DOS PILAS - EL DUENDE - CEIBAL - aguateca - PUNTA DE CHIMINO

No. Days Places visited Where stay
1 Flight Flores/ Sayaxche / Ceibal Islas de Chimino
2 Arroyo de Piedra/Dos Pilas Islas de Chimino
3 Aguateca / Flores / Guatemala

TRIP NAME:Star Wars Episode 3
CLASS: Intermediate
LOCATION: PETEN
No OF DAYS: 3 days/2 nights
SEASON: ALL YEAR ROUND
MIN. AGE: 8 years

Day 1 GUATEMALA / SAYAXCHE /CEIBAL / PETEXBATUN
Meet at the airport in Santa Elena, Petén. (Hotel pick-up in Flores can be arranged) Transfer overland to the frontier town of Sayaxche, on the banks of the río Pasión. Board outboard boat for short trip to entrance of 20min. jungle trek to explore the intriguing ruins of Ceibal. All morning at the site to study the unusual stelae and experience the surrounding rainforest's flora and fauna. Lunch en route. Return to Sayaxche and continue to the Lake Petexbatun for lodging and dinner.

Day 2 PETEXBATUN / DOS PILAS / PETEXBATUN
Early breakfast. Morning hike of 12 km to explore the ruins of Dos Pilas. Exploring the adjacent site of Arroyo de Piedra on the way. Lunch at site. Visit site and cool in one of the two pools that gives the site its name. Return hike to jungle lodge. Dinner and accommodations on the lake's shore.

Note: This is a very heavy day with much walking. Must be in very good physical shape. Private horse available for the hike at extra cost.

Day 3 PETEXBATUN / aguateca / FLORES
Breakfast, board boat to arrive at ruins of Aguateca. All morning to walk in the protected jungle, visit the plazas and experience the natural cliff boundaries that eventually lead to it's demise. Lunch at the lodge and then board boat for upstream travel to Sayaxche. Overland transfer to Flores for arrival by 6:00pm

*Dos Pilas was the base for the extensive Petexbatun Archaeological Project which excavated Dos Pilas, Aguateca, Arroyo de Piedra, Tamarandito, various caves in the area and Punta de Chimino. The Project under the direction of Dr. Arthur Demarest and Dr. Steve Houston, with capable archaeology students, such as Kevin Johnson, Takeshi Inomata, Joel Palka, and Teresita Robles found marvels of the Maya World. The findings of an unknown tomb site, with the aid of Hieroglyphic writings is an historical use in combining archaeology and epigraphy. Their findings of tombs full of jade and ceramic artifacts pointing to war alliances, heir bloodletting rituals depicted on lintels, a defense wall hurriedly constructed on top of sacred buildings, and one beside a man-made moat brings many new insights into the Maya Noble life. The 4 year project has sprouted more individual projects by the members of the original team concentrating on individual sites. Both Aguateca and Punta de Chimino are extensively excavated in June by Dr. Takeshi Inomata and Dr. Arthur Demerest and Lic. Hector Escobedo respectively.
Their findings of evidence of continual warfare within the río Pasión region helps to show that War played its part in the downfall of the Maya.
Aguateca's unique situation of extensive burning with gross warfare causing the rapid abandonment of the site has provided a fresh look into how the people actually lived and what tools they used.

Suggested Options for Post Tours:
1 to 2-D Rio Chiquibul
3 to 4D Belize Keys Diving
1 to 2-D Yaxha Ruins

INCLUSIONS:
All domestic air, land and river transportation, all hotel accommodations (base DBL occupancy), all meals as described in itinerary, all park and archaeological site entrance fees, services of U.S. trained professional guides and all personnel, services of bilingual jungle guide

EXCLUSIONS:
Personal clothing and equipment, meals designated as (on your own) in itinerary, beers, alcoholic beverages and soft drinks, all personal expenses, extras in hotels, tips to guides, drivers and hotel personnel.

SLEEPING:
The bungalows on Lake Petexbatun range from Deluxe Class with muffled generator that give lights and gourmet meal, first class and tourist class accommodations in clean but rustic rooms with generator for light during specified hours.

NOTE: Personal clothing and equipment should not exceed 25 pounds. The airplanes to Peten will charge you for the extra weight.