Into the Alborz Mountains - the multitude of tight switchbacks as we climb the mountains

Our driver was a good samaritan and stopped to inflate this guys flat tyre

Lunch at a road-side cafe, local style

Lunch - lamb stew with rice drizzled with saffron and covered with barberries - very, very tasty

Alamut Castle - lead by Hasan-i Sabbah, became the site for the Shi'a Nizari Ismai'li, along with a subgroup called the Assasins (1090-1256AD)

Alamut Castle - held together by scaffolding

Alamut Castle

Alamut Castle - a great view from the castle

Alamut Castle - perched high on the mountain