Maya Sites - 5 Night Tour to Palenque, Bonampak, Yaxchilan, La Venta Olmec Museum

Archaeology and Archaeo-Astronomy of the Classic Maya
Dec. 12-17, 2009 Only 2 spaces left on this tour!
Future Dates Jan. 5-10, 2010

A 5 night visit to the breathtaking Mayan ruins, lush jungle and spectacular views of the
highland rainforest of Palenque, Bonampak, Yaxchilan and La Venta Olmec Museum.

Guide on this journey will be archaeo-astronomy and archaeology expert Alfonso Morales. Alfonso is the Director of the Proyecto Grupo de las Cruces, an archaeological project excavating in the Cross Group of Palenque since 1997. He has a Master's degree from the Institute of Latin American Studies at the University of Texas at Austin and is currently a Ph.D. candidate in the same program. He has 33 years of experience guiding in the ruins of Palenque and elsewhere in the Maya World. He was recently featured in two History Channel programs about Palenque -- the "Lost World" series.

Sat. Dec. 12: Your journey begins with your flight into Villahermosa. As participants will be arriving at various times you'll overnight at the nearby Hilton Hotel where you can unwind after your day of travel and enjoy the hotel's restaurants, lovely swimming pool and very comfy beds. The HIlton's private airport shuttle will be waiting when you arrive to take you to the hotel.

Sun. Dec. 13: We begin our day with a visit of La Venta Olmec Museum, a unique outdoor museum. The first documentation of shamanistic practices in Mesoamerica occurs during the Formative period of the Olmec. Their highest civilization dates from 1,200 BC, although they were at their peak in this area from 800 to 300 BC. Many scholars believe the Olmec were the cradle civilization for the genepool of Mesoamerica, even calling the Olmecs ¨the mother culture of Mesoamerica.¨ A visit to this museum raises the question: We know the Olmec moved these huge basalt carvings weighing tons over more than a hundred miles -- How did they do it? One altar in La Venta Olmec Museum weighs over 30 tons. How they were able to create and transport these great works unaided by iron tools or the wheel?

Then to Palenque for a visit of the Palenque Archaeological Museum, with its impressive and extensive collection of artifacts from the site. Huge and very ornate incensarios, jade masks and jewelry and stele found on site are just part of the collection. Then we'll enjoy the lush rainforest setting and multi-level swimming pool at the Chan Kah Ruinas resort near the ruins in Palenque. Overnight Chan Kah Ruinas resort.

Mon. Dec. 14: Our exploration of the mysteries of the height of the ancient Maya -- the Classic Period -- begins with an entire day to visit the spectacular ruins of Palenque -- a UNESCO historical monument. Palenque is considered a world treasure. Ancient Maya structures built by the famous King Pakal and his son Chan Bahlum rise out of the lush rainforest on multiple terraces. Many famous inscriptions are on the facades of these temples and in their innermost sanctuaries, including an inscription that predicts events as far in the future as 4772 AD.

Palenque is exciting because of the vast amounts of information that has been painstakingly brought to light by archaeologists over the years. Our guide, Alfonso Morales, (who has been engaged in research at the Palenque site for many years) will share new information that has recently been discovered. Overnight at Chan Kah Ruinas resort in Palenque.

Tue. Dec. 15: Today we journey to Yaxchilan and Bonampak. First to Bonampak, home of famous Mayan murals. In the three rooms that house the murals the ancient colors remain clear and vital, making them an excellent representation of Mayan art. Bonampak also has some very well preserved stele that detail important historical moments and door lintels with detailed glyph writings.

Then we travel by boat down the mighty Usumacinta River to the tremendous archaeological site of Yaxchilan. Situated on the riverbanks, the site rises in levels to temples with breathtaking views of the rainforest stretching far into Guatemala. We'll see amazingly well preserved stele depicting ancient Mayan Queens who exerted great power engaged in important ceremonies. See howler monkeys and many exotic birds as we roam this well organized ancient Maya city.

At the end of the day we return to Palenque. Overnight at Chan Kah Ruinas resort in Palenque.

Wed. Dec. 16: Free day to explore Palenque on your own or choose an optional side excursion (such as Miso Ha waterfalls and Agua Azul) or depart on 3 day extension to San Cristobal de las Casas (see below). Late afternoon transfer to Villahermosa. Overnight Hilton Hotel Villahermosa.

Thu. Dec. 17: Early morning Hilton Hotel shuttle to nearby Villahermosa airport for departure.

If you would like to add on extra days in Palenque on your own you may. Just let us know and we'll make your hotel reservations.

Tour Specifics:
Only 1 space left on this tour - Future Dates Jan. 5-10, 2010
Cost: $875 per person (double occupancy). Single supplement add $250. This tour is limited to 18 participants.

Tour includes:

** 5 nights hotel and tourist taxes (Hilton Hotel in Villahermosa and Chan Kah Ruinas resort in Palenque)
** All ground transportation (in fully insured private air-conditioned van with licensed chauffeur)
** The services of a professional licensed guide
** Private boat trip to and from Yaxchilan
** Tourist transit at Bonampak
** 3 breakfasts and 2 lunches
** Tips to baggage handlers and housekeepers
** All other entry and guide fees for activities listed on the itinerary

For more information or to reserve your place on this special tour phone MayaSites Travel Services: U.S. office toll free 877-620-8715.
Outside of the U.S. (1) 505-255-2279) or e-mail us at mayasites@yahoo.com

Optional 3 Night Extension:
Modern Maya in San Cristobal de las Casas

Wed. Dec. 16: Journey to San Cristobal de las Casas. Along the way we'll stop at the beautiful Miso Ha waterfalls and also visit the archaeological site of Tonina. Toniná may have been built as early as 350 A.D. but one of its distinctions is having the last recorded date of the Maya long count. The building technique here is unique in its use of small rocks verses the larger type stones of other nearby sites. It also has a very well, preserved somewhat macabre fresco. Overnight at historic Casa Na Bolom in San Cristobal de la Casas.

Thu. Dec. 17: All day tour of the markets, museums and colonial churches of San Cristobal de las Casas. First we'll visit the huge outdoor community market for a unique taste of modern Maya culture. Not a market slanted toward tourism, this market is the heartbeat and center for the entire Mayan economy of the Chiapas highlands. Many Maya groups are represented with a full array of traditional goods that each group specializes in -- textiles, jade, amber, carvings, incense, candles and a wide variety of foods. We'll visit the Jade Museum and Amber Museum which showcase the exemplary skills of local stone carvers. We'll also visit the weaver's cooperative with its informative displays and have time to shop for or just admire the extremely intricate and ornate huipiles at the textile and handicrafts market adjacent to the Santo Domingo Temple. Overnight at Casa Na Bolom.

Fri. Dec. 18: This morning we'll visit the village of San Juan Chamula with its famous Maya church where one can observe the modern religious practices of the Maya. It’s a moving experience ... one to be cherished. Then we'll visit the Tzotzil village of Zinacantán with its renowned embroidered textiles. In the afternoon we'll enjoy the stunning vistas of San Cristobal provided by a trek up to the Temple of the Virgin of Guadalupe church. Overnight at Casa Na Bolom.

Sat. Dec. 19: Morning free time to explore San Cristobal on your own. Mid-day we journey back to Villahermosa. Overnight at Hilton Hotel in Villahermosa. (Optional: Fly out of Tuxtla Gutierrez -- about an 1 hour from San Cristobal -- and deduct cost of overnight in Villahermosa.)

Sun. Dec. 20: Early morning shuttle to airport for departure.

Cost of 3 night extension will be from $450-$600 per person depending on number of participants. Includes all ground transportation, hotels, 3 breakfasts, entry and guide fees.

All photographs and text Copyright 2000-2009.
MayaSites Travel Services. All rights reserved.