I am an Iranian mountain guide and international tour leader with more than 25 years of mountaineering experience and over 15 years of professional mountain guiding experience.

I started climbing and mountaineering in 1998 and began professional mountain guiding in 2012. Since then, I have led trekking, mountaineering and ski touring groups in Iran and, since 2026, in Turkey.

My experience includes guiding on some of the highest and most important peaks of the region, including Mount Damavand (5,671 m), Alam Kuh (4,848 m), Mount Sabalan (4,811 m), Mount Ararat (5,165 m), Mount Süphan (4,058 m) and Mount Artos (approximately 3,535 m).

Over the years, I have led approximately 125 trekking, mountaineering and ski touring trips, working mainly with international groups from France, Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland and Malaysia.

Iran Mountain Guide & Guiding Experience

Iran | Professional Mountain Guide since 2012

My professional guiding experience in Iran includes approximately 80 trekking and mountaineering trips and 30 ski touring trips, mainly in the Alborz and other major mountain ranges of Iran.

I have guided groups on Mount Damavand, Alam Kuh, Mount Sabalan, Mount Tochal and numerous other Iranian peaks and mountain routes.

My responsibilities as a mountain guide include:

• Planning trekking and mountaineering routes and ascent programs
• Managing acclimatization and altitude progression
• Assessing weather, terrain and mountain conditions
• Managing group pace and cohesion
• Leading international groups with different physical and technical abilities
• Adapting itineraries according to actual field conditions
• Coordinating with local guides, drivers, accommodation providers and other service partners
• Managing unexpected situations and making decisions in the field

My experience as an Iran Mountain Guide combines practical mountain knowledge with extensive experience in logistics, group management and international tourism.

Mountain Guide & Tour Leader in Turkey

Turkey | Since 2026

Since 2026, I have also been working as a mountain guide and tour leader in eastern Turkey.

I have led approximately 15 trekking and mountaineering trips in the region, including programs on:

• Mount Ararat – 5,165 m
• Mount Süphan – 4,058 m
• Mount Artos – approximately 3,535 m
• The mountains and valleys around Lake Van
• The Doğubayazıt region

In 2026, I have led several international groups on Mount Ararat, including European participants, in cooperation with Cevén Travel.

This experience has expanded my professional work from Iran into the wider mountain regions of eastern Turkey and has strengthened my experience in leading international groups in a different cultural, logistical and mountain environment.

International Mountain Experience

In addition to my professional guiding experience in Iran and Turkey, I have undertaken trekking, climbing and mountaineering activities in several major mountain regions.

My international mountain experience includes:

Armenia · Georgia · Kazakhstan · Pakistan · European Alps

These experiences have given me first-hand knowledge of different mountain environments, weather conditions, terrain and expedition styles.

They have also strengthened my ability to adapt to changing conditions and work with people from different nationalities, cultures and levels of mountain experience.

International Tour Operators & Groups

Throughout my career, I have worked with international travelers and professional tour operators specializing in trekking, mountaineering and adventure travel.

Germany

• DAV Summit Club
• AT Reisen
• Top Mountain Tour

France

• Allibert Trekking

Turkey

• Cevén Travel

I have worked with groups mainly from France, Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland and Malaysia, gaining extensive experience in international group leadership, communication, logistics and coordination with professional tour operators.

Founder of PersiaTrek

PersiaTrek | Iran

Founder & Director | Since 2017

I founded PersiaTrek in 2017 as a travel company specializing in trekking, mountaineering, ski touring, adventure travel and cultural tours in Iran.

As the founder and director, I am involved in both the mountain and operational sides of the business.

My responsibilities include:

• Designing trekking, mountaineering and ski touring programs
• Planning routes and ascent itineraries
• Leading international groups
• Coordinating guides and local partners
• Organizing transportation, accommodation and mountain logistics
• Communicating with international agencies and clients
• Managing unexpected situations and adapting programs when necessary
• Monitoring service quality and the overall operation of tours

This combination of mountain experience, guiding and tour operation allows me to understand both the needs of participants and the practical requirements of international tour operators.

Field & Guiding Skills

Trekking & Mountaineering

• Mountain route planning and ascent leadership
• Acclimatization and altitude management
• Terrain assessment and navigation
• Weather and mountain-condition assessment
• Group pace and cohesion management
• Route adaptation according to field conditions
• Decision-making in changing mountain environments

Ski Touring

• Leading ski touring trips and multi-day itineraries
• Assessing terrain and snow conditions
• Route selection and adaptation
• Managing group progression and cohesion

International Group Leadership

• Cross-cultural communication
• Leading groups with different physical and technical abilities
• Building effective relationships with participants and tour operators
• Coordinating local teams and service providers
• Adapting programs to group expectations and actual mountain conditions
• Maintaining a balance between safety, progression and enjoyment

Education & Professional Background

Iran University of Science and Technology (IUST)

B.Sc. in Industrial Engineering – 2000

Mountain Experience

• Climbing and mountaineering since 1998
• Mountain guiding training and practice since 2002
• Approximately 10 years of experience as a climbing instructor
• Professional mountain guide in Iran since 2012
• Founder and director of PersiaTrek since 2017

Languages

• Persian: Native
• English: Good professional proficiency
• French: Conversational level, currently improving
• German: Basic knowledge and experience communicating with German-speaking groups

Selected Mountains & Mountain Regions

Iran

Mount Damavand – 5,671 m
Iran’s highest peak and one of the major high-altitude trekking destinations in the Middle East.

Alam Kuh – 4,848 m
One of Iran’s most important mountaineering destinations, with extensive experience on its trekking and climbing routes.

Mount Sabalan – 4,811 m
A major volcanic peak in northwestern Iran and an important high-altitude trekking destination.

Mount Tochal – 3,964 m
A major peak of the Alborz range near Tehran, with extensive trekking and ski touring opportunities.

In addition to these peaks, I have experience on numerous other routes and summits throughout the Alborz Mountains and Iran.

Turkey

Mount Ararat – 5,165 m

Mount Süphan – 4,058 m

Mount Artos – approximately 3,535 m

Lake Van Mountain Region

Doğubayazıt Region

Other Mountain Regions

Armenia · Georgia · Kazakhstan · Pakistan · European Alps

My Guiding Approach

For me, being a mountain guide is not simply about knowing a route and leading a group to the summit.

A good guide must be able to read the mountain, understand the group and make the right decisions at the right time.

Every group is different. Weather changes, terrain conditions can evolve and participants may have different levels of fitness, experience and expectations.

My approach is therefore based on a balance between safety, progression, adaptability, communication and enjoyment of the mountain environment.

I believe that professional guiding also involves much more than technical mountain skills. A successful mountain program requires good communication, reliable logistics, cultural understanding and the ability to build trust with both participants and tour operators.

Working with International Tour Operators

I am available for cooperation with international agencies and tour operators specializing in:

Trekking · Mountaineering · Ski Touring · Adventure Travel

I am particularly interested in working as a Mountain Guide, Local Guide or Tour Leader in regions where I have strong practical experience, including Iran, Turkey and the surrounding mountain regions.

Whether leading a high-altitude ascent, accompanying a trekking group or supporting an international tour operator with local mountain logistics, my goal is to provide professional mountain leadership, reliable coordination and a positive experience for the group.

Contact

For cooperation with an international tour operator, private group or mountain traveler, please get in touch.

Mehdi Farhadi
Mountain Guide & International Tour Leader
Iran · Turkey · Caucasus · Central Asia

Email: info@persiatrek.com
Website: persiatrek.com