LA FLORIDA / WAKNA / NAKBE / TINTAL / EL MIRADOR Archaeology Jungle Trek Site: El Mirador SEASON: All year round best time FEB/MARCH - AUGUST MIN. AGE: 12 years CODE:MIRAR8 LOCATION: PETEN TRIP NAME: El Mirador - Nakbe With an Archaeologist as your guide No OF DAYS: 8-days/7 nights CLASS: Advance Dec 27, DAY 1: GUATEMALA CITY / SANTA ELENA / CARMELITA Breakfast (on your own) and transfer to airport to board short air flight to Santa Elena, Petén. Meet expedition leader at airport. Last minute shopping in civilization. Transfer to the sleepy jungle outpost of Carmelita. Visit the archaeological project of fertilized raised terrace fields based on recent archaeological findings. Load pack mules and start trek to Nakbe. Lunch on trail. Overnight at Jungle camp-lodge at Archaeological site La Florida where reconstruction of an AD600 site has recently been finished. Hours on trail: 3 Dec 28, Day 2: TRAIL / WAKNA Breakfast and continue the trek en route to Nakbe with a stopover at the newly discovered city of Wakna. Arrive in time for lunch and set up camp. We will take the afternoon to do a reconnaissance of the area and to observe the Group E (an equinox and solstice observation temple group), the sakbe (causeway) that connects Group E with the North Acropolis, a small exploration of the Preclassic tomb and marvel at the interior that has some details of a painted mural with similarities to the murals found in San Bartolo. In the afternoon we will climb to the top of the North Acropolis to observe the sunset and Structure 1 of Nakbe. Dinner and camp. Hours on trail 5-6 Hours Dec 29, Day 3: TRAIL / NAKBE Early breakfast and continue on the trail to Nakbe. In route observe the structures of the sites of El Guiro, Sacatal and the impressive watering hole of Sacatal. When you hike to this, one of the largest watering holes of this area, you will observe how the Maya formed or broadened these holes for use for their large population in the pre-classic era. Arrive to the site of Nakbe. Dinner and camp at the site. Hours on trail: 2-3 Dec 30, Day 4: NAKBE Nakbé, the former ruling city-state of the area who saw decline to the rising El Mirador. Tour the West Codice, and Benson complex as well as structure 27 with its impressive looters tunnel. We will see various chultuns dug by the Maya and the quarry still partially cut close by the center of the site. Camp and dinner in camp within the ruins. * Dec 31, Day 5: NAKBE / TRAIL / EL MIRADOR After breakfast giving a final farewell to Nakbe, you will walk in the footsteps of the Ancient Maya as we trek along the recently excavated Sacbé (causeway) between El Mirador and Nakbé. In early afternoon visit the temple of el Danta on the way into the city of El Mirador. View the temple of Nakbé 10 km away. Because of its remoteness, difficult access, and slight disturbance by humans, the bird life and orchid abundance is astonishing. Late afternoon to explore this monumental site that encompassed the largest area in square miles than any other known Maya site, and what is considered the ultimate Mayan archaeological destination. Explore fortification walls, causeways, temples El Tigre, Mono, and all other sections discussed in the September 1987, issue of "National Geographic". All meals and overnight at campsite within the ruins. Hours on trail: 3-4 Jan 1, Day 6: EL MIRADOR All Day for exploring the immense site of El Mirador. All meals and camp with the ruins. Jan 2, Day 7: TRAIL / TINTAL / CAMP Breakfast and continue on trail. Since the trail passes through lowland rain forest, there is ample opportunity to spot numerous varieties of bromeliads and orchids along the way. All meals on trail and dinner in camp. Hours on trail: 7-8 Jan 3, Day 8 TRAIL / CARMELITA / FLORES / GUATEMALA Early breakfast and climb to the pyramid Hennequen of Tintal. Later we do the last trek to Carmelita where out vehicle is waiting for our return drive to Flores. Board the late flight to Guatemala City. One may extend your visit to include Tikal or Uaxactún. Hours on trail: 5-7 Come join us on the amazing expedition lead by the Maya archaeologists, Enrique Hernandez Salazar. After his finishing his archaeological degree from the University of San Carlos, Guatemala City in 1998, Enrique has focused his efforts towards Maya Archaeology in Guatemala. Enrique has worked in the Mirador Basin 2003 to the present.
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