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Semuc Champey – Lanquin Caves, Guatemala

By Brandon Edward

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LaquinGuatemalaMotorcycleI’m sure you recall the great Guatemala motorcycle wreck of ‘14.  After getting the bike fixed in Cahabon we took off the morning of the fifth day on the final leg of our 80 mile trip to Lanquin, Guatemala.  Upon arriving at the end of the pavement on the edge of town we take one look at the road heading out the other side and decided that it’s just not worth it.  After an hour harassing people with pickup trucks at the gas station we were able to talk someone into giving us a ride, for the right price.

By late afternoon we finally made it to Lanquin, backpacker heaven.  I’m enthusiastic, we haven’t had a decent meal or a hot shower for a while.  All we have to do is one more sketchy unload the bike from a truck scene.  And this is probably the least sketchy of all loads and unloads.

We check into El Retiro, a hostel and hotel situated on the banks of the Cahabon River.  A day of R&R treats us well and we’re off to adventure.

Semuc Champey

Semuc Champey GuatemalaGeologically this is a very interesting spot.  At some point a landslide or boulder slide occurred into the limestone river bed.  The boulders caused water pressure against existing fissures in the limestone, which over time eroded away into a cave.  That would be the cave that the river now disappears into.  The result is that the original limestone river bed is now a natural bridge for some 300 meters spanning where the river enters and exits the ground.  On top of the bridge is a pool drop ecosystem of perfectly clear waterfalls and swimming holes stepped back down to the river’s exit.  I’m no geologist, but that’s pretty neat.  Check out this cool info graphic:

semuc-champey-diagram

Semuc Champey Guatemala 1It’s 10 Kilometers or 6 miles of severely mountainous roads from Lanquin to Semuc Champey.  Shuttles run in the mornings and the afternoons primarily from the local hotels, but also from town.  We set out intending to just hitch a ride with a shuttle along the way, but after a few miles it became our mission to make the hike.  Being on the backpackers trail again I was feeling a little put off by the endless shuttling of tourists from one destination to the next.  We were the only tourists we saw making the hike that morning.  Hiking down a mountain trail with a dry bag slung over my shoulder, wearing flip flops and swim trunks, waiving at tourists passing on the shuttles will always make me feel a little better.

Semuc Champey Guatemala 2

Semuc Champey Guatemala 3

After 3 hours hiking in we’re ready for a swim, but while we’re still moving we head all the way to the top to check out where the water enters the cave.  This is just up stream.  No, it’s not runnable.  It goes into a cave.

Semuc Champey Guatemala 4

We started at the left and worked our way down stream to the ledge just before the waterfall on the right.

Semuc Champey Guatemala 5

Each ledge makes for a small waterfall into the next pool.  The ledges are anywhere from 1’ to over 10’.  In most cases the pool below is deep enough to dive into.

Semuc Champey Guatemala 6

The limestone gets pretty slick with the little bits of mud and sediment that build up on top.

 

Semuc Champey Guatemala 7

At the end of the natural bridge is a good 40 foot waterfall where the water from the pools rejoins the water emerging from the cave beneath.

Semuc Champey Guatemala 8

It all winds up in a solid class III and on down the river it goes.

Lanquin Caves

Lanquin Guatemala CavesThe caves in Lanquin also have a river running beneath them.  It seems to be a common theme around here.  Beautiful, blue-turquoise river drops into cave – Amazing things happen above.  As explained by our Australian-Geologist-Caver-Guide-Friend Anna Marie, the river beneath was responsible for the creation of the caves, much like in the info graphic above.

Lanquin Guatemala Caves 1

At the entrance it’s easiest to see the water played here.

Lanquin Guatemala Caves 2

There’s so much moisture in the air all of the photos come out with spots.

Lanquin Guatemala Caves 3

Caving makes me feel boyish and sweaty.

Lanquin Guatemala Caves 4

Life, what a magical thing.  This little guy is trying so hard.  Talk about everything getting its piece of the tourist action.  This little fellow is making it on headlamps alone.

Lanquin Guatemala Caves Spider

This guy eats tourist’s babies.

Lanquin Guatemala Caves spider 2

He was about 8” across.  Yikes.  We heard they are not poisonous.  I imagine they wouldn’t need to be.  This thing could take on a squirrel.

Lanquin Guatemala Caves 4
It’s interesting that when you turn off all the lights you can still see your hand in front of your face, but only because your brain knows it should be there.

Lanquin Guatemala Caves 5

These are shawls.  I ain’t scared of no bat, but apparently that’s the main attraction here.

Lanquin Guatemala Caves bats

At dusk, thousands of bats exit the cave right above your head.  Now these fools not wearing hats are the crazy ones.  I’ve got my hat, essential bat safety gear.

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Filed Under: Guatemala, North America, Travel Tagged With: Caves, Guatemala, Motorcycle

About Brandon Edward

Greetings, I am the bar keep of this fine establishment. In the tradition of a good bar keep I want to know what you think about the article you've just read and the service we're providing here at freewheelings. Can't find your particular brand of scotch? Maybe we have it in the back, just ask. Use the comments section below.

Comments

  1. Justin Wall says

    January 19, 2014 at 7:09 pm

    Enjoy living the dream bro.

    Reply
    • Brandon Edward says

      January 19, 2014 at 8:51 pm

      Hey thanks Justin. Nice to see you following the adventure.

      Reply
  2. Cat says

    January 21, 2014 at 12:20 am

    Wow! I love going on this trip through Central America and I don’t even have to leave my living room. ( We hobbits will stay in our hobbit hole, thank you very much.) Love to both of you. Thanks for the great videos and narrative.

    Reply
    • Brandon Edward says

      January 21, 2014 at 9:00 pm

      Hey you, long time no see. I’m sorry we missed you guys when we we’re out in TP this Spring. Things got crazy as usual. I’m so glad to see you’re following the latest and greatest adventure… Keep in touch.

      Reply
  3. jeannie says

    January 21, 2014 at 3:01 pm

    pictures are awesome:)

    Reply

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