DAY 4 TUE.   TIKAL, Guatemala.  The third UNESCO’s World Heritage Site of the itinerary and the first one in the Maya World, since 1979.  Intensive construction took place at Tikal from the late Pre-classic Period until the waning of Classic Maya civilization around AD 900.  At its peak the city covered about 48 square miles and had a population estimated at 55,000. Tikal's Stelae 29 bears the earliest Long Count date known in the Maya lowlands.  In 292 AD  Temple IV, one of the many pyramids erected to memorialize the dead rulers of Tikal's royal dynasty, and one of the tallest of Maya structures at 212 feet, was erected.  Overnight Flores. (B,L)

DAY 6 THU.  CARACOL, Belize.  Early morning departure to visit Caracol, one of the largest political, religious and economic centers of the Maya Classic Time.  Magnificent and well restored pyramids, the tallest one is named Caana.  Caracol is connected through a network of sakbeob with several small sites.  In the 7th Century, in an alliance with Calakmul, Caracol defeated mighty Tikal.  Return to Guatemala for overnight in Flores.  (B, L)

DAY 7 FRI.  PALENQUE, Mexico.  Another World Heritage Site, Palenque is prized for its well-preserved buildings, carved stucco ornamentation, delicate bas-reliefs and lengthy hieroglyphic texts.  Palenque reached its zenith during the reign of Pacal the Great (AD 615-683).  His tomb in the Temple of the Inscriptions opened in 1952 and stands as one of the greatest discoveries of Mayan archaeology.  Site and museum. Overnight in Palenque.  (B,L)

DAY 8 SAT.  YAXCHILÁN and BONAMPAK, Mexico.  Depart early to the Usumacinta River that defines the border between Guatemala and Mexico.  After a brief boat ride on the river, visit Yaxchilán in Mexico.  Yaxchilán, set above the jungle banks of the river, was first inhabited around 200 AD and the central plaza holds statues of jaguars and crocodiles.  Adventurous travelers will want to climb Yaxchilan's highest temple as the view of the Rio Usumacinta and surrounding jungle is magnificent.  Afternoon boat ride to Frontera Corozal Town to continue with a scenic ride into the Lacandon Forest Reserve, home to the Lacandon people and  Bonampak Archaeological Park.  Bonampak’s ruins are situated around a rectangular plaza.  The southern buildings are well preserved.  The "Templo de los Frescos" contains three rooms covered with paintings depicting ancient Maya ceremonies and customs.  Overnight at the Valle Escondido Lodge.  (B,L)

DAY 9 SUN.  PIEDRAS NEGRAS, Guatemala.  An all terrain vehicle is required to drive through a rural area in Mexico to reach again the Usumacinta River, followed by a short boat ride to visit a hidden jewel of Piedras Negras Archaeological Site in the Guatemalan side of the river.  Extensively explored and excavated during the 1930’s, very little has been done since then, making it the largest unrestored Classic Maya city and a magic place to visit.  Every visitor must climb the tallest structure, where Tatiana Proskuriakov ashes were buried following her will.   Overnight at Palenque.  (B,L)