LEVEL: 1 MIRADOR BASIN (Guatemala).
The Mirador Basin is a natural geographical basin of low-land mountains that contains a group of the most important archaeological sites in Mesoamerica. The Danta and Tigre Pyramids at the site of El Mirador, for example, are the two largest in the Americas and pre-date the famous Maya city of Tikal by 500-1000 years, making the sites of Mirador and Nakbe the oldest centers of civilization known. The Mirador Basin has been documented in over 320 scientific publications, and is believed by many scholars to be the Cradle of Mayan Civilization.

Until recently, scholars believed the Olmecs of Mexico to have been the mother culture of Mesoamerican civilizations, including the Maya. Mirador Basin settlements have now been dated to as early as 1000-300 BC, predating most ancient Maya cities, and demonstrating a contemporaneous Maya occupation at the same time as nearby Olmec societies.

ARCHITECTURE

The site of El Mirador itself covers over 10 square kilometers and has the greatest concentration of civic and religious buildings in the Maya world, far larger and over 500-1000 years older than nearby Tikal. The Danta Pyramid, rising 230 feet, is the greatest structure the Maya ever built, and both it and the slightly smaller Tigre Pyramid dwarf even the largest structures in Mexico or anywhere else in the Mayan world. More importantly, the Pre-Classic Maya cities of the Mirador Basin were abandoned shortly after the time of Christ, largely preserving their unique history intact, without major destruction from subsequent occupations.

Large building complexes, platforms, monumental art, stone monuments, and sophisticated agricultural systems found at El Mirador, Wakna, Xulnal, and Nakbe demonstrate a sophisticated civilization linked by an intricate system of causeways joining the major cities in the Basin as early as 600 to 400 BC. From 300 BC to AD 200, the area was dominated by a superstate society and El Mirador was a major center for early Maya civilization.

Enjoy the most exciting one day tour to El Mirador, while you are in Peten.The fastest way to get there is by helicopter, otherwise you may spend 4 days on horseback riding.

An helicopter from Helicopteros the Guatemala, will be waiting for you at 8:00 in Hotel Maya Internacional, in Flores,Peten.
Going north, it is a 80 minute flight over the rain forest with a wonderful view. You will stay in Mirador Basin for 4 hours being guided by an expert through the ruins. At the end you can enjoy a lunch box including (2 loafs of bread, 1 piece of Cordon Blue chicken, 1 fruit, a cake and bottled water).
Helicopter capacity (4 passengers), booking upon capability and availability.

The Mirador Basin Adventure INCLUDES:

The helicopter Fligth, same day in a 80 minutes ride. Departing from Hotel Maya Internacional.

The lunch box.

All entrance fees (archaeological sites).

Professional bilingual guides for explanations of sites visited.

The Mirador Basin Adventure does NOT include:

Airfare ot transport to Peten.

NOTES FOR FOREIGN VISITORS

Bottled water is used in the hotels and restaurants that we will be using. Do not drink the water from the hotel spigots or showerheads.

Do not eat items from local street vendors unless we tell you it is sanitary.

Bring a biodegradable combination sunblock and insect repellent. A recommendedbrand is Mayatan.

Some rental horses are available on the site.

Rear flashing lights are mandatory.