Millennium Cave – A Mind-Blowing Adventure Unique To Espiritu Santo

Situated in South central Espiritu Santo along Sarakata river is Millennium cave. So named as the year 2000 is when the local Ni-Vanuatu first started taking tours to this isolated but breathtaking spot. Now it has become a bucket list excursion for any adventurous soul visiting the island.

Run by members of the local village. All money from the tours go back into buying supplies and supporting their people.

---

What to Expect from Millennium Cave

Drive

The day starts around 8am when Millennium Tours will pick participants up, making a stop at the office in Luganville to complete paperwork and payment if you haven’t done so already. The total cost currently being 9,500 VUV per person.

Then relax as you take the hour long drive from town along dirt tracks through the jungle. Even journeying along what remains of Bomber 3 airstrip, built for the American military base during World War Two.

Villages

After arriving at Nambel village you will be dropped off and introduced to your local guide(s). Who, after a short 15 minute walk and traverse over a bamboo bridge, will take you to Vunaspef, the next village over. Here you will be welcomed into a traditional Nakamal building made of woven leaves where you can leave any heavy packs.

Although this is perfectly safe we do recommend leaving any unnecessary gear at your accommodation. (This includes things like wallets, passports, phones and any other non-waterproof electronics). You can see what we recommend to bring later in the post. Life jackets will be handed out and then the adventure begins!

Trek

As you slowly make your way down jungle paths the guide(s) like to point out native flora, fauna and their uses. Luckily there are very few dangerous organisms on Vanuatu. As Jeffrey Aru from Paradise Tours likes to say ‘Vanuatu is a very friendly country – the people are friendly, even the animals are friendly’.

Small burrowing land snakes and slightly larger boas are not only non-venomous but very rarely seen. If you do, don’t do anything crazy as according to custom they contain the souls of ancestors.

The only things you really need to take note of being the giant centipede which can grow up to 20cm long and give you a nasty (but not lethal) bite. The other being the Dendrocnide shrub species otherwise known around the Pacific as Gympie-Gympie or by the local ni-vanuatu as Nanggalat. This causes a sting similar to a European nettle but can last for days or even weeks and gets worse when washed with water.

Blessing

Shortly before you begin your descent to Millennium cave, guests will be given a chance to use a small toilet hut and take a break before continuing on. Crossing a few small streams and hills before the real slope begins and wooden ladders take the place of the path. At some point the guide(s) stopping at a wooden bench to paint first timers faces with orange clay symbols, said to ensure safe passage through the cave.

Millennium Cave

Upon reaching the mouth of the cave guide(s) will hand out waterproof torches. Then the group will begin the slow single file walk along the river bed, depending on the weather this may be a few inches of water, it may be deeper. Read our warning below before booking.

Although this does require concentration of where you’re going, remember to look up now and again to take in the beautiful curving walls and watch the bats and swallows high above.

On exiting the cave there will be a short swim and a larger river crossing to a wide pebbled bank. Here everyone will stop for a packed lunch.

Canyoneering

Once your well rested and well fed the tour continues following the path downriver. This is split up into sections requiring a slippery scramble over and under large boulders. Then a swim or (even better) float along the azure blue water with the canyon walls on either side. Rinse and the repeat. Just make sure you are ready when the guides tell you it is the last stretch so you don’t go tumbling into the next pool.

Arguably this is the most dangerous aspect of the trip as even with the help of carved foot holds, rebar handles and rope it can be very easy to loose your footing. The guides will help you however they can. Go slow and go carefully. Also be aware that there are rocks under the surface of the water so try and avoid getting into a scrape by floating feet first. Aside from that enjoy the ride with sunlight filtering through the jungle above and waterfalls cascading down, which is as close to a water-park ride as mother nature can get.

Climb

Now that you are truly soaking and starting to get a little tired it’s time for the last stretch. Just as you got down into the valley so you shall get back out again, using long wooden ladders and ropes to haul yourself up the steep incline.

Thankfully at the top it is only a short walk through the village veggie patch back to Vunaspef. Coffee and fruits will be laid out for you to relax and recuperate before the short walk back over the bamboo bridge to Nambel and your awaiting ride to town.

---

What to Bring to Millennium Cave

As with any kind of trekking, less is more when it comes to partaking in a Millennium cave tour. Below are some you should bring along, leave the rest at home.

Something to Wear …

Swimwear and/or clothing you don’t mind getting wet – Embrace the fact that you will spend the entire tour slightly damp, either from your own sweat or from swimming through the river. So wear clothes you are going to feel comfortable in. Long pants and sleeves are advised for the cave and canyonering section to protect you from any scrapes (and mosquitoes).

Grippy shoes – Although the guides manage barefoot, water-shoes like these from Tropicfeel, trainers, boots or even dive booties with lots of grip are essential for navigating the slippery river safely. Just be prepared that they may get muddy and possibly damaged. So if your coming to Santo with Millennium Cave in mind perhaps bring an old or ‘junk’ pair.

Hat & Sunscreen – Although most of the trekking will be shaded by the jungle (an obviously the cave) those sensitive to the sun should pack a hat and sun-cream to prevent getting burnt.

Insect repellent – A warm, wet environment is one in which mosquitoes thrive. Since Malaria and Dengue occasionally break out on the island, reapplying a strong repellent as the day goes on helps to keep them at bay.

Something to Eat & Drink …

Lunch – Meals are not included in the trip. Make sure to pack some sandwiches or snacks. Your going to need them! The guides will most likely forage along the way but bringing a little something to share should earn you a smile.

Water – Hiking is thirsty work so be sure to pack a few liters of water for the trek itself. Leave a few at the village for afterwards.

Something Dry …

Drysack – Since a large portion of the Millennium Cave tour is wet, we highly recommend bringing a drysack. This prevents you having to swim with your bag above your head (like we did), keeps your lunch from getting soggy and can double as a comfortable float if needed.

Dry Shoes/Socks/Clothes and/or towel – After a day of being soaking wet (and your feet most likely looking like prunes) some dry shoes, a pair of flip flops or a towel to pat down will feel like heaven. Although this can be left at the village in a separate bag to save carrying it the whole way.

Waterproof camera – A go pro or other small action camera can be a nice way to capture the wild ride. Just bear in mind that unless it is mounted somewhere you will often have to stow it away so you can have your hands free.

Safety Equipment …

Waterproof Head-torch – Although Millennium Cave tours do provide you with waterproof torches and a life jacket we found it a struggle to clamber over rocks with one hand already occupied. Also due to age and placement of the button they would also occasionally go off. A waterproof head torch is a cheap and simple bit of kit that will make your trek that much easier.

Helmet – As someone whose grandfather died slipping on a rock in a river. In hindsight, I highly suggest bringing a helmet (even if it’s an old biking one) as an added bit of safety. Perhaps this is something the tour operators could also provide in the future however with funds going back into the community after Covid this may take a while so better to bring your own if you can.

First Aid Kit – Being out in the wilderness you never know what is going to happen. It’s a good idea for at least one person in your group to carry a small first aid kit just in case.

---

WORD OF WARNING for Millennium Cave

Millennium cave tours can be a once in a lifetime experience but is not for the faint of heart! Steep descents and ascents as well as a decent distance (we measured roughly 11km) spent trekking through the tropical rainforest requires a good level of physical fitness. Those requiring less breaks being able to complete the experience within 4-6 hours, those requiring more frequent breaks and a slower pace finding the experience takes several.

Slippery wooden ladders and rocks also mean that the tour is not without risk of accident, injury and in extreme cases, death. And in the event of an emergency – due to the remote location of Millennium cave and difficulty of the terrain – evacuation is limited to locals from the village carrying participants back out to the village.

Lastly any rain on the tour date or in the surrounding mountains (which is more likely from October onwards) can cause water levels within the cave to get dangerously high and powerful. Some participants having the trip cancelled before or in the midst of trekking. The worst cases being of some becoming stranded within the cave itself for hours until the water subsides.

So although safety management plans and procedures have been implemented, Millennium Cave Tours cannot guarantee your safety. You will be asked to sign a waiver before departing and you enter at your own risk.

If you have read all that and still want to give Millennium Cave Tours a go then great! Bookings can be made direct through the Millennium Cave Tour Website, Facebook page. Or get in touch with Triton Explorers and we would be more than happy to help.