Ancient Maya Science and Culture in the Ruins of Guatemala - Tikal, Yaxha, Siebal and Lake Peten Itza
A travel course for the students of Professors Curt Vander Vere and Rob Cooley at Pennsylvania College of Technology.
This seven day tour and lecture series will investigate Maya ruins from both historical and scientific standpoints. The first two days in Guatemala City will give students the chance to see the archaeological treasures housed in the National Museum of Anthropology and the ruins of one of the oldest Maya cities, Kaminaljuyu. Day trips will be filled with exciting boat trips and hikes through jungle shrouded ruins. New Years Eve and day will be spent at Tikal. Lectures on Maya history, archaeoastronomy, calendars, hieroglyphs and architecture will be presented during the evenings.
| Ancient Maya Science and Culture in the Ruins of Guatemala - Tikal, Yaxha, Siebal and Lake Peten Itza | |||
| Price | To be arranged through PCT | ||
| Date | December 28 - January 4, 2011 (revised itinerary) | ||
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| December 28, Tuesday: Arrival and Orientation 12-1pm: Fly into Guatemala City at 12:10pm, shuttle to Holiday Inn 1-2pm: Orientation meeting and lunch at Miraflores complex 2-5pm: Miraflores Museum (Kaminaljuyu ruins) 6-7:30pm: Lecture - Ancient Maya History Overnight in Guatemala City |
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December 29, Wednesday: National Anthropology Museum 8-9am: Breakfast 9-12am: Free time to look around Zone 9 12-1pm: Lunch 1-4pm: National Anthropology Museum 4-7:30pm: Airport and flight to Flore 7:30-8pm: Transport to and check in at Hotel Santana Overnight in Flores, Hotel Santana |
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December 30, Thursday: Lake Peten Itza 8-9am: Breakfast 9-10am: Walking tour of Flores 10-12pm: Boat to Island Museum tour 12-2pm: Lunch break 2-4pm: Boat to Petencito Zoo 5-6pm: Lecture - Maya Sacred Geometry Overnight in Flores, Hotel Santana |
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December 31, Friday: Yaxha 7-8am: Breakfast 8-10am: Transport to Yaxha 10-3pm: Tour of Yaxha and picnic 3-5pm: Transport to Tikal 6-7pm: Lecture - Tikal, Rome of the Maya World Overnight in The Jaguar Inn, Tikal |
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January 1, Saturday: Tikal - New Years Day! 5-7am: Dawn on top of Temple IV 7-9am: Breakfast 9-1pm: Tour of Tikal 1-3pm: Lunch Break 3-5pm: Onsite Museums Overnight at the Jaguar Inn, Tikal |
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January 2, Sunday: Flores 8-9am: Breakfast 9-11pm: Zip line adventure at Tikal 11-1pm: Hotel check in and lunch Afternoon: Free time in Flores Overnight at Hotel Santana, Flores |
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January 3, Monday: Seibal 7-8am: Breakfast 8-9am: Transport to Sayaxche 9-10pm: Boat to Siebal 10-2pm: Tour and Picnic at Siebal 2-5pm: Return to Flores 7-9pm: FInal Dinner and closing ceremonies Overnight in Hotel Santana |
| January 4, Tusday: Departure 6am: Breakfast and check out 7am: At the Flores airport for flights out |
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LODGING
Flores: Hotel Santana, on the lake shore.
Hotel services include AC, cable TV, phones, pool, on-site restaurant and room service.
Tikal: The Jaguar Inn, inside the ruins. Hotel services include fans, private baths, internet, on-site restaurant.
Guatemala City: The Holiday Inn, Zone 9. Hotel services include AC, TV, private baths, internet, on-site restaurant.
PRICE INCLUDES
- Lodging- Breakfasts and lunches
- The final dinner
- Ground and water transportation
- Entrance fees
- Guiding
- Lectures and course resource packet
PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE
- Airfare to Guatemala City and Flores- Travel insurance
- Dinners
- Tips for Service Providers (drivers, maids, etc..)
Proceeds from MEC Travel courses and tours are the center's primary source of research funding. As such, a portion of the tour costs are tax deductible. MEC will provide participants with receipts and proper documentation regarding the center's 501(c)(3) non-profit status for your records.







