Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave Adventure
Overview
Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) is one of the most popular and impressive Maya ceremonial caves ever found.
ATM was in use during the early classic period, which dates to around 300-600AD. The caving part of the tour, takes you through a subterranean river, over (and under) more than a few rocks and into the main chamber.
The ATM Cave is a wet cave – you swim into the mouth and then wade through ankle to chest high water before climbing to a intricate passageways of dry chambers which lead to the cathedral-like main hall, a towering chamber 350 metres in length and 50mteres wide and filled with artefacts and sacrificial remains.
After this another climb takes you to the stone chamber where the Crystal Maiden lies, this is the skeleton of a teenage girl who was sacrificed and left in the cave. Over thousands of years her remains have been covered by a layer of diamond like limestone. The Mayas sacrificed humans in the hopes of appeasing the gods and bringing fertility to the land.
ATM was in use during the early classic period, which dates to around 300-600AD. The caving part of the tour, takes you through a subterranean river, over (and under) more than a few rocks and into the main chamber.
The ATM Cave is a wet cave – you swim into the mouth and then wade through ankle to chest high water before climbing to a intricate passageways of dry chambers which lead to the cathedral-like main hall, a towering chamber 350 metres in length and 50mteres wide and filled with artefacts and sacrificial remains.
After this another climb takes you to the stone chamber where the Crystal Maiden lies, this is the skeleton of a teenage girl who was sacrificed and left in the cave. Over thousands of years her remains have been covered by a layer of diamond like limestone. The Mayas sacrificed humans in the hopes of appeasing the gods and bringing fertility to the land.
Inclusions
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- All Fees and Taxes
- Bottled water
- Lunch
- Private transportation
- 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
Take a journey into the Mayan underworld at Actun Tunichil Muknal, or the “Cave of the Stone Sepulchre”, will be 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.
Duration: 5 hours
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Actun Tunichil Muknal, Tea Kettle Village Belize
Take a journey into the Mayan underworld at Actun Tunichil Muknal, or the “Cave of the Stone Sepulchre”, will be 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.
Duration: 5 hours
Additional information
- Infant seats available
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- Face masks required for travelers in public areas
- Face masks required for guides in public areas
- Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
- Social distancing enforced throughout experience
- Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
- Gear/equipment sanitized between use
- Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
- Guides required to regularly wash hands
- Regular temperature checks for staff
- Temperature checks for travelers upon arrival
- Paid stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms
- Contactless payments for gratuities and add-ons
- 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 10 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.
Doha_I
January 2022
The whole experience was exhilarating. The hike to the cave involved crossing the river 3 times (swimming and walking). One enters the cave swimming and the fun starts. Manuvering the cave, squeezing between tiny pathways and crevices, in and out of the water. Then seeing the Mayan ritual site. O...
The whole experience was exhilarating. The hike to the cave involved crossing the river 3 times (swimming and walking). One enters the cave swimming and the fun starts. Manuvering the cave, squeezing between tiny pathways and crevices, in and out of the water. Then seeing the Mayan ritual site. Our guide was very knowledgeable and informed us of the history as well as the geology of the cave.juutiii
April 2021
Lots of reviews on the ATM cave, definitely worth the hype. Filled with river crossings, climbing up boulders with it in caves, seeing human remains, with the occasional snake sighting and shimmying through crevices while submerged almost neck deep underwater — definitely the most exciting activ...
Lots of reviews on the ATM cave, definitely worth the hype. Filled with river crossings, climbing up boulders with it in caves, seeing human remains, with the occasional snake sighting and shimmying through crevices while submerged almost neck deep underwater — definitely the most exciting activity ice ever been on. No cameras were allowed by policy so cant share the incredible views.. but believe the hype. If you only have time for one activity let this be the one. Our tour guide was Edward, and not only was he extremely experienced and knowledgeable, but our day was filled with laughs and awesome stories. As for our experience with get to know belize adventures, they were very communicative and helpful. Our driver Greg was amazing, and we ended up booking multiple tours with them during our vacation!KLMen
February 2020
Literally crawling through tight spaces in a dark cave, often in water, sometimes up to your neck! Be aware of how intense this tour is, as it's definitely not for everyone. We had a group of very adventurous young adults, plus two teens and two older adults, and they all said it was an amazing...
Literally crawling through tight spaces in a dark cave, often in water, sometimes up to your neck! Be aware of how intense this tour is, as it's definitely not for everyone. We had a group of very adventurous young adults, plus two teens and two older adults, and they all said it was an amazing once-in-a-lifetime experience.