A study abroad course for the students of Professor Margaret Wade, Midland College

This course is designed for college level students to learn about ancient Maya culture and modern rain forest ecology while traveling through Southern Tabasco and Northern Chiapas, Mexico. Participants will be home based in Palenque, taking day trips and receiving lectures in the evenings. The MEC instructors for the course are all top scholars in the field of Maya archaeology.

Rain Forest Ecology and Ancient Maya Ruins in Chiapas and Tabasco
Price	$1550 per person (based on double occupant lodging. Add $275 for a private single room) $300 deposit upon registration
Date	October 16-24, 2009
REGISTER FOR THIS COURSE PAY COURSE BALANCE

October 16, Friday: Arrival Fly into Villahermosa, Mexico and take taxi to Hotel Cencali where MEC staff will be waiting to greet you. Get some sleep before a busy next day!
	October 17, Saturday: La Venta Park 8-9am: Breakfast and orientation meeting at hotel 9-12pm: Tour of La Venta 12-2pm: Lunch and Hotel check out 2-4pm: Transport to Kolem Jaa 5-6pm: Lecture on Rain Forest Ecology Overnight at Kolem Jaa
October 18, Sunday: Kolem Jaa 7-8am: Breakfast at Kolem Jaa 8-12pm: River trip and waterfalls 12-2pm: Lunch and afternoon break 2-3pm: Canopy zip line tour 5-6pm: Butterflies and animal sanctuary Overnight at Kolem Jaa
October 19, Monday: Kolem Jaa to Palenque 6-8am: Photographic safari at dawn 8-10am: Breakfast and check out 10-12pm: Transport to Palenque 5-6pm: Lecture on Ancient Maya History Overnight in Palenque
October 20, Tuesday: Palenque 7-8am: Breakfast 8-12pm: Tour of Palenque 12-2pm: Lunch and rest 2-4pm: Palenque's museum 5-6pm: Lecture on Maya Astronomy Overnight in Palenque
October 21, Wednesday: Bonampak 8-11am: Transport to the east 11-1pm: Tour of Plan de Ayulta 1-3pm: Picnic at Golondrinas Waterfalls 3-5pm: Tour of Bonampak Overnight in Frontera Corozal
October 22, Thursday: Yaxchilan 7-8am Breakfast 8-9am Boat trip to Yaxchilan 9-1pm Tour of Yaxchilan 1-3pm Back and lunch at museum 3-6pm Transport back to Palenque Overnight in Palenque
October 23, Friday: Cacao Plantation 8-9am Breakfast and Hotel check out 9-1pm Transport to and tour of Comalcalco 1-2pm Lunch in Comalcalco 2-4pm Tour of Cacao Plantation 7-8pm Closing ceremonies and final dinner Overnight in Villahermosa
October 24, Saturday: Departure Early transport to Vilahermosa Airport and flights out back to the USA

Villahermosa: Hotel Cencali. The rooms have AC, telephones, cable TV, and private baths.

Kolem Jaa: Kolem Jaa. The cabanas have AC, private baths, and hot water. On-site restaurant.

Palenque: La Aldea, just outside of the Palenque ruins. On-site restaurant, pool, laundry service and an internet service. The cabanas ac, fans, private bathrooms and hot water.

Frontera Corozal: The Hotel Escudo Jaguar. The rooms have double beds, fans, private baths and mosquito netting.

- Lodging
- Private transportation
- Archaeologist/anthropologist guides
- Lectures
- Information packet
- Entry fees
- All Breakfasts - Lunches and dinners at Kolem Jaa
- Dinner on last night

- Airfare to Villahermosa
- Travel insurance
- Most dinners and lunches


Proceeds from MEC Tours are the center's primary source of research funding. As such, a portion of the tour costs are tax deductible. MEC will provide participants with receipts and proper documentation regarding the center's 501(c)(3) non-profit status for your records. Study abroad programs are priced for students and thus tax deductions available.