Camping trips are often more exciting when you add in side adventures such as rock climbing, hiking, and cave exploring. If you’d like to view some of the most fascinating caves on the globe these are some good places to start.
1. New Zealand, Waitomo
(photo by bneumann)
Waitomo lies about 60 minutes from Rotorua and the area is home to more than 300 caves. You’ll find several guided tours here where you can float through dark, glowworm-filled tunnels on an inner tube. The sights here are simply amazing and you get the feeling that you’re floating in outer space.
2. Turkey, Goreme, Cappadocia
(photo by hadsie)
This region in central Turkey features medieval the Kaymakli underground community, which was used 2,000 years ago by the Hittites and then in the Dark Ages by the Christians. The city was home to about 5,000 people who lived in these large underground man-made caves. There are different levels that are joined together by steps and narrow tunnels.
3. Brazil, Abismo Anhumas
(photo by robinhoypaco)
There are dozens of caves in this area of Brazil, which is regarded as the largest wetland on the planet. You can find several tours from the town of Bonito. When you reach the Abismo Anhumas you’ll find caves that were discovered just a short while ago in 1984 and only opened up to the public 15 years after that.
There’s a cave pool inside that’s about 250 feet deep and is home to several small fish. However, there are also some huge cave structures under the water which can be explored by snorkeling or scuba diving. There are some amazing stalactites and stalagmites on view here.
4. Malaysia, Batu Caves
(photo by fi_chince)
Malaysia’s Batu Caves sit close to Kuala Lumpur and contain a huge limestone cave which houses a Hindu temple. There’s a large golden statue here, which is known as the world’s biggest freestanding Hindu statue. About a million people visit the site every year during the Thaipoosam festival.
You need to climb close to 300 steps to enter the cave. Once inside you’ll see a round opening in the rock ceiling where the sun can shine through.
5. The Philippines, Puerto Princesa Subterranean River
(photo by storm-crypt)
The community of Puerto Princesa sits on Palawan Island and it takes a couple of hours to reach Subterranean River National Park. This is a fantastic eco-system which is filled with colorful flora, fauna, and birds and is a World Heritage Site. In addition, it also features the longest navigable underground river on earth, which is about five miles in length and flows into an ancient limestone cave.
You’ll need to wear a hardhat and take a flashlight with you and will paddle past numerous interesting cave formations and the bats that like to hang around in them.
6. The Cook Islands, The Burial Cave of Rimarua
(photo by cookislands)
This fantastic cave sits on Atiu Island. The region is filled with skulls and bones of ancient Maori warriors. These buried in the ground and discovered hundreds of years later. While the land area hasn’t been officially excavated, the owners of the land allow local tours to be given. The caves are dark and eerie and you might find yourself walking over the ancient skeletons.
7. Mexico, Cenotes
(photo by fattytuna)
When visiting Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, it’s a good idea to explore the Cenotes, which are clear cave pools that are located close to the town of Merida. The water here is crystal clear, making it an ideal location for snorkeling, rock jumping, and swimming. Tours are available to numerous caves where you can climb the walls and view the impressive stalactites.
8. South Africa, Cango Caves
(photo by denglidendekop)
This is known as Africa’s best cave and there are different tours available. There are some huge caverns here that are lit up by gel spotlights. The limestone formations, stalagmites, and stalactites are simply amazing. There are several wonderful rooms and formations that have all been named. The Cango Caves can be found about 20 miles from the town of Oudtshoorn.
9. Hungary, The Matyashegy Caves
(photo by commons.wikimedia.org)
These stunning caves are located in the historical city of Budapest. It’s believed that a sea flowed below the city millions of years ago which formed a huge underground cave network. You can explore these caves, which were used as a World War II bomb shelter, by taking a guided tour.
