Tour of Semuc Champey
The tour, which we booked through Restaurant Champey, began with a very steep thirty minute hike up to El Mirador. Be prepared with hiking shoes, it can get slick and muddy. The trek pays off once you’ve reached El Mirador and see the bright turquoise water below flowing from pool to pool surrounded by mountains and jungle. Listen for the howler monkeys, which were screaming in the distance during the morning. After everyone has taken in the breathtaking views below, you will be ready to head down and jump in. First we stopped at a picturesque, wide waterfall at the top of the pools, then went straight down to the pools for a much needed dip.
The tour guide was great, stopping along the way to point out plant life specific to the region, such as cacao and coffee trees, and any animals that you are lucky enough to see scurry across your path. Once at the pools, he took us through each pool, showing us safe places to jump or dive from, and some natural “slides” that will shoot you down into the pools below. He gave us about thirty minutes at the end to relax and swim before it was time to head to lunch. Leaving the serenity and beauty of the streaming pools of water was among the most bittersweet farewells — I must return one day. I must. I will.
After putting in our lunch orders at El Portal, we headed down to the river for a quick trip down the calm waters floating in simple black inner-tubes. It was a short trip, about ten minutes, but so calm and peaceful, it was a perfect way to take in the natural beauty surrounding the river. On the walk back, you will cross a big yellow bridge. You may not think anything of it at first, until one of the guides hops on top of the railing and jumps ten meters down into the river below. Everyone has an opportunity to jump, but of course not everyone has to and there is no pressure. If you’re ready to conquer a fear and get an intense adrenaline rush, go for it! It’s a safe place, plenty deep to jump and the guides tell you exactly where to fall from.
Border Tramp’s own Emily climbed over the railing, legs shaking like the few others in the group willing to jump, and invincibly flung herself off the bridge down into the river below. Upon climbing back up to the bridge, the jumpers’ smiles stretched from ear to ear and some even jumped several more times, although once was enough for Emily.
The caves are saved for last and is an experience you are sure to never forget. You take nothing with you but a candle the guide lights for you on your way into the murky muddy water leading you into the darkness.
The tour takes you deep into the cave where are either wading through six inches of water, or swimming through ten feet of water with one hand keeping your candle above the water. We climbed ladders into tunnels, climbed a rope up over a small waterfall, and there is even a spot where you have the opportunity to climb about eight feet high and jump towards a light the guide is shining into what you hope is a deep pool below — don’t worry it is.
The most nerve-racking part comes at the end when the guides leads you to a small hole where water is gushing into what seems to be a raging river below. He simply says “el pie aqui, la mano abajo”. “Abajo” he repeats until you muster up enough courage and grab a rock hidden beneath the jet stream of water and after he says “izquierda” you swing down and to the left into a surprisingly calm pool of water where you meet the others you feared had washed away. From here it is an easy walk back to the entrance where you see a few bats fluttering in and you take a sigh of relief at the literal light at the end of the tunnel but also a touch of sadness that the day has officially come to an end.
While waiting back at El Portal, we were all glowing with pride in our accomplishments, still in awe of all the natural beauty we had never witnessed before today. And even though our ride was late, we were cold and hungry, not a single complaint was made. We capped off our day with an Italian buffet at El Retiro, shared some cold Bravhas and viewed all of the pictures and videos taken earlier. It was an experience never to be forgotten — forging friendships, conquering fears, and realizing the untapped beauty that this earth has to offer.
Take me back to LANQUIN/SEMUC CHAMPEY // Take me back to GUATEMALA // Take me HOME