Rakat-e Olya: Gateway to Shivand Waterfall
Shivand Waterfall is one of the most beautiful natural attractions in Khuzestan province, located in the city of Izeh. Shivand is a village in the Dehdasht section of Izeh county, situated on the western shore of the Karun 3 Dam Lake, boasting breathtaking and unique scenery.
The best times to visit Shivand Waterfall are during spring and autumn. Our journey took place on the third day of April 2019, arranged through a tourist tour. There are no roads leading directly to Shivand due to the submersion of rural roads in this area following the construction of the Karun 3 Dam. Therefore, the only way to reach the village of Shivand is through the Karun Dam Lake.
To reach Shivand, one must first travel to the Rakat-e Olya village dock. It is a 36-kilometer journey from the entrance square of Izeh city to the exit road towards Rakat. After passing through the Karun 3 Dam and its beautiful arched bridges over the lake, and a few tunnels on the right side of the road, you enter a secondary path, reaching the Rakat dock after 800 meters.
From the Rakat dock to the Shivand dock, there is a distance of about 14 kilometers, which can be covered in two ways: by speedboats or barges. A barge, or “baruj,” is a free transportation method used by locals to transport vehicles such as cars, motorcycles, and tractors, completing this route in about 80 minutes. However, it may also make stops at other villages along the way to pick up or drop off passengers. Baruj departures have set times throughout the day.
Alternatively, speedboats cover this route in about 40 minutes, with the cost for a 6-person boat ranging from 120,000 to 150,000 Iranian rials (depending on whether you wish to see Tang-e Qasemi along the way or not). Speedboats do not operate on a fixed schedule and depart whenever available and requested by passengers.
The journey by boat on the Karun 3 Dam Lake is exhilarating and should be experienced at least once. Throughout the journey, you’ll be surrounded by tall mountains and lush orchards on both sides, offering unparalleled visual enjoyment.
Before reaching Shivand, nestled in the western part of the lake amidst winding mountains, lies Tang-e Qasemi, a beautiful and delightful space with a small waterfall flowing through it. Only one boat can enter the narrow entrance of Tang-e Qasemi at a time.
