Tour Report【ATM Cave】

Hello everyone. Today, I would like to introduce and share the experience of the ATM Cave Adventure Tour, also known as Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave Tour.

About the ATM Cave

The ATM Cave is a place where Mayan religious rituals were once conducted, and it’s known for having over 1,500 artifacts. This cave, which was used between 700 and 900 AD, remained undiscovered until the 1980s. After its discovery by the British military, it was later opened to the public in the 2000s after extensive research and excavation. It’s also been selected as the number one remote cave in the world by National Geographic.

(*Please note: Bringing cameras into the ATM Cave is prohibited due to concerns for the protection of the cave and its artifacts. The photos in this report were provided by the company that operates the ATM tour.)

Exploring the Cave

First, we trekked while crossing the river multiple times to reach the entrance of the cave. There are various rivers to cross, some waist-deep and others only ankle-deep. It’s said that the Maya people moved to the vicinity of the cave in search of water resources.

Upon arriving at the cave entrance, we found the water near the entrance to be crystal clear, and we ventured into the dark cave.

Inside the cave, we navigated through passages between rocks and even did some light swimming. We moved in a single file, passing messages along the way about where to step and where to place hands, almost like playing a game of telephone.

After climbing over rocks inside the cave, we walked towards the deeper parts of the cave, where we took off our shoes to continue.

Along the way, we encountered Mayan artifacts and skeletons left exactly as they were discovered. It was surreal to see pots and other items used by the Maya people, making us wonder about our location in time. The Maya people explored the caves in search of rain and water, conducting rituals to regain the necessary rain for their survival. Human sacrifice was performed as an offering to the gods, and blood was considered a source of nourishment for the Mayan deities. Losing a child was considered the highest sacrifice, and most sacrifices were children.

In the depths of the cave, we found the remains of a young boy who was sacrificed in a Mayan ritual.

We also encountered stalactites throughout the cave, which continue to grow at a rate of 1mm per year. The way they shimmered in the reflection was incredibly beautiful.

After exploring the cave for about three hours, we retraced our steps through trekking and returned to the starting point, where we enjoyed Belizean cuisine to conclude the tour.

Lastly…

Moving through the cave, observing the artifacts, felt like something out of an Indiana Jones movie. The depths of the cave felt like a space disconnected from the Earth, and knowing that there are even deeper parts yet to be explored made me curious. Imagining how the Maya people lived and conducted rituals in the absence of water was like stepping into a history textbook. Seeing the guide navigate effortlessly through the cave was impressive. A cave untouched by human hands evokes a sense of the power of nature and its beauty.

For those seeking an overwhelming experience, wishing to explore caves, or wanting to learn about Mayan history, I highly recommend joining the tour when you visit Belize.