Mysteries of the Mayan Civilization

Destinations El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Belize
Category Archaeologist
Duration 13 days / 12 nights

Embark on a journey that will take you to some of the most amazing sites of the Mayan Civilization!

From the remains of a Mayan village that was buried under several layers of ashes, to impressive temples and pyramids full of history, this is ideal for those interested in learning about the Mayan heritage of Central America.

You will also get the chance to visit some of the colorful, charming colonial towns in the region. Immerse yourself in ancient history in El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala and Belize. There is always more to explore!

Day 1: Welcome to El Salvador!
Day 1: Welcome to El Salvador!

You arrive at San Salvador airport. Your guide will pick you up at the airport and drive to the city where you will spend the night.

Day 2: Traverse the landmarks of San Salvador
Day 2: Traverse the landmarks of San Salvador

We start in San Salvador; we will go to the historic center of the city with Iglesia el Rosario, Palacio Nacional, Teatro Nacional, and the Metropolitan Cathedral, where the remains of Monsignor Romero rest.

From here, we visit the Antropology Museum David J. Guzman with most archeological finds displayed and gives a good idea of El Salvador’s history. We continue to a little hand craft market. After this visit, transfer to the charming town of Suchitoto.

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch
Day 3: Into El Salvador’s past
Day 3: Into El Salvador’s past

Transfer from Suchitoto to the town of Ataco. En route you will tour the ruins and museum of Cihuatan, home of the biggest pre-Hispanic settlement in El Salvador.

After lunch we will visit the archeological site of Joya de Cerén which was declared world heritage by UNESCO in 1993 for being the only location in the whole Mayan culture where you can appreciate the day to day living styles of the popular pre-Columbian inhabitants.

Then we take off to another of El Salvador’s Mayan ruins, San Andres which was inhabited by Maya between AD 600 and 900.  Visit to a nice small museum on site.

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch
Day 4: Visit to Tazumal and Casa Blanca
Day 4: Visit to Tazumal and Casa Blanca

After breakfast you will visit Chalchuapa where you will visit Tazumal the most important and impressive Mayan ruins of El Salvador. Tazumal includes a series of Maya ruins, including ceremonial architecture that date to about AD 100-1200. The site includes an intricate water drainage system, a few tombs, adjacent minor pyramids, palaces and excavated ritual objects.

From Tazumal you go to another archeological site, Casa Blanca, where you can see a workshop producing indigo (añil) dye from Pre-classic and Classic Mayan period. Indigo is a natural colorant extracted from the Xiquilite plant. It was an important element for the Mayans since they used it for magical/religious rituals, as a medical plant, for pottery and for painting.

When the Spanish “Conquistadores” arrived to El Salvador in 1524, Indigo became the new source of wealth in the region when indigo was being exported to Spain.

After lunch (not included) transfer to Copan where you will arrive at the end of the afternoon.

Meals : Breakfast
Day 5: Tour the Mythical Citadel of Copan
Day 5: Tour the Mythical Citadel of Copan

Tour to the mystical Mayan ruins, where you will be able to witness the ancient Mayan culture. The ruined citadel and imposing public squares reveal the three main stages of development before the city was abandoned in the early 10th century. Copan with its temples, plazas and terraces, comprises a type of architectural complex among the most characteristic of the Mayan civilization. The lengthy inscription on the Hieroglyphic Stairway Plaza is of considerable historical significance.

You will visit as well as the Museum of Mayan Sculpture, acclaimed by experts as unique in the Mayan World. A masterpiece within the museum is the exact size replica of the famed Rosalila Temple, discovered in 1989. Lunch will be provided in the quaint colonial town of Copán Ruinas.

At the nearby Las Sepulturas, there are a series of ancient courtyards and palaces that have been nicely restored and give you a sense of the complexities of ancient society

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch
Day 6: Enjoy the beautiful Macaw Mountain Park
Day 6: Enjoy the beautiful Macaw Mountain Park

Around 2.5km outside Copán Ruinas is an extensive private reserve aimed at saving Central American macaws. There are plenty of them here, along with toucans, motmots, parrots, kingfishers, and orioles, all flying around in spacious, humanely constructed cages. In the 'Encounter Center' uncaged birds fly onto your shoulders or hands and you can pose for photos with them.

Macaw Mountain Bird Park & Reserve offers a first-class experience in an unspoiled part of the world. Here you learn about and interact with the intelligent, colorful birds of Central America. An innovative tropical bird reserve located in western Honduras, home of birds that have been rescued and cares for those who are in danger of extinction in the American tropics.

In the afternoon pick up at hotel, experience The Tea and Chocolate Place at Copan! - The Tea & Chocolate Place is strictly not a restaurant- it is a place to learn about the tea and chocolate drinking culture in Honduras.

You get some tea tasting experience, made from the noni plant. The tea is served piping hot with a bit of lime and honey, noni has many health benefits like antioxidants and anti-bacterial properties. Also, the opportunity to get to know the Mayan Culture and buy some nice organic dark chocolate products. Drinking chocolate dates back centuries to the Mayan civilization. Today, the Tea & Chocolate Place serves its drinking chocolate much like the Mayans would have enjoyed back in the day.

Meals : Breakfast
Day 7: Visit the Stelae of Quirigua
Day 7: Visit the Stelae of Quirigua

After breakfast meet with your guide at the lobby of your hotel for your transfer to Rio Dulce. On your way you will stop to enjoy the visit in Quirigua, the ruins of Quirigüa have a series of impressive stelae and sculpted calendars. These legacies constitute a unique and unequaled source of information on the social, political, and economic history of the Mayan civilization.

The zoomorphic and anthropomorphic sculptures found in Quirigüa are among the most attractive works of the pre-Columbian era. After Quirigua continue your way to Rio Dulce.

Meals : Breakfast
Day 8: Sail across Rio Dulce
Day 8: Sail across Rio Dulce

After breakfast meet with your guide for your Rio Dulce Boat Tour. While navigating the Rio Dulce (sweet river) you will cross through "EL Golfete”, the wider area of the river in which the Chocon Machaca park and the floating gardens are located. 

Along the way you will also stop at Ak'Tenamit, a local cooperative that has been able to assist the village in the education and medical services through sustainable methods. Between "El Golfete" and Livingstone, starts an impressive canyon with walls of jungle and limestone. The tour ends at Livingston, the only town in Guatemala in which the Garifunas settled in the 1800s. Transfer to Flores after the end of the tour.

Meals : Breakfast
Day 9: Explore the temples of Tikal
Day 9: Explore the temples of Tikal

After breakfast your tour guide will meet you at the lobby of your hotel and transfer you to Tikal National Park.

Your guide will show you the layout of the temples, architecture, history, some theories of why they disappeared and if you are lucky a few monkeys, parrots, macaws and toucans will be on site. After the tour enjoy lunch at a restaurant in the middle of the jungle. After lunch you will be transferred to your hotel.

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch
Day 10: Enjoy San Ignacio
Day 10: Enjoy San Ignacio

Breakfast at hotel. You will be greeted at the Western Border, where you will meet your local driver in the Belizean side of the border who will transfer to your hotel in the San Ignacio area.

Meals : Breakfast
Day 11: Witness the pyramids of Xunantunich
Day 11: Witness the pyramids of Xunantunich

After breakfast, our local representative will pick you up and take you on a day of adventure.

You will depart the resort to go to San Ignacio. Upon arrival at San Ignacio town your guide who will give you an easy introduction to the history of the Ancient Mayas in Belize.

You will first start with Xunantunich Maya Site located in the San Jose Succotz Village. This is one of the most popular Maya Ruins in Belize because of its unique attributes and its easy accessibility. To reach to the site, you will have a short ferry ride to cross the Mopan River followed by a 1-mile drive to the main entrance.

The center is composed of six major plazas surrounded by more than 25 temples and palaces. The largest pyramid, El Castillo, is well known for the frieze or band of stucco decoration which at one time extended around the entire temple. El Castillo rises 40 meters above the main plaza and offers an impressive panoramic view over the Mopan River valley including views of our neighboring country, Guatemala.

After stopping for lunch in San Ignacio, the Mayan ruin tour proceeds to Cahal Pech, meaning "Place of the Ticks". Cahal Pech Mayan ruin is located 15 minutes on the outskirts of San Ignacio and was home to a Mayan Royal Family. It is recognized as one of the oldest Maya sites in Western Belize. After this last stop, you will be transferred to Belize City for you to check in at your hotel.

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch
Day 12: Hike Altun Ha’s ruins
Day 12: Hike Altun Ha’s ruins

You will be met at the front desk of the hotel by a representative that will transfer you to Altun Ha Maya Ruin for your tour. You will be taken to Altun Ha which is located in the Orange Walk district.

At Altun Ha, walk through the same path of the Mayas amongst some of the 275 mounts partially excavated and restored by some of the locals and Dr. David Pendergast who did an extensive research from 1967 to 1974.

As you travel back in time with history and feel the presence of an ancient civilization come alive, hike above some of its highest monumental structures where the elite families once occupied and enjoy a spiritual and panoramic view from above. Inhale the fresh air of the pristine green forest that surrounds you and soar with the spirits of the ancient Mayas that remains.

Meals : Breakfast
Day 13: Goodbye!
Day 13: Goodbye!

Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to airport in time for your flight.

Meals : Breakfast

 

Included:

  • Daily breakfast
  • Lodgement at hotels as mentioned or similar.
  • Meals as mentioned.
  • Tours mentioned and entrance fees
  • VAT / taxes

Not included:

  • Tour guide services
  • International flights
  • Meals other than mentioned
  • Migration fees
  • Personal expenses
  • Optional tours/activities
  • Tips nor porters