The very word conjures up images of ancient pyramids towering over endless jungles and intricately carved monoliths standing as testimony to the intellectual and artistic achievement of an extremely advanced culture. Theories about the sudden and still mysterious collapse of many of the Maya's ancient cities only add to the intrigue and fascination of these people.
For well-over 1700 years, the Mayan Civilization flourished with a vibrant population of nobles, priests, artists, scribes, traders, farmers and warriors. The history of the "Mundo Maya", or Maya World, will be closely examined with visits to numerous museums, archaeological sites and on-going excavations. Many of the artistic and cultural accomplishments of the ancients have been handed down for thousands of years and are still cherished and vital parts of the modern day culture of the Maya.
The contemporary Mayan peoples are at least as remarkable as their ancestors. We will witness communal traditions and customs that have helped Mayan culture survive in this modern world. In their towns, villages and markets we will hear distinctive Maya dialects spoken, see trading and commerce as it has been carried on for millennia. Archaeologist J. Eric Thompson has very aptly described the situation:
"Maya culture...is still very much alive; one sees the present in the past and the past in the present".
Explorations Inc. is proud to offer comprehensive, educational adventures into the world of the Maya, or Mundo Maya. All of our Mundo Maya Explorations are designed with a well-paced schedule to provide a more interactive program, not "a see the highlights through a bus window tour". Professional resident guides and escort scholars accompany to help reconstruct the ancient world of the Maya and inform of today's indigenous cultures and the region's natural history.
Our next MUNDO MAYA EXPLORATION
"GUATEMALA EXPLRORATION"
is scheduled for December 27, 2003 - January 4, 2003
and is escorted by archaeologist Travis Doering.
An Exciting Opportunity to Explore an Ancient
Ruins & Witness the Living History of the Maya!
Explorations Inc. and Travis Doering invite you to enter a world of color, culture and customs where two thousand years of history can be glimpsed from a series of exotic locales; from ancient shrouded Maya pyramids, a Spanish Colonial capital city, or from the secluded villages of the contemporary Maya as they continue to live in the rhythm of ancient traditions.
Explorations Inc. has customized this educational and cultural adventure to take advantage of some of the best that Guatemala has to offer. This unique journey is 9 days and 8 nights and covers a rich panorama of geographical and cultural beauty. The Highlands of Guatemala have some of our hemisphere's most beautiful landscapes and environments, including cloudforests, lakes, scenic mountain vistas, and the Petén region provide a biodiverse tropical rainforest to explore. You will witness dramatic and diverse landscapes in "The Land of Eternal Spring". As you travel over the Sierra Madres, breathtaking views of the lush tropical and temperate rainforests are around every turn. Few spots on earth so beautifully combine such rich diversity and abundance of flora and fauna as Guatemala
In addition to the impressive ancient Mayan ruins and the colorful present day Maya, the Spanish colonial period of Guatemala is well represented. Early Colonial churches, convents and haciendas are dramatically preserved in the splendid Spanish capital of Antigua. Architecture from the sixteenth century, world renowned artisans and a mixture of Spanish and Mayan culture are all present in this historic town. While strolling among historic buildings originating from the 1600's, not only can you trace history back in time, but you will also witness the colorful living history of the present day indigenous Maya.
We will not try to see every archaeology site in Mesoamerica. Nor will we zip around Guatemala combining a multitude of distant sites with little time to see each. This journey is designed to be a cross-cultural experience not a see Guatemala "out of a bus window" tour. With featuring a schedule that is practical yet active with time is allotted for personal exploration of the archaeological sites and their surrounding environs. Many of the sites are located in forested parks or preserves, providing an excellent opportunity to experience the native flora, plus extensive animal and bird life.
This custom itinerary is a blend of education, exotic travel, fun & individual exploration into the land & traditions of the Maya.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS:
Listed are some of the more well-known highlights of the trip. Not listed are "off-the-path" discoveries and short stops at small villages and lesser known natural wonders. These stopovers and daily encounters with the people of Mexico sometimes become highlights of a trip themselves!
The living history
of the modern day Maya.
Our focus on
education and exploration gives you an in-depth experience into the ancient
world of the Living Maya.
A well-designed
itinerary takes you to some of Guatemala's most picturesque Highland villages,
rich in history and tradition, where you will witness the exquisite beauty,
extraordinary colors and excellent workmanship of Maya textiles and handicrafts.
Knowledgeable
and personable escorts will introduce you to the local customs, culture
and cuisine of Guatemala, within an atmosphere that emphasizes safety, cleanliness
and comfort.
Small group size
allows for greater personal attention, pursuit of individual interests,
and intimate access to the indigenous people in their homes, markets and
villages.
Great cuisine
and lovely accommodations.
2 nights in the
Zona Viva of Guatemala City, an area full of first-class hotels, restaurants
and shops within easy walking distance.
2 days at the
Jungle Lodge in Tikal National Park. This allows for a premium visit to
this famous archaeological site as the lodge is located inside the park
and next door to the 2 museums. You will have time to listen to the howler
monkeys and experience the pyramids of Tikal at sunrise and sunset. Night
visits into the site can often be arranged.
2 nights in Antigua,
the heart of Spanish colonial Guatemala. Founded in 1542, it is among the
oldest and most beautiful cities in the Americas. Outstanding early-colonial
architecture abounds, including historic churches and monasteries.
2 nights in the
internationally famous, resort village of Panajachel on the shores of beautiful
Lake Atitlán. Surrounded by majestic mountains and volcanoes with
breathtaking and everchanging scenery.
Market days in
Sololá and world famous Chichicastenango. Maya from villages throughout
the highlands travel to these markets bringing produce, textiles and handicrafts
while providing a great spectacle of color, culture and commerce.
While in the
cloud forests of the highlands, you will explore the imposing, mountaintop
archaeological site of Iximché. You will learn about how these Kachiquel
Maya were conquered by Pedro de Alvarado in the 1500's, the Spanish Conquest
of the New World, and Guatemala's colonial history.
Lectures and
presentations prepared specifically for this tour. Topics will include the
history of the Ancient Maya and an examination of the contemporary Maya
of Guatemala. Also featured will be an in-depth look at the textiles and
traditions of the Maya from 500 BC to the present day and visits to ancient
Maya ruins.
Outstanding opportunities
for nature/wildlife/bird/geography viewing and photography.
New Years in
Guatemala, one you will never forget!
Guatemala Exploratrion Itinerary
December 27, 2003 - January 4, 2003
DAY 1, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2003: Fly from USA to Guatemala City. After arrival and reception in Guatemala City, transfer to the Zona Viva (Zone of Life), for your overnight at the luxury Camino Real, or similar. Welcome dinner and orientation.
DAY 2, Sunday, Dec. 28: Early morning departure to Flores in the Petén. A great look at the landscape and jungle by air. Then transfer by bus to the Jungle Lodge (appropriately named) inside Tikal National Park for your accommodations. At the Tikal Jungle Lodge, you will be staying within easy walking distant of "downtown" Tikal. Tikal is often considered the most spectacular of the ancient Mayan cities. Surrounded by a vast rainforest, the site of Tikal has been protected as a park for over 75 years and has been declared a "World Cultural and Natural Monument". The park offers some of the very best wildlife viewing in all of the Mundo Maya for howler monkeys, spider monkeys, foxes, kinkajous, macaws, toucans, parrots, a myriad of beautiful butterflies and much more! A tour of the Tikal Museums introduces you to the site as the rooms are made ready. Then you have a private tour of the magnificent ruins of the Classic Period Mayan city of Tikal. Experience nightfall in a lush tropical lowland rainforest.
DAY 3, Monday, Dec 29: Witness sunrise in the Great Plaza or walk the ancient Mayan roads or sacbes to revisit the principal pyramid groups. Interpretations of the iconography on the existing stelae will help bring the ancient rulers back to life. Also, there is time to follow the monkey troops such as the boisterous howler or nimble spider monkeys in the overhead forest canopy and recognize the abundant birds and wildlife. In the afternoon, you transfer back to Flores for the return flight to Guatemala City. Reception in Guatemala City and transfer to Panajachel on the shores of picturesque Lake Atitlán, nestled amidst towering volcanoes for the next two overnights at the Posada de Don Rodrigo, or similar.
DAY 4, Tuesday, Dec 30: A short morning drive above Lake Atitlán to witness the historic trade center of Sololá and its Tuesday local market (one of Guatemala's best), where various traditional dress identifies the participant's distance village homes. Later we will hopefully meet with the members of the Asociacíon Maya, a weaving cooperative which promotes opportunities and employment for some 300 local weavers. Then a visit to the nearby mountain village of Nahuala (furniture, groundstone and weavings). Later, we tour Santa Catarina and San Antonio Palopó, two villages perched on the hills surrounding Lake Atitlán. Meet master Maya weavers and visit the local markets and art gallery. See demonstrations of both the backstrap and treadle, or foot-loom, and visit the weaving and ceramic cooperatives. Evening lecture and discussion.
DAY 5, Wednesday, Dec 31: A morning boat ride across the lake to Santiago Atitlán, the largest and most traditional of the lake-side towns, situated at the base of the San Pedro volcano. Santiago Atitlán is also home to the halo-style headdress, where a band 20 feet in length is continuously wrapped around the head, creating a disk effect with fabric. A walking tour takes us to the market, church and shrine dedicated to the modern Maya deity, Maximón. Witness demonstrations by some of the finest embroiderers in Guatemala. In the afternoon we travel higher into the mountains to the traditional Maya town of Chichicastenango, overnight at the excellent colonial Hotel Santo Tomás. Experience unique New Year's Eve celebrations in this world-famous Maya city!
Day 6 - Thursday, Jan. 1, 2004: Witness (and shop) Chichicastenango's world-famous market day on the first day of 2004. Through the veil of smoke from burning incense, experience the vitality of the vendors, along with the incredible color and variety of the textiles, handicrafts, and local goods. Afternoon visit to Tecpán Guatemala and the Post-Classic Maya archaeological site of Iximché. Then on to the historic city of Antigua and overnight at the colonial Posada de Don Rodrigo for the next two nights. Antigua is the heart of Spanish Colonial Guatemala, with tremendous early architecture including some of the oldest churches and monasteries in the New World. Enjoy the picturesque views of the surrounding mountains and volcanoes, some of which are over 13,000 feet high.
DAY 7, Friday, Jan. 2: All day to explore Guatemala's ancient capital city of Antigua. A city rich in history with colonial churches and buildings dating back to the 1500's. A morning city tour of the colonial architecture will provide a background for Antigua's long and fascinating history. The afternoon and evening are free for personal exploration, relaxation, shopping, and/or museums. Stroll around the main plaza and cobblestone streets, visit the markets and various interesting shops, all while enjoying the views of the neighboring volcanoes and splendid architecture.
DAY 8, Saturday, Jan 3: Morning drive to Guatemala City for tours of the Ixchel Textile Museum (named for the Maya goddess of weaving and devoted solely to the display of textiles) and the Popul Vuh Archaeological Museum (with its extensive collection of Pre-Colombian pottery, carvings and artifacts). Later is a driving tour of the city to view it's colonial architecture. Relax and then evening farewell dinner. Overnight at the luxury Camino Real.
DAY 9, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2004: Transfer to the airport for return flights to USA.
What does the trip cost and what does it include?
What is not included?
What does the trip cost and what does it include?
The 9 day Southern Lowlands Itinerary is $2495 pp/dbl with a single supplement of $325.
The Chiapas Extension Itinerary is and additional $995 pp/dbl, with a single supplement of $125.
What is not included?
What did past participants have to say about our Mundo Maya Explorations?
"Efficient, friendly and fun... The attention to detail was outstanding."
Phyllis W., Ontario, Canada"The educational element was important to me and it exceeded my expectations."
Virginia G., NH"This trip was perfect."
Consuelo P., Ontario, Canada"The preparation and research for this trip were exceptional and much appreciated....The attention given for our well-being and safety was recognized and valued by all."
Norma W., OKRegarding the best part: "The small group and the very personal contact we had with local people in various villages. Travis is a good host and excellent guide."
Lucille B., MNRegarding the best part: "The guide, Travis, and the people with us, the size of the group, well planned and carried out, both fun and fascinating." Regarding the worst part: "Can't think of any worst part."
Stuart R., CA"Travis Doering was delightful, fun, a perfect gentleman."
Catherine C., WITravis - what can I say- he should lead every trip you offer. He is so kind, informative and he took care of every detail. We lacked for nothing. He was terrific!"
Carolyn G., Mexico"Travis couldn't have done a better job."
Mary M., WI
Travis Doering is a professional archaeologist and anthropologist who began his study of the Maya over twenty-five years ago. He has spoken and written internationally on the history and traditions of the ancient and contemporary people of Mexico and Guatemala. While pursuing his passion for the Maya, Travis has visited hundreds of archaeological sites and countless museums. He has attended numerous national and international seminars, symposiums, conferences and workshops dealing with Mesoamerican cultures. He is also active with avocational and professional archaeologists, and recently completed his Masterís Degree in Anthropology with specialization in Mesoamerican Archaeology from the Anthropology Department at Florida State University in Tallahassee. His is currently continuing his Mesoamerican studies and pursuit of a Ph.D. at the University of South Florida.
He has great admiration for, and interest in the weavings and textiles of Mesoamerica and has publicly exhibited a portion of his expanding collection. His studies and personal relationships with native weavers have enabled him to gain a knowledge of the history and representations contained in these woven artworks. A recent exhibition at the Florida State University Museum of Fine Art he created can be found on the internet at http://www.anthro.fsu.edu/wovenvoices/wv.html. A second and significantly expanded exhibition also centering on his personal textile collection was presented at the prestigious Appleton Art Museum, in Ocala, Florida.
For the past 15 years, Travis has led countless groups through Mesoamerica on archaeological and cultural explorations. In addition, Travis has designed and coordinated ship-based voyages for Elderhostel International, and acted as guide and archaeological lecturer on Pathways of the Conquistadors. This 40-day sail along the coasts of South and Central America traces the history of the Spanish infiltration of the New World and the ancient indigenous cultures that preceded their arrival. With his extensive travel and individual investigation into the World of the Maya, Travis has developed a deep respect and affection for the land, its people and their history. He will bring you face-to-face with an ancient civilization whose customs and traditions continue to flourish today.
About Explorations Inc.
We believe that our trips help to provide much needed income to the developing countries involved and such tourism also promotes preservation of natural resources and cultural traditions that may otherwise be lost under the pressures of the modern world. Explorations, Inc. is committed to providing quality adventure travel experiences and excellent personal service. By means of informal education and well paced travel, our goal is to facilitate a better understanding of the natural world and of cultures past and present. Explorations of distant places may not only teach us more about different cultures, we may also learn more about ourselves.
Explorations Inc. is licensed and registered with the State of Florida as a Seller of Travel, since 1992. The phone number for the Florida Department of Commerce is 850-992-2966 and our SOT registration number is 15176. We are also registered in California as Seller of Travel #2021110-40. We are also an TSI Member of IATAN (International Airlines Travel Agent Network). An escrow account for trip payments is available - call for details and account number. Additional professional and client references are available upon request. Our Email address is ad@ExplorationsInc.com.
Explorations Inc.
27655 Kent Rd
Bonita Springs, FL 34135
Phone: 1-239-992-9660
or toll free 1-(800)-446-9660 (in USA, Canada, P.R.)
Call anytime to receive detailed trip brochures or more information!
Also available are custom itineraries for small groups!
Click below to:
Link to our Other Destinations page for information about Costa Rica, more Latin American travel opportunities, custom group tours, links to other sites of interest, etc.
[top of page]
[Introduction] [Amazon & Andes] [Amazon Fishing]
[Costa Rica, Other Destinations & Links to Other Sites of Interest]
Thank you for visiting! Please come back for periodic updates.
Our other websites: GoExploring.com & ExplorationsInc.com & http://members.aol.com/Goxploring
