The Maya In Guatemala And… (trip)
The Maya In Guatemala And Belize
- Guatemala airport, Guatemala City
- Culture & Nature
| from £4,200* per person | 15 Days | November |
| Comfort accommodations | Exertion level: 3 | |
| Operator: Andante Travels | 12 people max | |
Yet despite this, the Maya still present mysteries: how could such an obviously civilised society have emerged in the tropical forest, which seems a particularly hostile setting for human culture? Who exactly were the builders of the marvellous pyramids and palaces? Why, at the time of the Spanish conquest in the 16th century had all knowledge of them already been lost? Had some sudden, terrible disaster befallen them?
Much of Guatemala and Belize is still covered in jungle as it would have been in most of the ancient Maya period, making it easier to imagine the lives of these people, and making our journey adventurous as we dine with the roar of the howler monkeys and pick our way through dense vegetation, with brilliant macaw in the branches above, and the occasional sighting of giant iguana and crocodile.
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Locations visited/nearby
Belize, Guatemala, Central America
Itinerary
Day OneFly to Guatemala City and transfer to our hotel in Antigua.
Day Two
All day discovering the beautiful colonial city of Antigua: before the real adventures begin....
Day Three
Drive east, visiting the National Museum of Archaeology and Ethnography in Guatemala City, with superb collections including the throne depicting the twin rulers.
Day Four
Copán lies amongst the gentle uplands of Honduras, a city which developed rapidly around AD 450.
Day Five
Quirigua, important Classic Maya city with gigantic carved stelae. Once vassal state to Copán, Quirigua came to dominance when its ruler ‘Cauac Sky’ captured his overlord, ‘18 Rabbit’. Continue to Livingston on the coast and arrive by boat at the hotel gardens.
Day Six
A journey inland by motor-launch up the Rio Dulce, through jungle and mangrove swamps, to Castillo San Felipe. Continue by road to Tikal.
Day Seven
All day in the incomparable Maya metropolis of Tikal, a site occupied continuously from 800BC to AD900. For long periods Tikal was the most powerful political force among the Maya. The architecture here is very fine.
Day Eight
We stay close enough to Tikal to rise early and climb the highest temples at daybreak to witness the surrounding jungle coming to life, a wonderful experience, not to be missed. Optional excursion to the little island town of Flores this afternoon, or take time to relax in our lake-side hotel with pool.
Day Nine
By boat to the city of Yaxhá (= blue-green water), with magnificent vistas from its temple tops of rain-forest and lakes. The important Maya site of Topoxte occupies an island in one of the lake. Continue across the border into Belize.
Day Ten
Head further into the forests to the impressive Maya city of Caracol, with its awe-inspiring temples, including the ‘Canaa’ or ‘Sky Palace’, the tallest pyramid in Belize. A lengthy and bumpy but exciting journey with an extraordinary goal.
Day Eleven
Smaller vehicles to visit Xunantunich, with its well-known stucco friezes, and then on to the Classic period site of Cahal Pech, by the banks of the Macal River. Continue to Belize City and the collections of the National Museum.
Day Twelve
Explore the Classic period site of Altun Ha; by motor launch to Lamanai (place of the Crocodile), cruising through luxurious vegetation rich with birdlife. We stay in the delightful eco jungle lodges here and fall asleep amidst the rumour of howler monkeys and other forest noises.
Day Thirteen
Day exploring the remote jungle remains of Lamanai, the ruins spreading along the shore of the lagoon. The long, uninterrupted occupation of Lamanai from 1200BC to the time of the conquest makes this a most unusual city. A highlight here is the extraordinary Mask Temple. Free time in our lodge and its gardens.
Day Fourteen
By boat from Lamanai, coach to Belize City airport for flight Miami/London.
Day Fifteen
Arrive in London.
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