Tikal Tours

To the north of Guatemala in the department of El Petén is Tikal National Park which covers 550 square kilometers of prime rain forest. The actual Maya site stretches over an area of 16 square kilometers. The park was declared a national treasure in 1955 and opened to the world two years later. Visitors to Tikal from all over the world hold their breath as they witness the impressive work that Mayas did when they reigned here centuries ago. More than 3,000 structures have been discovered in this ancient Maya city. The first Mayas settled at Tikal as early as 600 BC. From 300 to 900 AD, the city went through a golden age of architecture, art, and written language; this stage of the Mayas is called the Classic Period. But they mysteriously underwent a swift decline.

In the Great Plaza, once the ceremonial heart of the metropolis, stand Temple 2 and the Temple of the Great Jaguar along with numerous stelae and altars. Nearby is the Temple 4, this is the tallest structure ever built by the Maya; it towers 65 meter into the air, and can be seen above the forest from far away. Another structure is the great pyramid of the Lost World, which was built around 600 AD; this is a popular spot to watch the sunset and a wide variety of birds. In Tikal visitors will stroll along trails through protected jungle from one building to another where birds, monkeys, coatis and many other animal species are commonly sighted along the trails.