A geological masterpiece, Cango Caves are referred to as ‘nature’s underground wonderland’. I recently visited the caves, which are located 30 km from Oudtshoorn in South Africa. Popular with Indian visitors, they are situated in Swartberg mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The caves host some of the most spectacular speleothems — a structure formed in a natural cave by the deposition of minerals from water, for example a stalactite or stalagmite — found anywhere in the world. The stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone and dripstone make Cango Caves one of the best-known natural wonders in southern Africa.

The caves are considered to be 20 million years old, and the temperature inside stays constant at 20ºC. Because of high humidity, it is advisable to wear light clothing.

There are two tour options available — a Heritage Tour and an Adventure Tour. I choose the 60-minute Heritage Tour. Our guide leads us to the cave entrance, where a display depicts the lives of the early inhabitants of the caves. They lived a life of survival, hunting and gathering in daytime and exchanging stories by the fire at night.

Cango Caves are for the most part horizontal, which makes my journey easy. There are also a few stairs. While there are many interesting formations, for me seeing a stalactite holding a shiny, clear drop of water delicately on its tip will remain special. The formations resembling dried tobacco leaves and the Leaning Tower of Pisa are interesting.

The first and largest chamber is Van Zyl’s Chamber. It was re-discovered in 1780 by a farmer, Jacobus van Zyl, whose herder had, quite by accident, come across the cave entrance while looking for some animals that had strayed. The charm of the huge chamber is enhanced by the fascinating flowstone and dripstone formations. These adorn the walls, ceiling and floor. The natural colours of these formations range from red, grey, yellow to white and ochre.

The next chamber, slightly smaller, is known as Botha’s Hall. I walk to what my guide describes as the most beautiful chamber. There are more dripstone and flowstone formations. Huge columns greet all of us and I, for one, can almost hear the whispers of early explorers.

After walking up a short flight of stairs, our group enters a smaller cavern: the Rainbow Room. Nick, the Devil, conspires in a corner with evil gargoyles. Opposite them, the Family Bible, Angel’s Wing and Baptismal Font hold their evil tactics at bay.

The fourth is the Bridal Chamber. Our guide smiles and tells us that this is a delightful sight for all visitors — married or single. I stand in awe at the 14-poster bridal bed which is complimented by a series of cave babies — tiny stalactites, only approximately 500 years young. Some are still forming with white calcite tips that glisten when our guide flashes a torchlight to highlight their natural beauty.

The Bridal Chamber also contains other unusual formations like the nursery dwarf. The natural formation that resembles a champagne bottle that was emptied and forgotten by a visiting cave couple adds to the celebratory vibe of the chamber.

After a short stop in Fairyland and a sad explanation of the damage done by early visitors to the caves, we move into the African Room. Here, through the effects of lighting on the calcite crystal formations, we are shown an African sunrise and sunset.

The 90-minute Adventure Tour promises an adrenaline high, taking visitors through the entire length of Cango — it is 1.2 km long. As one reaches 600 metres inside the cave, the adventure begins with Jacob’s ladder — 172 steps leading to a series of narrow tunnels. The first is known as Lumbago Alley. It is 30 metres long and 70 cm high. It has polished calcite floors and fine stalactites.

After a fairly easy walk, King Solomon’s Mines reveal the curling, Venetian crystal helictites that hang precariously from the ceiling. A steep ladder leads you into the Tunnel of Love, where you literally squeeze through a 10-metre crystal tunnel.

The Visitors Complex has a restaurant to refuel. The Interpretive Centre is designed to give visitors a more in-depth understanding of the many facets of Cango Caves, including its history and formations. It can be likened to an archaeological dig where visitors embark on a journey through time.

In the auditorium, the film ‘Waters of Stone’ portrays the wonderland of crystal found in the caves beyond the tourist route. Cango Caves can leave you mesmerised.

— Throughout the tour, one should remain with the group and the guide.