Spend six days visiting ancient Maya archaeological sites, swimming in turquoise waterfalls, and learning about the Indigenous cultures of central Mexico. Throughout it all, your expert driver will accompany you from location to location, ensuring that you're only focused on relaxing and spending time in nature—not navigating the roads.
Highlights
- Learn to make traditional handicrafts, like bow and arrow
- Cool off at the Roberto Barrios Waterfalls
- Visit the ancient Maya cities of Yaxchilan and Bonampak
- Explore the Palenque archaeological site
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Villahermosa, Transfer to Palenque | Palenque |
| Day 2 | Palenque Archeological Site, Visit the Roberto Barrios Waterfalls | Palenque |
| Day 3 | Ancient Maya Cities of Yaxchilan & Bonampak, Transfer to Nahá | Nahá |
| Day 4 | Nature Exploration at Nahá Reserve, Experience a Hach Winik Fire Ceremony | Nahá |
| Day 5 | Create & Shoot: Lacandon Arrow & Clay Workshop in Nahá, Transfer to Palenque | Palenque |
| Day 6 | Return to Villahermosa, Departure |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Villahermosa, Transfer to Palenque
You can also see jaguars, parrots, and tapirs up close at the Aluxes Ecopark. This non-profit organization rescues injured wildlife and maintains a breeding and release program for endangered species.
Day 2: Palenque Archeological Site, Visit the Roberto Barrios Waterfalls
These days, the ruins are one of Mexico's most interesting Maya ruins, with plenty of artifacts that shed insight into the myths, rituals, beliefs, and lives of the people who built the city. As part of its importance, both regionally and nationally, archaeologists have determined that Palenque was one of the main sites that influenced other settlements of the Usumacinta Basin.
After, head an hour outside the town of Palenque for a relaxing adventure to the Roberto Barrios Waterfalls. The falls are famed for their beautiful turquoise waters, which cast a refreshing spray into the air around the falls (perfect for cooling off!)
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Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Look around you when you reach the falls—you might be able to spot fish in the clear water, monkeys in the trees around you, or even toucans, parrots, or motmots (clock birds) in the tree canopy above you. You'll spend several hours enjoying the scenery, going for a refreshing swim, and relaxing by the water before heading back to town.
Day 3: Ancient Maya Cities of Yaxchilan & Bonampak Transfer to Nahá
After lunch, continue to the second archaeological site of the day: Bonampak, located in the Lacandon jungle. Here you will be able to see 1,100-year-old original paintings, steles (stone slabs), and lintels that describe the lifestyle and government of the ancient city.
After, your driver will take you to the town of Nahá, in the midst of the Lacandon jungle. You'll travel around four hours down dirt roads and through amazing rainforest landscapes.
Day 4: Nature Exploration at Nahá Reserve, Experience a Hach Winik Fire Ceremony
Disembark for a short jungle trek near the water, where, with a little luck, you'll be able to spot a variety of local wildlife, including turtles and crocodiles.
After, you will experience one of the ancestral rituals of the Hach Winik ("Lacandon Maya" in the native language) culture. Don Antonio Chankin, one of the oldest men of Nahá, will guide you through this experience. With his Mayan chanting, his clay censers, and the burning copal and xate palm, he'll give thanks and offerings and ask for protection to Hach Akium (one of the Maya Lacandon gods). All of this will happen in his K'unah temple and will result in a protection token for you and your loved ones.
Day 5: Create & Shoot: Lacandon Arrow & Clay Workshop in Nahá, Transfer to Palenque
During this hour-long experience, you will learn how to turn a dry cane into a fully functional arrow that is light and has a great balance to fly in the air. You will feather the top, add the tip made with different stones and finally tie it together to create your very own arrow. Once you have finished building it, you will have the opportunity to test it and demonstrate your archery skills.
After, you will participate in a clay workshop, a material that's been in use since pre-Hispanic times to make utensils and model figures of gods. The workshop is guided by one of the Lacandon artists, who will guide you to use your skills and imagination to create a unique clay piece, let your hands remember long-forgotten memories, and rediscover your creative and spiritual side.
After, your driver will take you from the town of Nahá, in the midst of the Lacandon jungle, to the town of Palenque. You'll travel around four hours down dirt roads and through amazing rainforest landscapes.
After, you will participate in a clay workshop, a material that's been in use since pre-Hispanic times to make utensils and model figures of gods. The workshop is guided by one of the Lacandon artists, who will guide you to use your skills and imagination to create a unique clay piece, let your hands remember long-forgotten memories, and rediscover your creative and spiritual side.
After, your driver will take you from the town of Nahá, in the midst of the Lacandon jungle, to the town of Palenque. You'll travel around four hours down dirt roads and through amazing rainforest landscapes.
Day 6: Return to Villahermosa, Depart
Safe travels! Your driver will take you from Palenque to Villahermosa's airport for your flight home.
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