Cave-Katalehkhor

Katalehkhor
Caves of Iran
The magnificent Katalehkhor Cave is a huge multi level cave with cross-connection, parallel passages and gigantic calcite, it includes a 100m long main hall called Wedding Hall which is completely covered by calcite crystals.

It is made of limestone with several giant stalactites and stalagmites and some long corridors, it is consist of three mainly dry floor and there is a possibilty of a forth floor under the water, so far the dry part is explored.

There are cresset in interesting shapes such as sleeping lion, lion paw, elephant foot, stone waterfall, candle, deer-dog, adust palm tree, the virgin mary, married couple, bride dress in marriage ceremony table.

Ghar Katalehkhor, Zanjan Iran, Photo by A.Soltani

At the moment there are two different route for visitors, the first one is 1,250m long straight path for ordinerary people, which at the end this path visitors return back the same way, so the total length is 2.5 km, the second route is a 4 km long route for more experts.

The archeologists say it has been a residential place in the past and there are many bones and fossils of the anciant years. Ghar Katalehkhor is developed in Oligocene/Miocene limestone age.
If you have planed to visit Iran outdoor recreation and Mt Damavand, do not miss this beautiful cave.

Katalekhor Cave, Zanjan Iran, Photo by Ardeshir Soltani

Quick Facts
- Light: electric.
- Length: 12,860m
- Guided tours: L=2,500m.
- It is the longest cave of the Iran.
- is formed in Jurassic period (about 120 million years ago).

Geographic Location and Coordinate for Katale Khor Cave
400 km west of capital Tehran, in Zanjan Province, Iran.
165 kilometer South West of Zanjan City
7 km from Garmab City.

Katale khor, Zanjan Iran, Photo by A.Soltani

GPS Landmark for Katalehkhoor Cave
Altitude: 1715m
Latitude: 35-50-12 N
Longitude: 48-09-43E

How to go there
There are different ways to reach the area:
Thehran> Karaj> Qazvin> Zanjan Road> before Zanjan City> Soltanieh> Khoda Bandeh> Garmab> Katalehkhor

Or Zanjan City> Bijar> > Garmab> Katalehkhor
Or Hamadon City> Kabod Ahang > Kataleh khor

Alternate names and spellings
Katale khor , Katalekhor, Katalekhoor, Katale khour, Catalekhor, Catale Khor , ghar e Katalekhor, ghar Katalehkhor
In Persian: غار کتله خور

Katalekhor Cave, Zanjan Iran, Photo by A.Soltani

Quick History
- 1965 it was discovered by mountaineers from Hamadan.
- 1984 The cave was first studied by geologistis.
- 2003 a speleological team explored and surveyed the Cave, the surveying team consisted of four participants:
Mr. H. Akbarzadeh, Geological Survey of Iran.
Mr. Javad Ashjari, Geological Department of Shiraz University.
Mr. Michael Laumanns, from Germany
Mr. Reinhold Scherrer, from Switzerland.

Other Major Caves in Iran
Alisadr Hamedan Iran, water.
Karafto , natural and historical .
Moon , Cave civilization.
Quri Qaleh Kermanshah.
Sahoolan Mahabad, pigeon , water
Shapour Kazeroon, statue king shapour the great.
Vara Jahrom , Temple.

Katale khor, Zanjan Iran, Photo by A.Soltani

Katalehkhor, Zanjan Iran, Photo by A.Soltani

Katalehkhor, Zanjan Iran, Photo by A.Soltani

Katalehkhor , Zanjan Iran, Photo by A.Soltani

Katalehkhor, Zanjan Iran, Photo by A.Soltani

Katalehkhor, Zanjan Iran, Photo by A.Soltani

Ghar Katalehkhor, Zanjan Iran, Photo by A.Soltani

Katalehkhor , Zanjan Iran, Photo by A.Soltani

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