NORTH AMERICA
MYSTERIES OF THE MAYA
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EXPEDITION HIGHLIGHTS
• Delve into the world of the Maya on an expedition inspired by the work of National Geographic scientists and archaeologists in the region. • Explore some of the most influential cities of the Maya world, including four UNESCO World Heritage sites: Chichén Itzá, Uxmal, Palenque, and Tikal. • Examine illustrations of Maya warfare depicted in the vivid wall murals at Bonampak. • Experience Maya culture today on visits to a traditional village and the colorful market in Mérida.
I T I N E R A RY
stopping in Izamal to see a Franciscan monastery built atop a Maya temple. (B, L)
| 9 DAYS
DAY 1 MÉRIDA, MEXICO
Arrive in Mérida this afternoon and transfer to our hotel. Tonight, make traditional salsas with a local chef, and savor them before our welcome dinner. HOTEL ROSAS & XOCOLATE (D) DAY 2 UXMAL
Delve into the world of the Maya at Uxmal, discovering intricately carved temples and palaces. Take a swim in a nearby cenote and help make tortillas for our picnic lunch before visiting a modern-day Maya village. (B, L, D)
DAYS 4 AND 5 MÉRIDA/VILLAHERMOSA/ PALENQUE
Stroll among colorful textiles in Mérida’s lively market, and join a local chef for a walk through the food stalls. This afternoon, fly to Villahermosa. Venture into the ancient city of Palenque, where archaeologists have found rare Maya texts. After a free afternoon, return to the ruins for a specially arranged after-hours visit. CHAN-KAH RESORT VILLAGE (B, L, D DAILY) DAY 6 BONAMPAK/FRONTERA COROZAL
Above: The Temple of the Great Jaguar lords over the forest canopy in Tikal, Guatemala.
Journey to remote Bonampak, home to stunning frescoes that were unearthed in the 1940s and featured in National Geographic magazine in February 1995. Take time to examine ancient battles and ceremonies depicted in vivid hues before we head to the town of Frontera Corozal. HOTEL ESCUDO JAGUAR (B, L, D)
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC EXPERT
DAYS 7 AND 8 YAXCHILÁN/TIKAL, GUATEMALA
DAY 3 CHICHÉN ITZÁ/IZAMAL
Uncover fascinating clues to Maya culture at Chichén Itzá, exploring tombs, pyramids, and the largest known Maya ball court. Return to Mérida,
Dr. William Saturno, assistant professor of archaeology at Boston University, has received numerous National Geographic grants for his excavation of ancient Maya murals and artifacts. An article in National Geographic magazine’s January 2006 issue detailed his breakthrough discovery at San Bartolo of the oldest intact Maya murals ever found, and his unearthing of murals at Xultún was featured in the June 2012 issue. BILL WILL ACCOMPANY THE NOVEMBER 2017 AND FEBRUARY AND MARCH 2018 DEPARTURES. SEE OUR WEBSITE FOR EXPERTS ON OTHER DEPARTURES.
Cruise the Usumacinta River to the jungleshrouded ruins of Yaxchilán. Continue by boat to the border town of Bethel, and transfer to our hotel on the shores of Lago Petén Itzá. Rise early for a morning birding walk through the Cerro Cahuí nature reserve. Then encounter Tikal, one of the largest cities in the Classic Maya world. During a full day at the site, decipher carvings and hieroglyphs with our expert. Tonight, celebrate our journey at a farewell dinner. CAMINO REAL TIKAL (B, L, D DAILY) DAY 9 FLORES/GUATEMALA CITY
Transfer to Flores and fly to Guatemala City to connect with your flight home. (B)
I N F O R M AT I O N Dates: 2017: Nov. 9–17 • Dec. 29, 2017–Jan. 6, 2018 2018: Jan. 18–26 • Feb. 15–23 • Mar. 1–9 Expedition Cost: $5,995 Price is per person, double occupancy. For a single room, add $950 in 2017 and $1,100 in 2018. On the December departure, there is an additional holiday surcharge of $200 per person. Airfare to Mérida and return from Guatemala City, and airfare within Mexico and Guatemala, are not included in the expedition cost. The group flights within Mexico and Guatemala are $420 (subject to change). What to Expect: For the one-night stay in remote Frontera Corozal, accommodations are basic, with thatched-roof cabins featuring en suite bathrooms and ceiling fans but no air conditioning. Transportation includes travel by small motorized boat on Day 7, and several two- to four-hour drives on partially unpaved roads. Optional Extensions: Add a four-day post-trip extension to El Mirador in Guatemala or a five-day post-trip extension to Antigua and Lake Atitlán. Visit our website or call for details.
CALL 1-888-966-8687 OR VISIT NATGEOEXPEDITIONS.COM
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