NEW TRIP: Cancuen and Candelaria Caves code:
MONTE
Whitewater rafting, Xibalba Caves, Travertine Pools, Cancuen, Ceibal,
Tikal
Day 1 Guatemala/ Antigua
Pick-up at Airport and transfer to Antigua. Dinner and overnight
at Hotel.
Day 2 Antigua / Cobán
After breakfast we 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 3 Cobán / Cahabón River / Lanquín
Early continental breakfast for departure to Lanquín at 6:00
am. Transfer to our put-in, a few kilometers out of town, on the
banks of the Lanquín River. After a safety and orientation
talk we board the rafts and begin descent of the Lanquín
River to its confluence with the Cahabón River. Continue
on the Cahabón, navigating some of the river’s largest
and most difficult rapids. The day is full of excitement, a perfect
combination of rapids, tranquil pools, friendly Maya-Keck'chi Indians,
and wildlife. Enjoy the subtropical jungle with large variety of
orchids and bromeliads blooming throughout the year. Marvel at the
local birdlife like Montezuma Oropendula, Blue belted & Amazon
Kingfishers, Amazon Parrots or a glimpse of the Keel billed Toucan.
In the afternoon we arrive at the small village of Tamash, our take-out,
where we transfer to awaiting four-wheel drive vehicle for a ride
back to Lanquín. Dinner and overnight at the Hotel El Recreo.
Day 4 Lanquín / Semuc Champey / Lanquín
After breakfast departure to view the incredibly beautiful travertine
pools of Semuc Champey, where the Cahabón river runs underneath.
The pools are lying on top of a natural limestone bridge formed
by deposits of minerals carried by creeks descending down the cliffs
of the canyon. Your expert guide will guide you to where the river
disappears beneath the earth. Breakfast at the site. Morning free
to swim and relax in this special natural paradise. In mid-afternoon
we return to Lanquín. For those who feel energetic, one can
visit the caves of Lanquín where the bluish green river spills
forth through one of the cave's openings. At dusk, one can observe
the spectacular exodus of thousands of bats that fly out on their
nightly hunts. Dinner and overnight at the Hotel El Recreo.
Day 5 Lanquín / Cancuen / Candelaria
After breakfast board vehicles to a small village along the Pasión
River. Here we transfer by boats to the local service of transport
to Cancuen. 1 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 6 Candelaria Caves
After breakfast we first visit a cave called "Cueva Seca".
The entrance to this cave is an immense cavern with murals of the
Maya Indians 20 meters above the cave floor. Spend 1-2 hours exploring
the intricate formations and the towering columns one finds inside
the inner sections of the "Cueva Seca". Continue with
small inflatable rafts to the cave system Veronica. Four to five
hours of the longest cave system on the Rio Candelaria. Experience
the 150 meter Brain room, Marvel at the 25 meter “waterfall”
of flowstone. All combined in mixture of darkness and natural light.
A light bag lunch is carried by each participant. Continue on to
the entrance of Deer Caves 1 & 2. We must hike a short ways
out of the cave at the end to get to return to eco-lodge for dinner
and overnight.
Day 7 Candelaria / Ceibal / Tikal
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 national park of Tikal. Dinner and overnight.
Day 8 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.
After Breakfast, 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. Later afternoon transfer to airport
for early evening flight to Guatemala City. Dinner and lodging at
Hotel
Day 9 Guatemala City / USA
Breakfast and depart for home country destination.
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