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The Caves of Cayo
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The hundreds of caves found throughout Cayo have been shrouded by mystery and superstition since modern man first peeked into a cave entrance to find skeletons, broken vessels and remnants of habitation. The ancient Mayan belief that caves were the source, or location of birth of the Sun and Moon, gods and races of humans, confirms their sacred status and explains their use for the Maya's most significant rituals and ceremonies. In Mayan mythology, the gods of rain, winds, thunder, lightning, rainbows, clouds and corn all lived in caves. |
| Caves were considered the sacred portals between the visible and invisible worlds..... |
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and we are finding....perhaps they still are.....
Some caves in the area are so inaccessible you have to marvel that the Maya were able to find a way into them.
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Recognizing the archaeological significance and fragility of the caves in the surrounding area, Ek' Tun has made a commitment to their protection. While looting and exploitative tourism have already had an impact, our recent acquisition of several parcels of adjacent land is allowing us to incorporate security measures and establish a reservation system that, with the cooperation of tour operators and guides, will insure responsible tourism in the future. Several of the larger caves on this land are under archaeological investigation during the summer months, and interested guests have a special invitation to observe or join the field study crews for mapping and excavation. |
| "The
investigation of Actun Chapat is of great significance to archaeology and to Belizean
peoples, as increases in looting and the popularity of cave tourism are threatening the
survival of the archaeological data, and thus an understanding of this aspect of Belizean
heritage." --- Dr. Jaime Awe, Director of Western Belize Regional Cave Project |
Mysterious clues..... interesting speculation..... the speleothem on the right has an obvious face created from the natural depressions in the formation, with possible charcoal enhancements. Did the Maya create this "whimsical wizard" or entomb a spirit in stone? Below, one of seven holes drilled through the folds of a curtain formation..... what purpose lies behind their careful creation? Barely out of sight beyond an intimate, terraced amphitheater, could this have been the place where shackled, sacrificial prisoners awaited their moment to meet with the gods?
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Actun Chapat, where you will see these features, is a vast cave with an impressive amount of architecture (walls, raised terraces, plastered floors), massive calcite formations and a secluded chamber that is home to numerous species with uncountable thousands of bats... at least one of the species, the ghost-faced bat, is endangered. A glimpse into the bat chamber is not for the faint-hearted, and requires an uncommon composure few possess...... |
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U'chen Tzub, or "den of the gibnut," lies around the base perimeter of a giant sinkhole, collapsed over time to create numerous entrances into dozens of chambers, all used by the ancients. This sacred site also has architectural features and evidence of ceremonial use. Access is by hiking or riding horseback through jungle, permaculture farm (plantain, pineapple, avocado, cacao, mango, annato, sugar cane, etc.) milpa (slash and burn farm), and guamil (old, fallow milpa). The variety of vegetation en route offers an encouraging perspective of the regeneration of the forest. Sometimes known locally as "Flour Camp Cave," this cave is also offered by other resorts in the area as a favorite tour. |
STILL there's ONE catch..... the Ecotourism CATCH 22...
If the land is developed with sufficient facilities to accommodate the many tourists needed to make a profit, you essentially wind up destroying the very thing that you're trying to protect!
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SPECIAL
EXPEDITION FOR SERIOUS SPELUNKERS: 
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We are also now offering an off-site adventure in caving. The
cave, Actun Tunichil Muknal, "Cave of the Stone Sepulcher" is a wet cave, with a
perennial stream running through it. The cave is 5 kilometers long, of which 1 kilometer
is rich with Mayan history. It has been determined the Maya used this cave from 400
to 900 AD. During this time period the Mayans performed sacrificial rituals to
appease their gods, and the evidence you see includes pottery and stone artifacts as well
as both animal and human remains. The pristine formations are majestic in size and shape
with crystals reflecting everywhere in your lamplight. We won't say too much about the
trip to allow for the element of discovery and adventure. It’s safe to say it
is a trip you will always remember. National Geographic thought it sufficiently
worthy to include in a program they did on caves in Belize. |
| This trip is not for everyone! There is a 40-minute hike to get to the cave, crossing the stream and
wading through in several places. Upon entering the cave, you will swim and wade
through shoulder deep water (the water is running, clear and fresh). You will be wet
during the entire tour. There is no crawling or squeezing through tight places, but
there is a certain amount of scrambling and climbing over and under rocks and formations.
Cost is $85.00 per person. Not recommended for ages under 15 ~ Must be in good physical condition! |
