San Bartolo Murals / Xultun / Uaxactun / Tikal
Day 1 Guatemala/ Flores / Uaxactun
Meet at airport to board early morning flight to Santa Elena, Petén. Transfer overland to the Maya site of Uaxactun. Start the tour of the site of Uaxactun. Known for its temple complex in Group E where certain lines of site on the different pyramids pass through the point of sunrise during the equinoxes and solstices of the seasons. This suggests that these structures may have been designed to serve as observatories, or at least as calendar markers. We will visit all seven groups, located on top of natural hills. Lunch at the site. Afternoon visit local artisan eco-tourist center. Dinner and overnight at the eco-lodge El Chiclero that provides benefit for the Uaxactun community.

Day 2 Uaxactun / San Bartolo / Xultun
Early morning breakfast. Transfer overland by 4-wheel drive vehicles to reach the newly discovered site of San Bartolo. Meet with the team of archaeologist lead by William Saturno, brought to the world’s attention by the National Geographic article April 2002 showing the wondrous pre-classic Maya murals* found by accident within a looters tunnel. Visit the other groups of this site, which are also being excavated by the team of archaeologists. Lunch at the site. We then start our return stopping to visit the large site of Xultun. Never before excavated. This site encompasses a large plaza surrounded by 8 pyramids. What wonders will be unearthed when the team can finally start digging here and allow the knowledge to be documented instead of simply sold on the looters market. Now we know that in a small un-assuming building, the Maya used their walls for political art and astonomical calculations. The murals uncovered at Xultun are astonishing.

We need to have flexibility in our itinerary. The Archaeologists of San Bartolo are very swamped with work and limited budget. They will allow no photos and often can't allow visitors certain days. We will wait until it is possible to see the murals and have the next day as a possible day to see the paintings. We will bring equipment for camping in case it is necessary. We can camp this night at the site of Xultun only 6 km away.

Day 3 Uaxactun / San Bartolo / Uaxactun
Early morning breakfast. This day is flexible. If we were unable to visit the murals the day before we will visit them today. If we were able to visit them we will visit Tikal or other sites close by.

Day 4 Uaxactun / Tikal / Guatemala
After breakfast, drive to the Maya site of Tikal. Enjoy a 5 Hour tour visiting Complex Q, Main Plaza, 7 Temples, Lost World, Temples IV. Lunch at the hotel found at the entrance to the park. Visit to the Ceramic Museum and Lithic Museum. 2:00 p.m. transfer to the airport for your flight to Guatemala City.