidden valley. Hassan Sabbah took upon himself the title of Sheik el Jebel, or Lord of the Mountains Hassan Sabbah was no ordinary man, and followers to believe that their Sheik was indeed one of the Prophets. who held the gift of immortality for faithful. Even the mention of the name "Hasan-e-Sabbah" could terrorize the Caliphs in Baghdad and Cairo. Alamut Castle was his headquarters impenetrable fortresses but the Assassins had many fearful fortresses along the Alborz Mountains. On this tour you will be visiting Alamut, Lamsar , Samiran, Roodkhan castles and villages on route all setting in the area of outstanding natural beauty.

This tour involves moderate trekking for 3-4 hours each day. At the end of this tour, if you wish you can join our Persian Dream tour to visit Yazd, Shiraz, Persepolise and Isfahan

ITINERARY Day 1, LONDON/TEHRAN Depart from London Day 2, TEHRAN Arrival in Tehran, you are met at the airport and transfer to the hotel. After a short rest at the hotel, we spend all day visiting the capital’s Archaeological and Carpet Museums. Overnight Tehran Day 3, TEHRAN/ZARBAND Drive to the city of Qazvin, continue driving up to Alborz mountains, we pass some villages and stop at "Gazorkhan" village where a light trekking takes us up to Alamut Castle, visit the castle for one or two hours and walk down to Gazorkhan village, drive to Evan Lake and Zarabad village where we stay overnight. Overnight at local house. Day 4, ZARBAND/MANJIL After breakfast we Drive to "Razmian" village and trekking up to "Lamsar Castle", visit Lamsar castle for one hour and drive down to Qazvin, city tour of Qazvin, and continue driving to Manjil to visit Samiran castle. Overnight at local house. Day 5, MANJIL/ROODKHAN Drive to Fooman and then to Roodkhan village, trekking in the mountainous forests for about four hours up to the magnificent "Roodkhan Castle". Overnight camp in Roodkhan Day 6, ROODKHAN/MAHMUDABAD Climb down from Roodkhan Castle to Roodkhan village and drive first to Rasht and then along the Caspian Sea to Ramsar and Chalus and Mahmudabad. Overnight at 3* hotel Day 7, MAHMUDABAD/DAMGHAN Drive to Babolsar, Sari and Damghan. Overnight local house. Day 8, DAMGHAN/TEHRAN Driving and trekking to Gerdkuh west of Damghan and drive back to Tehran. Overnight Tehran. Day 9, TEHRAN/LONDON Transfer to the airport for direct flight to London.

ALAMUT CASTLE REF:ALAMUT DURATION: 09 DAYS Dates 2010 10 May - 18 May 13 Sep - 21 Sep TOUR COST (2010): £1550 per person Single supplement: £100 can be provided only in Tehran, single supplements is not available in local houses Dates 2011 TOUR COST (2011): £1650 per person Single supplement: £110 can be provided only in Tehran, single supplements is not available in local houses What is included in the tour prices: International flight accommodation at hotel and local house sharing a twin room airport transfers breakfast. lunch, dinner land transports all excursions and sightseeing, entrance fees porterage English speaking guide What is not included: Iranian Consulate visa fee £95.(British), Travel insurance, which we can be obtained through Persian Voyages. Persian Voyages acts as agents of Facts Travel Ltd ATOL 4109 for the international flight.