WHITEWATER and CAVE RAFTING, PRISTINE POOLS and one of the HOTSPOTS of MAYA Archaeology all in one 6-day adventure into the hidden wonders of Guatemala.
First, the CAHABON, a classic pool drop river with class IV rapids of bluish green water. Then, great swimming in the enchanting pools of SEMUC CHAMPEY. Later, marvel at recent discoveries in CANCUEN, an important Maya archaeological site. The trip climaxes with a unique traverse underground through the CAVE OF CANDELARIA in specially equipped small boats designed for cave rafting.

DAY 01: GUATEMALA / QUETZAL RESERVE / COBAN / LANQUIN
08:30 a.m. Meet at Maya Expeditions office (15 calle "A" 14-07 zone 10)
09:00 a.m. Transfer from Guatemala to Lanquin (The shuttle stops briefly on the way a few times)
• At El Rancho we stop for 15 min. to refresh and use the rest room if needed.
• At Biotopo Mario Dary we stop for one hour to allow passengers to visit this natural reserve. We suggest you take the short trail, so that the visit won't take longer than one hour. NOTE: This is not a guided tour, we only provide the shuttle service, and the passengers cover the entrance fee and the visit.
• At Coban we stop for one and a half hour, for lunch. Lunch is on passengers own, so they can decide where to take it. We can suggest some restaurants.
Overnight at Hotel El Recreo in Lanquin (by your own)

DAY 02: LANQUIN / CAHABON RIVER / LANQUIN
8:30am Transfer to our put-in (pick up), a few kilometers out of town, on the banks of the Lanquin River. After a safety and orientation talk, board the rafts and begin descent of the Rio Lanquin to its confluence with the Rio Cahabon. Continue on the Cahabon, navigating some of the river's largest and most exciting 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, Bluebelted & Amazon Kingfishers, Amazon Parrots or a glimpse of the Keel billed Toucan. In the afternoon we arrive at the small village of Tamax, our take-out, where we transfer to awaiting for a ride back to Lanquin.

Overnight at Hotel El Recreo de Lanquin (on your own)

DAY 03: LANQUIN/ SEMUC CHAMPEY / COBAN / CANDELARIA CAVES
• From 8:00 to 10:30 a.m. we visit Semuc Champey (as with the biotopo, we only provide transportation service, entrance fee and visit are on passengers own).
• We depart from Lanquin at 11:00 to go to Coban, where we stop again for one and a half hour to have lunch.
• After Coban, we make our way to the eco-lodge of the Candelaria Caves 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 04: LANQUIN/ SEMUC CHAMPEY / COBAN / CANDELARIA CAVES
Early breakfast at the lodge. Our 20 min 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.

DAY 05: CANDELARIA CAVES
After breakfast at 9:30am 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 06: CANDELARIA CAVES / GUATEMALA CITY
8:00 breakfast. Early departure for return to Guatemala City. Lunch en route.

SUGESSTED PERSONAL EQUIPMENT:
2-liter water bottle (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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Bringing you Safe and Fun adventure Travel in Guatemala since 1987