The Top Five Caving Expeditions Worldwide
Posted in Costa Rica about 1 year ago, 0 replies
Ecotourism can be defined as travel to natural places while minimizing environmental impact and providing local citizens with a financially vested stake in conservation. So, ecotourism naturally goes hand in hand with caving, as access to caves involves an emphasis on conservation due to the naturally fragile characteristics of caves. Additionally, most cavers have an appreciation for the natural and cultural resources in a cave and recognize that caving provides that emphasis on and revenue for local conservation efforts. Communication with local owners is also vital in keeping caves open to the public, and the citizens in such areas recognize that caving boosts local economies. Never been caving? As long as you are somewhat physically fit, inexperience is not a problem for caving adventures. Whether it's wild cave tours or an easy "ride-by" you're seeking, try a few of these.
Belize
While in Belize, enter the realm of Xibalba. According to the ancient Maya, Xibalba is the mystical and spiritual realm found within caves. In Mayan times, caves were utilized for rituals and for burial grounds, and the Belize caves provide evidence of this. There are quite possibly thousands of Belize caves, as limestone exists throughout much of the land surface. If you're not so inclined to exert energy, Belize actually has cave tubing during the June to November wet season. Try the “River of Caves” tubing trip adventure, offering seven miles of underground tubing in the Caves Branch System of caves in the Cayo District. The current will float you past entrances from above, filtering mists of jungle light that reflect off mica-studded stalactites and stalagmites with 1,000-year-old pottery shards, statues of fertility gods, and Mayan footprints. As you drift along, you'll view an underground waterfall leading into the "Crystal Cathedral", a spiritual place according to the Mayans.
New Zealand
At Waitomo Caves, you can view sculpted limestone outcrops, ‘disappearing’ streams and natural bridges. How about a boat ride through a glow-worm cave, or adventure caving and cave abseiling (rappelling). Take the rainforest train through primeval rain forest, float along on a blackwater rafting tour through spacious caverns under a sky of glow-worms, and thrill in bounding down the Nile River rapids. There is also trail biking, skydiving, horse trekking, jet boating, kiwi-culture shows, rabbit shearing, a wildlife park, and more. Take the three-hour stroll down Waitomo Walkway just across from the i-SITE Visitor Information Centre and Museum of Caves and become one with nature in Waitomo’s rolling farmland, native forest and awesome limestone features, such as the Ruakuri Natural Bridge.
Australia
For more great glow-worm displays and limestone formations, plus temperate rainforests, bushwalking and wildlife try a day or night tour Down Under. Southern Wilderness Eco Adventure Tours (S.W.E.A.T.) Glow-Worm And Adventure Caving is great for small group adventures, with glow-worm and caving tours in Tasmania’s Southwest World Heritage Area. Knowledgeable guides provide dialogue on the unique foliage as you venture through a temperate rainforest before entering the cave, which is filled with large chambers and winding passageways that have been etched and sculptured over millions of years.
Krabi, Thailand
Take a charter boat for caving at Than Bokkhorani National Park for fabulous stalagmites and stalactites, as well as some pre-historic paintings and other artifacts. Or head to the Bho To pier in Ao Luk for a boating excursion to Tham Lot- a great limestone cave also with spectacular stalagmites and stalactites, and a labyrinth of wandering passages only navigable during low tide. Along the same route, you can discover the cave of Tham Hua Kalok, which is known for its pre-historic paintings. Here, the left of two main sections is a spacious cavern lit by an opening in the top. The right portion is an open hall, which was possibly once the home of pre-historic dwellers. This is where you'll find more than 70 rock paintings of both people and animals. There are also large skulls and a pretty big pile of shells.
Malaysia
The 150 million year old Kota Gelanggi Caves boast unique flora and fauna and spectacular rock formations.
One of the legendary myths of these caves is that they are true ancient ruins of inhabitants who were turned to stone along with their belongings. An elderly man can be found sitting on a chair by the oven with loaves of bread and a cupboard filled with flour and sugar- and it is all of stone. Again, beautiful stalagmites and stalactites abound, as well as highly unique rock formations.
Belize
While in Belize, enter the realm of Xibalba. According to the ancient Maya, Xibalba is the mystical and spiritual realm found within caves. In Mayan times, caves were utilized for rituals and for burial grounds, and the Belize caves provide evidence of this. There are quite possibly thousands of Belize caves, as limestone exists throughout much of the land surface. If you're not so inclined to exert energy, Belize actually has cave tubing during the June to November wet season. Try the “River of Caves” tubing trip adventure, offering seven miles of underground tubing in the Caves Branch System of caves in the Cayo District. The current will float you past entrances from above, filtering mists of jungle light that reflect off mica-studded stalactites and stalagmites with 1,000-year-old pottery shards, statues of fertility gods, and Mayan footprints. As you drift along, you'll view an underground waterfall leading into the "Crystal Cathedral", a spiritual place according to the Mayans.
New Zealand
At Waitomo Caves, you can view sculpted limestone outcrops, ‘disappearing’ streams and natural bridges. How about a boat ride through a glow-worm cave, or adventure caving and cave abseiling (rappelling). Take the rainforest train through primeval rain forest, float along on a blackwater rafting tour through spacious caverns under a sky of glow-worms, and thrill in bounding down the Nile River rapids. There is also trail biking, skydiving, horse trekking, jet boating, kiwi-culture shows, rabbit shearing, a wildlife park, and more. Take the three-hour stroll down Waitomo Walkway just across from the i-SITE Visitor Information Centre and Museum of Caves and become one with nature in Waitomo’s rolling farmland, native forest and awesome limestone features, such as the Ruakuri Natural Bridge.
Australia
For more great glow-worm displays and limestone formations, plus temperate rainforests, bushwalking and wildlife try a day or night tour Down Under. Southern Wilderness Eco Adventure Tours (S.W.E.A.T.) Glow-Worm And Adventure Caving is great for small group adventures, with glow-worm and caving tours in Tasmania’s Southwest World Heritage Area. Knowledgeable guides provide dialogue on the unique foliage as you venture through a temperate rainforest before entering the cave, which is filled with large chambers and winding passageways that have been etched and sculptured over millions of years.
Krabi, Thailand
Take a charter boat for caving at Than Bokkhorani National Park for fabulous stalagmites and stalactites, as well as some pre-historic paintings and other artifacts. Or head to the Bho To pier in Ao Luk for a boating excursion to Tham Lot- a great limestone cave also with spectacular stalagmites and stalactites, and a labyrinth of wandering passages only navigable during low tide. Along the same route, you can discover the cave of Tham Hua Kalok, which is known for its pre-historic paintings. Here, the left of two main sections is a spacious cavern lit by an opening in the top. The right portion is an open hall, which was possibly once the home of pre-historic dwellers. This is where you'll find more than 70 rock paintings of both people and animals. There are also large skulls and a pretty big pile of shells.
Malaysia
The 150 million year old Kota Gelanggi Caves boast unique flora and fauna and spectacular rock formations.
One of the legendary myths of these caves is that they are true ancient ruins of inhabitants who were turned to stone along with their belongings. An elderly man can be found sitting on a chair by the oven with loaves of bread and a cupboard filled with flour and sugar- and it is all of stone. Again, beautiful stalagmites and stalactites abound, as well as highly unique rock formations.
submitted by Heather