Package
15: The
Chiclero Trip
CARMELITA-MIRADOR-NAKBE
10 days/ 9
nights
Degree
of difficulty: hard to extreme/ Type of
accommodations: comfortable camping in
tents and 1 night in ecolodges/ Transfers
on comfortable 4x4 vehicles and mules/
Focus: Maya Archaeology and Nature Trekking
in "grand style", birdwatching
and swimming /
Visit
chiclero camps in the jungle, see mysterious
sites being excavated in the depths of
the Maya jungle, such as Nakbe and El
Mirador. See completely unexcavated sites,
such as Naachtun and La Muralla... Visit
the community of Carmelita and trek through
the Mirador National Park.
DAY
1
Flight to Santa Elena International Airport.
Departure to Carmelita's "Nakbe Eco-Camp"
Set up camp
DAY
2
Departure to El Tintal by foot and mule
Optional visit of the archaeological site
DAY
3
Trekking and riding through the jungle to
Carrizal Chiclero Camp
DAY
4
Departure to Mirador archaeological site
Set up camp
Hiking and visit the Monos Complex
Hiking and visit the Tigre Complex
DAY
5
Hiking and visit the Danta Complex and surroundings
DAY
6
Departure to Nakbe along the Mayan Sacbe (White
Road) recently mapped
Arrival and set up the camp
DAY
7
Full day exploring Nakbe
DAY
8
Departure to El Ramonal (a chiclero camp)
Visit the Codex Complex on the way
DAY
9
Departure to Carmelita
Continue to our Ecolodge in Flores
DAY
10
Spend the day resting and enjoying the waters
of beautiful Lake PetZ¹n Itz‡
Fly back to Guatemala City
About the Chiclero Trail to Mirador and Nakbe...
Mirador
is a hard core expedition. It is an unexcavated
Maya site in the depths of the Maya Biosphere
Reserve. Its impressive structures are completely
covered by jungle. There is only one stelae
called "The mule stelae", the information
it contained has been lost due to its antiquity
and its being exposed to the elements for
more than a thousand years. The highlights
at the site include the fabulous view from
atop the Danta Complex, over 80 feet tall.
One can see the "Tigre" and the
"Mono" Complexes rising above the
canopy. Nature will be all around us throughout
the trip and specially on the trail that will
take us from Carmelita to Mirador.
We
will appreciate huge pimienta gorda trees
(Allspice) forest and Chico Zapotes (the gum
trees). On the road, or SacbZ¹ in Mayan language,
that leads to NakbZ¹ there will be many opportunities
for animal observation- if we are lucky. En
route to NakbZ¹, we will come close to a long
"Bajo" (lowland marsh) where we
may see different types of beautiful and rare
plants and flowers, mostly orchids and bromeliads.
You will enjoy listening to to our jungle
guides’ explanations and stories. The
local guides have lived in the jungle their
whole lives, harvesting chicle (gum) and xate
(an exotic ornamental plant). Today their
community (Carmelita) participates in joint
efforts which we hope will help us all preserve
our forests through ecotourism and adventure.
What
to bring?
Excellent hiking boots, preferably not new
ones. Another pair of comfortable shoes to
wear while in camps. Long canvas or denim
pants and long-sleeved cotton shirts. Avoid
carrying heavy equipment and luggage. (We
will provide soft suitcases before the trip.)
If it is possible bring a walking cane or
a hiking stick. Personal items, baby powder,
mosquito repellent, sun blocking lotion, plenty
of socks, toothbrush and toothpaste. Light
clothes for hot tropical climate, cap or hat.
