Following the Sacred Monkey River - Mundo Maya Chiapas/Guatemala
Following the Sacred Monkey River
Classic Mundo Maya
Join us for a journey through the heart of the Classic Maya lowlands as we follow the Usumacinta watershed from its mouth on the Gulf of Mexico to the headwaters of the Rio de la Pasion and Tikal. We will explore the iconic sites of Palenque & Tikal, the well-preserved murals of Bonampak, the incredible stone carvings of Yaxchilan, and the relatively undiscovered Sayaxhe sites. Adding to the Classic Maya story and spectacular sites, we will be in some of the wildest natural areas of the region passing through the Selva Lacandona and Peten area of Guatemala. This trip is designed for first-time Maya trip and experienced Mayanist with knowledgeable leadership and local experts throughout the trip. The Usumacinta river is a great landscape to tell the story of the Classic Maya Period with architectural triumphs and stunning political defeats; all with an incredible backdrop of rich tropical forests and wildlife.
Activities: Archeology, Hiking, Wildlife Observation, Cultural Interchange
Trip Level: Easy to Moderate
Lodging: Hotels, Ecolodges
9-Day Trip Departs: Feb - August
Land Cost: From $2,175
Itinerary Highlights
Day 1: Arrive in Villahermosa, transfer to Palenque
Day 2: Full day to enjoy Palenque archeology site and museum.
Day 3: Introduction to Selva Lacandona and Lacandon Maya and the fantastic mural on Bonampak and the Usumacinta River.
Day 4: Boat ride to Yaxchilan spotting wildlife, archeology site exploration, transfer to Sayaxche
Day 5: Chiminos Island Lodge/ Laguna Petexbatun and Aguateca site. Relatively undiscovered sites and spectacular tropical forests.
Day 6: Jungle trek to Dos Pilas.
Day 7: El Ceibal archeology site, the island city of Flores and Lake Peten Itza
Day 8: Tikal National Park and archeology site with early morning birding and wildlife observation.
Day 9: Depart
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