- Blancaneaux Lodge • Belize
- Turtle Inn • Belize
- Coral Caye • Belize
- La Lancha • Guatemala
- Jardin Escondido • Argentina
- Palazzo Margherita • Italy
- All-Movie Hotel • USA
Perhaps the most visually stunning and impressive of all Maya sites, Tikal’s five monolithic temples pierce the jungle canopy (Temple IV reaching a height of almost 230 feet) and ancient plazas, stelae and ball courts tell of a rich and powerful history when Tikal’s population reached almost 100,000. By the beginning of the Classic Period (AD 250) Tikal was competing for regional domination with Uaxactún and Calakmul, and later Tikal was briefly conquered and subjugated by a powerful alliance of Caracol and Calakmul between AD 562 and AD 682. From AD 682 onwards Tikal flourished again under Lord Ah Cacau, and continued to dominate the region into the 9th Century. Today the site is justifiably recognized as one of the archeological wonders of the Americas. Its unspoiled jungle setting within the Tikal National Park makes it a paradise for birders, nature lovers and amateur archaeologists.
Departs: Optional (early departure recommended)
Duration: Approximately 6 hrs
Total travel time: 2 hour drive
Attire: Long pant, t-shirt, bug spray, sunscreen, tennis/hiking shoes
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
We invite you to join us on the 4-hour “Tikal Sunrise Experience.” The sunrise tour is something you will never forget. Throughout the tour, we will speak about Maya History, Archeology, and nature. We begin the tour hiking through the park in the darkness and Listening to the sounds of the jungle waking up. We then climb Temple IV, the Double Headed Serpent Temple “Serpiente Bicefala” and the largest in Pre-Columbian America. While on top of the Mayan ruin built thousands of years ago, we contemplate the peacefulness and mysteriousness of the morning mist, in the dense forest of Guatemala, and the sounds of tropical birds and animals starting their day. This tour is not to be missed.
Departs: 3:00 am
Returns: 9:00 am
Total travel time: 2 hour drive
Attire: Long pant, t-shirt, bug spray, sunscreen, tennis/hiking shoes
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
This tour offers special access to the magical Maya site of Tikal at sunset. It allows guests to enjoy the tranquility of the site and to marvel at the special ‘sense of place’ that the majestic temples, spacious courtyards and towering forest canopy creates. The silence is frequently punctured by the eerie call of howler monkeys and it’s easy to let your imagination step back in time and imagine causeways bustling with life and shamans’ holding court atop the monolithic limestone temples. As night closes in you’ll walk back along forest trails enchanted by this truly unique experience.
Departs: 2:00 pm
Returns: 7:30 pm
Total travel time: 2 hour drive
Attire: Long pant, t-shirt, bug spray, sunscreen, tennis/hiking shoes
Level of Difficulty: Easy-to-medium hiking and climbing is optional.
Experience a full day tour of ancient Tikal in the company of mystical Shaman Aj Kin. Aj Kin
is roughly translated as ‘the day keeper’ and he studied the ways of the ancients from his grandparents. This mystical tour of Tikal will introduce you to the fascinating world of Maya culture and beliefs. Starting as an archaeological tour you will be led through the veil of time to experience the citadel’s most sacred and atmospheric sites. Your tour will culminate in a sacred ceremony where time and man become ‘one’.
Departs: Optional
Duration: Approx. 6 hours
Total travel time: 2 hour drive
Attire: Long pants, t-shirt, bug spray, sunscreen, tennis/hiking shoes.
Level of Difficulty: Easy
The important ceremonial center of Yaxhá is located between the two lakes of Yaxhá and Sacnab. Upon arrival we board a “Lancha” (motorized canoe) to visit Topoxte, a site with a long occupational history that became a Late Classic outpost of Yaxhá before being abandoned by 900 AD. The site was later reoccupied by the Maya K’owoj in AD 1350 becoming the largest Post Classic Maya site in the Petén. Topoxte was finally abandoned in AD1450. Formerly sited on an island the ruins are now located on a peninsula due to lower water levels. After lunch, we will explore Yaxhá, an important Maya site and recent location of the US ‘Survivor’ TV series. Yaxhá has over 500 structures, including 40 stelae, 2 ball courts and 9 temple pyramids. Structures at Yaxhá show the influence of Teotihuacan and Plaza ‘C’ has the only twin-pyramid complex outside of Tikal which gives an insight into Yaxhá’s political allegiances. We will end the tour atop temple 216 to view the jungle and lakes of Yaxhá and Sacnab.
Departs: 8:00 am
Returns: 2:00 pm
Total travel time: 3 hour drive and 30 min boat ride
Attire: Long pants, t-shirt, bug spray, sunscreen, tennis/hiking shoes.
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Depart from La Lancha at 1pm and drive east through rolling countryside and small farming villages toward the Belizean border. On arrival there is time for a guided tour of the ancient Maya site of Yaxhá set on the banks of the beautiful Yaxhá lagoon. Yaxhá is an important Maya site dating from the preclassic period when it is believed the merchant warriors of Teotihuacan exerted considerable control over the site. As the sun silently slips below the horizon you’ll enjoy the sunset from atop temple 216 with panoramic views of both lakes or the Temple of the Red Hand Prints.
Departs: 2:00 pm
Returns: 8:00 pm
Total travel time: 3 hour drive
Attire: Long pants, t-shirt, bug spray, sunscreen, tennis/hiking shoes.
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Located just 2 hours’ drive from La Lancha the history of Uaxactún lies entwined with its near neighbor and greatest rival Tikal. The two sites entered the Classic period as equals in size and power. Stelae 9 shows the site’s earliest recorded date yet by AD 378 Great Jaguar Paw, the ruler of Tikal waged a new kind of warfare taught by their allies from Teotihuacan
and conquered Uaxactún. While excavating the site Archaeologists discovered remarkable late preclassic sculptures and elaborately decorated temple platforms which feature large plaster masks representing the sacred living Mountain, the Witz Monster. The grounds of the site are lovingly maintained and the on-site museum contains a wonderful collection of unique artifacts.
Departs: 7:00 am
Returns: 4:00 pm
Total travel time: 3 hour drive
Attire: Long pants, t-shirt, bug spray, sunscreen, tennis/hiking shoes.
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
The impressive ruins of Ceibal lie on an important trade route linking the Petén Lowlands of Guatemala with the Caribbean coast and Mexico. We travel by vehicle to the banks of the Pasión River, and then take a scenic boat trip to the isolated yet well maintained Maya site of Ceibal. Ceibal is located just inland on a large bend in the river. It’s a beautifully landscaped, partially excavated site comprising three main ‘groups’ occupying different hill tops. The site enjoyed an extremely long period of occupation from the Early Classic period through to the Terminal Classic period, when it enjoyed a hiatus when other cities in the region were in decline or abandoned. Due to the exceptionally hard stone used at the site there are well-preserved ornate stelae located around the two main plazas. Numerous stelae depict events after the Classic Maya collapse of the Petexbatún kingdom. Monuments at the site are varied in time period and style with some showing influences from non-Maya cultures of central Mexico and the Gulf Coast. Once we have visited the site we’ll return to Sayaxche and our vehicles via the Petexbatún lagoon home to turtles, crocodiles, otters and a large variety of birds.
Departs: 7:00 am
Returns: 5:00 pm
Total travel time: 5 hour drive & 2 hours boat ride
Attire: Long pant, long-sleeved shirt, bug spray, sunscreen, hiking shoes
Level of Difficulty: Moderate to High
The trip to Aguateca is an exciting full day adventure combining nature and archaeology. We depart early and drive just over two hours to the river port town of Sayaxche on the River La Pasión. From here we board a motorized boat for the three hour trip downstream to the ruins of Aguateca. Dos Pilas and later Aguateca were capitals of the dynasty founded in AD 645 by a prince from Tikal. It is here at Aguateca that the rulers of the Petexbatún kingdom made their last stand after fleeing Dos Pilas. The enemy remains an enigma, possibly the rulers of nearby Tamarindito an ex-vassal state or raiders of Putún Maya from modern day Tabasco State in Mexico. Aguateca is a fortified Maya city located close to Dos Pilas on a plateau overlooking the river. Surrounded by steep escarpments and a sheer sided 200 ft deep chasm the inhabitants also erected wooden palisades and managed to defend the city for about 50 years after the collapse of Dos Pilas until around AD 790 when they were overrun and the city was abandoned.
Departs: 7:00 am
Returns: 5:00 pm
Total travel time: 5 hour drive & 2 hours boat ride
Attire: Long pant, long-sleeved shirt, bug spray, sunscreen, hiking shoes
Level of Difficulty: Moderate to High
El Mirador Helicopter tour is one of the best helicopter adventures offered in Guatemala. This amazing flight delivers spectacular aerial views of Lake Peten Itza, the island of Flores, El Mirador archaeological site, as well as the surrounding exotic Mayan jungle. Experience a landing within the lost city of El Mirador along with a guided tour.
Guests will famous Mayan site. You will be able to explore the architecture and magnificence of Mirador.
Time: Departs La Lancha at 7:45am, for a 45 min drive to Flores International Airport. The helicopter departs at 9am from the helipad at Flores Airport. Guests return to La Lancha around 4:30pm
Includes: Bilingual guide, picnic lunch, water, R/T road transfers from hotel -helipad-hotel.
Attire: long pants, long sleeves shirts, hat or cap, tennis or comfortable shoes (no sandals), cameras and binoculars. Passport not needed.
Important to note: To book, this activity must be paid in advance. Guests will also need to provide full names and weight in pounds.
