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Dec. 15: Your adventure begins with your evening flight from Guatemala City to Flores (closest airport to Tikal). We'll be met at the airport by a friendly driver who will transfer us to Hotel Esplendido (located on the lake across from Flores Island) for overnight. Dec. 16: We begin the day with a walking tour of Flores and the small archaeological site of Tayasal (former Maya name of Flores before the Spanish conquest). Then we go to Lake Yaxhá (where "Survivor Guatemala" was filmed). On the banks of its beautiful lagoon is the Maya ruin site of Yaxhá ("Green Water"). Yaxhá was the third largest Maya city in the Peten (after El Mirador & Tikal) and has an unusual layout for the region. Its twin pyramid complexes, 9 acropolis', plazas and more than 500 structures are connected by sacbés (ancient elevated roads) in a manner more similar to Maya sites in the Yucatan. The views of the jungle from the 30 meter high Structure 216 are breathtaking. Birds, butterflies, spider and howler monkeys abound at this remote jungle site. Then we'll take a boat trip to the nearby island ruins at Topoxte ("Ramon Tree"). Topoxte also has unusual architectural features, including columns that are much like those found at the Yucatan site of Chichen Itza. In the late afternoon we check in at our hotel where we'll have time to relax and enjoy lovely Lake Peten. Overnight at Camino Real Tikal where comfort and the jungle meet on the glimmering blue waters of Lake Peten Itza, the second largest lake in Guatemala. The resort is part of the Cerro Cahui natural reserve, home to over 400 bird species. Each bungalow overlooks the lake and has magnificent views from the private balconies. Dec. 17: Early morning we'll visit the Maya ruins at Uaxactun. Archaeologists have determined that the four major structures there were probably used for astronomical studies as they are aligned to the sunrise on equinoxes and solstices. Uaxactun is located in the 1.65 million hectare Maya Biosphere Reserve, which is part of the largest body of intact tropical forest in Central America. Then we go to nearby Tikal Park where we'll have the remainder of the day to visit the spectacular Mayan ruins at Tikal. One of the most famous and beautiful of Maya sites, Tikal’s massive and steep pyramids (one is over 200 feet high) loom above the lush jungle of the Peten where one can observe spider and howler monkeys and numerous bird species such as toucans, parrots and macaws in the towering ceiba trees. At its peak Tikal was home to an estimated 100,000 people and the site has over 3,000 structures within a six square mile area. Well preserved glyphic texts tell of a dynamic historical record spanning over 1,000 years, including a very old long-count inscription date of 292 AD. Those who want to can climb the highest pyramid, Temple 4, and get a birds-eye view of the site above the jungle canopy. We'll also visit the Sylvanus Morley Museum. At the end of the day we'll go to the Flores airport for 7:55 pm departing flight for Guatemala City. |
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Tour Specifics
for those doing this tour only or continuing on to join the
Dec. 17-23
Guatemala Highlands tour: Date: December 15-17, 2012 This tour is limited to 18 participants. The cost of this tour is $730 per person double occupancy. Single hotel supplement is $120. Contact us about discounted price for repeat clients! Tour includes: -- 2 nights hotel and tourist taxes. -- All ground transportation in privately chauffeured van with a/c including pick up and drop off at the Flores airport. -- 2 breakfasts and 2 lunches per person. -- Private boat trip to Topoxte Island. -- All other entry and guide fees for activities listed on the itinerary. -- The all day services of one of our expert licensed guides on the days you tour the ruins and archaeological sites. Tour does not include airfare to/from Flores. Flights from other countries connect through Guatemala City. Contact us about best air ticket prices from your departing airport. |
Tour
specifics for those continuing on to join the
Dec. 18-23 Palenque area tour:
Rather than flying to Guatemala City on Dec. 17, instead you'll overnight at
the Hotel Esplendido (located on the lake across from Flores Island).
The following day, Dec. 18, you'll travel by land and boat to Palenque where
you will join the group there. Date: December 15-18, 2012 This tour is limited to 18 participants. The cost of this tour is $945 per person double occupancy. Single hotel supplement is $180. Contact us about discounted price for repeat clients! Tour includes: -- 3 nights hotel and tourist taxes. -- All ground transportation in privately chauffeured van with a/c including pick up at the Flores airport and transfer to Palenque. -- 3 breakfasts and 2 lunches per person. -- Private boat trip to Topoxte Island and across the border to Mexico. -- All other entry and guide fees for activities listed on the itinerary. -- The all day services of one of our expert licensed guides on the days you tour the ruins and archaeological sites. Tour does not include airfare to Flores. Flights from other countries connect through Guatemala City. Contact us about best air ticket prices from your departing airport. |
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