DAY 1 - TEMPLES OF TIKAL - (L,D)
Meet & Greet at Flores Airport and transfer to the Tikal National Park.
Hidden for 1,000 years in the midst of rainforests teeming with wildlife
are enormous ceremonial cities with magnificent Temples and Pyramids built by the mysterious Mayan people.
Of the park's 222 square miles only 10 square miles of central Tikal has been mapped.
Oer 3,000 separate buildings have been revealed including temples, shrines, ceremonial platforms, residences, ball courts, terraces, causeways and plazas.
THE TEMPLES OF TIKAL in the Peten region
of Guatemala is the most fabulous site of all!
Overnight stay at the Jungle Lodge Hotel or The Tikal Inn, situated in the heart of the Tikal National Park.
Imagine the ceremonies where human sacrifices were offered to the Gods.
Listen carefully and you will hear the still-beating heart of a dying Civilisation . . .
"America, say historians, was
peopled by savages; but savages never reared these structures; savages never carved these stones." John Lloyd
Stephens, Explorer (1839)
DAY 2 - ISLA FLORES - (B,L,D)
The adventurous can get up before dawn to watch the sun rise from the top of Temple IV and after breakfast there will be more time to explore Tikal on your own.
When you are ready you will be driven to the island of Flores on Lake Peten Itza.
En route a visit will be made to the famous caves of Act n Kan or "la cueva de la serpiente" (the cave of the serpent) found just outside of Santa Elena, it has some lovely
natural rock formations which suggest animals, humans and various scenes.
The caves are kept lit constantly from 7 A.M. to 5 P.M. to facilitate movement within. Thus, the 50 curiously
formed stalagmites and stalactites are readily visible. They ve been dubbed with picturesque names such as: "Elephant s Foot", "Lady
of the Grotto" and "Rain God" among others.
After lunch on the shores of the lagoon you will enjoy a relaxing sunset boat trip on the lake in a "launcha" (wooden motorboat).
Besides the indigenous wildlife, some of which roam freely on the island, there is a good size "Wet & Wild" type water-slide, which makes for a great way to cool off in the heat of the day.
On request your boat captain will stop at the Itza Mayan city of Tayasal which was not taken by the Spanish
until 1697. Cortez had passed through here in 1525. All traces of Tayasal were destroyed by the Spanish.
It is also fun to explore the cobbled streets lined with handicraft stores, shopping for Guatemalan goodies. The shops stay open into the evening and you can purchase wonderful
garments made of fabulous woven fabrics.
Overnight stay at the colonial-style La Casona de la Isla Hotel overlooking the lake.
This hotel is located on the waterfront of Lake Peten Itza. It has a restaurant, a bar, a swimming pool, and is located quite close to the main markets in Flores. This is a great place to spend the final night of the trip, as it offers a unique cultural experience and insights into Guatemalan village life.
OPTIONAL EXTRA:
The adventurous can add a CANOPY ADVENTURE TOUR an exhilarating experience near the Tikal National Park.
You can fly like Tarzan on a series of safe platforms and cables, formerly accessible solely to scientists and photographers, installed in the beautiful leafy trees. At the Canopy Tour you
will be able to view jungle life from a bird's eye perspective and enjoy soaring from tree to tree. This tour through the forest treetops offers you an exciting experience high above the forest
floor. It is fun and daring, but safe. Watch and listen to the toucans, parrots and monkeys playing in the trees while you take in the beauty of the jungle.
DAY 3 - DEPARTURE - (B)
Breakfast is followd by free time to explore Flores on your own or relax by the swimming pool.
Your private driver/guide will arrive at your convenience to transfer you to
Flores Airport for the morning or afternoon flight to Belize City or Guatemala City or any other destination that has been pre-arranged.
Time permitting an optional tour can be arranged to ARCAS - The nearby Asociaci n de Rescate y Consevaci n de Vida Silvestre (ARCAS), a wildlife rescue center. Animals being
cared for include - macaws, green and yellow parrots, jaguars, howler and spider monkeys, kinkajous and coatimundis that have been rescued from smugglers in the illegal pet trade.
At the center, the animals are rehabilitated for their hopeful release back into the wild.
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