Discover Guatemala: Expedition to the Lost Mayan Ruins
“Between every two trees
is a doorway into the new world”
John Muir
Dates: March 2027
Duration 12 days*
I invite you to take part in the travel to Guatemala as I know it – the Land of Magic, Nature and Power.
Our trip will lead you by the path hardly accessible for a regular tourist. We will visit the places that unite the beauty of the nature and culture of this unique region of the World.
This is an adventure in the search of the treasures, such as:
- Unforgettable impressions of the new landcapes
- New information and first hand experience of true explorers
- The joy of the new discoveries and contacts
- The satisfaction of the overcoming the true challenges and gaining new achievements
- The privilege of living the true life in all its extend
What could be the better prize!
The translation of the name “Guatemala” means “the land of the trees”. The name comes from the Nahuatl language from the indigenous troops from Mexico, who accompanied the first Europeans arriving to the region. But they simply translated the meaning from one of the many Mayan languages of local peoples.
To our days Guatemala is famous for its dense tropical forests, in some areas never touched by a man’s axe in a modern era. In those pristine woods the most ancient and spectacular temples of the Mayan civilization are still hidden from the eyes of explorers. To be able to see and touch them we need to make an real expedition, walking the hidden trails for days. Only few people dare to make this demanding trip each year.
And I invite you to become one of those joining our group.
But in addition of the tropical trails Guatemala offers active volcanoes in its mountains part, as well as the virgin beaches of the Pacific shore.
And we will see it all!
The details of the trip:
The Expedition will be held in the manner of “Deep Adventure”, which require some physical efforts, some days without usual urban comfort.
In the jungle we will make long walks through trails with the local guide. All the gear, water and food will be carried by the caravan of mules. Extra horses could be provided for the ones who may find long walks to demanding for their condition.
In the other parts of the trip private transportation will be provided.
I will accompany you all the time, providing professional assistance, translation and issue solving 24 hour a day.
First part – Tropical Forest and hidden ancient Mayan cities:
Day 1 – Arrival to Guatemala City
Your group arrives at International airport of Guatemala-City. There you will be met by the trip leader and transferred to the local hotel to have a rest from the long trip.
Day 2 – Flores – the pearl of the tropics
On this day we fill take a local flight to the tropical region of Guatemala, where the beautiful lake Peten-Itza is situated.
We will visit one of many caves located around the lake. The caves for the ancient and modern Maya people are considered to be portals into the Underworld.
In the afternoon we will spend time on the island of Flores, which basically is a Mayan pyramid with the whole colonial city build over it.
We will have some beach time on the shore of the lake.
Day 3 – Start if the jungle trail
On this day we will meet our local guides who will take us to the jungle trail. After the instructions and preparations, all the equipment will be loaded onto mules for the trip and we’re off!
Then we will start our hike trough the dense tropical forest to the first stop of our route – an ancient Mayan city of Tintal. We will have a chance to observe the wildlife of this region, rich with all set of tropical species.
In the place we appreciate the Henequén pyramid, which has a height of 47 meters. At the end of the day we will set up a camp on the central square of the ancient city.
There are not many places in the world, where it is allowed to climb ancient temples without the limits of mass tourism rules, and we will be at one of them. If the weather allows us we will have a chance to see the sunset from the top of it – which hovers above the canopy of the tropical forest.
Day 4 – Arrival to the biggest ancient Mayan city – El Mirador
Today we will take a long trip through the jungle to the most spectacular ruins of the Mayan world. Once it was the biggest urban settlement of humanity of its epoch. Barely excavated, it still lies below the vegetation for most of the area, but offers unique opportunity to see and touch real and authentic history.
Upon arrival at the Mirador we will settle the camp and rest. When the night approaches, we will climb to watch the sunset from La Danta pyramid and make a night exploration of the surroundings, to return to the camp for dinner.
Day 5 – Exploration of the Mayan temples
The previous day we said farewell to the setting sun. After a whole night under the canopy of the pristine jungle forest, surrounded by the mysterious ruins of the biggest settlement of the ancient world, we will be ready to meet the new sun on the top of “El Tigre” pyramid. We will watch the jungle awakening, listen to the roars of the howler monkeys and songs of birds as the sun appears on the horizon.
Before us stands the majestic pyramid “La Danta”, the base occupies the area of 17 football fields, and a height of 10 meters higher than Temple IV of Tikal.
Unlike other places, El Mirador is truly a lost world! Full of unopened tombs 800 years older than Tikal. We return to the camp where we have breakfast and take a short rest and then enjoy a guided tour of the rest of the site. Lunch at the camp and then we head to the majestic “La Danta” temple where we will again enjoy the sunset over a green sea of jungle.
Day 6 – Return hike
We make the return trip along the same route via Tintal. Another day and night in the tropical jungle will give us a chance to observe the wildlife of this land, untouched by the human being throughout centuries.
Day 7 – Arrival back to the modern world
We proceed to the final point of our trail to be transported back to Flores. The rest of this day will be dedicated to the beach and walk around activities to restore from intensive experience away from any civilization.
Day 8 – Visit of the picturesque Tikal ruins
Today we transfer to Tikal National Park to explore the amazing UNESCO protected Mayan Temple site of Tikal where huge Mayan temples rise above the jungle canopy and monkeys and tropical birds are abundant in the surrounding rainforest. Well explored and developed as a touristic attraction, this site anyway offers picturesque places, iconic temples and some secrets that not many visitors know – and we will explore them thoroughly.
After lunch, transfer to Flores, then take a flight to Guate City, when arrival transfer to Antigua Guatemala.
Second part – Highlands of Guatemala
Day 9 – Antigua
Today you will take a walking tour of Antigua. The ciy where the time has stopped century ago and was well preserved by the eruption of the nearest Vulcan. The tour takes us to the main square, Palace, Cathedral, La Merced Church & San Francisco Church.
Afternoon free time to explore for your own. At night, is the conditions would be right, we will make a short hike to the nearest mountain to see the glowing eruption of Acatenango Vulcan.
Day 10 – To the Beach
Morning free time at Antigua, afternoon transfer to shores of Pacific ocean.
Third part – The Ocean
Days 11 – The Beach
We will spend another two days on the beach of the biggest Ocean of our planet. This will be the time to restore and recharge ourselves with the immense power of that sacred source of Life.
Days 12 – Back to Guatemala City
This day after saying farewell to the Ocean, the start our trip back to Guatemala-City. That will be a time to recall all the memories of the past days, to settle down the experience gained, the challenges overcome, the gifts received.
Transfer to the airport. Leaving back to your home.
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*Possible additional days
At the request some extra days may be included in the first part of the trip.
Expedition dates: February-March, duration 12-14 days
What is included:
- Hotels and other types of staying during all days of the program
- Breakfasts where the hotels offer this option
- Full package of meals and drinking water during the jungle trail
- Transportation within the route
- Synchronous translation from Spanish to English and vice versa
- Accompaniment by a travel leader
- Entrance fees to archeological places and natural reserves
- Local guides in some places
What is not included:
- International flight to/from Guatemala
- Meals apart from the ones indicated above
- Entrance fees to Guatemala
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance
- Tips
Interested?
Write me your message and I will provide you all the further details about the price and conditions of the trip.
*The places in the list are for reference only and may be changed in real route without loosing the essence and integrity of the program.