Jungle Trek: The Lost City of El Mirador

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A 5 day/4 night jungle trek through the less explored and remote jungles on the northern part of Peten to visit the Mayan city of El Mirador.

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Jungle Trek: The Lost City of El Mirador.

A 5 day/4 night jungle trek through the less explored and remote jungles of the northern part of Peten, to visit the Mayan city of El Mirador, only accessible by foot or helicopter. Hidden in the northern central part of Petén (the last tract of virgin rainforest remaining in Central America) is the Mirador Basin. It is a territory 5 times Tikal with a unique ecosystem of tropical rainforest with swampy zones in which many species of flora and fauna inhabit, some endangered such as the jaguar and the danta (the biggest land mammal in Central America) and other species not yet studied in depth.

go to “itinerary” above for the day by day description.

  1. Day 1 Drive Flores to Carmelita and trek to El Tintal

    Early start with a drive through an unpaved road from Flores to the village of Carmelita for approx. 3.5hrs, arriving at 9am.  In Carmelita is where the local assistance team + mules to carry supplies will be already prepared and waiting for you.  After an important briefing about the trek for the following days, we will begin the adventure.  Estimated timings are as follows:

    0900: Departure from Carmelita. 1300: Stop at El Guacute camp for lunch (1 hour). 1400: Continue trek to El Tintal Archaeological site. 1600: Arrival to El Tintal campsite + site visit. 1800: Dinner.  Overnight in basic tents El Tintal campsite.  Walking distance: 18kms

  2. Day 2 Trek El Tintal to El Mirador

    Enjoy sunrise atop a pyramid and experience the sounds of the waking jungle life.  After breakfast start the trek to El Mirador.  Estimated timings are as follows:

    0600: Breakfast.  0700: Departure from El Tintal.  1000: Arrival to the rest area “El Zompopero” (snack).  1330: Lunch and visit to the Archaeological site of “La Muerta”.  1500: Arrival to El Mirador.  1700: Sunset on one of the pyramids nearby the campsite.  1800: Dinner.  Overnight in basic tents El Mirador campsite.  Walking distance: 23 kms

  3. Day 3 El Mirador Archaeological site visit

    Site visit, relax and enjoy. There are two main complexes that define El Mirador.  Located in the core civic area, these complexes are of an architectural style known as “triadic pattern structures”.  They consist of large tiered platforms surmounted by three pyramids, with the largest in the center.  The west complex, known as “El Tigre” group with its pyramidal temple rising to a height of 55mts and the impressive east complex with its largest and most monumental pyramidal structure of “La Danta”, rising to 73mts. On the Central Acropolis we will have the opportunity to see the frieze that features the Hero Twins of Maya mythology: Huhahpu and Ixbalanque, swimming in the Underworld retrieving the decapitated head of their father, Hun Hunahpu.  The frieze recounts the story told in the sacred Quiché book: “Popol Vuh”, thousands of years later and clearly shows the continuity of Maya religion and mythology.   In the afternoon, opportunity to watch the sunset on top of a pyramid. Overnight in basic tents El Mirador campsite.  Walking distance: 10 kms (approximate).

  4. Day 4 Trek El Mirador to El Tintal

    After breakfast, start heading back to El Tintal campsite. Estimated timings are as follows:

    0700: Breakfast.  0800: Departure from El Mirador.  1100: Arrival to the rest area “El Zompopero” .  Lunch.  1500: Arrival to El Tintal.  1800: Dinner.  Overnight in basic tents El Tintal campsite.  Walking distance: 23 kms

  5. Day 5 Trek El Tintal to Carmelita. Drive to Flores

    Today the adventure ends with the trek back to Carmelita village and continuing afterwards by road to Flores.  Estimated timings are as follows:

    0600: Breakfast.  0700: Departure from El Tintal.  1130: Arrival to Carmelita village.  1400: Drive to Flores (85kms- 3.5hrs).  1730: Arrival to Flores.  Walking distance: 18 kms

    Characteristics of the journey:

    • Difficulty Level: High. Tours with this designation involves physical exertion for a long period of time.
    • The terrain may be uneven and swampy.
    • Recommended only for the physically fit and adventurous traveler.
    • Daily walking distances: 20-25 kms on days 1,2,4 and 5 (approx. 6-7 hrs). On Day 3 during the site visit to El Mirador, 8-10 kms.
    • Average humidity: 85%
    • Average temperature: 30 degrees Celsius