Almost in the middle of Guatemala there is a famous place named “Semuc Champey”, in order to reach it you need to pass through the town of Coban, and then while driving on a dirt road you reach Lanquin. From there, another 45 min drive will take you to Semuc Champey.
The driving was a particular long one, I took a shuttle early morning from Antigua, and suggested 7 hours drive, became 10. The positive story of all of this was that amongst the 12 people on the bus I met a really cool group English buddies.
The last hour of drive between Lanquin and the hotel “El Portal” was a bit of an unexpected way, we had to change “pick ups” two times, and within the last one, one local was highly drunk and unable to manage himself so it was borderline to keep the backpacks out his reach.
El Portal is the closest sleeping place nearby Semuc Champey, being out of any town involved a few details such as : no hot water, no internet, and electricity only between 6 and 10 pm. But the place is so amazing that you quickly forget these details.
The next day, the aim was to discover the famous Semuc Champey area as well as some caves.
The start of the “tour” led us to see the Mirador, a 350 meters of uphill steep walking, and….as usual the Swiss is first for everything “hiking related” haha!
Passing through some humid jungle areas.
But enough talk about how amazing the place is, here is what it concretely looks from up there, a range of natural cristal water lagoons in the middle of the jungle.
it was formed naturally throughout the years.
Below these pools, the water keeps on running through a cave of 300 meters, better not try to enter as the water flow is very strong.
The pools are fresh and it’s impossible to resist having a bath and enjoying it big time!
In the afternoon we will have 2 hours swimming and walking in a cave while handling candles in order to see where to go, that was a great experience, unfortunately no pictures to share unless having a waterproof camera.
The night at El Portal was pretty lively with lots of drinking games taught by the English lads, lots of fun!
Another attraction of the area are the caves of Lanquin, from which at the end of the days, millions of bats would fly out. When I wanted to visit them in the morning, the light was not working, and let’s be honest, going there alone with as only light a small flashlight got pretty scary. (Could almost be compared to the “Moria”). The walking path is also very sliperry due to high humidy and bat shit on the ground and rocks, got to be extremely careful. The inside was pretty impressive due to the formations of stalagmite and stalactites.
On the way back to Coban, after waiting for 2 hours a random bus. I was asked to travel “on the roof” yes literally. Sat on the bananas and avocados with 2 others locals. That was a very “local” way to travel, but far to be safe and comfortable haha.
