Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave Tour and Picnic


9 hours
Pick-up offered
Free cancellation
1 - 15
Mobile ticket

Overview

Actun Tunichil Muknal is a mysterious and beautiful portal to the ancient Maya and their traditions, ceremonies and spirituality. This cave system served as a ceremonial site where the Maya performed sacrifices and other ceremonies as they dealt with extreme and harsh conditions in times of drought.

Explore this lush area surrounded by beautiful jungles, and the cave entrance is traversed by swimming across a crystal clear spring fed pool. Spend 3 hours in the cave after hiking in through the rain forest. Here you will see stunning artifacts, altars and the crystallized skeletons of the sacrificed girl, The Crystal Maiden.

Inclusions

  • Explore the cave with an expert, specially licensed guide
  • Includes transportation to and from our office in San Ignacio
  • All necessary equipment
  • Lunch with a drink
  • Rum punch
  • 3-hour walking tour of cave system
  • Entry/Admission - Actun Tunichil Muknal

What to expect

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Actun Tunichil Muknal, Tea Kettle Village Belize

Taking a journey into the Maya underworld at Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) or the “Cave of the Stone Sepulchre” for one of the most enlightening, epic and unique experiences of your life.

Leave the world of the living behind as you venture into the heart of the ATM Cave with your licensed guide. Recently deemed the #1 Sacred Cave destination in the world by National Geographic, the ATM cave is not only beautiful geologically with its crystalline stalactites and stalagmites, but also historically, as is a natural museum of ancient Maya artifacts, as well as a sacred burial place.
This is the final resting place of “Crystal Maiden, ” an ancient Maya ceremonial victim, as well as the remains of 13 other sacrificed men, women and children. Your professional guides have led government officials, National Geographic, Discovery Channel, The British High Commission and US Embassy officials into the ATM Cave. This sacrificial site is accessed by a 45 minute drive from our office in San Ignacio.

Stop At: Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve, Belize

Here we enter the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve and park our vehicles at the ranger post. From this point on we are on foot, hiking through the jungle for approximately 45 minutes to the entrance of the cave. To access the cave we swim across a small spring- fed pool and wade into the dark underworld of the cave that allows us access the extensive underground maze of tunnels, passageways and chambers, climaxing in the ceremonial chamber housing stoneware, ceramics, the famed crystallized skeleton of the “Crystal Maiden”.
We spend approximately 3 hours in the cave at the guidance of our experienced guides.

We enter back into the jungle world and hike to our vehicles where we relax and enjoy a homemade picnic lunch with water and soft drinks before driving back to San Ignacio.

Difficulty level: Moderate (involved some easy swimming and life jackets are provided for non-swimmers, who will also be escorted by our highly trained guide).

Duration: 5 hours

Additional information

  • Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Cancellations only due to severe rain or flooding
  • Guests must wear appropriate (Closed toe) shoes for walking through jungle and water
  • Guests must bring a pair of socks for the dry chamber in the cave
  • Minimum height requirement is 40inches
  • Infants must sit on laps
  • Vegetarian meal option available upon request
  • Not recommended for travelers with back problems
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
  • Bring along a change of dry clothes to be worn after the tour. This is a wet tour.
  • Clothes to be worn for the tour needs to be modest to respect the cave.
  • Eco friendly bug repellent is optional (Apply only if needed)
  • No cameras/ electronics are allowed on the hike and/or on in the cave.
  • Bring along a water bottle. We will have water available to refill your bottles.
  • Have a good breakfast before the tour. Lunch will be late.
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
  • This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 100 travelers
  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking

Ticket delivery

You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.

Cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.
CCazes22
May 2022

Definitely a MUST DO adventure if you have the ability. Hector was our guide through the cave system and he did a wonderful job of making sure everyone in our group was safe and comfortable. Overall, the journey was not overly difficult but it does require about a 40 minute walk (mostly flat grou...

iridemyown07
May 2022

What an incredible experience! Our guide was superb! Juan Carlos was knowledgeable, patient and just all around delightful. It was truly an awe inspiring experience to walk in the steps of the ancients.

Tbrooksgreen
April 2022

It was absolutely beautiful, exciting, and even a little scary. Not for the faint of heart, but sooooo worth it. Only sad thing is I have no pictures. There are no phones, no cameras on this adventure. Make sure to grab a life vest if you can't swim and if you're claustrophobic then you should ...

danith31
April 2022

We had the BEST time at the ATM Cave Tours and highly recommend it!! Our guide Hector was so knowledgeable, passionate, friendly, and extremely helpful throughout the tour. We loved him! In the tour expect to walk through water that can get up to your neck, climb lots of rocks, and see/learn abou...

D8698HWchantalh
April 2022

Everything about our tour was amazing and top notch! Eric our guide and Josiah our driver were experienced, professional, thoughtful and fun! We were well informed about each part of the adventure and safety was obvious for our groups variety of skill levels. Dinner learn too much about the adven...

T3410OHkristinl
April 2022

Juan Carlos was an excellent guide and this adventure was amazing. The teens were impressed and actually thanked me for booking the trip!

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from US$118.75 /