El Mirador
El Mirador
4.5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
About
This ancient Mayan city flourished from 200 BCE to 150 CE, but is largely unseen due to its inaccessibility in the jungle.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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Kirsten
Nijmegen, The Netherlands9 contributions
Aug 2023 • Friends
I went with two friends on the 5 day hike to El Mirador with ‘DinastÃa Kan’ and it was amazing!! It was the perfect combination of nature, animals, culture, history and a fysical challenge. The people from ‘DinastÃa Kan’ made the experience unforgettable and everything was perfectly taken care of. The campsites were good, our guide was amazing and very knowledgeable and the food was great!
Written August 14, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David K
Denver, CO4 contributions
Mar 2014 • Solo
I did a six day hike with two others to El Mirador two weeks ago. I used Reino Kan tours and probably paid more than I should have ($600) but I also had an English-language translator and a private ride to and from Carmelita which beats a chicken bus any day - especially when you're finished.
We hiked during the dry season which meant it was really, really hot. I craved water constantly. My guide was Abel Santano who I can't say enough good things about. He was a taciturn man wielding a mighty machete who would have carried all of us out of there if he had to.
Abel, who is from the cooperative, was extremely well-versed in Mayan history, jungle flora and fauna and the medicinal uses of local plants.
Our translator was the indomitable Melqui Recinos who works at Reino Kan. Melqui, 24, not only translated everything Abel said but he helped set up camp, made sure we had water and generally looked after us. He was also a very enjoyable and friendly guy to be around. Our cook was Rosa, a 20-year-old from Carmelita who was also very nice.
The hike was straightforward. We spent the first night in El Tintal and watched the sun set atop the pyramid. Bring a small flashlight or you'll be utterly lost. Showers (10 q) consisted of a large bucket of water and a small bowl to douse yourself with. The toilet was a hole in a box and there was no door. Again, bring a flashlight for those middle calls of nature.
We arrived at the Mirador camp the next day around 4 p.m. The food was basic. We had meat one night that I recall - a chicken thigh - but it was mostly pasta, tortillas and rice. I brought beef jerky and protein bars which helped. I ended up giving the jerky to the camp guards since they were really, really craving meat.
El Mirador was a fascinating place but read up on so you can appreciate the history. Much of it is still unexcavated so a good imagination is needed. The reservoir was incredible. There were solid white limestone friezes carved onto the side including characters from the Popol Vuh depicting the Maya creation story. Elsewhere, you could make out giant jaguar masks though most if not all of the paint is gone.
Rumor has it that when Richard Hanson, the US archeologist excavating Mirador, shows up he will allow visitors into areas usually off-limits including one that has a massive jaguar mask with the paint still ON. I missed him by a freakin' day. Dammit.
Hiked the next day to Nakbe. The trail was vastly superior to the muddy, mule hoof-pocked one to El Mirador. It was less a jungle than a broad forest with an airy feel to it. Nakbe, maybe the oldest Maya city on earth, is actually at a higher elevation. The highlight was climbing down into a tomb and being surrounded by ghastly looking whip scorpions. Nakbe isn't excavated much so bring your imagination. I found Maya pottery throughout the jungle. Leave it behind please.
We also crawled into tomb with vampire bats flying all over the place. Howler monkeys rasped all night. Birds cackled. Spider monkeys tried to scare us away from wherever we were. It was overall a great experience. The worst enemy was the heat. My companions got diarrhea and stomach problems. I didn't for some reason. The water you drink out there is filtered rain water which might be the culprit but again I didn't get sick. Abel made us tea from the pimienta tree which was outstanding. We slept in tents,ate by candle light and listened to Abel talk about the Mayas. It was downright magical at times.
When we returned to Carmelita we had lunch and a Gallo beer. We tipped our guides, the cook and muleteers (think that's the word). I handed out antibiotic, mosquito repellent and bandaids to the various guards at the campsites. One had a foot swollen the size of a football due to an untreated infection.
All things considered it was a great trip, a true adventure in every sense. Jungles, ruins, snakes, a swarm of bees that flew through us like a great gust of wind and wonderful people.
How often do you get than combination?
If you go try to get Abel Santano as a guide and Melqui as a translator (cost us $200 extra between three of us). If you can't understand Spanish fluently you will miss much of this experience. You can quibble about the food, the crummy trail conditions, mosquitoes etc but that's what an adventure is about. Do it before they put in a road.
Happy trails
Colorado Guy
We hiked during the dry season which meant it was really, really hot. I craved water constantly. My guide was Abel Santano who I can't say enough good things about. He was a taciturn man wielding a mighty machete who would have carried all of us out of there if he had to.
Abel, who is from the cooperative, was extremely well-versed in Mayan history, jungle flora and fauna and the medicinal uses of local plants.
Our translator was the indomitable Melqui Recinos who works at Reino Kan. Melqui, 24, not only translated everything Abel said but he helped set up camp, made sure we had water and generally looked after us. He was also a very enjoyable and friendly guy to be around. Our cook was Rosa, a 20-year-old from Carmelita who was also very nice.
The hike was straightforward. We spent the first night in El Tintal and watched the sun set atop the pyramid. Bring a small flashlight or you'll be utterly lost. Showers (10 q) consisted of a large bucket of water and a small bowl to douse yourself with. The toilet was a hole in a box and there was no door. Again, bring a flashlight for those middle calls of nature.
We arrived at the Mirador camp the next day around 4 p.m. The food was basic. We had meat one night that I recall - a chicken thigh - but it was mostly pasta, tortillas and rice. I brought beef jerky and protein bars which helped. I ended up giving the jerky to the camp guards since they were really, really craving meat.
El Mirador was a fascinating place but read up on so you can appreciate the history. Much of it is still unexcavated so a good imagination is needed. The reservoir was incredible. There were solid white limestone friezes carved onto the side including characters from the Popol Vuh depicting the Maya creation story. Elsewhere, you could make out giant jaguar masks though most if not all of the paint is gone.
Rumor has it that when Richard Hanson, the US archeologist excavating Mirador, shows up he will allow visitors into areas usually off-limits including one that has a massive jaguar mask with the paint still ON. I missed him by a freakin' day. Dammit.
Hiked the next day to Nakbe. The trail was vastly superior to the muddy, mule hoof-pocked one to El Mirador. It was less a jungle than a broad forest with an airy feel to it. Nakbe, maybe the oldest Maya city on earth, is actually at a higher elevation. The highlight was climbing down into a tomb and being surrounded by ghastly looking whip scorpions. Nakbe isn't excavated much so bring your imagination. I found Maya pottery throughout the jungle. Leave it behind please.
We also crawled into tomb with vampire bats flying all over the place. Howler monkeys rasped all night. Birds cackled. Spider monkeys tried to scare us away from wherever we were. It was overall a great experience. The worst enemy was the heat. My companions got diarrhea and stomach problems. I didn't for some reason. The water you drink out there is filtered rain water which might be the culprit but again I didn't get sick. Abel made us tea from the pimienta tree which was outstanding. We slept in tents,ate by candle light and listened to Abel talk about the Mayas. It was downright magical at times.
When we returned to Carmelita we had lunch and a Gallo beer. We tipped our guides, the cook and muleteers (think that's the word). I handed out antibiotic, mosquito repellent and bandaids to the various guards at the campsites. One had a foot swollen the size of a football due to an untreated infection.
All things considered it was a great trip, a true adventure in every sense. Jungles, ruins, snakes, a swarm of bees that flew through us like a great gust of wind and wonderful people.
How often do you get than combination?
If you go try to get Abel Santano as a guide and Melqui as a translator (cost us $200 extra between three of us). If you can't understand Spanish fluently you will miss much of this experience. You can quibble about the food, the crummy trail conditions, mosquitoes etc but that's what an adventure is about. Do it before they put in a road.
Happy trails
Colorado Guy
Written March 31, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HermanNor
Quetzaltenango, Guatemala9 contributions
Jan 2013 • Friends
I just finished the five-day hike from Carmelita to El Mirador.
Before the hike I was searching the web a lot for information on how to go there in terms of guides, costs and so on. There is a lot of confusing information going around, so I will take my time to clear it up, then I will write a bit about the trip itself.
1. You can go independently. Do not listen to people who say otherwise. The site is for everyone and there is a) A pretty good campsite after the first day of hike, at Tintal. You will have to bring your own water and food as well as equipment. If it has been raining, there will be rainwater for purchase both at Tintal and at El Mirador. No stress. The hikes take somewhere between 4 to 7 hours each day depending on physical condition as well as the conditions along the trail (amounts of mud). b) no people will throw you out, if anyone tries to scare you with that, they are doing something illegal.
2. If you do decide to go with a guide, or a guide and a mule to carry some stuff, you are completely free to choose the level of help you want. We went with one guide and one mule. DO NOT LISTEN TO ANYONE WHO SAYS THAT YOU HAVE TO GO WITH THE COOPERATION. THIS IS A SCAM AS THESE PEOPLE TRY TO CONTROL THE INCOME.
We went with a guide called Eric, who was the brother of the guy we contacted, Alex. They are local people in Carmelita and extremely nice. You stay with the familiy the first night if you come in the night before, and they serve you a meal and you sleep in the tent and everything. It is also very cheap. The number to Alex is 51997442, say hello from Herman and the norwegians :)
He will set you up with Ericm, his brother. Eric is a great guide. Very knowledgable, and very nice. He speaks only spanish, but that is absolutely no problem. He has done this so many times that if you want to, just leave everything up to him. In our case we pushed hard for doing most of the stuff on our own, as we actually didnt want a guide in the first place. We got the whole deal very cheap compared to the 280 dollar fee the cooperative charges. We met people in the jungle who went with the cooperative and they were envious because they were like 6 people with 2 guides and 7 mules plus a chef and a mule assistant. Total overkill. YOU NEED ONE MULE AND ONE GUIDE! NO MORE. If someone says you need a mule to pull the other mule (which was actually what someone tried to tell us), just decline it.
So, a little bit about our trip. It took five days. You walk the first day to the ancient site of Tintal, where there is a pretty good campsite. You have to remember that this jungle is FULL of Mayan sites - basically the whole jungle was a city in previous times. Next morning you get up early and walk the next bit to El Mirador. The third day you spend recuperating and you visit all the El Mirador temples etc. If you are expecting Tikal with well excavated sites, you have come to the wrong place. This is far more raw, only 10% has been excavated, which is what we wanted. It is veeeery interesting to see how the jungle has just swallowed a huge city like this. From the top of the temples you can see all the way to the other sites, as well as to Tikal. Try to get a good guide, there is a lot of cool random information you might miss out on if you dont! The trip is quite tiring, you walk for 4-7 hours all days except the middle one, but it is worth it. If you care too much about personal hygiene, you are out of luck. However, at El Mirador there is a possibility for showering as well as charging your camera/phone. Try to get good weather, it makes the experience ten times better. The moon/stars from top of one of the pyramids is out of this world. You are in the middle of a jungle on top of something which might be compared to Empire State Building of the mayans - watching the stars, with only jungle around you. No need to explain more, it is absolutely magic. Try also to read abit about the mayans on beforehand, you will enjoy it much more.
Thats it, totally recommend the trip, and totally recommend Eric and his beautiful family.
Before the hike I was searching the web a lot for information on how to go there in terms of guides, costs and so on. There is a lot of confusing information going around, so I will take my time to clear it up, then I will write a bit about the trip itself.
1. You can go independently. Do not listen to people who say otherwise. The site is for everyone and there is a) A pretty good campsite after the first day of hike, at Tintal. You will have to bring your own water and food as well as equipment. If it has been raining, there will be rainwater for purchase both at Tintal and at El Mirador. No stress. The hikes take somewhere between 4 to 7 hours each day depending on physical condition as well as the conditions along the trail (amounts of mud). b) no people will throw you out, if anyone tries to scare you with that, they are doing something illegal.
2. If you do decide to go with a guide, or a guide and a mule to carry some stuff, you are completely free to choose the level of help you want. We went with one guide and one mule. DO NOT LISTEN TO ANYONE WHO SAYS THAT YOU HAVE TO GO WITH THE COOPERATION. THIS IS A SCAM AS THESE PEOPLE TRY TO CONTROL THE INCOME.
We went with a guide called Eric, who was the brother of the guy we contacted, Alex. They are local people in Carmelita and extremely nice. You stay with the familiy the first night if you come in the night before, and they serve you a meal and you sleep in the tent and everything. It is also very cheap. The number to Alex is 51997442, say hello from Herman and the norwegians :)
He will set you up with Ericm, his brother. Eric is a great guide. Very knowledgable, and very nice. He speaks only spanish, but that is absolutely no problem. He has done this so many times that if you want to, just leave everything up to him. In our case we pushed hard for doing most of the stuff on our own, as we actually didnt want a guide in the first place. We got the whole deal very cheap compared to the 280 dollar fee the cooperative charges. We met people in the jungle who went with the cooperative and they were envious because they were like 6 people with 2 guides and 7 mules plus a chef and a mule assistant. Total overkill. YOU NEED ONE MULE AND ONE GUIDE! NO MORE. If someone says you need a mule to pull the other mule (which was actually what someone tried to tell us), just decline it.
So, a little bit about our trip. It took five days. You walk the first day to the ancient site of Tintal, where there is a pretty good campsite. You have to remember that this jungle is FULL of Mayan sites - basically the whole jungle was a city in previous times. Next morning you get up early and walk the next bit to El Mirador. The third day you spend recuperating and you visit all the El Mirador temples etc. If you are expecting Tikal with well excavated sites, you have come to the wrong place. This is far more raw, only 10% has been excavated, which is what we wanted. It is veeeery interesting to see how the jungle has just swallowed a huge city like this. From the top of the temples you can see all the way to the other sites, as well as to Tikal. Try to get a good guide, there is a lot of cool random information you might miss out on if you dont! The trip is quite tiring, you walk for 4-7 hours all days except the middle one, but it is worth it. If you care too much about personal hygiene, you are out of luck. However, at El Mirador there is a possibility for showering as well as charging your camera/phone. Try to get good weather, it makes the experience ten times better. The moon/stars from top of one of the pyramids is out of this world. You are in the middle of a jungle on top of something which might be compared to Empire State Building of the mayans - watching the stars, with only jungle around you. No need to explain more, it is absolutely magic. Try also to read abit about the mayans on beforehand, you will enjoy it much more.
Thats it, totally recommend the trip, and totally recommend Eric and his beautiful family.
Written February 3, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mishafop
Guatemala City, Guatemala21 contributions
Jan 2015 • Friends
We just returned from the 6 day trek to El Mirador in January and loved it. The nature and the archaeological sites were magical and the trek was challenging and peaceful. I hope to do some of the of the other treks offered by Cooperative Carmelita, such as the 7 day or 15 day hike!
We went in January, which was a good time to go because it was fairly cool at night and not unbearably hot during the day. Dry season begins in mid-February, so that might be a better time to go because it is still a bit cool but not as muddy. You might want to avoid the hottest months which I believe are June and July, but I'm not sure. Be sure to look into specific information for the dates you are planning to go, as weather and conditions can vary.
The trip was as follows:
Day 1: Flores to Carmelita - 3 hour drive then walk from Carmelita to El Tintal (about 3 hours walking - muddy and tons of mosquitos)
Day 2: Tintal to Mirador (walking all day, about 8 hours, but dry and flat, no bugs and a bit cooler)
Day 3: Mirador (this day is a relaxed day seeing Mirador - gives time for the body to recuperate!)
* you sleep two nights in the Mirador
Day 4: Mirador to Nakbe (easy day - 12 km, about three hours walking, flat, no bugs or mud)
Day 5: Nakbe to La Florida, stopping in Wakna (Difficult hike but worth it because we didn't have to backtrack as they do in the five day. Around 10 hours walking at a good pace, 36 km-22 miles. The end of the trek was muddy and buggy. Bring three bottle of water for this day instead of two and some snacks to give you energy. Don’t do this hike if you are not fairly fit.)
Day 6: La Florida to Carmelita (Easy day, 3 hour walk, buggy and muddy again.)
What to pack:
-Food was good, but lacked protein so pack some nuts or snacks for the walk.
-Also be sure to bring an effective bug spray. We brought 99% Deet for the buggy days and a natural bug spray for the less buggy days and for after showering at night.
-First Aid: Foot repair for blisters and an extra set of shoes, as the sole of my boots broke due to the mud. We got ticks so tweezers helped remove them. Afterbite cream was useful for my ant bites. Alcohol packets and bandaids for cleaning blisters and bites.
-I also found having a sleeping bag and a sleeping bag liner helpful because I used the sleeping bag as a mat and the liner for a bit of warmth. Just bringing a mat and a liner would also suffice.
-Two to three roles of toilet paper per person
-A quick dry towel
-A separate small backpack for walking since you will put your belongings on the mule.
-Clothing: Two pairs of pants and and two short sleeved shirts for treking (by day three you'll want something clean for El Mirador). One shirt/pants for the nighttime after shower (no shorts!). Two-three pairs of socks/6 pairs of underwear. One set of something to sleep in. A fleece for cool nights/sleeping. Additionally, I used crocks for showering and at night to let my feet breath. *Use non-cotton clothing because it is so humid nothing dries. * I put everything in ziplock bags to keep everything dry.
-A bottle for water and a Hydration Bladder/Camelbak
-10 q for each shower plus soap and shampoo/toiletries
-If you have space, bring some treats to share with your travel mates (on the last day night you might want rum to celebrate that you survived the 32km trek)
*There is no ATM in Carmalita, so if you are planning on tipping the guide take out money in Flores.
*Our friends who did the five day and got an extra mule to ride for when they got tired.
*Don't bring too many clothes or things you don't need because the poor mules will suffer. I think they recommend no more than ten pounds per person. Sunscreen was not needed as the entire trek was shaded.
Who to contact:
Go directly through the cooperativa and don't bother going through agencies because you'll get the same service.
http://www.turismocooperativacarmelita.com
Send an email: http://www.turismocooperativacarmelita.com/contactenos/expedicion-mirador.html
Juan Carlos' cell: 48369423 (he doesn't always have coverage, so it might be difficult to contact him)
I would have given this trip a five but there was also some confusion since we went through an agency - know what they offer before hand so they don't try to avoid giving you a shuttle, extra tents for the six days, or other services. Additionally, food could have been a bit better as too many eggs and beans were served, and snacks weren't always provided during the hike. Lastly, if you don’t speak Spanish, be sure to get a good translator because some are known to be a bit dodgy.
Overall, the experience was unforgettable and I enjoyed every minute of the trip!
We went in January, which was a good time to go because it was fairly cool at night and not unbearably hot during the day. Dry season begins in mid-February, so that might be a better time to go because it is still a bit cool but not as muddy. You might want to avoid the hottest months which I believe are June and July, but I'm not sure. Be sure to look into specific information for the dates you are planning to go, as weather and conditions can vary.
The trip was as follows:
Day 1: Flores to Carmelita - 3 hour drive then walk from Carmelita to El Tintal (about 3 hours walking - muddy and tons of mosquitos)
Day 2: Tintal to Mirador (walking all day, about 8 hours, but dry and flat, no bugs and a bit cooler)
Day 3: Mirador (this day is a relaxed day seeing Mirador - gives time for the body to recuperate!)
* you sleep two nights in the Mirador
Day 4: Mirador to Nakbe (easy day - 12 km, about three hours walking, flat, no bugs or mud)
Day 5: Nakbe to La Florida, stopping in Wakna (Difficult hike but worth it because we didn't have to backtrack as they do in the five day. Around 10 hours walking at a good pace, 36 km-22 miles. The end of the trek was muddy and buggy. Bring three bottle of water for this day instead of two and some snacks to give you energy. Don’t do this hike if you are not fairly fit.)
Day 6: La Florida to Carmelita (Easy day, 3 hour walk, buggy and muddy again.)
What to pack:
-Food was good, but lacked protein so pack some nuts or snacks for the walk.
-Also be sure to bring an effective bug spray. We brought 99% Deet for the buggy days and a natural bug spray for the less buggy days and for after showering at night.
-First Aid: Foot repair for blisters and an extra set of shoes, as the sole of my boots broke due to the mud. We got ticks so tweezers helped remove them. Afterbite cream was useful for my ant bites. Alcohol packets and bandaids for cleaning blisters and bites.
-I also found having a sleeping bag and a sleeping bag liner helpful because I used the sleeping bag as a mat and the liner for a bit of warmth. Just bringing a mat and a liner would also suffice.
-Two to three roles of toilet paper per person
-A quick dry towel
-A separate small backpack for walking since you will put your belongings on the mule.
-Clothing: Two pairs of pants and and two short sleeved shirts for treking (by day three you'll want something clean for El Mirador). One shirt/pants for the nighttime after shower (no shorts!). Two-three pairs of socks/6 pairs of underwear. One set of something to sleep in. A fleece for cool nights/sleeping. Additionally, I used crocks for showering and at night to let my feet breath. *Use non-cotton clothing because it is so humid nothing dries. * I put everything in ziplock bags to keep everything dry.
-A bottle for water and a Hydration Bladder/Camelbak
-10 q for each shower plus soap and shampoo/toiletries
-If you have space, bring some treats to share with your travel mates (on the last day night you might want rum to celebrate that you survived the 32km trek)
*There is no ATM in Carmalita, so if you are planning on tipping the guide take out money in Flores.
*Our friends who did the five day and got an extra mule to ride for when they got tired.
*Don't bring too many clothes or things you don't need because the poor mules will suffer. I think they recommend no more than ten pounds per person. Sunscreen was not needed as the entire trek was shaded.
Who to contact:
Go directly through the cooperativa and don't bother going through agencies because you'll get the same service.
http://www.turismocooperativacarmelita.com
Send an email: http://www.turismocooperativacarmelita.com/contactenos/expedicion-mirador.html
Juan Carlos' cell: 48369423 (he doesn't always have coverage, so it might be difficult to contact him)
I would have given this trip a five but there was also some confusion since we went through an agency - know what they offer before hand so they don't try to avoid giving you a shuttle, extra tents for the six days, or other services. Additionally, food could have been a bit better as too many eggs and beans were served, and snacks weren't always provided during the hike. Lastly, if you don’t speak Spanish, be sure to get a good translator because some are known to be a bit dodgy.
Overall, the experience was unforgettable and I enjoyed every minute of the trip!
Written January 4, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Greg V
Alabama917 contributions
Jul 2010 • Friends
I actually went thee in January 2010, but this site would not let me select a date that far back. Even though you you can customize a trip which includes more sites in the area, most tourists go on the 5-day or 6-day version of the jungle trip to visit the Maya ruins of El Mirador, as well as some other sites along the way. There are basically three ways to get to El Mirador; by helicopter, hiking, or riding either a mule or horse.
Most people like to hike or ride a mule, since you see a lot more of the area. Those who only want to see part of the site and don't mind spending the extra money for the helicopter, fly there from Flores, visit part of the site, then return back to Flores in the same day.
The 5-day version
As for the tourists who want to experience much more, after arriving from Flores and departing from the village of Carmelita, everyone is required to travel around 5 hours to the campsite of the Maya ruins of El Tintal. Late in the evening, those who wish can visit the site.
The next day, it's required to travel for 7 hours, to finally reach the large site of El Mirador. Most of the following day is spent visiting the site, and then, for resting in the evening. The remaining two days are spent going back to El Tintal and Carmelita, finally ending up back in Flores.
The 6-day version
The first three days are the same as in the previously mentioned version , with the exception of never seeing the same thing along the way during the 6-day trip. On the 4th day, it's required to travel 3 1/2 to 4 hours to the oldest of all Maya ruin sites; Nakbe. Once there, the tourists visit the site and camp there for the night.
The 5th day requires 9 hours of travel, so it's the hardest day of the entire trip. Late in the evening, the group will arrive to the campsite of the Maya ruins of La Florida. The 6th day requires 4 hours of traveling to reach the village of Carmelita once again, and from there, finally arriving back to Flores.
What to expect
You'll eat 3 meals a day provided by your tour guide, and the food will consist of things such as: eggs, refried beans, fresh fruit, cereal, tortillas, instant coffee, pasta dishes, soups, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, tuna sandwiches, punch drinks, potato chips, cookies, etc..
The guide will provide pack mules which will carry one bag for each person. These bags will be stuffed into burlap bags and draped over the mules. Also, the guide will provide plenty of drinking water, but they will not provide water for bathing with. You can pay extra for additional water and a mule to carry it, if you want to be ensured of having water for bathing with along the way. Some people never take a bath the entire trip, which is quite difficult and miserable. Others are lucky enough to find rainwater or a small pond to use for bathing.
You'll either sleep in a tent or a hammock. It would be a good idea to take some ear plugs with you as well, for drowning out anyone who snores while sleeping in the campsite at night. Be prepared to see a lot of flora and fauna along the way and you'll need to wear some very comfortable hiking shoes as well. Blisters are your worst nightmare on this trip, and expect to have at least one or two during the trip.
Things you need to take
A first aid kit with bandages, anti-bacterial cream, gauze, and maybe some tweezers for picking out thorns. Also, it would be a good idea to take some insect repellent, a small hand towel, a good camera, granola bars, other sources of protein (jerky), a large water bottle and bottle holder, etc..
Most people like to hike or ride a mule, since you see a lot more of the area. Those who only want to see part of the site and don't mind spending the extra money for the helicopter, fly there from Flores, visit part of the site, then return back to Flores in the same day.
The 5-day version
As for the tourists who want to experience much more, after arriving from Flores and departing from the village of Carmelita, everyone is required to travel around 5 hours to the campsite of the Maya ruins of El Tintal. Late in the evening, those who wish can visit the site.
The next day, it's required to travel for 7 hours, to finally reach the large site of El Mirador. Most of the following day is spent visiting the site, and then, for resting in the evening. The remaining two days are spent going back to El Tintal and Carmelita, finally ending up back in Flores.
The 6-day version
The first three days are the same as in the previously mentioned version , with the exception of never seeing the same thing along the way during the 6-day trip. On the 4th day, it's required to travel 3 1/2 to 4 hours to the oldest of all Maya ruin sites; Nakbe. Once there, the tourists visit the site and camp there for the night.
The 5th day requires 9 hours of travel, so it's the hardest day of the entire trip. Late in the evening, the group will arrive to the campsite of the Maya ruins of La Florida. The 6th day requires 4 hours of traveling to reach the village of Carmelita once again, and from there, finally arriving back to Flores.
What to expect
You'll eat 3 meals a day provided by your tour guide, and the food will consist of things such as: eggs, refried beans, fresh fruit, cereal, tortillas, instant coffee, pasta dishes, soups, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, tuna sandwiches, punch drinks, potato chips, cookies, etc..
The guide will provide pack mules which will carry one bag for each person. These bags will be stuffed into burlap bags and draped over the mules. Also, the guide will provide plenty of drinking water, but they will not provide water for bathing with. You can pay extra for additional water and a mule to carry it, if you want to be ensured of having water for bathing with along the way. Some people never take a bath the entire trip, which is quite difficult and miserable. Others are lucky enough to find rainwater or a small pond to use for bathing.
You'll either sleep in a tent or a hammock. It would be a good idea to take some ear plugs with you as well, for drowning out anyone who snores while sleeping in the campsite at night. Be prepared to see a lot of flora and fauna along the way and you'll need to wear some very comfortable hiking shoes as well. Blisters are your worst nightmare on this trip, and expect to have at least one or two during the trip.
Things you need to take
A first aid kit with bandages, anti-bacterial cream, gauze, and maybe some tweezers for picking out thorns. Also, it would be a good idea to take some insect repellent, a small hand towel, a good camera, granola bars, other sources of protein (jerky), a large water bottle and bottle holder, etc..
Written June 22, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PATRICKxela
QUETZALTENANGO6 contributions
Jan 2012
El Mirador, hidden... yet not quite in Guatemala's jungle
Discover this gem, and yourself... even with kids !
December 2011 – January 2012
An eyewitness account of a short, intense, five-day hike of yours truly (Patrick), his two kids (13 & 16) and a Dutch family of four (parents and two kids, 9 & 13) to the LA DANTA pyramid, the highest Mayan pyramid (over 70 meters or 240 ft)
Day 1: 28 December 2011
Flight from Guatemala City to Flores, arrival at 7:30 a.m.
In retrospect, as this was a trial hike for a local incoming tour operator , our party of seven should not have gone for a lovely but time-consuming breakfast at Pollo Campero's and our minibus should have been stacked with food and supplies and ready to go at half seven. We only left at 10 a.m. for CARMELITA, a three-hour journey along a bumpy dirt-road. Luckily, the minibus only got stuck once in the mud, so we only got one free mud bath.
We had a quick lunch in Carmelita (ham and cheese sandwiches), stacked our donkeys with food, supplies and water (22 liters or 6 gallons per person) and tried to leave as soon as humanly possible. Easier said than done with kids moaning about the sandwiches, struggling to tie their shoelaces and getting on their parents' nerves. But we managed to set off one hour after arriving in Carmelita. In the pouring rain. As we all had forgotten our rain jackets, we had to make do with bin bags. It's 2:20 p.m., the sun sets at 5:30 p.m., we've got a six-hour hike in front of us and the Dutch clients didn't bring their flashlights...
By 5:30 p.m. it starts to get dark. Nine-year-old Stef has already had an extra free mud bath, falling over. Duly followed by his sister, Lise, one hour later. Before it gets really dark, we reach a campamento, where we get a cup of coffee or tea, as well as two flashlights. All the other tourists present are on the way back from their hikes through the jungle.
We set off again after only ten minutes, and by now it's really dark. It's raining and our shoes get sucked in the mud. We're struggling to press on and I see the despair on the faces of the others in the light of my flashlight. My daughter told me afterwards she was hoping to get bitten by a snake, so she would have needed to go back to the civilized world in order to get treatment. Alas, there is no turning back and by 8:30 p.m. we reach El Tintal, where Ingrid and David have already prepared a lovely meal for our party. Ingrid is an experienced cook and she'll be making loads of tortillas during this hike, as well as beans, although the latter don't appear to be very popular.
The campsite is quite comfortable. There are basic toilets with toilet paper and we've got tents with mattresses and sleeping bags, the tents themselves sitting under a thatched roof. It's not as primitive as I had imagined it would be, I'm pleasantly surprised. In short, you arrive at the campsite, pick a tent, take of your shoes, enjoy a lovely meal, hit the sack ans sleep like a log. Nighty night, hope the bedbugs don't bite.
Day 2: 29 December 2011
It's the early bird that catches the worm. We make an early start after enjoying hearty pancakes with honey for breakfast. At the campsite, you can already enjoy a cup of instant coffee at 5 a.m., as the cooks are already out and about at 4 a.m. A shower you cannot enjoy, as there isn't one. Just a quick wash of hands and face will have to make do, which is fine by the kids. We put on mosquito repellent cream, which will protect us against mosquitos but unfortunately not against ants, as we'll discover later today.
The sun is out and will stay out for the remainder of our five-day hike. This isn't the rainy season, although there can be rain every now and then.
The trail isn't as muddy anymore and we make good progress. We're all in a better mood than yesterday, everyone is relaxed. But we soon realize this hike is much too strenuous for nine-year-old Stef. Luckily we paid for an extra donkey for emergencies like this one. Stef gets on its back and won't get off it for most of the following days. Our expedition is saved. Mental note: this hike is not suited for kids under ten.
As we press on, our guide tells about the sacbe, a sort of Mayan Champs-Elysées connecting their cities, he tells about the trees and the plants and the chicleros, people who climb in trees to harvest latex from them (7 quetzals per pound). He tells about animal life in the jungle and treasure hunters, as we pass several small sites that have been looted.
It's quite a challenging walk but it's different from what I had expected. There are few animals and the trees are rather small. They're not giants you can't see the top of, laden with lianas and Tarzan swinging from tree to tree. I fear Tarzan would be in for a surprise meeting with the ground, were he to try and do that over here.
Lunch consists of an apple and tuna sandwiches. As the kids realize lunch is on a take it or leave it basis, they take it, half-heartedly.
After 8 hours of walking (Stef spent 75% of the time on the donkey's back) we reach the archaelogical site LA MUERTE, or death. Suddenly, yours truly - 51 of age and not an athlete – feels his muscles and feet, as well as other parts of his body, are sore. Heidi, the mother of Stef and Lise, isn't also feeling too well. Nevertheless, we start exploring the site. We enter the temples (there are two on this site) but I refrain from crawling on all fours to reach certain parts, afraid I won't be able to get up again. My kids press on and take over my role as translators. They translate into English for my Duth clients what the guide says in Spanish. At last ! Their expensive training pays off !
It's then another half hour to the campamento El Mirador but it seems to last an eternity. The pain is killing me and it takes me one hour to complete the final stretch of this day's hike. But once again, as we arrive, dinner is already waiting for us. After that, I go and pay for a shower at the local CONAP center. We're all tired and we all go to bed at 8 p.m. and sleep till 6 a.m.
Day 3: 30 December 2011
A fairly quiet day exploring the archaelogical site EL MIRADOR. Byron will be our eager and skillful guide for this visit. I have little knowledge about the early Classic Maya period and don't have high expectations but I will be pleasantly surprised. This will indeed prove to be a magnificent site.
The campsite is quite busy, with - astonishingly - lots of locals hiking to the site. As a result, it's very unlikely you'll be the only visitor.
In the morning, we visit the EL DANTE temple, which is high and more importantly dry, as the sun is out again. We climb the temple and get a surprise when we reach te top: fresh fruits, pineapple and papaya. Feasting our eyes on the vast forest stretching to the horizon, we indulge in nature's gifts.
Later, Ester, my daughter, will show me a photo of Elias, my son, ignoring all prohibitions and climbing the temple via its stone stairs and not via the wooden staircase, without me knowing this !
All over this site howler monkeys can be heard, rather small creatures that make an enormous racket. The place is infested with ants, that climb up your trousers. Luckily they bite before they reach the more delicate areas of our bodies. Not that it's fun to be bitten but it allows you to kill them. Okay, it can be fun when you see someone else jumping around to get rid of an ant in their trousers.
In the afternoon, we visited several structures closer to 'home' and at night, we watched the sunset on top of the Tiger - El Tigre – pyramid. There are no tigers in Guatemala but in Mexico, a jaguar is said to have been a tiger for quite some time. Suits me.
It was a lovely day with little hiking and much to see, too much to see it all. The kids are relaxed, they tell jokes... The linguistic barrier is gradually coming down.
Days 4 & 5: 31 December 2011 & 1 January 2012
In short, it's hiking back along the trail we followed on days 1 & 2. We recognize the skull of a donkey that died on the trail, the looted Mayan temples, the bags of latex on the Chicle trees, even the ant tracks. Walking is quite relaxed and we chat among ourselves.
After lunch, Ester and Elias decide to 'walk along' with the cook, her help and their donkeys. They make a head start to get everything ready by the time the rest of us reach the campsite. Unfortunately for my kids, they won't be walking, they'll be running. For hours on end, they'll have to try and keep up with the relentless pace of the donkeys. And they do, without ever stopping. It helps that the trail has dried up by now, no more drudging in the mud.
Day 5 should be the easiest and shortest day of the hike but now we're following the same track as the donkeys. They bury their legs deep in the mud when walking, making their 'highway' an extremely funny thing to walk, a mix of water, holes and mud. It takes us three hours to complete the last seven kilometers. The water seeps into your shoes, your feet get wet... But in the distance Carmelita waits, and when we arrive around 1 p.m., we get a New Year present: a Mayan pastel, a big loaf of bread, made by Luis Lopez, our local guide in Flores.
Tip: have your dirty clothes washed in one of the laundrettes in Flores. Our clothes were squeaky-clean for only 60 quetzals.
In retrospect
This hike is not suitable for everyone. You have to be in good shape, both physically and mentally. We met three groups that were experiencing major difficulties. One group had to have extra donkeys brought in from Carmelita, as they were unwilling or unable to continue their journey.
This hike is not suitable fot children under 10.
Even though the terrain is flat, there are several steep climbs (10 to 15 minutes). Even though you're hardly carrying any of your stuff yourself, this can be difficult for some people.
You only carry 1 liter of water when walking. At regular intervals, you'll be able to fill your bottle up. We were seven and had five people accompanying us: the cook, her help, the guide and two donkey drivers. They get an honest pay and they know what they are doing. They are experienced and leave nothing to chance.
Sincerely yours,
Patrick Vercoutere
Living and working in Guatemala since 1994
Discover this gem, and yourself... even with kids !
December 2011 – January 2012
An eyewitness account of a short, intense, five-day hike of yours truly (Patrick), his two kids (13 & 16) and a Dutch family of four (parents and two kids, 9 & 13) to the LA DANTA pyramid, the highest Mayan pyramid (over 70 meters or 240 ft)
Day 1: 28 December 2011
Flight from Guatemala City to Flores, arrival at 7:30 a.m.
In retrospect, as this was a trial hike for a local incoming tour operator , our party of seven should not have gone for a lovely but time-consuming breakfast at Pollo Campero's and our minibus should have been stacked with food and supplies and ready to go at half seven. We only left at 10 a.m. for CARMELITA, a three-hour journey along a bumpy dirt-road. Luckily, the minibus only got stuck once in the mud, so we only got one free mud bath.
We had a quick lunch in Carmelita (ham and cheese sandwiches), stacked our donkeys with food, supplies and water (22 liters or 6 gallons per person) and tried to leave as soon as humanly possible. Easier said than done with kids moaning about the sandwiches, struggling to tie their shoelaces and getting on their parents' nerves. But we managed to set off one hour after arriving in Carmelita. In the pouring rain. As we all had forgotten our rain jackets, we had to make do with bin bags. It's 2:20 p.m., the sun sets at 5:30 p.m., we've got a six-hour hike in front of us and the Dutch clients didn't bring their flashlights...
By 5:30 p.m. it starts to get dark. Nine-year-old Stef has already had an extra free mud bath, falling over. Duly followed by his sister, Lise, one hour later. Before it gets really dark, we reach a campamento, where we get a cup of coffee or tea, as well as two flashlights. All the other tourists present are on the way back from their hikes through the jungle.
We set off again after only ten minutes, and by now it's really dark. It's raining and our shoes get sucked in the mud. We're struggling to press on and I see the despair on the faces of the others in the light of my flashlight. My daughter told me afterwards she was hoping to get bitten by a snake, so she would have needed to go back to the civilized world in order to get treatment. Alas, there is no turning back and by 8:30 p.m. we reach El Tintal, where Ingrid and David have already prepared a lovely meal for our party. Ingrid is an experienced cook and she'll be making loads of tortillas during this hike, as well as beans, although the latter don't appear to be very popular.
The campsite is quite comfortable. There are basic toilets with toilet paper and we've got tents with mattresses and sleeping bags, the tents themselves sitting under a thatched roof. It's not as primitive as I had imagined it would be, I'm pleasantly surprised. In short, you arrive at the campsite, pick a tent, take of your shoes, enjoy a lovely meal, hit the sack ans sleep like a log. Nighty night, hope the bedbugs don't bite.
Day 2: 29 December 2011
It's the early bird that catches the worm. We make an early start after enjoying hearty pancakes with honey for breakfast. At the campsite, you can already enjoy a cup of instant coffee at 5 a.m., as the cooks are already out and about at 4 a.m. A shower you cannot enjoy, as there isn't one. Just a quick wash of hands and face will have to make do, which is fine by the kids. We put on mosquito repellent cream, which will protect us against mosquitos but unfortunately not against ants, as we'll discover later today.
The sun is out and will stay out for the remainder of our five-day hike. This isn't the rainy season, although there can be rain every now and then.
The trail isn't as muddy anymore and we make good progress. We're all in a better mood than yesterday, everyone is relaxed. But we soon realize this hike is much too strenuous for nine-year-old Stef. Luckily we paid for an extra donkey for emergencies like this one. Stef gets on its back and won't get off it for most of the following days. Our expedition is saved. Mental note: this hike is not suited for kids under ten.
As we press on, our guide tells about the sacbe, a sort of Mayan Champs-Elysées connecting their cities, he tells about the trees and the plants and the chicleros, people who climb in trees to harvest latex from them (7 quetzals per pound). He tells about animal life in the jungle and treasure hunters, as we pass several small sites that have been looted.
It's quite a challenging walk but it's different from what I had expected. There are few animals and the trees are rather small. They're not giants you can't see the top of, laden with lianas and Tarzan swinging from tree to tree. I fear Tarzan would be in for a surprise meeting with the ground, were he to try and do that over here.
Lunch consists of an apple and tuna sandwiches. As the kids realize lunch is on a take it or leave it basis, they take it, half-heartedly.
After 8 hours of walking (Stef spent 75% of the time on the donkey's back) we reach the archaelogical site LA MUERTE, or death. Suddenly, yours truly - 51 of age and not an athlete – feels his muscles and feet, as well as other parts of his body, are sore. Heidi, the mother of Stef and Lise, isn't also feeling too well. Nevertheless, we start exploring the site. We enter the temples (there are two on this site) but I refrain from crawling on all fours to reach certain parts, afraid I won't be able to get up again. My kids press on and take over my role as translators. They translate into English for my Duth clients what the guide says in Spanish. At last ! Their expensive training pays off !
It's then another half hour to the campamento El Mirador but it seems to last an eternity. The pain is killing me and it takes me one hour to complete the final stretch of this day's hike. But once again, as we arrive, dinner is already waiting for us. After that, I go and pay for a shower at the local CONAP center. We're all tired and we all go to bed at 8 p.m. and sleep till 6 a.m.
Day 3: 30 December 2011
A fairly quiet day exploring the archaelogical site EL MIRADOR. Byron will be our eager and skillful guide for this visit. I have little knowledge about the early Classic Maya period and don't have high expectations but I will be pleasantly surprised. This will indeed prove to be a magnificent site.
The campsite is quite busy, with - astonishingly - lots of locals hiking to the site. As a result, it's very unlikely you'll be the only visitor.
In the morning, we visit the EL DANTE temple, which is high and more importantly dry, as the sun is out again. We climb the temple and get a surprise when we reach te top: fresh fruits, pineapple and papaya. Feasting our eyes on the vast forest stretching to the horizon, we indulge in nature's gifts.
Later, Ester, my daughter, will show me a photo of Elias, my son, ignoring all prohibitions and climbing the temple via its stone stairs and not via the wooden staircase, without me knowing this !
All over this site howler monkeys can be heard, rather small creatures that make an enormous racket. The place is infested with ants, that climb up your trousers. Luckily they bite before they reach the more delicate areas of our bodies. Not that it's fun to be bitten but it allows you to kill them. Okay, it can be fun when you see someone else jumping around to get rid of an ant in their trousers.
In the afternoon, we visited several structures closer to 'home' and at night, we watched the sunset on top of the Tiger - El Tigre – pyramid. There are no tigers in Guatemala but in Mexico, a jaguar is said to have been a tiger for quite some time. Suits me.
It was a lovely day with little hiking and much to see, too much to see it all. The kids are relaxed, they tell jokes... The linguistic barrier is gradually coming down.
Days 4 & 5: 31 December 2011 & 1 January 2012
In short, it's hiking back along the trail we followed on days 1 & 2. We recognize the skull of a donkey that died on the trail, the looted Mayan temples, the bags of latex on the Chicle trees, even the ant tracks. Walking is quite relaxed and we chat among ourselves.
After lunch, Ester and Elias decide to 'walk along' with the cook, her help and their donkeys. They make a head start to get everything ready by the time the rest of us reach the campsite. Unfortunately for my kids, they won't be walking, they'll be running. For hours on end, they'll have to try and keep up with the relentless pace of the donkeys. And they do, without ever stopping. It helps that the trail has dried up by now, no more drudging in the mud.
Day 5 should be the easiest and shortest day of the hike but now we're following the same track as the donkeys. They bury their legs deep in the mud when walking, making their 'highway' an extremely funny thing to walk, a mix of water, holes and mud. It takes us three hours to complete the last seven kilometers. The water seeps into your shoes, your feet get wet... But in the distance Carmelita waits, and when we arrive around 1 p.m., we get a New Year present: a Mayan pastel, a big loaf of bread, made by Luis Lopez, our local guide in Flores.
Tip: have your dirty clothes washed in one of the laundrettes in Flores. Our clothes were squeaky-clean for only 60 quetzals.
In retrospect
This hike is not suitable for everyone. You have to be in good shape, both physically and mentally. We met three groups that were experiencing major difficulties. One group had to have extra donkeys brought in from Carmelita, as they were unwilling or unable to continue their journey.
This hike is not suitable fot children under 10.
Even though the terrain is flat, there are several steep climbs (10 to 15 minutes). Even though you're hardly carrying any of your stuff yourself, this can be difficult for some people.
You only carry 1 liter of water when walking. At regular intervals, you'll be able to fill your bottle up. We were seven and had five people accompanying us: the cook, her help, the guide and two donkey drivers. They get an honest pay and they know what they are doing. They are experienced and leave nothing to chance.
Sincerely yours,
Patrick Vercoutere
Living and working in Guatemala since 1994
Written January 28, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
daniel l
Murcia, Spain1 contribution
Dec 2013 • Friends
The hike was amazing. We did the 6 days hike, to kind of complete the circle that includes 5 mayan sites. To me the most incredible thing was to walk for several hours, get to the mayan site, up to the temple and see the sunset from there.
Each of the mayan sites is an encampment, and there is room to place your tent, rent a (humble) shower and a mattress for 10q($1.5)
I would strongly suggest doing it with the guys that do not belong to the cooperative if you speak a little bit of Spanish. The are the ones who have been doing it for more than 15 years and they know what they are doing, and the best part, their prices are reasonable. The cooperative guys cannot stop you, just say you are planning on doing it on your own if the bus stops.
I did the tour with Anibal, and he is an amazing guide, very patience and reliable. His number is (502) 3073 - 6095, his wife will probably be the one to answer, because he lives in Carmelita and the cell-phone network doesn´t reach there, but she will confirm the whole thing. You can also send him an email at anibalnoel@hotmail.com I believe he is charging 2000q($250) for one person, 1700q each($200) for two people and 1500q($175) for 3 or more people. That includes pick up from Flores(where they´ll pick you up) and back, food, mules to carry all your stuff and guidance for the whole trip. You might want to bring your own tent and maybe rent an extra mule 500q to ride when you get tired. I would recommend going in between January and April, but do not refrain from going during other time.
I hope you can also enjoy this amazing trip, say hello to Anibal from Daniel if you finally me it!
Each of the mayan sites is an encampment, and there is room to place your tent, rent a (humble) shower and a mattress for 10q($1.5)
I would strongly suggest doing it with the guys that do not belong to the cooperative if you speak a little bit of Spanish. The are the ones who have been doing it for more than 15 years and they know what they are doing, and the best part, their prices are reasonable. The cooperative guys cannot stop you, just say you are planning on doing it on your own if the bus stops.
I did the tour with Anibal, and he is an amazing guide, very patience and reliable. His number is (502) 3073 - 6095, his wife will probably be the one to answer, because he lives in Carmelita and the cell-phone network doesn´t reach there, but she will confirm the whole thing. You can also send him an email at anibalnoel@hotmail.com I believe he is charging 2000q($250) for one person, 1700q each($200) for two people and 1500q($175) for 3 or more people. That includes pick up from Flores(where they´ll pick you up) and back, food, mules to carry all your stuff and guidance for the whole trip. You might want to bring your own tent and maybe rent an extra mule 500q to ride when you get tired. I would recommend going in between January and April, but do not refrain from going during other time.
I hope you can also enjoy this amazing trip, say hello to Anibal from Daniel if you finally me it!
Written January 27, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Morgan H
11 contributions
Apr 2017 • Couples
This was definitely the most intense trip we've ever taken, but that's why I loved it so much! We organized the trip through Antonio Centeno of Dinastia Kan, who I highly recommend. He was very attentive to details and ensured we had a great time. Our guide was Abel, Antonio's brother, who was extremely knowledgeable no only about the Mayans but also about the flora and fauna of the jungle. He pointed out lots of animals to us along the way, including toucans, howler monkeys, spider monkeys, wild turkeys, snakes, tons of other tropical birds, and even a small jaguar! We went during the first week of April and it was hot, hot, hot--reaching at least 40 C some of the days. This was probably the most difficult part of the trip. The nice part about going in April, however, was that it was the dry season and we didn't see a single mosquito. Apparently going during the wet season also creates mud that makes the trial almost impassable.
The ruins at El Mirador are amazing. Much of the city is still not excavated, so don't expect to see the well-preserved temples of Tikal, but they are still incredible and there is so much to see. You can really appreciate what archeological discovery must be like It definitely feels like an Indiana Jones experience (minus the Nazis and other absurdities).
What I appreciate about the El Mirador project is that it is very much an international-local partnership. The local people of Carmelita are invested in protecting the area because it provides jobs. The archeologists who come from the U.S. and other parts of the world to work here involve the local community in their work. By visiting the ruins, we as tourists are also helping protect the ruins and support the people of Carmelita
All in all, this trip was amazing. I highly recommend it to adventure seekers who love Central America and ancient Mesoamerican archeology, but want to get off the beaten path and do something more organic and less touristy. I can guarantee it will not be a relaxing trip, but it will be unforgettable.
Here are our recommendations for prepping/packing for the trip:
-Don't go without hiring a good guide--I recommend Dinastia Kan, but there are other groups. Make sure the guide company is local, through the Cooperative Carmelita
-Bring a camelback or several water bottles--you'll want to pack at least 2-3 liters during your hike.
-Bring a small backpack for the hike that holds water, snacks, and a first-aid kit--everything else can be packed on the mules
-Good hiking boots or sturdy shoes are a must--the trail is rough
-Binoculars or camera with a zoom lens were great for bird-watching
-You can take a "shower" with a bucket of water at camp each night, which costs 10 Q each. Bring enough cash for at least 4 of these showers--they're a must
-Bring ciprofloxacin and loperamide--you're going to need it. Almost all of us got some degree of traveler's diarrhea
-Steroid cream for bites/rashes--I got a few nasty ant bites and others in our group got weird rashes from exposure to exotic plants
Feel free to message me if you have questions!
The ruins at El Mirador are amazing. Much of the city is still not excavated, so don't expect to see the well-preserved temples of Tikal, but they are still incredible and there is so much to see. You can really appreciate what archeological discovery must be like It definitely feels like an Indiana Jones experience (minus the Nazis and other absurdities).
What I appreciate about the El Mirador project is that it is very much an international-local partnership. The local people of Carmelita are invested in protecting the area because it provides jobs. The archeologists who come from the U.S. and other parts of the world to work here involve the local community in their work. By visiting the ruins, we as tourists are also helping protect the ruins and support the people of Carmelita
All in all, this trip was amazing. I highly recommend it to adventure seekers who love Central America and ancient Mesoamerican archeology, but want to get off the beaten path and do something more organic and less touristy. I can guarantee it will not be a relaxing trip, but it will be unforgettable.
Here are our recommendations for prepping/packing for the trip:
-Don't go without hiring a good guide--I recommend Dinastia Kan, but there are other groups. Make sure the guide company is local, through the Cooperative Carmelita
-Bring a camelback or several water bottles--you'll want to pack at least 2-3 liters during your hike.
-Bring a small backpack for the hike that holds water, snacks, and a first-aid kit--everything else can be packed on the mules
-Good hiking boots or sturdy shoes are a must--the trail is rough
-Binoculars or camera with a zoom lens were great for bird-watching
-You can take a "shower" with a bucket of water at camp each night, which costs 10 Q each. Bring enough cash for at least 4 of these showers--they're a must
-Bring ciprofloxacin and loperamide--you're going to need it. Almost all of us got some degree of traveler's diarrhea
-Steroid cream for bites/rashes--I got a few nasty ant bites and others in our group got weird rashes from exposure to exotic plants
Feel free to message me if you have questions!
Written April 13, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sekaitraveller
Banff, Canada128 contributions
Mar 2014 • Solo
I had wanted to get to El Mirador since first hearing about it a few years ago.
PLANNING: I had a rigid timeline in Flores and that would mean that my dates would be specific. Mentioning this is important as if you've got Spanish skills and a lot of time to kill, you could take a camioneta up to Carmelita and barter your way into a better deal. They don't keep a ton of supplies in Carmelita so you just can't show up in the morning and without a booking and food and expect to head out for the trek. You will find some reviews here that say, 'you don't need to book with the cooperative'. Frankly, while this may be true, I preferred to deal this organization via travel agents from Flores. Online research provided with me an indication that the trips don't leave everyday and a solo trip would be cost prohibitive/boring so I started emailing travel agents three weeks in advance. As far as I can tell, there are two agents in Flores who handle bookings at the cooperative for you, Carlos Linares and Oscar Salas. Both reply relatively quickly to emails. Carlos said he could get me exactly what I was looking for - a six day, five night loop including Nakbe. My impression is that Oscar runs more expensive and upmarket trips and Carlos caters to more of a backpacker budget crowd but I can't confirm this. Either way, I don't think the service, the trail or the experience would be different. Since Carlos works with backpackers, he can fill a trip up quickly presuming he's got someone who has made a commitment to provide a down payment. Once the trip was guaranteed to depart, our trip went from one (me), to three, to five, to seven within the span of 48 hours.
TRAVEL TO AND FROM CARMELITA:
It is a camioneta ride, AKA chicken bus. The road is paved for the first 30 minutes, it'll likely take you 4 hours. It is a tough ride. You bring all your food with you on the bus, provided by Carlos. This strengthens the indication that there aren't enough supplies locally to just rock into town and expect a guide, a cook and mules to be ready to lead you.
THE TREK: The trail was 'dry' when we went in March 2014. Travel was relatively easy but still muddy in sections. The best stretch of trail was from El Mirador to Nakbe. The trek from Carmelita to El Mirador forced you to look at your feet a lot...this trail can get REALLY WET so timing is critical. Most of the trip is in the shade, which is good!
THE RUINS: They were what I expected, mostly unexcavated ruins in a jungle setting. Watching sunsets from ancient pyramids is quite amazing. Danta being the largest pyramid in the Northern Hemisphere, possibly the world is awesome too. There's a little palapa at El Tintal that has museum quality pottery just sitting there. Wild! I brought a bottle of rum and some food for the guys at El Mirador, this got me a free 'shower'.
THE WILDLIFE: Spider and howler monkeys, oscillated turkeys are a dime a dozen. We also saw deer, peccaries, several species of bird, spiders, scorpions...and a lot of jaguar tracks, scat and markings - but no jaguars, which is what I expected...
THE GUIDING: It was very good - though all in Spanish. My Spanish level was the second worst in the group of seven, but luckily my Mayan knowledge was the tops so I got by alright as I could generally figure out what was being said.
FOOD and ACCOM: Seemed pretty standard for Guatemala-corn, beans and rice. It is pretty 'meat' and fresh fruit and veg poor / starch rich. I noticed that we never ate some of the stuff we brought on the mules. I expect that our food was feeding the guards at the site. Some of the tents had holes. My bites are still healing but what are you going to do, you're in the freaking jungle. Not having to cook and set up and take down your tent every night was great. We tipped well.
OVERALL: It was very good. There weren't any terrible aspects to this trip but the overall quality of it wasn't excellent in my book...I've got too much experience hiking better trails...visiting better ruins...having better tents/backcountry food...Very happy to have gotten this one off the list!
PLANNING: I had a rigid timeline in Flores and that would mean that my dates would be specific. Mentioning this is important as if you've got Spanish skills and a lot of time to kill, you could take a camioneta up to Carmelita and barter your way into a better deal. They don't keep a ton of supplies in Carmelita so you just can't show up in the morning and without a booking and food and expect to head out for the trek. You will find some reviews here that say, 'you don't need to book with the cooperative'. Frankly, while this may be true, I preferred to deal this organization via travel agents from Flores. Online research provided with me an indication that the trips don't leave everyday and a solo trip would be cost prohibitive/boring so I started emailing travel agents three weeks in advance. As far as I can tell, there are two agents in Flores who handle bookings at the cooperative for you, Carlos Linares and Oscar Salas. Both reply relatively quickly to emails. Carlos said he could get me exactly what I was looking for - a six day, five night loop including Nakbe. My impression is that Oscar runs more expensive and upmarket trips and Carlos caters to more of a backpacker budget crowd but I can't confirm this. Either way, I don't think the service, the trail or the experience would be different. Since Carlos works with backpackers, he can fill a trip up quickly presuming he's got someone who has made a commitment to provide a down payment. Once the trip was guaranteed to depart, our trip went from one (me), to three, to five, to seven within the span of 48 hours.
TRAVEL TO AND FROM CARMELITA:
It is a camioneta ride, AKA chicken bus. The road is paved for the first 30 minutes, it'll likely take you 4 hours. It is a tough ride. You bring all your food with you on the bus, provided by Carlos. This strengthens the indication that there aren't enough supplies locally to just rock into town and expect a guide, a cook and mules to be ready to lead you.
THE TREK: The trail was 'dry' when we went in March 2014. Travel was relatively easy but still muddy in sections. The best stretch of trail was from El Mirador to Nakbe. The trek from Carmelita to El Mirador forced you to look at your feet a lot...this trail can get REALLY WET so timing is critical. Most of the trip is in the shade, which is good!
THE RUINS: They were what I expected, mostly unexcavated ruins in a jungle setting. Watching sunsets from ancient pyramids is quite amazing. Danta being the largest pyramid in the Northern Hemisphere, possibly the world is awesome too. There's a little palapa at El Tintal that has museum quality pottery just sitting there. Wild! I brought a bottle of rum and some food for the guys at El Mirador, this got me a free 'shower'.
THE WILDLIFE: Spider and howler monkeys, oscillated turkeys are a dime a dozen. We also saw deer, peccaries, several species of bird, spiders, scorpions...and a lot of jaguar tracks, scat and markings - but no jaguars, which is what I expected...
THE GUIDING: It was very good - though all in Spanish. My Spanish level was the second worst in the group of seven, but luckily my Mayan knowledge was the tops so I got by alright as I could generally figure out what was being said.
FOOD and ACCOM: Seemed pretty standard for Guatemala-corn, beans and rice. It is pretty 'meat' and fresh fruit and veg poor / starch rich. I noticed that we never ate some of the stuff we brought on the mules. I expect that our food was feeding the guards at the site. Some of the tents had holes. My bites are still healing but what are you going to do, you're in the freaking jungle. Not having to cook and set up and take down your tent every night was great. We tipped well.
OVERALL: It was very good. There weren't any terrible aspects to this trip but the overall quality of it wasn't excellent in my book...I've got too much experience hiking better trails...visiting better ruins...having better tents/backcountry food...Very happy to have gotten this one off the list!
Written March 20, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DaveGua
Guatemala City, Guatemala7 contributions
May 2013 • Friends
Just got back from my third trek out to El Mirador. Hoped for rain but it came late this year, just as we were riding back from Carmelita to Flores. Still, it was my best time out there mostly due to the guide, Alex Machuca (Call his brother Humberto at 4948-0596 in Guatemala - Spanish only or Email me - davehguate@yahoo.com to make contact) and his crew. He really knows the route, the ruins, the trees, etc., you name it. We had excellent riding mules when needed. And his prices are the very best, less than half what an agency would charge.
We slept comfortably and bug free in hammocks. You do need to speccify what you want to eat though Alex' sister, the cook, had some great ideas. Food is bought at the market and supermarkets in Santa Elena.
You can get from Guatemala City to Flores by plane or bus ( day or overnight to save on hotel costs but bring a coat - bus is cold).
The five ruins you can visit on asix or seven day trek are magnificint. Alex knows all the most interesting spots. The Piramid Danta in El Mirador is enormous but, due to steps (269 of them all told) easier than before to climb. From atop Danta, you an see all the way out to Calakmul in Mexicco.
I've been around the world. This is one of the top two or three trips I've taken
We slept comfortably and bug free in hammocks. You do need to speccify what you want to eat though Alex' sister, the cook, had some great ideas. Food is bought at the market and supermarkets in Santa Elena.
You can get from Guatemala City to Flores by plane or bus ( day or overnight to save on hotel costs but bring a coat - bus is cold).
The five ruins you can visit on asix or seven day trek are magnificint. Alex knows all the most interesting spots. The Piramid Danta in El Mirador is enormous but, due to steps (269 of them all told) easier than before to climb. From atop Danta, you an see all the way out to Calakmul in Mexicco.
I've been around the world. This is one of the top two or three trips I've taken
Written May 30, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hola buen dia me gustaria saber mas a detalle que fue lo que paso con tu visita al Mirador nosotros como Cooperativa Carmeltia tenemos una boleta de control de calidad de nuestros servicicios y pues no encuentro ninguna queja de los servicios de tu parte o lo has hecho con otra empresa
Written July 26, 2022
Good evening
Just trying to get some info on helicopter flights to El Mirador.
What airport do you fly out of? How did you book your helicopter flight?
I tried Tag airline - online, but could not get it to work.
Thanks n advance !!!! If you have any advice for this trip; I will gladly take it
Daniel
I am looking to fly from Cancun/Playa del Carmen to Flores; then on to El Mirador
Something like that. Advice ....
Written December 3, 2018
Hi, me and my sister are looking to do this helitour trip next week of you'd be in the vicinity.
Written December 8, 2018
We are 64/66 years young! Trekking to El Mirado is it well worn paths? And how many days hike to and from? Which company is the best? We are from England
Written November 24, 2018
In oktober/november wil ik graag deze trip doen. Heeft iemand ervaring met de weersomstandigheden? De muskieten?
Zijn er nog dingen die ik mbt het alleen reizen in deze omgeving in gedachten moet houden?
Dank alvast, Groetjes Trees
Written May 26, 2018
I’m looking at possibly trekking to el mirador around March 11th. I was wondering if anyone had any info on getting to naachtun lost city as well? Any help would be appreciated. Cheers
Written April 2, 2018
I’m looking at possibly trekking to el mirador around March 11th. I was wondering if anyone had any info on getting to naachtun lost city as well? Any help would be appreciated. Cheers
Written April 2, 2018
HI Morgan H
Thank for detailed report. Can you tell how much it cost ?
Thanks,
Ben
Written February 7, 2018
Que distancia hay entre Tikal y ciudad de Guatemala ,se hace tour en 1 dia ?
Written January 19, 2018
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