See the The Maya Empire for yourself on an adventure of discovery that will put you in the center of the action!

Experience a night photo hunt for crocodiles, the wilderness of the Maya Biosphere Reserve and the beauty of Maya Sites along the Petexbatun Lake.

This 8-day itinerary to visit Tikal, Yaxha, Ceibal, and Aguateca also features the chance to enjoy a jungle canopy tour to witness the jungle top at eye level.

Itinerary

Lodging

Meals

Day 1: Arrival/Guatemala City

Arrive Guatemala city airport, where you will be met and taken to the Hotel Santa Clara. Enjoy a welcome drink at your hotel, before enjoying dinner.at one of the many great restaurants in the Zona Viva of Guatemala City.

Welcome to Guatemala!

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Day 2: To Tikal, center of the Maya Empire

Enjoy a morning flight to Flores so as to have a full day exploring Tikal, considered to be one of the most important centers of power in the Maya Empire.

In addition to the impressive Great Plaza, your guided tour this morning will also visit the early astronomic center at the Mundo Perdido (lost world) and Temple 4, the highest temple in the Maya world--site of one the best jungle views in the hemisphere (it was even used as a backdrop during Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back!).

Tikal, in Guatemala's Peten department, is a great for exploring, and learning about the ancient Maya

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Day 3: Nature/Birding walk or Jungle canopy tour and to Yaxha

This morning choose from one of two different ways to learn more about the jungle around you--with either a nature/birding walk with an experienced naturalist, or by viewing the heights of the jungle with a fascinating canopy tour. Whichever you choose, you cannot go wrong!

Guatemala has many jungles, this one is in the Maya ruins of Yaxha, not far from Tikal

Fun on jungle vines!

After breakfast, you will leave Tikal behind in order to go behind the scenes at Yaxha, site of the teams camps and the archaeological site, backdrop for the competition.

You will have the chance for a crocodile (photographic) hunt this evening on Lake Yaxha-- we recommend AGAINST swimming in the lake, but it is a great place for a croc photo shoot!

Lake Yaxha is circled by Maya sites such as Yaxha and Topoxte. The lake is also close to Tikal and other major Maya ruins.

El Sombrero Eco-Lodge

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Day 4: Yaxha filming site, Topoxte site

Today we focus on the of recent filming--the areas where the teams lived and competed, the area where the film crew lived and the archaeological ruins that surrounded everything!

After, we will visit the ruins at Topoxte, a unique Maya site located on a small island in Lake Yaxha. Many strange burials were found here, evidence of shamanistic rituals which became more pronounced as the Maya Empire began to decline in the 900s.

Topoxte is the only major Maya city built on an island, and is located very close to Yaxha and Tikal

El Sombrero Eco-Lodge.

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Day 5: Lake Petaxbatun area

After a lakeside breakfast, we will travel by van and boat to Lake Petaxbatun, an area full of Mayan history and natural beauty.

Lake Petaxbatun in Guatemala is a naturalist and archaeologists dream, full of flora, fauna, and significant Maya sites such as Dos Pilas, Aguateca, Seibal and Chiminos

Marguey cat on Maya stela at Chiminos

You will stay at the Chiminos lodge, perhaps the nicest eco-lodge in Guatemala. The lodge is located right on the lake, and adjacent to the Chiminos archaeological site, a peninsular site that was used due to its defensible terrain.

Guatemala is home to some of the finest eco-lodges in the Americas; the Punto de Chiminos lodge is one of our favorites

Lovely and comfortable lodging at the Chiminos Lodge.

Chiminos Lodge

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Day 6: Aguateca

Today we make our way by boat to Aguateca, a Maya site that has yielded a great deal of information about the Maya Empire. This is because the area was burned as a defense against attacks by enemies and was abandoned very rapidly, leaving many archaeological records of daily life there.

The limestone walls and high cliffs around Aguateca make for exciting exploration, and stir the imagination about what life was like at one of the most conflictive sights in the Maya world.

You will have plenty of time to explore here, and the rest of the day will be free to further enjoy the lodge and the surrounding area.

We are blessed to have one of the best guides in Guatemala, Tammy Ridenour of Maya Expeditions, working with us on our Guatemala itineraries

Chiminos Lodge

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Day 7: Final day in the heart of the Maya Empire

Enjoy a leisurely morning before leaving our Chiminos paradise for Flores and an afternoon flight back to Guatemala City.

Once there, settle into your hotel before a great farewell dinner at Kakao, home of the finest Guatemalan cuisine in the city.

Hotel Santa Clara

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Day 8: Departure

Enjoy your last morning in Guatemala before your transfer to the Guatemala City airport for your trip home.

You are sure to be full of stories about your Guatemala experience, in the very footsteps of the ancient Maya.

Thanks for coming to experience The Maya Empire!

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Trip price includes:

• The services of a bilingual guide throughout the trip,
• All lodging,
• All excursions (including guided exploration of Tikal, Yaxha, Topoxte, Chiminos and Aguateca, along with either the morning bird walk with naturalist or the canopy tour at Tikal; the night photo hunt for crocodiles on Lake Yaxha, and the tour of recent filming locations).
• All transfers and transportation (land, air and water).
• All meals, as noted in the itinerary.
• All archaeological site entrance fees.

Trip Price

With at least 4 travelers: $1650 per person, double occupancy

(trip price decreases with more group members up to a max group size of 12, please This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information)
Single supplement, if you want your own room throughout: $250

Not included in trip price:

• Airfare to and from Guatemala City, Guatemala (airport code GUA), where the trip begins.
• (our US representative, Earl Fox at American Travel International, can often find you some great deals—we recommend calling him at 1-(719) 578-0011   (during normal business hours, mountain standard time
• Tips for guides, drivers, waitresses, hotel staff, etc.
• Personal purchases such as souvenirs, handicrafts, snacks and alcoholic beverages.