This trip has been designed for a small group to visit a variety of Maya Sites with the knowledge of a Maya Archaeologist, Anabel Ford, as our leader.

Anabel Ford has distinguished her as a Mesoamerican archaeologist in the field of settlement and environmental studies of the lowland Maya of Guatemala and Belize. Her landmark study of the settlement patterns between Tikal and Yaxhá in Guatemala has challenged the perceptions of rural and urban divides, demonstrating that preferred locations for farming settlements are equally occupied where near or far from centers. Living in the Maya forest for her dissertation field work and relying on the resources that were native to that place, she gained an appreciation for the local knowledge of and economic value inherent in the jungle. Her current focus at El Pilar, a new tour destination in the Maya world, integrates her growing academic knowledge of the region’s ancient occupants and her investment in the living people of region. Over the past ten years, Anabel Ford has spearheaded a unique development that focuses on one cultural and natural resource in two countries. The model development of El Pilar is an inclusive management design with government protection, local leadership and community participation, along with academic research input.

Exploring Piedras Negras (and playing Indiana Jones!)

The Usumacinta River is the wild boundary between Chiapas in Mexico, and the northwest Peten of Guatemala. Not only is the area a rich biosphere of old-growth tropical forest, it is also home to some of the most impressive, and least-visited, sites in the Mayan world.

We are proud to offer this itinerary, a rare opportunity to explore this unique and threatened area, and see some of the wildest terrain, and most impressive ancient culture, in the western hemisphere. In addition, we are also proud that Annabelle Ford, a noted Maya archaeologist will be our expert guide for this trip.

We hope you can join us in April!

For more information on some of the archaeological sites we will visit, click here

Usumacinta River Trip, April 10-20, 2007

Detailed Itinerary

** DAY 1/April 10 FLORES to DOS PILAS (Meals included: lunch (L), dinner (D)) Transport 4WD, Lunch at Dos Pilas

Early overland departure thru frontier town of Sayaxche, on the banks of Rio Pasion, and then on to Dos Pilas. Arrive after midday for initial encounter with sites of Petexbatun region, extensively studied during the Petexbatun project, 1989 to present. Late afternoon devoted to studying the as yet unrestored important site of Dos Pilas

Flores to Dos Pilas = 2 1/2 hours by 4-wheel (depending on the conditions sometimes we have to walk 1 km to the site sometimes we can drive right to the site.

DOS PILAS - Means "Two Pools" in Spanish and was named after two springs near the ruins that look a bit like water tanks. The ruins lie about 10 miles southwest of Sayaxche in the Rio de la Pasion region. Dos Pilas is a Late Classic site. At the site there are two concentric walls and 16 well preserved carved stelae. Other carvings and a network of caves have also been found. The site contains 19 altars, 19 panels, a hieroglyphic bench, and 4 hieroglyphic stairways. Depictions of captives kneeling at the feet of a ruler, is a common image. The most beautiful sculpture of Dos Pilas is called the Red Stela because it retains red, blue, and yellow colored stucco. Ceramic artifacts were recently found in a tomb. Much of the site has not been excavated. The stelae at Dos Pilas tell us that in the Late Classic its rulers resorted to warfare in order to expand their domains in the region. This may be the same information recorded at Aguateca, and it proclaims the victory of the Lord of Pilas over Ceibal on the third of December, 735 A.D. It is thought that Dos Pilas was abandoned due to these constant wars.

Dinner and overnight camp within the ruins.

** DAY 2/April 11 DOS PILAS to PETEXBATUN (B, L,D) Hike, Lunch Dos Pilas

Continue to explore Dos Pilas and neighboring El Duende.

Afternoon trek down to Lake Petexbatun: 12 km. hike goes through the jungle and we'll explore the adjacent site of Arroyo de Piedra on the way. Time permitting visit the farther ruins of Tamarindito. Our pace is leisurely to ensure complete appreciation of the lush and wild surroundings.

Hike to Petexbatun - 2-3 hours 12 kms (Mostly downhill)

TAMARINDITO - Tamarindito is in the Petexbatun area, on the shore of Lake Petexbatun (south of Sayaxche and La Pasion River) . This site is only accessible by foot, exactly as it was during the Maya civilization, and is considered a very minor site, in a beautiful location.

Bungalow at Chiminos Lodge (our favorite eco-lodge)

Dinner and overnight at the Chiminos Lodge, Isla Chimino. http://www.chiminosisland.com

** DAY 3/April 12 PETEXBATUN AREA, AGUATECA (B,L,D) Walking tour Box Lunch at Aguateca

Morning walk within the renovated site of Aguateca where new evidence, available due to an unusual abandonment of the site, is giving us a glimpse of the normal day-to-day life of the ancient Maya.

boat to aguateca from chiminos 1 1/2 hours total time visiting site (3-5 hours)

http://magma.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0305/feature5/index.html?source=33NA

AGUATECA - Aguateca is a large, fortified center from the Late Classic located on the shores of Petexbatun Lake. Ruins lie nine miles south of Sayaxche, and can be reached by water. However, at certain times of the year you will need to wade across the shallow parts of the lake. The Petexbatun Lagoon at the entrance of Aguateca is incredibly beautiful. Aguateca's main feature is a series of stelae dedicated to its rulers. It has been suggested that the combined armies of this site and nearby Dos Pilas brought about the downfall of neighboring Altar de Sacrificios. If true, Aguateca could have emerged as master of the Rio de la Pasion region, at least for a time. There are still some structures at the site, whose monuments have not yet been explored.

Dinner and overnight at the Chiminos Lodge.

** DAY 4/April 13 LAKE PETEXBATUN to ALTAR DE SACRIFICIOS (B,L,D) Transport motor cayuco Box Lunch at Ceibal

Boat to Ceibal 2 1/2 hours, 15 mins walk to entrance (all uphill), visiting site (2-4 hours) boat to camp 4-5 hours

Breakfast, return to Sayaxche and take motorized cayuco up Pasion river to explore intriguing ruins of CEIBAL. Boatride gives us an opportunity to view Cormorants, Blue Herons, and Belted or Green Kingfishers. On a short 20-30 min. hike through the lush forest, our pace is leisurely to marvel at the Imperial Woodpecker, Mealy Parrots, and incredible diverse plant life found in a guarded rain forest.

Spend all morning at Ceibal site to study the unusual stelae and experience the surrounding rain forest's flora and fauna.

CEIBAL , also known as 'The Gallery of Maya Art,' lies on a hill overlooking the Rio de la Pasion. The site is renowned for having its emblematic glyph identified and for its ceramics. Ceramic clay vessels show painted figures of men and women, and are regarded as very high quality. The site was at its peak from 700 and 900 A.D. Some of the monuments and buildings clearly reflect outside influences and perhaps this emergence was due to the arrival of intruders, called Putú ns, from the coast of the Gulf of Mexico or the Yucatan. Stelae at Ceibal depict Maya ruler-priests both with Classic features and foreign elements. One stelae may possibly be the clearest demonstration of the relationship between the Maya inhabitants and the invaders. On this particular stelae, a dignitary is dressed in the Maya Classic style and holds a puppet staff (the symbol of state), upside down, and has his right hand placed against his chest in a gesture of submission. To his side, there is another personage with long hair who grips a curved club, and whose facial features are obviously not Classic Maya. It may well be that this stelae commemorates the surrender of the Maya Classic inhabitants of Ceibal, to invaders. One of the most beautiful and best-preserved stelae of the Post-classic period can be found here, along with ceramic pieces and anthropomorphic pottery figurines. The first settlements at Ceibal are quite old and date back as far as 800 BC.

Lunch, return to boat for enjoyable ride down the Pasion river, delighting in many sightings of River Turtles, Parrots, Egrets, Cormorants and Herons and the occasional Caiman river crocodile.

Dinner and camp along shores of Rio Pasion, close to site of Altar de Sacrificios.

** DAY 5/April 14 ALTAR to PLANCHON DE LAS FIGURAS (B,L,D) Transport motor cayuco Lunch at Altar or at Chorros on the river

Early breakfast and morning visitation of site Altar de Sacrificios. See new replicas of some of the stelae and altars, and the newly excavated temple at the site, first explored by the Harvard Project in the 1960s.

ALTAR DE SACRIFICIOS - Altar de Sacrificios is located west of Ceibal, very near the Rio Usumacinta River, adjacent to the Mexican border by Chiapas. 'Altar' is a relatively small site when compared with larger ceremonial centers in the surrounding area. It became at one point, the capital of the region around Guatemala's Rio de la Pasion. It owed its prominence partly to its position as a crossroads for trade with Chiapas and Guatemala. Although it had a long history and had been the regional capital since 455 A.D., its zenith came later, between 613 and 771 A.D., centuries in which construction works and stelae production flourished. Thereafter, the site gradually declined. The last date recorded at the site corresponds to the Christian year 910 A.D.

Continue down Usumacinta River to Planchon de Las Figuras, where we will see etched-out carvings at Planchon de Las Figuras. These are large figures of various sizes depicting pyramids, humans, animals and game boards on a large flat rock that is on the shore, and is underwater when river levels are higher.

Camp close to Planchon de las Figuras.

** DAY 6/April 15 PLANCHON DE LAS FIGURAS to PIEDRAS NEGRAS (B,L,D)

Motorized canoe down river past Frontera Corozal and Yaxchilan, directly to Piedras Negras. Explore possible portage route nearby. If time permits, see Busilja, a tributary of the Usumacinta.

Camp close to beach, near entrance to archaeological site.

** DAY 7/April 16 PIEDRAS NEGRAS (B,L,D) Walking tour Sack Lunch in PN

Spend all day exploring Piedras Negras.

Lunch within the site under the cool forest canopy.

Return to camp and enjoy a refreshing swim in the waters of the Usumacinta!

All day visiting PN.

PIEDRAS NEGRAS - Name means "Black Rocks" in Spanish, from the color of stones in the river. Piedras Negras is in a remote part of Guatemala on a point of land bordered on the south and west by Chiapas and on the north by Campeche both states of Mexico. The site is located on the banks of the Usumacinta River, downstream from the ruins of Yaxchilan. The ruins at Piedras Negras are large, and it is thought to have been a major power in its heyday, possibly allied with Yaxchilan. The site is not very well preserved compared to Yaxchilan.

http://www.famsi.org/research/piedras_negras/pn_project/piedras_negras.htm

Camp close to archaeological site.

** DAY 8/April 17 PIEDRAS NEGRAS to YAXCHILAN (B,L,D) Transport motor cayuco Lunch on the river

Return up river via motor cayuco to Yaxchilan. Day is devoted to exploring the extensive ruins and the many finely-carved stelae of this well-preserved and important site. Upriver travel 6-8 hours

YAXCHILAN - This was a large center, important throughout the Classic era, and the dominant power of the Usumacinta area. It dominated such smaller sites as Bonampak, and was long allied with Piedras Negras and at least for a time with Tikal; it was a rival of Palenque, with which Yaxchilan warred in 654. Yat-Balam, founder of a long dynasty, took the throne on 2 August, 320 when Yaxchilan was a minor site. The city-state grew to a regional capital and the dynasty lasted into the early 9th century. Yaxchilan had its greatest power during the long reign of King Shield Jaguar II, who died in his 90s in 742. Yaxchilan is known for the large quantity of excellent sculpture at the site.

http://yaxchilan.quickseek.com/

http://www.travelchiapas.com/arc/site-3b.php

Lunch at the site.

Camp on beach just beyond landing.

** DAY 9/April 18 YAXCHILAN to FRONTERA COROZAL/Bethel (B,L,D) Transport motor cayuco Sack Lunch in Yaxchilan

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yaxchilan

Continue to explore beautiful setting of Yaxchilan.

After lunch, return UP river to Mexican border crossing and stepping-off-point to Bonampak, Frontera Corozal.

Exit Guatemala, formally enter Mexico. Have passports and $20.00 tourist visa ready for officials.

Dinner and overnight at exotic Hotel Escudo Jaguar!

Boat to Yaxchilan 30 mins to 2 hours. (depends on where we camp) All day visiting Yaxchilan, boat to Escudo Jaguar 1 hour

http://www.igougo.com/travelcontent/journalEntryDining.aspx?Mode=3&ReviewID=1037133

** DAY 10/April 19 FRONTERA COROZAL to BONAMPAK to FLORES (B,L,D) Transport motor bus Sack lunch in Bonampak or at Hotel Escudo Jaguar

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonampak

http://www.emergenceconference.com/bonampak.html

Drive to Bonampak 1 1/2 - 2 hours. 1-2 hours visiting site. boat to bethel 30 mins. Van to Flores 3-5 hours

a) Bus for 2 hr. ride to site of BONAMPAK.

Bonampak is not fully excavated, much still covered by rainforest. One of the most amazing finds at Bonampak is the three rooms of murals depicting important ceremonial and political events. Here we find some of the best preserved examples of the painted art of the Maya Experience these finely-painted murals depicting the gruesome torturing and bloodletting rituals performed by the Maya.

b) Bus return to Frontera Corozal, 2 hr.

c) Boat Frontera Corozal to Bethel; up Usumacinta; cross back to Guatemala @ Bethel

d) Bus Bethel to Flores, 2 hr.

overnight at Hotel Peten Flores.

** DAY 11/April 20 Departure from Flores (or extend your trip to visit El Pilar, Tikal, Yaxha, Belize, etc)

Thanks for exploring the Usumacinta River region with us!

Reading:

Yaxchilan: The Design of a Maya Ceremonial City By Carolyn E. Tate

Trip price Includes:

All hotels based on double occupancy (single supplement is $100 more),

Tents (with mosquito netting) for 2 people with sleeping pads, sheets and blankets (the pads are double ridge rest foam, so some people bring an inflatable camping pad),

All meals starting from lunch day 1 to dinner day 10,

Potable water with our katadyn filtration system,

All communal camping and kitchen equipment,

All safety equipment for river and first aid,

Water resistant bags for personal gear,

All entrance fees to sites, including Lacandon community fees,

Bilingual guide,

Taxes and fees

Trip price does not include:

Personal expenses at hotels and restaurants,

Alcoholic beverages,

Tips,

Immigrations fees ($20 USA now in Mexico and Q10 in Guatemala),

Airfare/transport from your gateway city Flores (pre/post trip arrangements can be made for supplemental visits to Tikal, Yaxha, Belize, etc)