Dec 9-16, 2023

Ancient Maya Cities of the Peten Rainforest

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This eight day journey will take you through the remote Maya ruins of Guatemala's Peten rainforest.

Participants will fly into Flores on a Saturday afternoon and attend the first lecture that evening. After a day exploring the island of Flores and Lake Peten Itza, the group will spend two full days at Tikal, including dawn atop massive Temple IV and a visit to its remote sister city Uaxactun.

The last two days of the trip will be spent exploring two more remote ancient Maya cities - Siebal and Yaxha. A final Friday night group dinner will bring the adventure to a ceremonial close. Participants will fly out the next morning or stay to explore more on their own. Full itinerary

Lake Peten Itza, Tikal, Uaxacatun, Siebal and Yaxha

Itinerary

  • Day 1: Saturday, DEC 9

    • Lake Peten Itza

    • All Day: Arrivals to Flores, Peten
    • 5:30-6pm: Orientation meeting
    • 6-7pm: Lecture: The Last Kingdom of the Maya - The Itza
    • Overnight in Flores
  • Day 2: Sunday, DEC 10

    • Lake Peten Itza

    • 8-9am: Breakfast at hotel
    • 9-12pm: Tour of Flores
    • 12-1pm: Lunch break
    • 1-4pm: Boat trip on the lake - zoo and museum
    • 6-7pm: Lecture: Tikal - Rome of the Maya World
    • Overnight in Flores
  • Day 3: Monday, December 11

    • Tikal

    • 6-7am: Breakfast and check out
    • 7-8:30am: Transport to Tikal
    • 8:30-12pm: Exploring Tikal
    • 12-2pm: Lunch break
    • 2-5pm: Exploring Tikal
    • Overnight in Tikal
  • Day 4: Tuesday, DEC 12

    • Tikal

    • 4-7am: Dawn from atop Temple IV
    • 7-9pm: Breakfast break
    • 10-12pm: Visit current excavations (if possible)
    • 12-1pm: Lunch break
    • 1-3pm: On-Site Museums
    • 3-5pm: Rest at Hotel
    • Overnight in Tikal
  • Day 5: Wednesday, DEC 13

    • Uaxacatun

    • 8-9am: Breakfast at hotel
    • 9-10pm: Vans on dirt roads
    • 10-1pm: Tour of Uaxacatun
    • 1-2pm: Lunch at Chiclero camp
    • 2-5pm: Return to Tikal
    • Evening: Free time in Flores
    • Overnight in Flores
  • Day 6: Thursday, DEC 14

    • Siebal

    • 7-8am: Breakfast
    • 8-11am: Transport - road and river boat
    • 11-2pm: Tour of Siebal
    • 2-3pm: Lunch on boat back
    • 3-5pm: Return to Flores
    • Overnight in Flores
  • Day 7: Friday, DEC 15

    • Yaxha

    • 7-8am: Breakfast at hotel
    • 8-10am: Transport to Yaxha
    • 10-1pm: Exploring of Yaxha
    • 1-2pm: Picnic Lunch
    • 2-3pm: Topoxte island
    • 3-5pm: Return to Flores
    • 7-8pm: Final gathering
    • Overnight in Flores
  • Day 8: Saturday, DEC 16

    • Departure

    • Morning: Free time or transport to the airport
    • End of Tour
Questions about this tour?

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We'll be happy to answer any questions you might have about this tour.

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Lodging

Flores - Hotel Santana
A classic Flores hotel on the lake shore.
AC, private bath, restaurant, pool, telephone, cable TV and wifi

Tikal - Jungle Lodge
AC, private bath, restaurant, and wifi - cabana hotel in the Tikal jungle.

Price includes

All lodging
Private ground transportation
Private boat transportation
Breakfasts
Archaeologist guide
Local guides
Evening Lectures
All entry fees
Bottles of cold purified water in the bus

Price does not include

Airfare to/from Flores
Taxi to the hotel from the airport the first day
Lunches and dinners
Gratuities (maids, drivers, guides, etc..)
Travel insurance

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Costs

Deposits for courses and tours are due upon registration. After 14 days before the trip, no refunds will be granted.

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MEC tours often travel to very remote areas with unpredictable circumstances, so please make sure the person you name as your emergency contact can respond quickly and helpfully if contacted.

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Disclaimer

For the purposes of this disclaimer both "tours" and "study abroad programs" will be referred to as "the program".

Maya Exploration Center, Inc. (MEC) will make every effort to provide a safe, accident free, enjoyable experience for all participants in the program. All ground transportation during the program will be provided by a licensed third party independent contractor over whom MEC has no control.

Participants in the program assume all responsibility for hazards associated with ground transportation. The programs take place within environments which can be hazardous. Participants assume all risks associated with these environments including but not limited to hazards posed by animals, insects, plants and disease. MEC recommends that all participants consult with their physician with regard to vaccinations and/or other precautions that the physician may recommend prior to participating in the program. As with any outdoor activity which involves hiking and climbing, there are risks of injury for which participants assume all risk. The territories of indigenous people occasionally experience periods of political unrest. Participants assume all risk associated with political unrest during the program. MEC reserves the right to change or cancel any or all portions of the itinerary of the program, without refund, as a result of political unrest, inclement weather or any other reason beyond the control of MEC. For the reasons outlined above, MEC strongly suggests that each program participant purchase travel insurance. By switching the toggle below to "on" you acknowledge that you have read, and agree to, the terms of this disclaimer.

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Shared Room

$2,800 USD

DEC 9-16, 2023

  • Based on double or triple occupant lodging
  • $500 deposit due upon registration
  • 50% balance due 90 days before the trip
  • Final balance due 30 days before

PRIVATE ROOM

$3,300 USD

DEC 9-16, 2023

  • Based on single occupant lodging
  • $500 deposit due upon registration
  • 50% balance due 90 days before the trip
  • Final balance due 30 days before