Mayan Ruins
Caracol: Full Day
Caracol is a fascinating Mayan city, the inhabitants of which once defeated the mighty Tikal. Enjoy the drive and vistas of the Mountain Pine Ridge and the Chiquibul Forest Reserves. The day will be spent touring three main plazas of Caracol, watching for birds and wildlife, and enjoying a gourmet picnic lunch on the grounds.
Xunantunich Vehicle Tour: Full or Half Day
Xunantunich, "the Stone Maiden" is the primary destination today. After crossing the Belize River via a hand-cranked ferry, explore and climb El Castillo for an outstanding view of the entire river valley. Dr. Richard Leventhal, Director of the Institute of Archaeology, UCLA, supervised current consolidation work at the site. Optional shopping.
Cahal Pech: Full or Half Day
The ruins of Cahal Pech are located within the township of San Ignacio. Seven plazas and thirty-four structures have been identified, including an ancient sauna. Jaime Awe, a Belizean archaeologist, worked on the site for several years. Influenced by the Belize Audubon Society, most of the trees have been left in place and bird watching can be excellent. At the entrance of this beautiful site overlooking San Ignacio and the distant Spanish Lookout, is a small museum with interesting exhibitions to prepare you for your tour.
El Pilar: Full Day
El Pilar is the largest center in the Belize River area. Now shrouded in tropical growth, El Pilar's temples, palaces, and plazas cover over fifty-five acres. Many tall buildings reach 50 to 65 feet in height. The ruin is under excavation and consolidation, supervised by Anabel Ford, PhD, of University of California, San Diego. This site also offers excellent opportunities and more freedom for birders. After visiting El Pilar, you will travel through Spanish Lookout, home of the modern Mennonites, and cross the Belize River via a hand-cranked ferry. Returning to MET, you will visit the center called Pacbitun, a mile from MET. This is a full day tour, which can be combined with either Aguacate Lagoon or Cahal Pech.
Pacbitun: Half day or combined with anything for a full day.
Pacbitun, or "stones set in earth," is a small center flanking the granite Maya Mountains outside the village of San Antonio. This center is compact and undeveloped, but Dr. Paul Healy and Jaime Awe of Trent University did a significant amount of investigation. In a moderate agricultural zone, ancient Maya inhabitants relied on land modifications such as terraces on the hillsides to improve the overall productivity of the area. The site, built up in the Late Preclassic and Classic periods, has about 24 major structures. You can see several large open plazas as you approach the site. The main plaza has one pyramid of 54 feet. In addition, plain and carved stela are found in the open plazas. Set away from the public areas you can see one area with an enclosed plaza and a set of private palace structures.
Tikal: Full Day or Overnight
Tikal National Park is found in the Peten in Guatemala, and is about a three-hour drive from Mountain Equestrian Trails. Those wishing to visit for the day will leave at 6:30 a.m. and return by 7:00 p.m. The trip is a scenic venture into the culture of present day Guatemala, and Tikal itself is a wonder. The ruins are set in a rich jungle setting teeming with wildlife. Parrots, Howler & Spider Monkeys are seen regularly. The ruins are important for two basic reasons. First, the techniques and aesthetics of the buildings are so significant as to rival most other Mayan sites. Second, the ruins have undergone extensive restoration and consolidation for more than twenty years. The results are that we can see many buildings in almost the same state they were in during their heyday. The site is huge, covering about six square miles, and more than 2,800 buildings have been explored. Tikal is a definite "must" for the Mayan enthusiast.
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