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Travel GuideNortheastern IranHamedanAlisadr Water Cave

Alisadr Water Cave

     The Alisadr Caves are located about 75 kilometers north of Hamadan. After one in the USA and one in Indonesia, it is the largest cave in the world. And according to our guide, the one in America doesn't have water in it, so that one doesn't count!
     Because there is water in the caves, the tour is by boat. These boats are pulled by water cycles. Of all the surprises we had in Iran, the idea of water pedaling was probably the least expected.
     Almost at the beginning of our tour, we saw a picture of Khomeini hidden between the rocks. We expected there would be more, so we started looking for them, but it was the only one we discovered.
     For muscle-power, the guide asked for a volunteer. Because these water cycles are very small, Pieter was the only one who was small enough to fit. He still claims pulling 7 boats was an easy job. Liar!
     In the caves, there are of course a lot of stalactites and stalagmites. Erosion by the water, that sometimes had a higher level, has created some strange effects.
     Halfway of the tour we could get out of the boat and do a bit of walking on one of the so-called islands. The cave reaches a height of 40 meters here and looks absolutely fabulous.
     Then, we go back into the boats. We take a different route and see many other spectacular rock-formations.