Price: $3,200 per person (double occupancy, luxury)
Duration: 11 days, 10 nights
Best Time to Go: November to April, for dry weather and vibrant local festivals
Starting Point: Flores, Guatemala
What’s Included: Luxury eco-lodge stays, private transfers, guided treks, cacao ceremony, festival access, digital map of hidden ruins and cenotes
What’s Not Included: International flights, travel insurance, personal expenses
Buckle up for an 11-day plunge into Guatemala’s Petén, a jungle so thick with Mayan secrets it feels like stepping into a lost world. This luxe tour skips the crowded Tikal scene for lesser-known ruins like El Zotz and remote villages like Uaxactún, where life moves slow and history’s carved in stone. You’ll poke around a bat cave museum that’s weirdly cool, join a cacao ceremony at a local festival, and trek to cenotes that sparkle like hidden gems. The digital map’s your guide to secret archaeological sites and jungle paths you’d never find solo. Here’s the full vibe, scribbled like I’m telling it over a campfire with a hint of jungle sweat and a few typos for realness.
Day 1: Arrival in Flores & Jungle Lodge
You land in Flores, Petén’s colorful island town, where we’ll scoop you up and boat across Lake Petén Itzá to a luxe eco-lodge nestled in the jungle. Think hardwood floors, private balconies, and howler monkeys as your wake-up call. After settling in, take a short sunset walk to a nearby Mayan lookout—views are unreal. Dinner’s gourmet: tamales with jungle herbs and a cold Gallo beer. Your digital map drops tonight, loaded with hidden ruins, cenotes, and trails around Petén. Crash early, the jungle’s calling.
Day 2: El Zotz Ruins Trek
Morning’s a private transfer to El Zotz, a Mayan ruin way off the tourist trail. It’s a bumpy ride and a moderate trek through jungle, but those pyramids poking through the canopy? Worth it. Bats swarm at dusk (hence the site’s name, “Place of Bats”). Your guide, a Mayan history buff, spills tales of ancient kings and sacrifices. Lunch is a jungle picnic—think pepián stew. The map points to a hidden stela nearby, carved with glyphs. Back to the lodge for a plush night, maybe with a pisco cocktail.
Day 3: Uaxactún Village & Ruins
We head to Uaxactún, a remote Mayan village where locals still speak Q’eqchi’ and live among ancient ruins. You’ll explore crumbling temples right in the village, where kids play soccer beside 1,500-year-old stones. A local family teaches you to make cacao paste—bitter but sacred. Lunch is with them: caldo de gallina, a chicken soup that hits the spot. The map guides us to a hidden observatory ruin for afternoon stargazing tips from a Mayan elder. Sleep in a luxe lodge near Uaxactún, surrounded by jungle hums.
Day 4: Bat Cave Museum & Jungle Trails
Today’s for the weird stuff: a quirky bat cave museum near San Andrés, stuffed with Mayan artifacts and bat-related lore (bats were sacred, who knew?). The curator’s a bit nutty, loves explaining bat gods and cave rituals. You’ll try carving a small clay bat—expect a mess. After lunch (maybe k’ek’chi’ tortillas), we hike a map-marked trail to a hidden cenote, perfect for a quick dip. It’s crystal-clear and feels secret. Back to the Uaxactún lodge for dinner and a chill evening under the stars.
Day 5: Cacao Ceremony & Local Festival
The big day: a cacao ceremony at a local festival in a nearby village (we keep the name quiet to keep it authentic). It’s a Mayan celebration of harvest and ancestors, with drums, marimbas, and cacao drinks blessed by a shaman. You’ll join the ritual, sipping bitter cacao and offering thanks to the earth—deep stuff. The feast is epic: roasted turkey with recado sauce. The map points to a nearby sacred grove for a post-festival walk, where locals leave offerings. Sleep in a luxe lodge, maybe dreaming of cacao gods.
Day 6: Hidden Cenote Trek
Morning’s a trek to another cenote, this one deep in the jungle and straight off the map. It’s a moderate hike—muddy boots, watch for roots—but the turquoise pool at the end’s like an oasis. Swim, snap photos, or just soak in the silence. Your guide shares Mayan myths about cenotes as spirit portals. Picnic lunch by the water, with fresh fruit and tamales. Afternoon’s free to chill at the lodge or revisit Uaxactún for more village vibes. Dinner’s gourmet, maybe with some jungle-spiced pork.
Day 7: Yaxhá Ruins & Lake Views
We visit Yaxhá, a lesser-known Mayan site with pyramids overlooking a lagoon. It’s quieter than Tikal but just as epic, with howler monkeys screaming overhead. Climb a temple for views that’ll stop you cold. The map flags a hidden causeway nearby, half-swallowed by jungle. Lunch is lakeside: grilled fish and plantains. Afternoon’s a boat ride on Yaxhá’s lagoon, spotting crocs and herons. Back to the Flores lodge for a luxe night—think hot showers and jungle cocktails.
Day 8: Jungle Village Life
Today’s for soaking up village life in San José, near Flores. A Mayan family shows you how to weave palm leaves into mats—it’s trickier than it looks. Lunch is with them: pepián and fresh tortillas. The map leads to a hidden archaeological site, a small unexcavated mound locals call “El Secreto.” Your guide explains its unstudied glyphs. Afternoon’s free to wander San José or chill at the lodge. Dinner’s a feast, maybe with cacao-infused mole.
Day 9: Free Day in Petén
Your call today. Use the map to hike a secret jungle trail, revisit a cenote, or lounge at the lodge’s pool with a view of Lake Petén Itzá. Optional activities include a birdwatching tour (think toucans and parrots) or a Mayan cooking class—make your own tamales. The group reunites for a farewell dinner, sharing stories over grilled meats and hibiscus tea. Sleep in luxury, with the jungle’s night sounds as your lullaby.
Day 10: Ceibal Ruins & River Vibes
We boat to Ceibal, a remote Mayan site along the Pasión River, with mossy pyramids and stelae half-claimed by vines. It’s a quieter spot, perfect for feeling the Mayan past. The map points to a hidden riverbank for a picnic of empanadas and tropical fruit. Afternoon’s a slow boat ride back, with chances to spot river otters. Back to the Flores lodge for a final gourmet dinner—maybe venison with local spices. Pack up, it’s almost time to go.
Day 11: Farewell & Back to Flores
Last day’s chill. After breakfast, we hit one final map spot—a hidden jungle clearing with a small Mayan altar, still used by locals for offerings. It’s peaceful, perfect for reflection. Then we’re back to Flores by noon. Grab souvenirs (woven textiles or a jade carving?) or sip coffee by the lake before your flight. We’ll drop you at the airport or a hotel if you’re staying longer.
Petén’s a jungle time capsule—ruins like El Zotz and Yaxhá are raw, uncrowded, and dripping with history. The bat cave museum’s quirky as hell, the cacao ceremony’s a soul-stirrer, and those cenotes? Pure magic. The digital map’s your secret weapon, pointing to trails and sites that feel like your own discovery. Luxe lodges keep it comfy while you’re deep in the wild. This is for adventurers who want Mayan mysteries without the tour bus vibe.
Practical Stuff
Accommodation: Luxury eco-lodges with private bathrooms, AC, and jungle views—posh but rooted in nature.
Transport: Private vans, boats, and moderate jungle treks.
Group Size: Max 8 people, for an intimate crew.
Weather Note: November-April’s dry, with 75-85°F days and cooler nights. Pack light layers, bug spray, and sturdy boots.
Language: Guides speak English and Spanish; some locals speak Q’eqchi’, but we’ll translate.
Heads-Up
Jungle trails can be muddy and buggy—bring repellent and good shoes. The cacao ceremony’s intense, so come with an open mind. Altitude’s low, but heat and humidity hit hard—stay hydrated. Wi-Fi’s spotty at lodges, so unplug and soak it in. The bat museum’s small, don’t expect a blockbuster.
For more off-the-grid inspo, check Journey Latin America’s site. This tour’s for those craving the Mayan jungle’s heart—ruins, rituals, and cenotes galore. You ready to uncover Petén?