Exploring Caves in Belize
Interested
in caving from duPlooy's? See our rates,
or include a cave tour in one of our packages.
See the Photo
Gallery for more or watch the Caves Slideshow
  Aktun Halal and Chapat
Two caves in one trip, Mayan artifacts,
blind catfish. These are a few of my favorite
things! This is a new cave trip only guided
by one tour company. There is a sense of
discovery and excitement on this trip. The
caves are still receiving yearly exploration
by archaeologists. You will drive and park
near the entrance of Halal, lit by daylight
rather than flashlights. Explore there and
continue for a half-mile trek to Chapat,
meaning centipede, which is a cave with
no known ending. Don't worry; the guide
won't try to find it during your trip and
you will exit from where you entered.
 Chechemhah Cave
Chechemhah is a great cave in a beautiful
spot. You go to the Morales home, which
is perched on the edge of a trickling waterfall
overlooking limestone cliffs. Inside the
cave are ancient Maya storage vessels, plates
and other pottery. This cave is one of the
few places to see intact Maya work, as the
vessels were not destroyed as they are in
most ceremonial caves. Be there by 9am,
tour the cave and then enjoy a home cooked
meal by Ms. Leah Morales.
  Aktun Tunichil Muknal
If you wanted to do
the most amazing thing we have to
offer, it is Aktun Tunichil Muknal.
Amazing Mayan skeletal remains, amazing
pottery, amazing cave. Don't think
so much amazing-ness comes easy. You
will drive on a terrible road, hike
about 45 minutes in to the cave, swim
into the cave, wade through the cave,
climb around the cave, explore and
then go through it all again in the
opposite order. Warning: This is not
a cave for young children, those not
physically fit, with knee, hip or
ankle problems or with problems with
claustrophobia and or heights.
 Flour Camp Cave (U'chen Tzub)
Very few places offer tours to Flour Camp
Cave, as a result it is a peaceful spot.
The area around the cave is really pretty
and inside you will see Maya pottery pieces
and lovely stalactite and stalagmite formations.
Flour Camp Cave is near the Macal River
so you can enjoy a refreshing swim after
your caving adventure. Drive or horseback
there then hike up about 45 minutes to the
cave entrance. You will spend about an hour
exploring before heading out to picnic and
swim. (see Canoeing).
  Barton Creek Cave
Apart from the drive there, this is the
easiest cave to do. All caves require about
a 45-minute hike in, not so Barton Creek.
You drive right up, hop in a canoe and away
you go to explore the Maya underworld. Don't
think that you are missing out by not breaking
a sweat: it's a pretty cave with all your
standard skeletal remains, potsherd and
ye olde stalactites and stalagmites. For
this trip come to the office and we will
have someone paddle you across the river
to meet your driver to cut off a bit of
driving time. Unless it is raining then
your driver will come here to spare you
from having to scrabble up a muddy bank.
Interested
in caving from duPlooy's? See our rates,
or include a cave tour in one of our packages. |
