Trade route: Cancuen/Ceibal/Yaxha-Topoxte/Tikal code:
CUEN6
Day 1 Guatemala/ Cobán
Meet at Maya Expeditions office at 7:00am or be picked up at your
hotel earlier. (Transportation from Antigua available) Drive to
the town of Cobán. In route visit to the natural reserve
"Biotopo Mario Dary". Lunch at the Posada Montaña
del Quetzal. Upon arrival in Cobán, we will have time to
see the Orchid nursery and do a small city tour of Cobán.
Possible visit the new archaeological museum. Dinner and hotel in
Cobán.
Day 2 Cobán / Cancuen / Candelaria
After breakfast, an early departure for Cancuen. We arrive to a
small village along the Pasión River. Here we transfer by
boats to the local service of transport to Cancuen. 1/2 hour boat
ride to arrive at the field camp of Arthur Demarest and his team
from Vanderbilt and Del Valle University. Guided by the local archaeologist
we will visit the excavations of the Largest Palace of the Maya
region yet discovered as well as the various digs throughout the
site. Including the Jade workshop found in the 2001 season, which
has yielded many precious artifacts, like a jade earpiece polishing
rock for various different types of ear flanges.
Lunch at the site. In late afternoon, return by boat to our vehicles
for a short drive to our lodging at the eco-lodge Candelaria for
dinner and overnight. These accommodations are run by the community
of Mucbilhá who oversee the conservation of the jungle on
top and surrounding the caves.
Day 3 Candelaria Caves / Ceibal / Flores / El Sombrero
After breakfast we hike through walking section of Mico cave. Depart
for the Flores. Visiting the Maya ruins of Ceibal in route. All
morning at the site to study the unusual stelae and experience the
surrounding rainforest’s flora and fauna. Continue by land
to cross the Passion River. Arrive to Flores where we can make any
last minute shopping in the now bustling town. Lunch and continue
to the eco-lodge El Sombrero a quaint lodge with bungalows both
private and communal and hammocks for resting in the dinning area
and private bar nestled along the shores of Lake Yaxhá. Dinner
and overnight.
Day 4 Yaxhá – Topoxté / El Sombrero
After Breakfast, transfer in small motorized boat to the Maya archaeological
site of Topoxté located on an island in the middle of the
Lake. Return to the restaurant for lunch.
After a brief rest, transfer to the site of Yaxhá. Yaxhá
has been recently excavated and the restoration of the large temple
216 makes a great platform for observing the sunset over the Lake.
Return to the lodge for dinner in a peaceful family setting. Caiman
photo shoots available in the dark of night.
Day 5 El Sombrero / Tikal
After Breakfast, transfer to the Maya site of Tikal. Visit the “Great
city”, where you will see the Temples of the Jaguar and of
the masks in the Great Plaza. Continue onto discover the complex
known as “The Lost World”. Lunch at Tikal. Climb the
tallest-known structure at Tikal, Temple IV, and view the thick,
wild jungle, which still covers many monuments and stelae. Admire
many of the artifacts discovered during the excavation of Tikal
at the nearby museum. Dinner and lodging at hotel inside the National
Park.
Day 6 Tikal / Guatemala City
6:00 a.m. Sunrise walk to experience the waking jungle and the cacophony
of whistles, shrills and howls from the birds and monkeys. Return
to the hotel for breakfast at 8:45 a.m.
Rest of the morning free for returning to Tikal, visiting the museums
or just relaxing by the hotel pool. Transport to airport at 2:00
p.m. for flight to Guatemala City.
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