Yakhkan Cave

Yakhkan Cave is located in Ardebil. This cave is made of calcareous formations. The weather in this cave is cold and wet.

The Yakhkan Cave (ice cave) is named because a part of the ice is made inside this cave. This cave is made of calcareous formations. The air inside the cave is cold and extremely humid due to its high altitude, the coolness of the area, proximity to the temperate and lush area, and its rocky structure.

Drops caused by the distillation of water vapor as a result of exposure to the cold outside wall of the cave made a pond of 70x20cm and a depth of 150 cm on the eastern side of the cave floor. The entrance of the cave is so narrow and small (40 × 50 cm), which leads to a wide hall through a narrow corridor 10 meters long. The length and width of its hall are 36.5 and 15 meters, and its maximum height is about 12 meters. The main hall from the west side is connected to relatively small halls by winding corridors. A unique feature of this part of the cave is the continuous flow of humid air and the formation of ice crystals as Icicles. It is interesting to know that when the weather outside is hot, freezing occurs, and with the cooling of the outside air, not only does the ice form but also the ice masses begin to decrease. The bat, which is a common mammal in the caves, is not found in it because it is cold and humid.

• Where to stay?
  There are many accommodations in Ardebil because it is one of the tourist cities of Iran. Here are some of the hotels we can recommend:
  • Savlan Hotel:  this hotel is a 3-star hotel. Before traveling to Ardebil be sure to contact the hotel and book a room.
  • Address:  Ardabil Province, Ardabil, Sheikh Safi Al-din Ardabili, Iran.
  • Ana Hotel: this hotel is a 5-star hotel. Make sure you book a room in this hotel before traveling.
  • Address: Urmia, Jam Jam street, Num 80.

• What is the best time to go?
  Ardabil city has a cold climate. Its summers are temperate and cool and winters are snowy and cold. So the best time to travel to this city is early July to late September.

• Getting there?
  The cave is located at the south-eastern end of Khalkhal city on the western side of Mount Ashtar Masouleh, at an altitude of 2345 meters south of the 3120-meter peak of Shah Moallem. You can see the approximate location of this cave on the map.