Tour of the Cahal Pech Palaces and Rainforest Medicine Trails at Chaa Creek

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^$ 196

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San Ignacio, Belize

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5.5 Hours

Moderate

From (USD)

^$ 196

Cahal Pech: Occupied for 1,800 years by Maya royalty and other elites, these extensive ruins are an inside look at the lavish lifestyles of early one-percenters.
Medicinal Trail: You'll stop at Chaa Creek, a private nature reserve, to explore Maya trails and learn about their civilization's herbs, plants, and natural remedies.
Lunch: Enjoy a local lunch in the western town of San Ignacio.

Meeting point

Cruise ship travelers: Please proceed pier side to meet your GoBe Rep. Look for our displayed logo sign. Staying at a hotel? Be sure you specify the name at check out so we can meet you in the lobby.

Getting around

This tour includes climbing temples at Cahal Pech and walking on uneven jungle trails at Chaa Creek.

Activity type

Private Tour, Full Day, Family Friendly, Cultural, Shopping

Transportation used

Generally, a 15-seat Van

Included amenities

Lunch
Beverages

Languages

English, Spanish

Tour ID

TR-CAB-BLZ-SANI-EN-1002

Tour Participation Requirements

Activity Level

This experience is rated moderate. Full participation may require extended periods of walking over even and uneven surfaces, steep terrain and/or water activity in a slight current. There may be steps, inclines, cobblestone surfaces, and extended periods of standing. Participants with physical limitations should take this into account.

Age restrictions

Suitable for all ages.

Near the town of San Ignacio, above the Macal and Mopan Rivers, you'll explore the grounds of Cahal Pech andndash; the compound, palatial residence, and royal burial chamber of an elite Maya family. Occupied as far back as 1200 B.C. and abandoned around 850 A.D., it's the oldest Maya site in the Belize river valley, and proof that the rich and powerful have always grabbed the best real estate for themselves. (They even built themselves the Maya version of a private tennis court.)

Cahal Pech must've been quite the power center, because excavations in the surrounding 10 square miles show it was home to 10,000 to 20,000 people or, more accurately, subjects. Archaeologists have uncovered blades made of obsidian (volcanic glass) and other evidence of ritual bloodletting and sacrifices.

At Chaa Creek Lodge, you'll see the other end of the Maya spectrum healing medicinal herbs and culturally significant flora. This walking tour winds gently above the banks of the Macal River.

Maya monolith mystery

Many Maya ruins feature stelae, tall sculpted stone shafts used as altars but basically just stone billboards glorifying the king and his deeds. The largest one found to date is more than 34 feet long and weighs 65 tons; the Maya somehow hauled these humongous slabs from faraway quarries without the help of wheeled carts or draught animals.

Full refunds issued for cancellations made 7 full days prior to the date and time of requested services. Cancellations made within the 7-day and 72-hour window will receive a 50% refund of purchase total. Purchases are non-refundable inside of 72 hours.