The Black Hole Drop is one of Caves Branch Adventure Company's signature tours that includes hiking from the jungle floor to the top of a limestone sinkhole and rappeling over the edge and into the sinkhole cave below. Tours begin at Caves Branch Jungle Lodge, where guides shuttle hikers to the trailhead. From here, hikers follow a 1.5-mile course that climbs about 400 feet from the jungle floor to the top of a limestone sinkhole. Along the route, guides lead the hike and stop frequently to rest, offer educational descriptions of plants or habits of the jungle, and answer hikers' questions.
From the top of the cave, guides assist and check all hikers' harnesses and gear and provide a demonstration of rappeling technique in a way that allows all experience levels to rappel down the drop at their own rate. Guides assist in belaying each rappeler from the top, and another assists from the bottom, ensuring the safety of each person. The rappel descends nearly 300 feet, with everyone able to drop at their own pace and take in views of the surrounding forest while suspended in mid-air. From the bottom, hikers can explore caves used by Mayan communities before making their way back out of the depression and retracing their route back down to the trailhead.
There is a good amount of uphill hiking required for this adventure. However, we had pre-teens and those visiting from flat sea-level states in our group, and our guides went at such a pace that everyone was able to make it. Water is provided to all hikers.
Tours typically run from about 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. A picnic lunch is provided and spread out for hikers following the rappel. While this adventure is open to everyone, it takes place on Caves Branch land, making the lodge the only outfitter for this hike. You can visit CavesBranch.com for more information on this adventure.
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