Cancuen & Xilbalba Nacimiento (Underworld Birth)
Season Jan-Sept. 3 Days/
2 Nights Minimum age -
7 years Code
CANDGU
DAY 1 GUATEMALA / COBAN
6:00 am departure for Coban. Box lunch en route. Our
6-hour drive on the newly paved road to the small town of Raxruja
brings us close to the Pasion River where the Maya Archaeological
site of Cancuen is located. Here we transfer by boats to the local
service of transport to Cancuen. A 20 min boat ride
gets us to 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 Cancuen, which houses one of the
Largest Palace of the Maya region yet discovered. We will
visit 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. In late afternoon, after examining the artifacts
in the field laboratory, we 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 2 COBAN / CANDELARIA CAVES
8:00 breakfast at the lodge. We pack our small boats into
our backpacks for the short walk from the lodge to the entrance
to the cave. The local assistants can help transport our equipment.
Arrive at the first cave called "Mico". Get accustomed
to the paddling of the small boats and set out on a discovery of
adventure. Spend 1-2 hours exploring the
intricate formations and the varied flow stone "stone falls"
one finds inside the inner sections of the "Mico".
Enjoy a delicious lunch surrounded by the mix of natural light and
jungle from a window of the cave where the darkness of the cave
in the background is interrupted. After lunch, continue
in our boats to exit out the Mico cave and enter into the Nacimeinto
Cave. This cave will take us 1-2 hours to traverse at a leisure
pace stopping often for fabulous photo opportunities often at the
varied natural windows which seep light into the cave. Marvel
at the inclined stalactites and the exit tunnel of 250 meters at
the end of the cave. Pack up our small boats for a short 10
min walk to the road where our vehicle awaits for a short trip back
to the lodge of Candelaria. Dinner and accommodations.
(Option: for those who do not wish to visit the caves by boat, a
dry cave tour is available)
Day 3 CANDELARIA CAVES
8:00 breakfast. Early departure for return to Guatemala City.
Lunch en route.
NEED TO BRING:Cavern Head Lamp (available
for rent or sale at Maya Expeditions)
Small backpack
SUGESSTED PERSONAL EQUIPMENT:
2 liter waterbottle (a hydration pack system to wear on your back
is ideal)
1 sweater or polypro jacket for warmth inside the cave
Small backpack
1 pair shoes to get wet (tennis or covered water shoes. Sandals
are not recommended for the caves)
Swimming suit
Shorts
1 T-Shirt
Hat or cap
Insect repellant
Strong eyeglass (or sun glass) holder (available at Maya Expeditions)
Light jacket or raincoat (for the rainy season)
Small duffel with a towel and change of clothes, for the take out
when you get off the river
*Photographic camera (optional, we provide waterproof boxes, but
we can't guarantee 100% waterproof protection)
Disposable waterproof cameras for sale at Maya Expeditions.
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