Bandalkoli

Overview

Click for Introduction to the Central Alborz Mountains.

Click for Introduction to Kholeno Massif.

Click for a detailed map of the Central Alborz Mountains.

Click for a detailed map of the Kholeno Massif.


Bandalkoli is one of the 4000 m peaks of the Kholeno massif in the Central Alborz Mountains of northern Iran. To the west, Bandalkoli is connected to the 4130 m Dalkoli Peak and to the east, it connects to the 4253 m Khers Chal/Farakhe No Peaks (via Peak 4051 m). The southern slopes of Bandalkoli are steep scree slopes that go down to the upper portions of the Velayat Rood River Valley (3500 m) and its northern slopes drop down to a branch of the Varengeh Rood River Valley (3100 m).


On the northern slopes of Bandalkoli, you will find two descending jagged ridgelines that give rise to many rocky spires. When Bandalkoli is viewed from the north, these ridgelines appear as a couple of impressive horns that sit in front of the summit of Bandalkoli. In between the ridgelines on the northern slopes of Bandalkoli and its neighbors, there are high snow-filled alpine bowls.


A round trip to the summit of Bandalkoli will take at least one and a half days. The shortest route is to start at the village of Laloon (2400 m) to the southeast and hike to the Varzab Pass (3910 m), Khers Chal summit (4253 m) and then follow the ridgetop to Bandalkoli. A southwesterly approach from the bottom of the Dizin ski slopes and the Velayat Rood River Valley is also possible. You will have the best views, however, if you approach Bandalkoli from the north via the Varengeh Rood River Valley. You will start at the Varengeh Rood Village (2450 m) and then hike 21.5 Km (13.3 miles) along the length of the Varengeh Rood River to reach the Kholeno Lake (3830 m) where you will find a perfect spot to set up your base camp (The hike will take you past the remains of monstrously large winter avalanches and provide you with spectacular views of snow-capped peaks and alpine meadows). From your base camp, you will then be able to access many of the local peaks


Views From the Summit of Bandalkoli

Kholeno

Azad & Kaman

Sarak Chal

Tochal

Koloon Bastak

Dalkoli

Bowl

Velayat Rood Valley

A Few Pictures From Varengeh Rood River Valley

Mid Valley

Lower Valley

Sorkhab

Avalanche

Getting There

Directions to Varengeh Rood Village:
From downtown Tehran drive the Tehran-Karaj Freeway 40 Km west to the town of Karaj and take the Chalus Road exit. Drive the Chalus Road up the mountains roughly 70 Km till the junction of the road that goes to Dizin Ski Area (2250 m). Turn onto this road and follow it a few Km till you see a side road on the left that goes to Varengeh Rood Village (2325 m). Turn onto this road and follow it a few Km till the end of it at the village (2450 m).


Directions for Laloon Village:
From northeastern Tehran, take the Babai expressway east and then take the Lashgarak expressway north up to Ghoochak Pass (1950 m). Follow the road north down the many switchbacks to the bottom of the Jajrood River Valley (1700 m). Drive 20 Km north to the main square in the village of Fasham (1950 m). Left (west) will take you to the ski resorts of Shemshak and Dizin. Turn right (east) and drive 7 Km to the village of Zaygan (2250 m) and then turn left (north) and drive a side road about 4 Km to the village of Laloon (2400 m).

Red Tape

No fees/permits required.

Camping

Anywhere.

Images

View Bandalkoli Image Gallery - 23 Images