DAY 3 - TEMPLES OF TIKAL - (B,L,D)
After breakfast transfer to the Tikal National Park. En route a stop will be made on the edge of lovely Lake Peten Itza at El
Remate, an area reknowned for its wonderful wood carvings.
There are a few lakeside market stalls where you can meet some of the delightful Mayan people and the friendly children who
make it very hard to resist a bargain.
Of the Tikal National Park's 222 square miles only 10 square miles of central Tikal has been mapped and over 3,000 separate buildings have been revealed: 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!
A guided tour covers the impressive Great Plaza, the Mundo Peridido (the Lost World) and climbing to the top of Temple IV, the highest temple in the Maya world - the site of one of the best jungle views in the World. This awesome setting was used as
the hidden rebel base on the Planet Yavin during the filming of George Lucas' Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back!.
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 4 - IXPANPAJUL / ISLA FLORES - (B,L)
After breakfast it is time for a 40 minute transfer to Ixpanpajul National Park for a day of adventure and fun. The Park is run by a group of Guatemalans involved in Natural Sciences and the Environment. In this pleasant environment you can also enjoy a variety of activities or simply have a rest while you fill your lungs with fresh air and delight in the enchanting countryside surrounding this incomparable place. The activities are included in the cost of your tour and there is also optional ATV Rentals (US$ 15 for half hour, US$ 25 for one hour) which you can arrange on arrival.
SKYWAY
Walking on impressive hanging bridges and winding paths full of exuberant vegetation will give you the opportunity to have a direct contact with nature. During the walk you can learn about the different layers of tropical forest, crossing hanging bridges which in stages will bring you to the paths that finally reach the summit of Miramás, a hill from which you can contemplate the majesty of the jungle and the impressive beauty of Lake Petén Itzá.
REST IN THE MIRADOR
During this half hour you can rest in a comfortable hammock as you admire a 360 degree view of the majestic forest of the Peten.
Next you can choose between a bike, tractor or horse ride through the forest, along a path which takes you to an area surrounded by an orchard full of fruit trees, enjoying at the same time spectacular views of the park's surroundings and learning about the different species of local flora.
TARZAN CANOPY TOUR
Now for the highlight of the day when you can fly like Tarzan through nine platforms and cables 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.
Late afternoon you will be driven to the island of Flores on Lake Peten Itza for a sunset lancha cruise on the lake.
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. We have not included Dinner tonight to allow you the freedom to choose between eating in the hotel restaurant or sampling one of the island restaurants.
DAY 5 - DEPARTURE - (B)
Transfer to the airport in Flores at a time most convenient to your departure flights. Those heading to Belize can choose between departing on the Maya Island Air Flight 302 departing at 9.50 AM or Flight 304 departing at 3.50 PM flight to Belize International Airport depending on your departure or onward arrangements.
We can also arrange pick up and drop offs at the Belize border and at any hotel in San Ignacio in Belize. See Transfers under the
rates below. |
Whilst Europe was deep in the "Dark Ages", the inhospitable and hostile jungles of
Central America were being transformed into the home of one of the World's Great
Civilisations - The Maya Empire.
Temples, Pyramids and Palaces were built by peasant farmers and slaves
without the benefit of beasts of burden or even the wheel.
These were painted in the
sacred colours of the Maya; red, blue, yellow and green and were ruled over by
immensely powerful Kings who were regarded as living Gods by their subjects.
Meet & Greet at Flores Airport or the Belize/Guatemala Border and transfer to the Ecolodge El Sombrero situated on the edge of Yaxha
Lagoon for a two night stay.
After a guided tour of the site, return to the Lodge to relax in hammocks overlooking the lake. This evening there is an exciting night tour - Crocodile Watching on Lake Yaxha - great photo opportunity!
Today the focus is on the film locations for SURVIVOR: GUATEMALA including the areas where the teams lived and competed, the area where the film crew lived and the archaeological ruins that surround everything!
