Actun
Tunichil Muknal
"Cave
of the Stone Selpuchre"
The Belize ATM Cave (Actun
Tunichil Muknal Cave) is the most impressive caves in
Belize and the Maya Lowland. This Cave was a sacred place
to the prehistoric Mayas of Belize who began using the
entrance during the early classic period (300-600AD).
The most famous of the human remains is “The Crystal
Maiden”, the skeleton of a teenage girl, probably
a sacrifice victim whose bones have been completely covered
by the natural processed of the cave.
When you enter the ATM Cave you will be required to do
some swimming and climbing. This is a predominantly wet
cave with water levels ranging from ankle to chest height.
The cave river system leads you through a labyrinth of
dry chambers culminating at the cathedral-like main chamber,
which is 350 meters in length, 50 meters in width. In
this area you will spend about an hour to an hour and
a half admiring with great care the many skeletal remains
and artifacts; both pottery and stone tools. Toward the
back of this chamber you will climb a ladder of about
15 feet to get to the chamber of the Stone Sepulchre where
you will see the skeletal remains of the famed crystallized
maiden..
Our
guides are well trained and experienced in speleological
exploration, jungle survival and bush craft and are well
versed about Belize’s flora and fauna. Our guides
are licensed by the Belize
Tourist Board our team has worked closely with
Archaeologists, who have investigating Belizean the caves
since 1995.
new#
BELIZE ATM VIDEO BY PACZ TOURS
Click
here to take a virtual tour of Belize's ATM Cave
Our
service is courteous and well-informed. Beware! You need
an adventurous spirit and mustn’t mind a wet splash.
Ever
wondered what it would be like to have the wind
buzzing in your ear, as you travel to a remote and
forgotten corner of the Belizean jungle? Travel
back in time as we take you through a cave untouched
since the Maya last laid eyes on it a million years
ago. |
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An
hour and a half from San Ignacio, in the heart of
the Tapir
Mountain Nature Reserve, owned and managed by
the Belize
Audubon Society,are some of the most telling
suites. On the 45 minute trek through the jungle,
you may see some of the most precious natural riches
for which Belize is famous for. |
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Daring
not to stumble so that their torches would not get
wet or even be extinguished; fearing that the spirits
of the darkness would they dared themselves deeper
and deeper into the realms of Xibalba, the Maya
underworld, to ask their Gods for help. |
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With
every step the fear growing more and more, but they
must carry out the ceremony. Come with us and discover
where their footsteps trod over a thousand years
ago. |
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Actun
Tunichil Muknal, the bejweled cave of Belize, displays
some of the most spectacular limestone dripstone
formations, many glistening with spectacular calcite.
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from the geological wonders are the numerous relics
of the Ancient Maya Culture. These were ritually
deposited in caves, to beckon rains and overcome
long periods of drought. |

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Over
200 ceramic vessels litter the chamber of Tunichil
Cave. The meshing of cultural history and geology
forms an unrivalled natural museum, a gallery like
one never seen before. |

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Price is only $80
per person and subject to 10% sales tax--includes all
meals and fees
Belize
Goverment rules that they shall be only 8 person per group
Interested in an overnight tour of Belize's
ATM Cave?
Actun
Tunichil Muknal
"Cave
of the Stone Selpuchre"
overnight itinerary
Belize ATM Overnight Tour
Day 1
Our adventure begins at 11:00 A.M. when we depart San
Ignacio for Roaring River Valley. Upon arrival 45 minutes
later we will depart on a pleasant and extremely interesting
hike to our camp site. You will experience the ambiance
of the jungle with its magnificent flora, fauna, and abundance
of wildlife. During the hike we will traverse 3 streams.
Upon arrival at camp, we will settle in and have lunch
before beginning our trek to the Hand Print Cave. At the
cave site we will repeal a cliff approximately 150 feet
by rope and harness. While lowering to the jungle floor,
you will pass directly in front of a cave entrance where
you will see ancient Mayan pottery that has been undisturbed
for centuries.
Once down on the jungle the expedition will proceed back
to camp. We will have dinner and prepare for the fantastic
adventure of visiting and exploring the ATM Cave that
evening. The exploration of the cave takes about 3 and
one-half to 4 hours. We will use lighted helmets to light
our way. We begin by wading into the cave where we will
reach a dry chamber. The chamber contains ancient human
remains and Mayan artifacts. The cave has been preserved
and remains just as it been since about 700 AD. The cave
also has many interesting formations such as stalagmites
and stalactites. After the cave exploration, we will return
to camp where we will have a camp fire and enjoy an evening
of education and camaraderie.
Day 2
We will begin an early morning hike after breakfast to
several caves and an unexcavated Mayan site, where there
is a carved monument to the Rain god Chak. During this
morning hike you will have the opportunity to see many
species of tropical birds, as well as experience the jungle
come to life. We will return to camp for lunch and prepare
for our departure back to San Ignacio via the scenic route..
$200uspp all fees, food,
guides, transport. Plus 10% Goverment Tax
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