Explore ATM Caves
The Actun Tunichil Mucnal Cave has been classified as one of the top ten sacred caves in the world. Getting there is an experience of its own. It entails a 35-minute hike under the canopy of the trees crossing the same river three times. The first crossing is approximately 5ft deep and the other two are under a foot deep. Upon arrival at the Entrance of the cave, equipment is checked and lights are turned on. It's 500 mts treading through water and going stalagtights, under stalagmites and through some cool formations. The second part is going up some rocks to get up a ledge on a second level. The Sacred Chamber is where all the ceramic and human remains are found. Your guide shares information about the different ceremonial spaces within the cave until you get to the main highlight which is the Cristal Maiden. A full-body skeleton completely calcified to the ground, evidence of human sacrifices that were practised inside the cave.
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Explore ATM Caves
Pickup included
What's included in Explore ATM Caves
(Subject to Option Inclusions)Itinerary
San Ignacio
6:45am We Pick Up at hotels and stop downtown for other guests. 7:00am Depart from Coffee de Los Mayas Coffee Shop on Burns Ave, downtown San Ignacio to Teakettle Village, 45 minute drive.
Teakettle
The vehicle will make a quick stop at a small supermarket so you can buy snacks or water. This is also the start of the 30-minute Dirt bumpy road to the Parking Lot of the archaeological reserve. Along the drive through the valley towards the cave you will pass the village of Arizona and then some farm land - Corn plantations on the flat areas. As you get closer the cave, you start seeing some mounds that stand out from within the fields. We know now they are ancient Maya structures that have never been excavated. This is evidence that people lived in this area hundreds of years ago, cultivated corn and probably the ones that used the caves. Upon arrival to the parking lot, you will have time to change into proper clothing and put on the equipment provided - Helmet, Headlamp and Lifejacket.
Atm Cave (actun Tunichil Muknal)
Your adventure begins the moment the driver picks you at the hotel and you start a 75-minute journey to the Actun Tunichil Muknal Caves. It will be 45 minutes on a paved road and approximately 30 on a bumpy dirt road to the parking lot. Upon arrival to the Parking Lot, everyone changes into proper clothes and gear up with helmets, headlamps and life jackets (not obligatory). The hike to the Entrance of the Cave starts off with a River crossing that could be 5ft or deeper for most of the year but there is a rope to help with the first of three river crossings. The trail to the entrance is a 35 minutes flat hike where you will learn about the flora and fauna. The other 2 river crossings are under a foot deep so it's just a matter of not slipping on the riverstones. Upon arrival to the entrance of the cave you leave waterbottles and prepare to go in.
Inclusions
- Includes a Traditional Belizean dish, normally Rice & beans with Stew Chicken, Potato salad and plantains or similar with a soda or purified drinking water
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Certified Tour Guide
- Equimpent: Helmet, Head lamp & Life jacket
- Tips for Guide and driver.
- Breakfast
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Meet
Pickup and Dropoff
You can choose to be picked up from a list of locations, or alternatively, have the choice to make your own way to the meeting points
Please arrive at the pick up point 15 minutes before departure time.
Additional Information
I always recommend to contact us direct via whatsapp.
Meeting / End Points
- We meet in front of Coffee de los Maya coffee shop on Burns Ave. They know our guests will wait there, have a Coffee, it’s on us. *You can upgrade to cappuccino for minimum cost.
