Alta Verapaz Experience Part 3

After our jungle trek and then surviving what seemed like a 3 hour roller-coaster ride of death on the back of a pick-up truck, we arrived safely at our hotel near Semuc Champey. The next day was spent in Semuc Champey, where we were rewarded with a long relaxing day full of adventure in what some people call “God’s Waterpark.” The hours we spent there consisted of beauty beyond the production of any photo- while contrasting against the rugged and perilous terrain on which we traveled. Semuc Champey means “scared water” and it is in a valley with steep walls surrounded by a tropical forest. The Cahoban River flows down through the valley and then suddenly it submerges itself at the entrance of a cave and then resurfaces from that cave about 400 meters later after it passes a natural limestone bridge above, suspended with crystalline mountain fresh spring water ponds. There are many ponds and they range from 3 to 14 feet deep and vary in unique water shades of light green to emerald to blue sapphire. From bridge/cliff jumping to waterfall climbing and to basking in the sun as a group, it turned out to be a nice recovery day from the past weeks of working, traveling and hiking in Alta Verapaz.

By Kelly Bye.


Semuc Champey is very hard to explain because it really is 2 rivers on top of each other with a cave and ponds as well. Pictures do help with the explanation but it does not fully put everything together and into perspective. Our suggestions is to go there because it is amazing!



This says "Welcome to Semuc Champey"

This is a view of Semuc Champey from the top of the mountain.

This is the above river and the pools of water.

There are a couple of people swimming in the pools.

Carolyn, Jason, Trevor and Rob (in the other photo) hiked up to see the spectacular view.

A bunch of students near the Cahoban river where it goes into the cave.

This is the rushing river of Cahoban that goes into a very dangerous cave below.

The river above is calm and beautiful.

Now for the colorful ponds of water! Marisa and Elizabeth jump in.

Ashley swimming in the clear water.

Mel and Nikkita enjoying the swim.

Jason swimming around like a fish.

There were other things to do as well as swim- jump from a tree into the water and swim some more! Look closely and you can see Rob in the tree about to jump!

The on-lookers.

Ethan hanging from the tree branch over the water. He very much reminded us of a monkey!

He's about to let go...

Mid-fall into the water!

Nic catching some air for a sweet dive.

Rebecca going in for the dive.

Isn't it glorious- Holly and Heather splashing in the water.

Mel, Nikkita and Jenna.

Kendra at the edge of a pond.

God's Waterpark.

Jill and Ashley.

Alida, Linda, Marisa and Jill.

Heather, Carolyn, Kristine, Linda, Jenna and Elizabeth looking lovely in the sun.

Elizabeth and Ethan.

Kristin and Shannon.

Jason and Trevor.

Feet in the clear warm water.