



by Belize Family Adventure
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Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.$290The tour begins with a 1.5-hour round-trip hike through Tapir Nature Reserve to reach Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) cave. This hiking day trip lasts about 7 and a half hours and includes swimming through water passages inside the cave, which the ancient Mayas regarded as an entrance to their underworld, Xibalba. Participants will climb, crawl, and navigate the cave's chambers and swim in the refreshing waters of the Roaring River both before and after exploring the caverns. A local lunch featuring stew chicken with rice and beans or a vegetarian option, plus juice, is served during the tour. The package includes a local guide, all required equipment for the hike and swim, entrance fees, bottled water, and air-conditioned transport within the vehicle. Gratuities and hotel transfers outside San Ignacio town are not included.
The adventure begins with a scenic hike through lush jungle, crossing shallow rivers along the way to reach the cave's entrance. Once there, guests wade and swim through the cave's cool underground waters, guided deeper into a breathtaking network of limestone chambers adorned with natural crystal formations. As you venture further inside, your guide leads you through narrow passages and past dramatic stalactites and stalagmites, sharing the fascinating history and significance of the site along the way. The tour's highlight is reaching the cave's inner chambers, where ancient Maya pottery, stone tools, and remarkably preserved skeletal remains rest exactly where they were left over a thousand years ago — offering a rare, untouched glimpse into Maya spiritual practices and the rituals once performed here. After exploring the cave's ceremonial chambers, travelers retrace their route back through the water and jungle trail, emerging with a newfound appreciation for one of the most significant archaeological discoveries in the Maya world.
450 min
Unit # 2 inside the Belize Caving Expeditions Office
End point
Unit # 2 inside the Belize Caving Expeditions Office