The Alamut Valley is very popular with hikers and quite rightly so. It is a spectacular valley filled with high summits such as Khashechal 4180m, Siyalan 4250m and the grand Shah Alborz 4100m as well as many canyons and waterfalls and remote isolated settlements.
The departing point for shared communal taxis is the Gharib Kosh square in Qazvin. These "savaris" will take you to Moalem Kelayeh which is where you need to get off if you are heading for Lake Ovan or Garmarood if you are going to do one of the impressive treks to the Caspian side.
The side valleys and canyons such as Gazorkhan where the main Assassin's Castle is located are not served by shared taxis and you are better off getting a taxi to yourself.
If you are coming from the Caspian coastline then the Sehezar road ( under construction) is your best option. However, you should note that this road is closed in winter months. There is a minibus that leaves Tonekabon early in the morning and goes as far az Khoshkechal village. You need to arrange with the driver beforehand. The best place to find him would be the Khorramabad Junction of Tonekabon from where shared taxis go to Maran and Darjan. Note: this option is for people on a very low budget and with plenty of time to spare.
This question is on the minds of many, and the answer varies depending on who you ask. So, I thought I’d share some thoughts to help provide clarity. The influence of news and social media on our perceptions is undeniable. We’re bombarded with information online, much of it driven by various agendas. As an old Persian saying goes, "No cat catches a mouse for the sake of God," meaning everyone has their reasons for what they say or do. But what does it mean to be "safe"? If you’re concerned about personal safety from theft, robbery, or assault by ordinary Iranians, know that these incidents are extremely rare. There are far more dangerous places around the world where people travel in droves. If your concern is the possibility of war breaking out while you’re in Iran, consider this: Iran endured an eight-year war with Iraq, and since then, only occasional skirmishes along the borders have been reported. The likelihood of an all-...