Piedras Negras / Aguateca / Dos Pilas / Ceibal / Punta de Chimino / Altar de Sacraficios / Planchon de las Figuras Options- Yaxchilan / Bonampak / Palenque / Tikal

R IO USUMACINTA " RIVER OF RUINS"
Archaeological interpretation expedition

Season: March-June 10 days /9 nights
Minimum Age - 8 years Class: beginning Code PN10copper

Option Tikal
Day 01 ARRIVE GUATEMALA CITY
Pick-up at Airport and transfer to Hotel. Dinner and overnight at Hotel. (D)

Day 1 GUATEMALA CITY / FLORES / TIKAL
This morning we transfer to the airport to board a 6:00 a.m. flight to Flores, Petén. Breakfast on board plane. We then transfer overland to visit the grand site of the ancient Maya at Tikal, famous for it’s monumental pyramids and grandiose central plaza. Return to the comfort of our hotel at the entrance to the park for lunch and a siesta. Later, we will visit the Museum of Tikal where many jade artifacts, ceramics, and tomb contents can be seen. Delicious dinner and overnight at hotel at entrance to site. For those who wish we can obtain an extension permit to hike back among the ruins to study the wildlife and view the glyphs and inscriptions on the stelae until 6:00 p.m., a time with very little tourists are in the park. (B,L,D)

Original Itinerary:

Day 1 ARRIVE GUATEMALA CITY
Pick-up at Airport and transfer to Hotel. Dinner and overnight at Hotel. (D)

Day 2 GUATEMALA CITY / FLORES / SAYAXCHE / RIO PASION / aguateca / PUNTA DE CHIMINO / PETEXBATUN
This morning we transfer to the airport to board a 6:00 a.m. flight to Flores, Petén. Breakfast on board plane. Travel overland to the frontier town of Sayaxché, on the banks of the Río Pasión. We will use Sayaxché as a jumping-off point, Take motorized cayuco trip to Lake Petexbatun. The day is spent in the full exploration of the sites of the Petexbatún region which have been extensively studied during the Petexbatún project 1989-1992 to present. We will have a morning walk within the ongoing excavated and renovated site of Aguateca where new evidence, available due to an unusual abandonment of the site, is giving us a glimpse of the normal day to day life of the ancient Maya. For the afternoon we will visit the site of Punta de Chimino to get a good understanding of the way wars and defense systems became such an important part of the life of the Maya. (B,L,D)
Overnight at Lodge on the Lake.

Day 3 PETEXBATUN /ARROYO DE PIEDRA / DOS PILAS / EL DUENDE
Breakfast, board native cayuco for short trip to the disembarcation to the ruins of Dos Pilas. Trek through the jungle to reach this remote site, (approx: 4 hours; - horses available upon request- $10.00 extra), exploring the adjacent site of Arroyo de Piedra on the way. Time permitting we will visit the farther ruins of Tamarindito. Our pace is leisurely, to ensure the complete appreciation of the lush and wild surroundings. After a refreshing bath in what gives this ruin its name, we have lunch and begin our exploration. All afternoon devoted to studying the, as yet unrestored, important sites of Dos Pilas and neighboring, El Duende. Dinner and camp within the ruins. (B,L,D)

Day 4 DOS PILAS / PETEXBATUN
Early breakfast, and further exploration of the ruins. 11 AM departure for hike back to awaiting cayuco. Return to previous accommodations on Lake Petexbatun and lunch. Afternoon for swimming or relaxing. Dinner and accommodations on the lake’s shore. (B,L,D)

Day 5 PETEXBATUN / RIO PASION / CEIBAL / ALTAR DE SACRIFICIOS
After Breakfast we return to Sayaxche and travel up the Pasión river to explore intriguing ruins of Ceibal. This boat ride gives us an opportunity for viewing Cormorants, Blue Herons and Belted or Green Kingfishers. We take a short 20 to 30 minute hike through the lush forest. Our pace is leisurely to marvel at the Imperial woodpecker, mealy parrots and the incredible diverse plant life found in a guarded rain forest. All morning at the site to study the unusual stelae and experience the surrounding rain forest’s flora and fauna. Lunch, return to our boat for an enjoyable ride down the Pasión river delighting in the many sightings of the river turtles, parrots, egrets, cormorants and herons and the occasional caiman river crocodile. Camp along the shores of the Rio Pasion close to the site of Altar de Sacraficios.(B,L,D)

Day 6 RIO PASION/ ALTAR DE SACRIFICIOS / RIO USUMACINTA / PLANCHON DE LAS FIGURAS / PIEDRAS NEGRAS - CAMP
Early breakfast and morning visitation of the site of Altar de Sacrificios. See the new replicas of the some of the steleas and altars and the newly excavated temple at the site. Continue down river on the Usumacinta river to the large site of Piedras Negras. (water level permitting we will detour to see the etched out carvings at Planchón de Las Figuras. These etchings are large figures of various sizes depicting pyramids, human, animals and game boards on a large flat rock shore that is underwater at higher river levels.) Enjoy our scrumptious camp cuisine and a relaxing night around the campfire. (B,L,D)

Day 7 PIEDRAS NEGRAS - CAMP
Today we will spend all day exploring the site. The tour archaeologists will show us the vast information that Piedras Negras has to offer. Lunch within the site under the cooler forest canopy. Return to camp close to the beach at entrance to the ruins and enjoy a refreshing swim in the waters of the Usumacinta. Camp close to the archaeological site and exchange ideas over a scrumptious dinner prepared specifically for our group and the team members. (B,L,D)

Day 8 PIEDRAS NEGRAS / BETHEL
Early Breakfast for upstream travel to the town of Bethel. (We have located special boats with Petenero motorist who travel the upstream route regularly) Lunch en route. Arrive at Edo-lodge Posada Maya. Overnight. (B,L,D)

Day 9 BETHEL / FLORES / GUATEMALA CITY
Breakfast. Overland transfer to Bethel. Arrival to Flores to Board later afternoon flight to Guatemala City. (B,L, D)

Day 10 DEPART USA (B)

Option Depart from Mexico Code:PN12
Day 8 PIEDRAS NEGRAS / FRONTERRA COROZAL
Early Breakfast for upstream travel to the town of Bethel. (We have located special boats with Petenero motorist who travel the upstream route regularly) Lunch en route. Arrive at Fronterra Corozal. Exiting from Guatemalan, and entering formally into Mexico.($15.00 tourist visa) Overnight at Hotel Escudo Jaguar. Rest of the party continues onto Bethel. (B,L,D)

Day 9 Frontera Corrozal / YAXCHILAN / BONAMPAK / PALENQUE
Board motorized canoe to the site of Yaxchilán. Full morning devoted to exploring the extensive ruins and the many finely-carved stelae of this well preserved and important site. Enjoy the interesting anecdotes and insights into the writings and the way of life of the ancient Maya that the archaeologist can offer. Lunch, Board boat for return to Fronterra. Board bus for 2 hour ride to the site of Bonampak. Enjoy the finely painted murals depicting the gruesome torturing and bloodletting rituals performed by the Maya. Arrive in Palenque at approximately 6:30 pm. Dinner and overnight at Hotel in Palenque. (B,L,D)

Day 10 PALENQUE
Today we will experience the beauty and awe of the spectacular ruins of Palenque. All morning to explore the great palaces and temples and tomb of this famed site. After lunch we will spend the afternoon in the refreshing pools of the Queen and make our way down through the bat complex to the newly built museum of Palenque and the unique complete ceramic incense burners. Dinner and overnight in Palenque. (B,L,D)

Day 11 PALENQUE / VILLAHERMOSA / MEXICO CITY or MERIDA / DEPART USA
5:00 am departure for Villahermosa airport for connecting flights to the U.S.A or elsewhere.

OPTION Depart for Guatemala City
Day 11 PALENQUE / BETHEL / FLORES / GUATEMALA CITY
Breakfast. Overland transfer to Frontera Corozal where we board our motorboat for short trip to Bethel. Transfer to our bus for arrival to Flores by 4:00 pm. Board later afternoon flight to Guatemala City. (B,L)

Day 12 DEPART USA
Transfer to airport for departing flights. (B)