Many years ago, I read a magazine article about the El Mirador trek, which captured my imagination. This was before I ever learned of Maya calendars or had travelled to Guatemala. There was something about the adventure of it which felt like a past era. Trekking through the jungle, camping amongst the ancient cities while disconnecting from the modern world seemed like a fantasy. When I finally made the trek, it certainly lived up to my expectations.
This year I have decided to change things up a little as I have now made the El Mirador trek eight times. In the past few journeys I have made to El Mirador, my attention has been drawn towards a site called Naachtun. Naachtun is a site just one kilometre south of the border with Mexico and provides an even more profound journey. This trek takes us deeper into the jungle, to sites rarely visited by tourists. It will be a huge adventure. I will take a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 10 participants on the journey.
When is the Journey?
Timing is everything when trekking in such places. For me, the dry season of March and April is the best time to walk. It is unencumbered by mud and virtually free of mosquitoes! I have therefore scheduled the trek for 29th March through 9th April.
What is the Program for the Trek?
Our journey begins on the day 2 B’atz (29th March 2027), when we will meet in Flores the night before we begin the trek.
Over the ten days of the trek, we will visit the sites of El Tintal, El Mirador, Nakbe, La Muralla, Naachtun, Wakna* and La Florida*. Each day will bring an exploration of a different preclassic Maya site. Some parts are partially restored, and some are still buried within the jungle. Each night, we will be dreaming in these ancient cities, accompanied by the sounds of the jungle. We will have the opportunity to watch sunrises and sunsets from the tops of pyramids.
Early in the morning of 3 E’ (30th March 2027) we will take a truck to the village of Carmelita, where our big adventure begins. Our first day of walking is 18km (11 miles) to the first night’s campsite at El Tintal. This is a site which will help us acclimatise to the jungle.
On 4 Aj (31st March 2027) we will walk 25km (15 miles) further into the jungle, crossing the threshold into the El Mirador site. We will stop at the La Muerte site to investigate the pyramids there. Once we have arrived at the El Mirador campsite, we will watch the sunset from the top of the El Tigre pyramid.
The day 5 Ix (1st April 2027) will begin early as we go to watch the sunrise on top of the El Tigre pyramid. After breakfast we will have our site tour of El Mirador. In the afternoon, we will make a fire ceremony at the ceremonial centre of the site of El Mirador. We will finish our day at El Mirador on top of the largest pyramid (by volume) ever built, La Danta.
The Middle Preclassic – Nakbe
From El Mirador we will walk 13km to an even earlier site of Nakbe on the fourth day of our trek, 6 Tz’ikin (2nd April 2027). Nakbe is a site with a very powerful energy and it is only visited by about 300 people per year. We will watch the sunset from the principle structure at Nakbe.
We move deeper into the unknown on the fifth day of the trek, 7 Ajmak (3rd April 2027) as we set off from Nakbe to the relatively small site of La Muralla. The walk itself is only around 10km, about 6 miles. We will then explore La Muralla and camp there for the night.
On 8 No’j, (4th April 2027) we will continue onwards to the larger site of Naachtun. Naachtun was a very important site during the classic period, sitting almost halfway between Tikal and their great rivals, Calakmul. Our 10km walk will give us time to explore the site during teh day, once we get there and we will then camp the night at Naachtun.
We will then hike back to Nakbe on 9 Tijax (5th April 2027), this time it will be something that we do in one leg, approximately 20km (12 miles) . We will again camp for the night at Nakbe.
Wakna and La Florida
On 10 Kawok (6th April 2027) we take on our biggest physical challenge, the 34km (21 miles) hike to La Florida*. Approximately 15km into this walk, we will stop at the pre-classic royal tomb at Wakna to see what is inside.
The final day of the trek 11 Ajpu (7th April 2027) is the short walk from La Florida back to Carmelita. Once we have had a nourishing brunch, we will make our victorious return to Flores.
The final full day of the journey, 12 Imox (8th April 2027), will be a day of decompression and rest in Flores.
On 13 Iq’ (9th April 2027) we will catch an early morning flight back to Guatemala City from where we will return to our origins.
*The journey to Wakna and La Florida is dependent on there being sufficient water at La Florida. This is only received from rainfall and so at this time, although it is our preference, we will only know if this is absolutely possible nearer the time. If we are unable to camp at La Florida, the last two days of the trek will be from Nakbe to El Tintal and then El Tintal to Carmelita.
What are the Challenges?
The trek will involve approximately 150km of jungle trekking. Temperatures are usually around 32°C (90°F) with humidity around 80%. It is a physically challenging journey; fitness and mobility are important attributes to have. This journey is very much back to basics, camping in the jungle, no electricity, no phone signal and bucket showers! It is through these experiences that we find our inner strengths and, of course, the great rewards that come with them.
The food on the trek is nourishing and simple. We will of course accommodate dietary preferences such as vegetarian/vegan/gluten free, but when trekking in the jungle the food might not be quite what you are accustomed to.
The price of the journey is $1250
What’s included
All accommodation and meals for the duration of the trek, from 30th March to 7th April 2027
Transport by road to Carmelita
Guides and trek
Ceremonies
What’s not included
Flights between your country of origin and Guatemala City
Flights between Guatemala City and Flores.
Accommodation and meals in Flores
Tips for guides
For more information, contact me
