Aktun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave

Highlights / General details

You will hike for 30 minutes through the forest before arriving the cave entrance. A short swim will lead you into the amazing underworld realm. An adventurous trek leads into the main water passage, where you get to enjoy amazing geological formations like sparkling stalactites, stalagmites, and flow stones. This hidden chamber promises to reveal ancient secrets and geological processes that have helped to shape the Maya underworld known as Xibalba; a fearful world beneath the face of the earth; the parallel unseen, into which kings and shamans of the Maya past could venture in to and communicate with their gods or ancestors through rituals and ceremonies. The Mayas believed that their gods had dual face; they could be good or bad. So in order to please the gods they would take offerings which would consist of food, blood, or human sacrifices, in hopes of getting rain, fertility or to prosper in hunting and agriculture.

Inclusion

Hotel pick-up and drop-off; Entrance fee; Professional tour guide; Lunch; Water; Equipment.

Exclusion

Gratuities.

Hours of operation

Available daily; Departs at 7:30am.

Duration

Full day.

Additional Information

In late May 2012, a tourist accidentally dropped a camera and fractured a human skull estimated to be over one thousand years old. As a result, all cameras without a permit are banned from the cave.

All visitors are told to remove their shoes and wear socks when reaching the upper dry chamber to help minimize foot traffic impact.

Please wear light clothing and swim wear, insect repellent, closed-toe footwear (trainers or water shoes with good sole grips recommended), socks, and bring a change of clothes.

Participant restrictions

No cameras will be permitted.

This tour is not suitable for pregnant women or children under the age of 8 years.

Children 8 years and older need to be ready to do strenuous activity and prepared to see skeletal remains.

Policies

There is a minimum of 2 passengers required per booking.

Please be ready 15 minutes prior the pickup schedule time at the lobby of your hotel.

Complete information, including local telephone numbers at your destination, will be included on your Confirmation Voucher.

**All information requested must be supplied or booking is subject to automatic cancellation**