500 Adrenaline Adventures (Frommer's) - Lois Friedland [111]
To calm down after your spine-tingling experience in the canyons, take a leisurely hike to see the area’s most famous site—a rocky monument called the Three Sisters. These spires (Meehni, Wimlah, and Gunnedoo), carved from millions of years of erosion, tower more than 900m (2,953 ft.) over Jamison Valley, reaching toward the sky. After paying your respects to the ladies, walk around the villages of Katoomba or Blackheath, where you can grab some dinner.
The next day, consider booking another activity with Tread Lightly Eco Tours (www.treadlightly.com.au) if the fear-factor stunt of canyoning whet your appetite for more adventure. This company offers guided hikes, four-wheel-drive excursions, and night tours during which you can view the area’s amazing astronomy and nocturnal wildlife, including some fellow crawlers such as glow worms. —JS
The Blue Mountains Visitor Information Center, Echo Point ( 1300/653-408;www.visitbluemountains.com.au). Australia Tourism Board, 201 Sussex St., Sydney ( 61/2-9360-1111;www.tourism.australia.com and www.environment.nsw.gov.au/nationalparks).
Tour: Blue Mountains Adventure Company, 84a Bathurst Rd., Katoomba ( 02/4782-1271;www.bmac.com.au).
When to Go: Oct–Apr.
Sydney airport.
$$ Jemby-Rinjah Eco Lodge, 336 Evans Lookout Rd., Blackheath ( 02/4787-7622;www.jembyrinjahlodge.com.au).
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Caving in the Mayan Underworld
A Spooky Trip to Find Spectacular Artifacts
Cayo District, Belize
Besides archaeologists, few people typically get the chance to spend more than 3 hours investigating a well-preserved cave filled with precious artifacts. Western Belize offers a rare opportunity: If you can muster the courage to enter some slightly claustrophobic spaces, swim through cold water, and climb over rocks, you’ll be rewarded with a spine-tingling peek at extraordinary remnants from the Mayan underworld.
The most awe-inspiring cave in Belize, and perhaps all of Central America, is Actun Tunichil Muknal. After a 40-minute hike through the lush subtropical forest in Tapir Mountain Reserve, during which you’ll cross three shallow rivers, you’ll come to the special cave. It isn’t easy to navigate—mentally or physically—but that’s all part of the adventure. Just channel your inner Indiana Jones. A sort of haunted house, this cave was the stage for 14 human sacrifices, six of them babies, during Mayan times. The Maya probably made most of the sacrifices in the hope of conjuring rain. Today, the cave entrance is filled with water that’s about 3.8m (12 ft.) deep, which means you’ll start your tour with an invigorating swim. Once you reach shallower water, you’ll hike through it, surrounded by striking stalactites and stalagmites. At different times, the water may reach your ankles, knees, or chest. You’ll also need to use your arms and legs to clamber over and between boulders.
When you finally reach the cave’s dry chamber, it’s like walking into an old cathedral. In fact, your guide will ask you to remove your shoes in this sacred area, so remember to wear or bring socks. (To preserve the cave, it’s important to prevent the body’s oils, acids, and bacteria from touching any of its surfaces.) As you tread across the soft limestone floor, you’ll be amazed by the extraordinary assortment of Mayan pots and vessels here. Many of them are thousands of years old. The real adrenaline rush comes when your headlamp first illuminates some skeletal remains. There’s even a fully intact skeleton called the “crystal lady,” which you can view by climbing up a narrow 3m (10 ft.) ladder. History buffs and adventure junkies will be equally sated by this unique 31⁄2-hour tour.
For a slightly more relaxing and kid-friendly version of caving, try floating through the underworld. To explore Caves Branch, you’ll start with a relatively easy walk along a dirt road followed by a 45-minute hike through valleys and farmland. Then it’s time