Tadovan Cave

Tadovan Cave is located 90 kilometres south of Shiraz and 75 kilometres north of Jahrom. It lies beside the famous Qareh Aghaj River, and its entrance sits 200 metres above the river. The entrance, measuring 20 × 30 metres, is strikingly beautiful, and the stonework around it adds to the beauty of the site. A special feature of the cave is its many branches, each with its own winding passages and narrow corridors, offering visitors a variety of routes to explore.

After passing through the entrance passage and a narrow corridor, you reach a very large chamber more than 60 metres long. With its high ceiling and rock walls, this chamber creates a distinctive and astonishing space. One of the cave's branches, which appears to be the main one, is more than 500 metres deep. This branch ends at a swamp, and reaching it requires special skills and equipment. To continue through the cave, you must use etriers (stirrup ladders) along one section of the route, and make a 4-metre descent near the end.

Tadovan Cave, one of the largest caves in Iran, has points where you have to crawl or struggle to get through. Most of the cave consists of tight, winding passages, but its final section has a very large chamber 50 metres wide, which has a beauty of its own. With its spacious interior and cool air, this chamber stands out clearly from the rest of the cave. Tadovan Cave is also home to a number of bats. Their droppings create a suitable environment for cockroaches and beetles, which are found here in great numbers. This natural ecosystem reflects the dynamism and biodiversity inside the cave. With its distinctive features, Tadovan Cave is known as an attractive destination for caving and nature enthusiasts, and every year many tourists visit to explore this unique place.