Hidden Maya Cities of the Yucatanwith epigrapher, Stanley Guenter
February 6 - 21, 2010
The Yucatan peninsula has been the home of the Maya for at least 4,000 years. Breathtaking sculpture and mural-covered pyramids stand witness to the magnificent civilization, which formerly existed here. Today, thatch-covered houses and hand-embroidered costumes of villagers are vivid reminders that the Maya are still very much alive.
Far Horizons Archaeological and Cultural Trips proudly presents a 16 day trip to Mexico’s Chiapas State and the Yucatan peninsula. Visit the well-known ancient cities of Chichén Itzá, Palenque and Uxmal, but the itinerary has been planned to highlight seldom-seen sites in remote areas. Nestled within the Pu’uc hills are regal palaces and ceremonial buildings covered 
with intricate mosaic patterns. In beautiful condition, these edifices display a lovely harmony as light and shadow move across their facades. Ornate, rococo architecture is the special feature of the Rio Bec centers of Becan, Chicanna, Xpujil and Kohunlich. To enter these well-preserved buildings, you walk through the open mouths of huge earth monsters, symbolizing the entrance to Xibalba – the underworld in the Maya cosmology. As you travel you will learn the history of the area including how the city of Calakmul, lying within the 1.8 million-acre Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, was in a continuous battle with Tikal as the two super-powers struggled to dominate the Maya World during the Classic Period.
Join Stanley Guenter, a Maya hieroglyphic specialist, and learn about the Maya rulers' battle for power as written in the texts on monuments.
(B) breakfast, (L) lunch, (D) dinner
Day 1: Fly to Villahermosa and overnight at the five-star Hyatt Hotel at the airport.
Day 2: The Parque-Museo La Venta is an open-air museum that contains most of the stone sculpture excavated at the Olmec site of La Venta. Archaeologists have reconstructed the mosaic floor and other features found during excavations. Coatimundis, agoutis and other Central American wildlife wander the grounds that contain some of the last native vegetation in the area. After exploring 
the Park, transfer to Palenque and overnight for two nights at the Chan Kah resort, where bungalows are surrounded by rain forest and clustered around an immense, free-form swimming pool. Enjoy delicious regional cuisine at our welcome dinner this evening. (B/L/D)
Day 3: Set like a jade jewel in the emerald foothills of the mountains of Chiapas, Palenque is certainly one of the most beautiful of the Maya cities. Recent work by archaeologists have turned up fascinating new discoveries, many displayed in Palenque’s museum. Palenque is unusual in having almost no carved monuments, but stucco sculptures depicting the city’s royalty decorate many of the buildings while lengthy hieroglyphic texts can be found on tablets inside the palaces and temples. The day will be spent exploring the site and museum. (B/L/D)
Day 4: Traverse the base of the Yucatan peninsula with stops at two beautiful and rarely visited sites. At Chicanná, massive doorways represent the Earth monster’s mouth (and the entrance to the underworld) that swallows all those who step across its bottom teeth. Xpujil's lofty pyramids tower over the countryside and can be seen for miles. The main structure is dominated by three steep towers with artificial stairways. First found in 1938, the building is a beautiful example of the Rio Bec style. Overnight in a charming, environmentally sensitive ‘ecolodge’ for two nights. (B/L/D)
Day 5: Begin today at Balamku, a lovely small complex containing a recently exposed, exquisitely painted stucco façade. Two-stories tall, the frieze consists of four lords who are shown as being born out of the mouths of frogs seated atop sacred mountains. Continue to the important site of Calakmul. Located deep within the heart of the forests near the Guatemala border, this was one of the largest and most powerful Maya cities of the Classic period. Capital of the ancient Snake Kingdom, Calakmul competed with Tikal for domination of the Maya world. In ancient times, an interconnected series of canals and bajos (low swampy areas), encompassing more than 20 square kilometers, protected the city. Excavations here have uncovered fascinating structures and tombs filled with precious grave goods including at least four jade mosaic masks. Over 100 carved monuments dating from 435 AD to after 900 AD impart stories of mighty rulers and rituals they carried out to honor their gods. (B/L/D)
Day 6: Today, visit two magnificent sites. Surrounded by a steep, dry moat built to ward off invaders, Becán’s stunningly-decorated buildings stand as mute testimony of the civilization that once existed here. Hormiguero was until very recently, impossible to reach. A newly built paved road takes us to this superb temple complex, considered to be the best preserved examples of Rio Bec style architecture. Overnight for two nights at the Explorean Kohunlich hotel. (B/L/D)
Day 7: The area near Chetumal was Siyan Kan Bak’alal, “Heaven Born Surrounded by Reeds,” a mythical place of origin of the Itzá. Here we visit Dzibanche, capital of the Snake Kingdom before it moved to Calakmul. Large temples tower over important tombs and one temple still preserves an ancient wooden lintel recording the accession of a kaloomte' (the ancient Maya imperial title) in 551 AD. Nearby Kohunlich, was discovered in 1971 just before looters could steal a series of spectacular stucco masks thought to portray the Sun God, K'inich Ajaw. (B/L/D)
Day 8: Heading north along the Caribbean coast, explore several rarely visited sites including the Balam Na church in Felipe Carrillo Puerto. One hundred and fifty years ago this was the center of the town of Chan Santa Cruz, capital of the independent Maya who, in the 17th-century Caste War of Yucatan, rebelled against their treatment on the haciendas. Muyil was a crucial link in the Maya trade route that extended from the coast of Campeche to the Gulf of Honduras and was likely a port for the great kingdom of Cobá. Xel-Ha contains a palace with murals decorating the interior walls. Overnight for two nights in the Akumal Caribe. (B/L/D)
Day 9: A change of pace takes us to Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve. This 1.3 million acre national park was added to UNESCO's World Heritage List in 1987 in order to preserve the great diversity of plants and animals that live in the reserve, including more than 25 Maya sites. We join a biologist and travel by boat through this breathtaking wilderness. Later visit Tulum, set atop cliffs overlooking the turquoise waters of the Caribbean. A Post-classic site, the buildings were once covered in brilliantly painted stucco and some of this decoration still survives. (B/L/D)
Day 10: Cobá, the Classic period capital of eastern Yucatan, is a nature lover's paradise with its temples and palaces set between five shallow lakes. The ever-encroaching jungle provides habitat for a wealth of wildlife, and gives the sense of discovering a lost world. Cobá is famous for its series of sacbe, or raised roads, and the temples here include the tallest in the northern Maya lowlands. Carved stelae bearing long texts detail the history of Cobá's rulers including a queen named Lady K'awiil Ajaw. Then it's on to Ek Balam, which rose to power with the decline of Cobá in the late 8th century AD. Lunch will be a restored hacienda. Continue to Chichén Itzá. Located adjacent to the site, the 17th century Hacienda Chichén originally operated as a cattle ranch and later as a sisal plantation. In the early 20th century, it was the home of Mayanist, Edward Thompson, and will be our home for the next two nights. Here, lovely cottages are built around a swimming pool and amidst flowering gardens filled with a fascinating variety of subtropical birds and wildlife. Our dinner party this evening will be held in the original living quarters of the
hacienda. (B/L/D)
Day 11: While other Maya sites were being abandoned during the tumultuous 9th century, Chichén Itzá rose to become the most important center of its time. The famous Cenote of Sacrifice gives the site its name and offerings found inside of this deep well come from all over Mesoamerica, including the remains of human sacrificial victims. The city's Itza rulers had close connections with the Toltecs of Central Mexico and the fusion of Mexican and Maya cultures produced the unique art of Chichén Itzá. The ballcourt of Chichén Itzá is the largest in all of Mesoamerica and the Castillo, or Temple of K'uk'ulkan, honors the Feathered Serpent deity. In the afternoon, visit Balankanche Cave where ritual offerings from over 1,000 years ago still remain in situ. Caverns were holy places for the ancient Maya as they were considered the openings to Xibalba, the Maya underworld. In the most sacred part of this cavern, stalactites and stalagmites have formed a giant ceiba, the sacred tree of the Maya. (B/L/D)
Day 12: Begin today at Izamal, known as “The Yellow City” for its buildings that are brightly painted in this fashion. Partially abandoned with the rise of Chichén Itzá, it remains an important pilgrimage site today. Then it’s on to Mayapan, the last capital of the Maya. The city was built in emulation of its predecessor, Chichén Itzá, although the work was of much poorer quality. However, beautiful stucco work and paintings have been found at the site that demonstrate close contacts with the rising Aztecs of Central Mexico. Continue to the Hacienda Uxmal and overnight for two nights. Located across the street from the ruins of Uxmal, this lovely inn was built in the 1930's in the colonial style. The huge rooms are filled with Yucatecan handicrafts, and they encircle a colorful, garden-filled central patio with immense swimming pool. (B/L/D)
Day 13: Spend this morning exploring the dazzling site of Uxmal. With its exquisite geometric friezes made up of thousands of hand-carved stones, Uxmal displays the peninsula’s finest example of Classic Pu’uc architecture. The Pyramid of the Wizard dominates the site with its impressive oval shape that looms to 100 feet. The Governor’s Palace stands on three terraces overlooking the plain. After lunch we drive east to visit three of the many well preserved sites in the Pu’uc region. Sayil is famous for its three-story palace, reminiscent of the Minoan palace of Knossos with its many columns. Labna in turn is famed for its arch that once marked the end of an important causeway connecting the various parts of the site. Finally, we visit Kabah in time to watch the play of light from the late afternoon sun across the façade of the Codz-Pop temple; the structure is decorated with a repeating pattern of dozens of masks of the long-nosed rain god. Tonight, you may view the optional sound and light show at Uxmal. (B/L/D)
Day 14: Dating back to the 17th century, Hacienda Yaxcopoil was once one of the most important rural estates in the Yucatan. In the 18th century, the ranch covered almost 22,000 acres of land and operated first as a cattle ranch and later rode the boom years of henequen production. Today, the estate is a museum which we will visit. Continue to Mérida, founded by the Spanish in 1542. Thecity once fancied itself the “Paris of the Western World.” One of Mexico’s most charming cities, its cobbled streets, shaded plazas and colonial facades recall the grace of old Europe. The afternoon is free to explore Mérida’s bustling market. Along with bundles of colored flowers, pungent tropical fruits and local foods, Maya 
merchants display such traditional handicrafts as embroidered huipiles ( Maya indigenous women’s clothing), colorful hand-woven hammocks, and Panama hats made in nearby caves. Late this afternoon and if available, visit the home of Joann Andrews, wife of the late E. Wyllys Andrews IV, the renowned scientist who dedicated his life to the archaeology of the Yucatan. An avid conservationist, Joann has spent years conserving and collecting rare orchids. At her beautiful restored hacienda enclosed by lovely gardens, Joann will talk about her work with orchids, and Pronatua Peninsula de Yucatan, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the peninsula’s biodiversity. Overnight for two nights at the Hotel Casa Balam, a charming colonial style hotel located one block from the main plaza. Its walled garden with swimming pool is a refreshing retreat from the bustle of the city. Dinner is on our own. (B/L)
Day 15: Begin the day at the excellent Anthropology Museum; its artifacts include those retrieved from the cenote at Chichén Itzá. Then it’s on to Dzibilchaltun, a large city covering more than seven square miles and the oldest continually inhabited Maya site on the peninsula. In the chronicles of Chilam Balam, the city is cited as the first location of Mérida, a place called Ichkantiho, “In the Sky at Five.” The Temple of the Dolls, an Early Classic temple, was the site of esoteric rituals in the Post-classic period involving seven figurines of deformed humans. The museum at Dzibilchaltun is one of the most modern and impressive in all of Mexico. Our farewell dinner will be at one of Mérida’s fine restaurants. (B/L/D)
Day 16: An early morning transfer to the airport for your flight back to the USA. (B)
“There were so many highlights on this trip that I found it hard to choose one.” - Don Cameron
Stanley Paul Guenter, born in the prairies of Canada, was first introduced to the Maya culture and ancient script at the age of ten. He has been studying the Mesoamerican cultures ever since. He obtained his undergraduate degree at the University of Calgary, and has completed his Master’s Degree at La Trobe University, in Melbourne Australia, with Dr. Peter Mathews. He is now ABD (All But Dissertation) for his PhD in Archaeology from Southern Methodist University. He has worked on archaeological projects in eastern Tabasco, Mexico and is currently an epigrapher and archaeologist with two archaeological projects in Guatemala: The Regional Archaeological Investigations of Northern Peten, Guatemala (RAINPEG), directed by Dr. Richard D. Hansen, and the Southern Methodist University El Peru/Waka’ project, directed by Dr. David Freidel. Stanley is one of the outstanding rising stars of Mesoamerican writing systems and has taught and presented at many conferences in Canada, the United States, Australia, Germany and Denmark. He has done a full study of the inscriptions of Dos Pilas in relation to Tikal (you may see the readings on the mesoweb.com site). His knowledge of the written history of the ancient Maya will make the trip a fascinating one.
February 6 – 21, 2010
$8,995.00 (per person, double occupancy) includes roundtrip international airfare from Houston, all hotels, meals as noted, ground transportation, guides and entry fees.
Single Supplement: $995.00. Should a roommate be requested and one not be available, the single supplement must be charged.
Cost Does Not Include: The separate check for $100.00 to go to “Pronatura”; passport or visa fees; airport or departure taxes; beverages or food not included on regular menus; laundry; excess baggage charges; personal tips; alcoholic drinks; gratuities to guides and drivers; telephone and fax charges; or other items of a personal nature.
Fuel Surcharges: Far Horizons must pass on price increases for uncontrollable charges such as flights and other services due to additional fuel charges.
Donation Checks: The cost of the trip does not include the separate donation check for $100.00 (per person) to the Pronatura. Founded in 1981, Pronatura is a non-profit, Mexican civil organization whose mission is to protect and conserve Mexico’s biodiversity. Pronatura collaborates with local communities, government agencies and other national and international organizations. As a tour company that benefits from the historical, cultural and natural riches of our destinations, we have a policy of donating to scholars, archaeological and cultural projects, and museums in each of our destinations. This has created a bond with the academic community that allows you to gain an 'insider's view' of work being done in each country. Your donation check will go directly to the project's budget.
A deposit of $500.00 along with a separate check for $100.00 made out to “Pronatura Peninsula de Yucatan S.A.” is required along with your registration form. Final payment is due 75 days before departure. Upon receipt of your deposit and completed registration form, you will be sent a reading list and a tour bulletin containing travel information. Prior to the trip, we will send links to various websites of pertinent . Click here to download our Registration Form.
Cancellations received in writing at least 75 days before departure will receive a refund less a $250.00 administrative fee. Cancellations received less than 75 days before the departure date will not receive a refund. If for any reason you are unable to complete the trip, Far Horizons will not reimburse any fees. Registrants are strongly advised to buy travel insurance that includes trip cancellation.
If you do not fly on the group flight, you are responsible for all flight arrangements and transportation (including airport transfers) to join the group. If Far Horizons must change the trip dates or cancel the trip for any reason, Far Horizons is not responsible for any air ticket you may have purchased. If you issue your own international flight, please send the complete schedule as soon as you have it.
The private tours of archaeological sites and talks by specialists are scheduled in advance and include a donation to each. Specialists working at these sites are excited about showing their work to interested enthusiasts. However, please be aware that there may be times when the director or a member of the staff may not be onsite when our groups arrive due to other commitments.
Changes in our itinerary, accommodations, and transportation schedules may occur. A good book to read as well as a flexible attitude and a sense of humor are essential.
Limited to 17 Participants