Avishu Cave

Avishu Cave is one of the natural attractions and sights of Masal. It lies 40 kilometres southwest of Shandarman, in an area of the same name. Masal has more than 17 caves, large and small, and the largest of them is Avishu. It sits at an altitude of 1,300 metres above sea level, between the areas of "Tai Baneh", "Andeh Chu" and "Khamasun", in the bed of a shallow valley. Geologically, this limestone cave is classed as a karst feature in carbonate rocks, formed over a very long time by the action of running water on these rocks. In the Talysh language, Abishu means "the place where water sinks in".

Avishu is a limestone water cave containing seven springs and the flow of a river. Water can be seen flowing from the start of the cave to its end, and the cave has 9 main pitches and one secondary pitch. As far as the eye can see, you will find unique and varied limestone formations. These formations were created as the limestone dissolved in water.

To reach Avishu Cave, you must first get to Shandarman, then head toward Siyah Mard village, and from there go on to Chaleh Sara village. After passing the shrine of "Darvish Shah Amir", take the road to the cave. Another route is to travel from Shandarman to Baneh Sara village and then to Chaleh Sara village, then continue from the Shah Amir shrine toward the cave. To visit Avishu Cave, you must be fully equipped for caving, with items such as boots, a waterproof coverall, an SRT (single rope technique) ascending and descending kit, screw-gate carabiners and webbing for building natural anchors, and rope for the main pitches.

The weather in the highlands of Masal and in the area where Avishu Cave is located is relatively cold, so winter is not an ideal time for this trip. A trip to Avishu Cave in summer is excellent and enjoyable. However, if you plan to hike the Olasbelangah to Shandarman route, the low-lying areas at the end of the route near Shandarman are very likely to be humid on some summer days, which can make the hike exhausting. For this reason, it is recommended that you never start the route from Shandarman in summer, so that you do not have to climb uphill. The mild seasons, spring and autumn, are the best time to enjoy the Olasbelangah to Shandarman route and Avishu Cave, provided there is no rain. Spring usually has less rainfall than autumn in this region, but you should allow for unexpected conditions before making plans. Note that entering Avishu Cave is dangerous when it is raining.