Ghasemi Gorge

Khuzestan Province, in southwestern Iran, is considered one of the oldest inhabited regions of the Iranian Plateau. This historical background, together with its proximity to the Persian Gulf and to the Karun, Karkheh and Arvand Rud rivers, has given the province numerous historical, natural and geological attractions, and it is a popular destination for nature and heritage tourism. Ghasemi Gorge is a natural attraction in the east of Khuzestan Province, among the Mangasht mountains. Mangasht is one of the mountain ranges of Izeh, Baghmalek and Lordegan counties; it begins northwest of the Karun 3 Dam reservoir and east of Bandun Wetland, and stretches to the outskirts of the village of Roudrish in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province.

Ghasemi Gorge, also known as Ghasemi Gorge of Izeh and Shivand Ghasemi Gorge, lies deep within the Mangasht mountains and the Karun 3 Dam reservoir, and is notable for its narrow, rocky, canyon-like structure. Although it has only recently become widely talked about, its unique beauty has already attracted many visitors. Ghasemi Gorge is a natural feature formed over centuries by water erosion and by the course of runoff from the Mangasht mountains. Over the long years, the cliffs of the gorge have been polished smooth by the water and are bare of vegetation. When you first enter the gorge, its narrow mouth is such that you can see the mountain on both sides in front of you, and the waterway has left only a few metres between the Mangasht mountains. Further along, with little sunlight and the thick mountain walls close in front of you, the atmosphere on the boat becomes slightly eerie and haunting. As you continue through the twists and turns of the gorge, the sound of water gradually catches your attention, and you will see a small waterfall ahead. This waterfall flows from the Ghasemi Spring, located above it, and pours into the lake, creating a beautiful scene. Beyond the waterfall, the two mountains that form the gorge also draw farther apart, making the setting even more beautiful than before.