Semuc Champey

For the first time on our trip, we book a tour with a travelling agency. Usually we don’t do this and we didn’t like to do it either. But as Guatemala is really big and their security issues also are, we decide to opt for it. As it turns out it was the right choice, because Semuc Champey is really far away and in the middle of nowhere. It’s almost a 12 hours bus ride… We arrive late at night and after a good sleep we are welcomed by astonishing river views – beautiful!

Semuc Champey is a very unique place. Located in the middle of the jungle, the local Cahabón River creates natural pools – it’s a 300m limestone bridge, very special! Also, in our group we meet some great locals again :-)

 

Here you can see the top of the limestone bridge where the river “goes under the bridge”…

 

… and here is the other end of the bridge which ends with a nice waterfall.

 

Once at the pools, our guide leads us through the different level of pools – including water slides and jumps! While it’s a great place to swim, the water temperature is really fresh!

As we don't own a watercam, here an example shot

After a short lunch-break this adventurous day goes on by visiting the local caves. We have no pictures from this, as the “dress code” is swimming suites. But what a great trip it was! It’s a cave-system filled with water! Entering the caves everybody is handed a candle and off we go up and down and up and down :-) But again, the water is really fresh! 

As we don't own a watercam, here an example shot

 

After exiting the caves there still is a tube ride on the local river – and the water is even fresher… we’re really freezing… But hey, it’s one of our best adventure-days of our trip so far!

As we don't own a watercam, here an example shot

Next day again is a 12 hours bus ride to Flores with no big highlights – except for this river crossing. No idea why they don’t build a bridge… but it was a nice diversion!