G1: 5 Day: Helicopter Jungle Adventure to Lost Mayan City, Tikal

G1: 5 Day: Helicopter Jungle Adventure to Lost Mayan City, Tikal & Uaxactun,
Antigua with Gala Dinner
Trip Overview: 4 Nights / 5 Days
Day 1: Arrival in Guatemala City, Welcome Drinks and Dinner
Day 2: Helicopter Trip & Visit to El Mirador Archeological Site
Day 3: Tikal & Uaxactun Tours & Uaxactun Community Experience
Day 4: Flight to Guatemala City, Antigua Walking Tour & Candlelit Dinner in UNESCO Ruins
Day 5: Departure Day: Transfer to Guatemala City, Fly Out
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival – Guatemala City
Guatemala City
Guatemala City, home to one-fourth of the country´s entire population and the capital of Guatemala, features a
wide range of restaurants, hotels and shopping facilities. Guatemala City is the country´s commercial, financial
and cultural center. It is also the hub of the nation´s transportation. Coffee, the chief export, is grown on the
surrounding hillsides. The city is clean and modern; with wide paved streets radiating from central park. On
the plaza are the National Palace and the Metropolitan Cathedral.
Day 1 Overview
• Arrive Aurora International Airport & Transfer 10 minutes to Westin Camino Real Hotel
• Welcome Drinks, Buffet Dinner & Overnight at Westin Camino Real
Day 1 in Detail
Upon arrival into Guatemala City´s Aurora International Airport, guests will be met by local DMC
representatives and their tour hosts, whom will accompany them throughout the trip. Guests will be transfer 10
minutes by Coach to Guatemala City’s best 5-star accommodation, the Westin Camino Real, located in the
heart of Guatemala´s “Zona Viva”
Back at the hotel they will enjoy a relaxed evening, with a buffet dinner and drinks. This evening will be at
leisure to allow gusts to unwind after a long day travel.
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Westin Camino Real
The Camino Real hotel in Guatemala City offers 388 rooms and is located in Guatemala City’s famed "Zona
Viva," the capital's hub of business, shopping and entertainment, and just minutes from La Aurora International
Airport.
Day 2: Helicopter transfer and Visit to El Mirador
In the northern region of the department of Petén, near the border with Mexico, rests the ruins that some
scholars believe to be the original "cradle of Maya civilization." A stunning archeological discovery of a 2,200
year old carving was found at El Mirador. The piece dates back to the Maya Pre-classic Period and is believed
to have been crafted around 200BC. A team of mainly Guatemalan archeologists lead by Dr. Richard Hansen
uncovered the awe inspiring site. "This finding is as impressive as finding the Mona Lisa. It is an impressive
example of Mayan art", Dr. Hansen stated. The carving was discovered within a structure that was used to
store water and depicts a Maya mythological passage, where twin heroes Ixbalanque and Hunacpú leave the
underworld carrying the head of their father, Hun Hunapú.
The archaeological site "El Mirador" is being developed to be the crown jewel within the Park "Cuatro Balam".
This is a development project which aims to create the largest archaeological park in the world, containing over
four thousand Mayan pyramids.
Day 2 Overview
• Early Breakfast at Hotel Westin Camino Real & Transfer to Guatemala City Airport (15min)
• Helicopter Flight to El Mirador (2hr 15 min + 15 min stop in Flores)
• El Mirador Tour & Lunch at El Mirador
• Helicopter transfer to Hotel Camino Real Tikal
• Dinner & Overnight at Camino Real Tikal
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Day 2 in Detail
After breakfast the group will be transferred to Guatemala City Airport for a helicopter flight (2hr 15 min + 15
min stop in Flores to refill) to El Mirador Site. The site can only be reached by helicopter or a 2 day jungle trek,
making the visit an incredibly unique experience.
After the impressive flight over the rainforest canopy guests will arrive at the remote site where they will
explore the many archaeological wonders with their specialist guide. In addition, to the Maya art work found at
the site an impressive temple called “Dante” rises above the jungle. The temple is still being excavated but
many experts believe that once fully uncovered it will prove to be taller than all of the ancient pyramids of
Egypt. After the tour helicopters will take the group back to Camino Real Tikal for some time at leisure.
Camino Real Tikal
Camino Real Tikal is situated in a beautiful rainforest setting on the shores of lake Peten Itza near the village of
El Remate and close to the archaeology site of Tikal. The hotel is a good choice for larger groups and for
couples and families looking for a less rustic option with all the standard hotel amenities.
Day 3 - World Famous Tikal & Uaxactun Community
Tikal
In 1848 the Governor of Petén took three days to march through the jungle to the newly discovered Maya ruins
of Tikal. Today the 70 km drive from Flores takes about an hour. The ruins lie within the 576 km2 Tikal
National Park, declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979. Among the 54 species of mammals in the
park, the Spider monkeys and Pizotes (Coatimundi) are the easiest to see; among the 333 species of birds is
the endemic Ocellated turkey. The site’s mapped district covers 16 km2 and comprises more than 3,000
individual structures, temples, and courtyard groups. Estimates suggest that, during the Classic period, more
than 50,000 people lived in Tikal. The metropolis was occupied during the period between 800 BC and 900
AD, but the earliest architecture originates from the 4th century BC. The nobility resided in the Central and
North Acropolis, the administrative center of the city, which is also where some of the rulers were buried.
Uaxactun: Uaxactun is the most important and the oldest astronomical center of the Maya, it´s also the
community where the Chicleros (gum collectors) have lived for over 100 year.
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The Wrigley Company once had a busy chicle (gum) extraction operation here, complete with an airstrip.
Today the dirt airstrip lies in disuse, with the ruins and small community built around it. Many of Uaxactún’s
residents make their living from gathering forest products such as chicle (exported to Japan), allspice and xate
palm leaves (ornamental plant exported to the US and used for floral arrangements).
Forestry Project in Uaxactun: The Uaxactún community is pioneering a model of forest protection in
Guatemala. A conservation agreement signed in June 2009 in this Guatemalan subtropical rainforest
community not far from the borders with Belize and Mexico is the first of its kind in the country. The communal
forest concession of Uaxactún is located in the heart of the Mayan Biosphere Reserve, in one of the most
important archeological sites of the Mayan civilization. The success of this agreement could make it a model
for future community conservation efforts in the reserve and beyond. Under the agreement, the community
pledged to protect nearly 84,000 hectares of forest. Conservation International Guatemala, Conservation
International’s Conservation Stewards Program and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) supported the
design of the agreement with the Uaxactún community in close coordination with Guatemala’s National Council
on Protected Areas (CONAP). The partners expect that the contract will advance socioeconomic development
in the community while helping to protect the immense biodiversity of the Maya
Community School: At the community school in Uaxactun classes include Maya Hieroglyphic writing
workshops, as well as classes by local tour guides on Maya epigraphy, nature and culture. Work is being
carried out on some cultural aspects, such as: Creation according to the Popol Wuh and teaching the values of
the Maya Itzá language, which is spoken in the community, among other activities.
Day 3 Overview:
• Breakfast at the hotel & Land transfer to Tikal site (1hr)
• Tikal tour & Lunch at Tikal - local restaurant. Land transfer to Uaxactun (1hr from Tikal)
• Forestry Project and School Visit in Uaxactun Community
• Land transfer to Camino Real Tikal & Dinner & Overnight at Camino Real Tikal
Day 3 in Detail
After breakfast the group will be transferred by coach into the rainforest to visit the world famous Maya Temple
site at Tikal. Here guests can enjoy a private guided tour of this fabulous site with huge temples rising up
through the jungle canopy and a variety of tropical animals and birds on show. Guests can enjoy the sights and
sounds of the howler and spider monkeys as well as many colorful tropical birds and other mammals. After
lunch the group will be transferred to Uaxactun Community for a school and forestry project visit where a local
guide will give us a detail explanation of the different projects. (project directors may be present on our visit).
Day 4: Transfer to Colonial City of Antigua Guatemala
Antigua Guatemala
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Antigua, Guatemala is one of the most idyllic destinations in the world, with painstakingly restored Spanish
colonial architecture, manicured parks, stylish hotels, superb international cuisine and a horizon shaped by
three spectacular volcanoes.
Nestled in a mountain valley and surrounded by evergreen forests, Antigua retains the aura of the 17th Century
capital that it was, while blending modern amenities that make it an internationally appealing getaway. Walking
along cobblestone streets, visitors find high-end art galleries, fascinating museums, luxurious shops with
international treasures and traditional markets packed to the rafters with locally made textiles and woodcrafts.
Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979, with its architecture, culture and unique setting, Antigua,
Guatemala, quite simply, is the most charming city in all the Americas.
Day 4 Overview:
• Breakfast at Hotel Camino Real Tikal & Transfer to Flores Airport
• Charter flight to Guatemala City (45min) & Land Transfer to Antigua Guatemala (45min)
• Lunch at Hotel Casa Santo Domingo
• Walking tour of Antigua & Dinner at UNESCO Ruins
• Overnight at Casa Santo Domingo
Day 4 in Detail
After breakfast the group will be transferred to Flores International airport to catch a charter flight to Guatemala
City. From Guatemala City it is only 45 min drive to the colonial city of Antigua.
Lunch will be held at Hotel Casa Santo Domingo which not only has best food in town but is also a colonial
architectural jewel. After lunch guests will enjoy a walking tour of Antigua. The tour will cover the architectural &
historical highlights of this colonial city with a behind-the-scenes look at some of the many ruined churches,
convents, and cathedrals.
Dinner at UNESCO World Heritage Ruin
A special candlelit dinner at an 18th century convent, a genuine patrimonial jewel from the Spanish colonization
will be provided. The guests will enjoy an intimate candlelit dinner surrounded by beautiful baroque
architecture.
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Casa Santo Domingo
Casa Santo Domingo is a beautiful hotel located in the ruins of a 17 th Century Monastery in downtown Antigua.
The hotel has extensive gardens, a pool, a bar, many restaurant areas and offers 125 rooms that are all
equipped with mini-bar, cable TV and safety box. There is also a small colonial museum and a traditional
candle factory on the grounds.
Day 5 – Transfer Guatemala City & Departure
Day 5 Overview
• Breakfast at the hotel
• Transfer by coach 45 minutes to Guatemala City and Airport
• Lunch at a local restaurant
• Time for departure
END OF PROGRAM
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