6-Day El Mirador Trek: Mayan Ruins Expedition

El Mirador, Guatemala

6-Day El Mirador Trek: Mayan Ruins Expedition

Join us on a trek to El Mirador, one of the largest and oldest cities in the Mayan world, located deep in the Guatemalan jungle. Our guides from the Carmelita community will lead you on a 40.5 kilometer hike through well-maintained trails, giving you the chance to immerse yourself in the jungle and spot local wildlife such as howler monkeys. You'll camp every night, experiencing the history and mysticism of the region, as well as enjoying beautiful sunrises and the sounds of the forest. Delicious food is included throughout the trip.

Our 6-day itinerary includes a visit to the Nakbe archaeological site, while the 5-Day Trek includes visits to all of the other sites, including the Danta Pyramid at El Mirador.

You can also add a day trip to Tikal before or after the El Mirador Trek. We recommend leaving at least a day in between Tikal and the El Mirador Trek to rest. This option will be available at checkout.

Right for You?

Destination

Duration

6 Days / 5 Nights

Travel Style

Active Adventure, Cultural Immersion and Roughing it

Languages

Spanish and English
The reservations office speaks English but the local guides on the hike do not. Bilingual guides can be arranged for extra cost.

Physical Activity

Challenging workout

Location

Rural Communities and Rainforest

Connect

Wifi: None
Cell: None
Starts at:

$445/person

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Speaks: Spanish and English

Details

Schedule

Tours depart daily with pick ups in Flores beginning around 5am.

Availability

Flexible Departure Date
All year

What's Included

Lodging

5 Nights Camping

Activities

This is a challenging workout. During the rainy months (September-November) it can get extra muddy and more difficult. During the dry months (December-March) the conditions usually improve. The trip is available year round.

Guide

Local guide (not bilingual) and Bilingual guide (extra $)

Room

No Electricity and No Hot Water

Food

All meals included

Transport

Private van and Hike

Traveler Reviews

Sam

Forced to Accept 5-day Trek (instead of confirmed 6-day Trek) - Customer Communication and Support Very Poor

After years of going on outfitted adventures, I have never had the experience of an outfitter reneging on a confirmed reservation. But that is what happened here with Carmelita Cooperative. I was told just 12 hours before departure that only a 5-day trek would be departing the next morning (not the 6-day trek that had been confirmed six months ago). I was given a "take-it-or-leave it" offer to join the 5-day trek (after I had spent more on airfare than the trek cost!). In fact, no discount was offered (other than proration from 6 days to 5 days). Surely this situation could have been avoided with proactive and earlier communication. Definitely not the proper way to treat a customer.
February 2023
Patrick

Awesome trip, beforehand organisation should improve

the trip is awesome and you get to see a lot, staying far away from civilization and in nature. Guide and cooking team are also awesome and friendly, Accomodation comfy for being in the jungle and food amazing! However, the organisation beforehand needs to improve. we got no information from them on anything, we needed to search for contacts and ask where we have to be on the day of departure. Also, we had the "last day tikal" in our tour included, but nobody told us that this means going back to Flores after the hike and then the next day going to Tikal. So we did not have a hotel when we got back to Flores and were very lucky to find one in the short time. Also, after the hike you are exhausted so Tikal the next day is again exhausting, you can just book it yourself and have a rest day in between.
December 2022


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Your Local Host

Cooperativa Carmelita

Cooperativa Carmelita

Locally Owned Community Cooperative

The Carmelita-El Mirador circuit is a unique and fascinating experience that is run by the inhabitants of Carmelita, a traditional Maya community that has been settled in the heart of the Selva Maya (Mayan jungle) since the early 1900s. For over a century, the people of Carmelita have lived in harmony with the forest, and have played a crucial role in protecting, managing, and conserving the natural environment that surrounds them. Located in the Petén region of Guatemala, the Carmelita-El Mirador circuit offers visitors the opportunity to explore the stunning beauty of the Selva Maya, and to learn about the traditional way of life of the Maya people. The circuit covers an area of 530 km2, and is home to a rich and diverse array of flora and fauna, including many species of birds, mammals, and reptiles. Despite the challenges of living in a remote and often difficult environment, the inhabitants of Carmelita have managed to maintain their traditional way of life and to preserve their cultural heritage. They are responsible for the conservation of over 97% of the natural forest in the area, and their knowledge and expertise has helped to make the Carmelita-El Mirador circuit a popular destination for eco-tourists and nature lovers from around the world. Visitors to the Carmelita-El Mirador circuit can expect to experience a range of activities and attractions, including guided hikes and nature walks, bird watching, camping, and fishing. The circuit is also home to several important Mayan archaeological sites, including the famous El Mirador pyramid, which is believed to be one of the oldest and largest structures of its kind in the world. In addition to its natural beauty and cultural significance, the Carmelita-El Mirador circuit offers visitors the chance to support the local community and to contribute to the conservation efforts that are so important to the people of Carmelita. By choosing to visit the circuit, you can help to ensure that this unique and precious environment is preserved for future generations to enjoy.

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Getting There

Pick up and drop off in Flores is included in the tour
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