The adventure begins with an hour-long hike through the 6,700-acre Tapir Mountain Nature Preserve. Crossing three shallow rivers to the cave’s entrance, you get the chance to take a dip in the spring-fed pool before wading up the subterranean river. You will encounter several large caverns, including one known as the “Cathedral”, where a number of undisturbed Maya artifacts are visible—including a soaring altar, carved from the native stone. The cave is known by many names, one of which is “The Cave of the Stone Sepulcher”, due to this magnificent piece of religious artistry. See the intact skeletons of the people whose lives were sacrificed in a desperate effort to appease the gods during one of the most turbulent and difficult times in Mayan history. This adventure requires the visitor to be able to hike, swim, climb through tight spaces, and traverse large stone steps up to the inner sanctum.