Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave Tour and Picnic
Description
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.
Tour Options
Itinerary
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.
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).
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Pick ups from all locations in Belize can be arranged. There may be an additional charge so please contact us if pick up is needed. . Departure Point for most tours: Downtown San Ignacio Address: MayaWalk Tours Main Office 19 Burns Avenue San Ignacio Town Cayo District Belize, Central America Directions: MayaWalk Tours Main Office located between Tandoor Restaurant and Belize Bank Return point: Returns to original departure point
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- 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
- Vegetarian meal option available upon request
- Clothes to be worn for the tour needs to be modest to respect the cave. Clothing such as macaroni straps, bikini, shorts and sleeveless shirts for both male and females are not allowed.
- 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.
- Tours are limited to 6 guests per guide. Larger groups (7+) will travel together while being assigned different guides.
- Form of Identification (ID) is required at check-in
- Extra set of dry clothing and sandals/flip flops to change into after your tour. This is a wet tour.
Reviews(1,486)
AMAZING time. Mayawalk tours was so great; Francis was a fantastic guide through the caves. So much fun spelunking and trying out different routes.
This excursion is a must do if you are in or around San Ignacio. It is an amazing, unique experience. After arriving at the offices, you are driven to a spot near the cave. Your group then hikes 45 minutes to the entrance to the cave, explore the cave for about 2.5 hours, hike back and enjoy a picnic lunch. The spelunking in the cave is challenging, but worth it. There are times when you are in water, squeezing through tight spaces or sliding. As another reviewer mentioned, you will take off your shoes for a bit of time - wear thick socks for this part - this is to preserve the ground in the archeological site as much as possible. The Mayan artifacts and remains that you see are amazing to witness. Not having your cell phone with you allows for you to truly be present in the experience and soak in all of the history. Don’t hesitate - book this now!
This was the most amazing experience! We learnt SO much and have to give a special shout out to Hugh, our guide. He was so knowledgable and engaging, we didn’t want it to end! It was so fun and had such a great mix of adventure, challenge and education. The lunch was also delicious at the end and the transport went by so quick because the guides were teaching us so much on the way. It was easy to find the meeting point and everything was made so simple! Thank you!
We had a lot of fun with guide Alex. We had a small group with 6 participants. Got a solid and safe equipment. Got super much explanation and were enthusiastic and full of humor guided through the cave! What a fun adventure!!
Great tour and Alex was a hugely enthusiastic guide with fantastic stories!
Definitely a must do when anywhere near to it. Great combination of history and adventure, having no cameras makes it all much better. Allows you to be present for what is being done and learned and keep a respect for the culture of the trip.
Great time. Great guide and high level of service. Must do!!
What an amazing experience. It was exhilarating and strenuous. Our tour guide took his time with me and made sure I was able to climb over boulders and squeeze through impossibly tight spaces. He was very knowledgeable and passionate about Mayan history and left us with a greater understanding of the culture and the difficulties they faced. 10/10 tour.
I took my 17 year old daughter Keely on this amazing ATM cave tour. It was absolutely amazing. Our guide Alex was awesome. He was excellent. Great knowledge of the ancient Mayan history as well as geological. It was an incredible day. We were so happy we chose MayanWalk. Very professional.☆
I would recommend everyone to do this tour and especially with Maya Walk. Nice pick-up, probably because it wasn't that far from the office but still. After a call picked up anyway. Maya Walk's guides are really super!
