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All Iran Ali Sadr Ali Sadr Cave

Ali Sadr Cave

This vast, water-filled underground labyrinth can only be toured by boat.

Ali Sadr, Iran

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fafafariba
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Inside Ali Sadr Cave.   fafafariba / Atlas Obscura User
Inside Ali Sadr Cave.   fafafariba / Atlas Obscura User
Inside Ali Sadr Cave.   fafafariba / Atlas Obscura User
Inside Ali Sadr Cave.   fafafariba / Atlas Obscura User
Mirrored crystals and flowstone   Siamaksabet
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Cruising along underground   Nasser-sadeghi
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About

With a network of channels, lakes, and watery passageways spreading out over several kilometers, Ali Sadr Cave (غار علی صدر) is one of the largest subterranean water complexes in the world. Stable since its formation millions of years ago, the sunless grottoes feature clear waters, fantastical rock formations, and stalactite-covered ceilings soaring high overhead.

Unlike many other aquatic caves, the body of water in Ali Sadr is not a flowing river, but rather an extensive, web-like lake seemingly fed by spring waters from nearby Sarab Cave. Visitors to Ali Sadr are conducted to an underground wharf where they board boats that take them gliding silently through this chain of flooded chambers.

Colorful, glittering geological structures cover the tunnel walls above and below the surface of the water, which is clear enough to provide visibility to a depth of five meters. Tight, winding passageways branch off endlessly from one another, or open up into massive rooms like the Wedding Room (also called the 1000 Stalactites Room), the Island (which sits at the center of the complex), and the 600-meter-long Freedom Hall (the largest chamber in the network).

Prehistoric paintings, pitchers, and jugs found onsite indicates that the cave were inhabited by early humans starting 12,000 years ago. An additional entrance to Ali Sadr was constructed during the reign of Darius I (521-485 BCE), but at some point after that the cave was apparently forgotten, being rediscovered only in 1963. Since then it has been explored by mountaineers and geologists from both Iran and abroad. Its known extent at this point stretches over 11 kilometers, with its longest passage mapped thus far running almost the same distance.

The standard tour takes visitors on a 2100-meter journey through Ali Sadr Cave, 1470 meters of which is covered by boat—making it one of the longest underground boat trips in the world.

Related Tags

Caves Subterranean Subterranean Sites Grottoes Boats Water Ecosystems

Know Before You Go

Expect to spend an hour getting there from Hamadan. There are shuttles and taxis that go to and from the cave regularly. Best to get there early in the morning, especially on Fridays or holidays when it's likely to be more crowded. Bring a jacket, the cave is chilly and wear comfortable shoes. Though you'll be traversing the cave mostly by boat, there is quite a bit of walking, including stairs. Total tour takes about 2-3 hours depending on whether you choose the "old" path or "new" path.

Community Contributors

Added By

fafafariba

Edited By

hrnick, RHyzer

  • hrnick
  • RHyzer

Published

October 7, 2016

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Sources
  • http://www.iranchamber.com/geography/articles/ali_sadr_cave.php
  • http://www.i-s-c-a.com/show-cave/185-alisadr-cave
  • http://www.iran-daily.com/News/122494.html
  • http://www.iranreview.org/content/Documents/Ali_Sadr_The_Most_Marvelous_Cave.htm
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ali-Sadr_Cave
  • https://www.iranhikers.com/nature/cave/ali-sadr
  • https://www.iranhikers.com/nature/cave/ali-sadr
  • https://www.iranhikers.com/nature/cave/ali-sadr
Ali Sadr Cave
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Ali Sadr
Iran
35.304851, 48.300686
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Nearby Places

Alavian Dome

Hamedan, Iran

miles away

Tomb of Esther and Mordechai

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Iran

Iran

Middle East

Places 52
Stories 16

Nearby Places

Alavian Dome

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miles away

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Photo of Iran

Iran

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Places 52
Stories 16

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