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DAY 1 GROUP A- Meeting point Flores Airport Cafe at 7:45 a.m. sharp You will leave from Flores at 8 a.m. and will get to El Mirador at 8:30 a.m. (depending on which helicopter will be in use) after a stunning flight over the Maya Biosphere Reserve. You will go on a guided walk through the site with a professional guide. The site has been the object of archaeological studies for the past 40 years, however, many people think it was just recently discovered by archaeologists in the middle of the Maya jungle. Most of the research and restoration work has been conducted over the last 28 years. The ancient name of El Mirador is not known, but Ox Te Tun or "The God's Place of Birth" may have been the name the Maya used, while the ruling dynasty's name that ruled over a vast State, known as Kan (the first political state in the Americas) and the scale of their power and achievements is just beginning to be understood... El Mirador is one of the most ancient & also one of the largest Maya cities, boasting the most massive pyramid ever built on Earth, named La Danta, 79 meters tall. Its construction filling alone consists of 2.8 million cubic meters and it covers a very large surface at its base of 6.5 by 3.5 football fields! As you will see the tallest pyramids at El Mirador are named after animals. La Danta means tapir, which is the largest mammal in the neotropics... This morning you will start by walking on the Danta Causeway and climbing Danta and appreciating the beautiful view from the top as well as seeing the artful decorations consisting of large ceremonial masks at La Pava Group (a female turkey). On your walk back you will appreciate Structure 313 in the Great Acropolis of El Mirador and the hydraulic system, where you will appreciate a magnificent frieze depicting the hero twins of the Popol Vuh and other mythological motifs. You will continue to Structure 34, where you will appreciate 2 large pannels depicting a jaguar paw ear spool motif on each side of the stairway. This afternoon you will appreciate the sunset from El Tigre Pyramid, the second largest at El Mirador, 55 meters above ground level before you return to the encampment to have a dinner and overnight This afternoon you will see the ancient residences in a group named Cascabel (rattlesnake)... Return to the encampment to have lunch at 1 p.m. and immediately after depart by helicopter to Nakbe, an even more ancient site than El Mirador, that has been largely restored and excavated... You will depart to Nakbe at 1:45 p.m. to return to El Mirador at 4 p.m. Upon returning you will visit Structure 313, recently restored, and Structure 34, where you will appreciate a magnificent frieze depicting a jaguar paw. You will take your strategic sunset positions together with Group D atop El Tigre Pyramid, the second largest at El Mirador, 72 meters above ground level. Return to camp for dinner and overnight in tents or hammocks in the middle of the jungle.
Mirador Project staff at the top of La Danta Pyramid, the largest one in the world & detail on Structure 34, El Mirador...DAY 2 You may rise early to see the sunrise at El Mirador on your own. Breakfast will be served at the camp at 7:30 a.m. before visiting Los Monos Temple (the monkeys), about 400 meters south of El Tigre and about 48 meters tall. As the other main pyramids at El Mirador, Los Monos, is also a triadic complex... These are characteristic of Pre Classic Maya architecture, and represent the Three Hearth Stones (Ox Te Tun) or the Place of Birth of the Maya Gods... at 2:15 p.m. After lunch you will return to helipad at 3:00 p.m. and depart from El Mirador back to Flores airport, where you will arrive before 4 p.m. to check in for your flight to Guatemala City or proceed to Flores, Tikal or Belize for your next adventure with Ecotourism & Adventure Specialists. Your departure from the site will be at 11 a.m. back to Flores, where you will arrive at 11:30 a.m. Price per person US$ to be revised... limitted to 3 or 4 participants maximum. What's included? Helicopter transfers Flores- Mirador- Nakbe- Mirador- Flores. One mid morning and one afternoon snacks, lunch, dinner and 2 breakfast. Camping gear, tents or hammocks, and plenty of water, lots of adrenaline & real ecotourism & adventure!!! What's not included? Airfare from Belize City, Guatemala City or Cancun. Transfers to and from the airport. Bed linnen or sleeping bags. OPTIONAL: An optional flight to Flores from Guatemala City may be added to your helicopter tour to El Mirador... If you are starting from Guatemala City check in at your airline's counter at 5:30 a.m. for your flight 7972 with INTER DE TACA or TAG Airlines) to Flores Peten. Your flight departs Guatemala City International Airport at 6:30 a.m. and arrives into Flores Airport at 7:20 a.m. We will also gladly arrange your flights from Belize City or Cancun... Starting in November 2007 we will also gladly arrange your flights from Palenque... TRANSFERS: Your driver will be waiting for you when you get back from El Mirador to take you to Tikal, or to Camino Real Tikal, or explore the island city of Flores before your next tour.... NEW: Finally, if you prefer to have more time at El Mirador we also organize 6 day and 5 night expedtions on mule back starting from the village of Carmelita with our jungle guide, Alex Maza... For information write us at sales@mayaworld.org
Climbing a structure at Nakbe, Peten
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