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Visiting the largest and most majestic caves in the world is a unique experience. In this post you can find out what they are so you can include them in your list of places you must visit. Enjoy this impressive tour and delight yourself with all that nature has to offer.
Meet the 5 largest and most majestic caves in the world
Below, you can learn about the largest and most majestic caves in the world. As well as a brief description of their characteristics and relevant aspects. Immerse yourself in this experience and get to know the wonders of nature:
Han Soon Doong, Vietnam
Also known as the Sơn Đoòng grotto, this cave is located in Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park, Vietnam. It is one of the largest and most majestic caves ever discovered in the world. It measures more than 9 kilometers long with a cavity 200 meters high and 175 meters wide. Inside this cave you can find stalagmites up to 70 meters high.
The cave’s surroundings are covered with dense vegetation. It is the ideal place to have an adventurous trip. This cave was discovered in 2009. Inside the cave there are about 150 caverns, many of which have not been explored yet. It is estimated that this cave is much larger than what is known.
In fact, in 2019, a new passage to another cavity became known, which would add about 240 meters of height to the cave. The team of British speleologists led by Howard Limbert, had observed a river reappearing in Hang Tung cave, at 600 meters. This information was verified in an expedition carried out by expert divers.
Their names are: Christopher Jewell, Jason Mallinson, John Volanthen and Richard Stanton. There they found that the passage is at least 93 meters below sea level, making it difficult to access. In fact, the divers were only able to descend about 77 meters due to lack of suitable equipment.
If you want to visit this cave you can schedule an adventure with Oxalis. This is the only company approved to conduct tours inside the cave. It has been operating since 2013. So far, this is one of the largest explored caves in the world, with a total volume of 38.5 million cubic meters.
Deer Cave, Malaysia
This is another of the largest and most impressive caves. It is believed to have been named after the deer that come to the cave to take refuge and lick the salt from the rocks. It is also known as Gua Payau or Gua Rusa by the local Penan and Berawan people. It is located near Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia.
It is part of the Gunung Mulu National Park. It was first examined in 1961 by G. E. Wilford of the Geological Survey of Malaysia. By that time, an increase in the dimensions of the cave was estimated. In 1978, the cave was mapped by a Royal Geographical Society expedition.
The measurements yielded were 174 m (571 ft) wide and 122 m (400 ft) high in a section that crossed the mountain for a distance of 1 km (0.62 miles). Subsequently, in 2009 it increased the recognized passage length to 4.1 km (2.5 miles).
It was connected to Lang Cave, which is located within the same park. Every year, about 25,000 tourists flock to the cave for an adventurous experience. If you want to be one of these visitors, you must first enter Gunung Mulu National Park through Kota Kinabalu or through Miri town.
Mammoth Cave, Brownsville, Kentucky, USA
It is also known as the mammoth cave. It is composed of a complex system of connected cavities with a total length of 651.8 kilometers. This cave was discovered in 1971 and is part of Mammoth Cave National Park. It was also declared a World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve by Unesco.
Inside the cave, 405 miles of corridors, some 652 kilometers, have been discovered. However, geologists estimate that the cave is much longer. If you wish, you can take a short excursion of about 30 minutes or experience an adventure of up to 6 hours or more. If you suffer from claustrophobia or vertigo, you should avoid this adventure.
Ox Bel Ha underwater cave
This cave is located south of Tulum, Mexico. It is considered the largest underwater cave on the planet. It has an aquatic passage of more than 270 kilometers. As you walk through the cave you can find hundreds of cenotes.
According to the latest research, archeological remains and other indications that this was a sacred place for pre-Hispanic tribes have been found. For sure you want to visit this cave and have an unforgettable adventure.
Eisriesenwelt Cave
It is a majestic ice cave that began to form thousands of years ago. However, it was not discovered until 1849; and it is located in Austria, in the Tennent massifs. It is more than 1,600 meters high. It is a perfect adventure for those who love climbing and have the necessary physical conditions.
The cave can also be reached by cable car or by bus from Werfen. The cave is shown as a tourist attraction formed by a huge labyrinth with a series of caverns that reach about 40 km in length.
