Stay : On the trail of the past in Guatemala
For history lovers and/or archaeology enthusiasts, set aside 10 to 12 days to explore Guatemala's Mayan past. During your stay, you will be surrounded by tropical forests and will travel mostly to the northern part of the country where a modern-day Indiana Jones feeling will prevail (still very little tourism in these places)!
Summary of the stay
Best time to go
11 days
€€ - Charm and comfort
Detail of the stay : On the trail of the past in Guatemala - 11 days
Day 2: Ruins of Cancuén
Steps: Chisec, Sayaxché, Cancuén
From Chisec, visit the ruins of Cancuén, a large trading center where royal dynasties built one of the largest palaces in the Maya world. This site is still being excavated and restored. Night in Sayaxché.
Day 3: On the banks of the Río River
Steps: Dos Pilas
Sayaxché is located on the Río de la Pasión, which leads to the Laguna Petexbatun, a area with many Maya sites. We start with that of Dos Pilas, the oldest military city in the lagoon. The remains of the palaces and temples bear witness to the terrible war that destroys the region.
Day 4: Maya sites around Sayaxché
. Continue exploration.
Day 5: Ruins of Aguateca
Steps: Aguateca
Discovery of the second capital of the region, Aguateca, hidden in the jungle. The city, a former centre of power inhabited by the royal families, was destroyed around 800. The archaeological research there is interrupted at the moment, but there is a breathtaking view of the surrounding area from the site.
Day 6: Archaeological site of El Ceibal
Steps: El Ceibal
By boat along the Río River, you can reach the famous El Ceibal site. This ceremonial centre was built at the top of a hill. His constructions bear witness to Mexican influence.
Day 7: The Altar of Sacrifices
Coming down the river, we arrive at the site Altar de los Sacrificios (Altar of Sacrifice), one of the oldest Mayan lowlands, but it is not restored. Travel to Piedras Negras on the Río Usumacinta, below Yaxchilán.
Day 8: In the jungle in Piedras Negras
Steps: Sayaxché
Visit of the huge site of Piedras Negras, in full jungle, near the Mexican border. Piedras Negras was particularly well preserved: its thermal baths, palaces, stalls... These buildings are, however, little restored since excavations and searches only resumed after the civil war (1996) during which the guerrilla occupied the scene. Return to Sayaxché.
Day 9: Piedras Negras, next
Continue exploration.
Day 10: Tikal's famous Mayan temples
Steps: Tikal
Road for Tikal in good morning, day on the Mayan site most known and most impressive. Visit of the Great Pyramid, acropolis, temples 1, 2 and 6, twin pyramids, etc. Night on site.
Day 11: Return to the capital
Steps: Guatemala Ciudad
Return to the capital, Guatemala Ciudad, to take your return flight.
Ideas for holidays and week-end breaks Guatemala
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