An introduction to caving at El Tío Manolo Cave in Cuenca

Who said that nature’s best secrets are always out in the open?

In Uña, Cuenca, El Tío Manolo Cave awaits you for a 2-hour introductory caving experience. Kitted out with a helmet and head torch, you’ll explore a spacious gallery teeming with geological formations and natural mud pools, accompanied by a qualified guide. An activity suitable for everyone aged 6 and over, which includes souvenir photos.

What we will do

We will meet at the agreed time at the meeting point in Uña, Cuenca, having first confirmed the exact location with the organising team. Our qualified guide will be waiting for us there to welcome us and provide us with the necessary equipment: protective overalls, boots, a helmet and a head torch. Before setting off, we’ll have a briefing to cover the basics of navigating and safety underground.

We’ll then travel for about 15 to 20minutesby minibus or in our own vehicles to the vicinity of the entrance to El Tío Manolo Cave. Once there, we’ll switch on our helmet torches and get ready to go in.

And now, the underground exploration begins! After passing through a somewhat narrow and vertical entrance, the cavern will open up before us, leading into a huge gallery shaped by the action of water over millennia.During our two-hour time inside the cave, we’ll proceed at a leisurely pace, admiring fascinating rock formations, areas with shallow water where swimming isn’t necessary, and ceilings where bats sometimes rest. We’ll also get an up-close look at the cosmetic properties of the natural clay found in the area, in an educational and hands-on experience suitable for all ages.

Upon returning to the surface, we’ll take off our gear and head back to the starting point to say our goodbyes after the adventure.

The activity will last approximately two and a half hours in total (including preparations and the journey).

Who it is aimed at

The experience is suitable for children aged 6 and over (children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult) .

Suitable for beginners, families or participants exploring the underground world for the first time.

At certain times of year, there may be sections with a little surface water on the floor, but it never covers the ground, so you do not need to be able to swim.

Although there are some narrow passages at the start, the cave is spacious and peaceful along the main route.

This activity is not suitable for wheelchair users or those with reduced mobility, and is not recommended for pregnant women.

Other information

The experience takes place all year round, every day, at the following approximate times (at 10. 00 am and 5. 00 pm in summer, and at 11. 00 am and 4. 00 pm the rest of the year) .

A minimum of 4 participants is required to run a group, and there is a maximum of 80 people per day, organised into groups of 15 to 20 participants.

The meeting point is in the village of Uña. You will need to confirm the exact location in Uña with the organisers in advance.

Free parking is available in the vicinity of the meeting point.

It is possible to get there by taxi, but there are no regular bus services to the meeting point, so it is advisable to travel by private car.

For safety reasons, pets are not permitted inside the cave, although they may remain on the organiser’s premises during the activity.

Recommended clothing

• Comfortable clothes
• A change of clothes to put on once the activity is over