Archaeology Cancuen Ceibal- Yaxha- Topxte - Tikal Code: CUEN6

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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