Actun Tunichil Muknal (Cave of the Stone Sepulchre) is one of the most impressive caves in the Mayan region. Named after a sacrificial chamber deep within the cave, it has rare altars in front of which the Mayan elite collected and offered their blood. This wet cave is located within the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve near Teakettle village in the Cayo district. After your transfer, there is a 45-minute hike along a flat, clean, shaded trail which includes three stream crossings. At the end of the hike you arrive at the Actun Camp where you will have a picnic lunch before entering the cave. When you enter the 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.
What to wear: fast drying clothing that will be comfortable wet, closed toe shoes that can get wet. You can pack a change of clothes and footwear. There is a changing area and restrooms at park entrance/exit.
**For those that suffer from Claustrophobia, this tour is NOT recommended.