Expedition #5
Itinerary - Updated for 2007
The Great Maya River
Trade Route®
(13-Days / 12-Nights) -
(Minimum
of 4-Persons)
Day-1 - Guatemala City
Arrival in Guatemala City. Pick up and transfer from Aurora International airport to hotel. Overnight accommodations at Grand Tikal Futura Hotel**** or similar.
Day-2 - Guatemala City / Biotopo Del Quetzal / Coban / Santa Cruz Verapaz
6:00 a.m. (Box) Breakfast. Transfer to the natural reserve of the Biotopo del Quetzal in the cloud forest of Las Verapaces. Visit the Biotopo. Transfer to Cobán. Visit the cathedral, the Calvario and the Prince Maya museum (a private collection of Mayan artifacts of excellent quality). Transfer to Santa Cruz Verapaz. Overnight accommodations at Park Hotel*** or similar.
Box Breakfast
Day-3 - Santa Cruz Verapaz / Cancuen / Candelaria Caves
Breakfast. Transfer overland to the Maya village of La Union. Continue on by boat to the archaeological site of Cancuén, the beginning of the Maya commercial river trade route which is rewriting Maya history of the lower territory. Visit the site. Boat transfer back to La Union. Transfer overland to the Candelaria Caves, among the most stunning natural features in the Maya world. These immense, awe-inspiring underground chambers have been a major pilgrimage center for the Maya for thousands of years. Lunch. Visit the caves. Dinner and overnight accommodations at the Candelaria Caves eco-lodge.
Day-4 - Candelaria Caves / Sayaxche / Aguateca De Chimino
Breakfast. Transfer overland to the frontier town of Sayaxché. Transfer by boat to the archaeological site of Aguateca. We will visit this site not like common tourists but like explorers where we will walk the canyon that divides the center of the city from the outskirts. Transfer by boat to the archaeological site of Punta de Chimino. Lunch. Dinner and overnight accommodations at the
Chimino's Island eco-lodge.
Day-5 - Punta De Chimino / Ceibal / Santa Elena,
Petén
Breakfast. Transfer to the archaeological site of Ceibal situated on the shores of the Pasión river. Here we will visit the largest ancient Maya center in the Pasión. Box lunch. Transfer to the frontier town of Sayaxché and continue on overland to Santa Elena, Petén. Overnight accommodations at Hotel Petén Esplendido*** or similar.
Box Lunch
Day-6 - Santa Elena, Petén
/ Bethel / Yaxchilan / Corozal, Mexico
Breakfast. Transfer overland to Bethel. Continue on by boat to the archaeological site of Yaxchilán. Visit the site which was an important ceremonial Mayan center on the shore of the Usamacinta river famous for its fortifications of exquisite beauty, such as the ball game and the stelaes and painted walls. Continue on by boat to the frontier town of Corozal (Mexico). Transfer overland to the Cooperative Escudo Jaguar. Overnight accommodations at Escudo Jaguar eco-lodge.
Day-7 - Corozal, Mexico / Palenque
Breakfast. Transfer overland to the archaeological site of Palenque. This archaeological site is considered the Mayan Jewel. Visit the main constructions of: the Inscriptions Temple, inside the Pakal King tomb, the Temple of the Cross and the Temple of the Jaguar. Overnight accommodations at Hotel Maya Tulipanes*** or similar.
Day-8 - Palenque / Bonampak / Santa Elena,
Petén
Breakfast. Transfer to the archaeological site of Bonampak, located 180 kms. from Palenque in the State of Chiapas, Mexico. It was discovered in 1946, making headlines with its murals located in the Temple of the Paintings (late Classic AD 600-900), only such paintings in the Maya world. This work of art shows the realities of war and palace life. Visit the site. Transfer to the Cooperative Escudo Jaguar. Transfer by boat to the Guatemala side and continue on to Santa Elena, Petén. Overnight accommodations at Hotel Petén Esplendido*** or similar.
Day-9 - Santa Elena, Petén / Uaxactun / El Remate
Breakfast. Transfer to the archaeological site of Uaxactún. Visit the site. This site is where the writings were perfected and the Maya calendar started. Transfer to El Remate. Overnight accommodations at Hotel Villa Maya*** or similar.
Day-10 - El Remate / Tikal / El Remate
Breakfast. Transfer to the archaeological site of Tikal. Visit the Great Plaza, the Plaza of the Great Pyramid or the Lost World, the Plaza of the Seven Temples, the East Plaza, the West Plaza, Temples I, II, III, IV, V, and VI, the Twin Pyramid Complex and the Acropolis. Lunch within the park. Transfer to El Remate. Overnight accommodations at Hotel Villa Maya*** or similar.
Day-11 - El Remate / Yaxha / Rio Dulce
Breakfast. Transfer to the archaeological site of Yaxhá. Visit the site. Yaxhá in the Maya language means "green water". Yaxhá is located on the shores of Laguna Yaxhá. After the visit to this beautiful post classic city transfer to the Río Dulce. Overnight accommodations at Hacienda Tijax or similar.
Day-12 - Rio Dulce /
Livingston / Guatemala City
Breakfast. Visit by boat the Río Dulce, where beautiful canyons and tropical animals are part of the scenic view. Visit the garifuna town of Livingston and Castillo de San Felipe. Transfer to Guatemala City. Overnight accommodations at the Grand Tikal Futura Hotel**** or similar.
Day-13 - Guatemala City / La Aurora International Airport
Breakfast. Transfer to La Aurora international airport for flight departure.
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