Archaeology Cancuen & Xibalba (Underworld Birth) Code: CANDGU

 

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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