Maya Exploration Center: Education Through Exploration
Study Abroad
Ancient Maya Science and Culture in the Ruins of Guatemala - Tikal, Yaxha, Siebal and Lake Peten Itza
A travel course for the students of Professors Curt Vander Vere and Rob Cooley at Pennsylvania College of Technology.

This seven day tour and lecture series will investigate Maya ruins from both historical and scientific standpoints. The first two days in Guatemala City will give students the chance to see the archaeological treasures housed in the National Museum of Anthropology and the ruins of one of the oldest Maya cities, Kaminaljuyu. Day trips will be filled with exciting boat trips and hikes through jungle shrouded ruins. New Years Eve and day will be spent at Tikal. Lectures on Maya history, archaeoastronomy, calendars, hieroglyphs and architecture will be presented during the evenings.

Ancient Maya Science and Culture in the Ruins of Guatemala - Tikal, Yaxha, Siebal and Lake Peten Itza
Price To be arranged through PCT
Date December 28 - January 4, 2011 (revised itinerary)
REGISTER FOR THIS COURSE WHAT TO BRING


December 28, Tuesday: Arrival and Orientation
12-1pm: Fly into Guatemala City at 12:10pm, shuttle to Holiday Inn
1-2pm: Orientation meeting and lunch at Miraflores complex
2-5pm: Miraflores Museum (Kaminaljuyu ruins)
6-7:30pm: Lecture - Ancient Maya History
Overnight in Guatemala City
 
December 29, Wednesday: National Anthropology Museum
8-9am: Breakfast
9-12am: Free time to look around Zone 9
12-1pm: Lunch
1-4pm: National Anthropology Museum
4-7:30pm: Airport and flight to Flore
7:30-8pm: Transport to and check in at Hotel Santana
Overnight in Flores, Hotel Santana
 
December 30, Thursday: Lake Peten Itza
8-9am: Breakfast
9-10am: Walking tour of Flores
10-12pm: Boat to Island Museum tour
12-2pm: Lunch break
2-4pm: Boat to Petencito Zoo
5-6pm: Lecture - Maya Sacred Geometry
Overnight in Flores, Hotel Santana
 
December 31, Friday: Yaxha
7-8am: Breakfast
8-10am: Transport to Yaxha
10-3pm: Tour of Yaxha and picnic
3-5pm: Transport to Tikal
6-7pm: Lecture - Tikal, Rome of the Maya World
Overnight in The Jaguar Inn, Tikal
 
January 1, Saturday: Tikal - New Years Day!
5-7am: Dawn on top of Temple IV
7-9am: Breakfast
9-1pm: Tour of Tikal
1-3pm: Lunch Break
3-5pm: Onsite Museums
Overnight at the Jaguar Inn, Tikal
 
January 2, Sunday: Flores
8-9am: Breakfast
9-11pm: Zip line adventure at Tikal
11-1pm: Hotel check in and lunch
Afternoon: Free time in Flores
Overnight at Hotel Santana, Flores
 
January 3, Monday: Seibal
7-8am: Breakfast
8-9am: Transport to Sayaxche
9-10pm: Boat to Siebal
10-2pm: Tour and Picnic at Siebal
2-5pm: Return to Flores
7-9pm: FInal Dinner and closing ceremonies
Overnight in Hotel Santana
 
January 4, Tusday: Departure
6am: Breakfast and check out
7am: At the Flores airport for flights out
 


LODGING
Flores: Hotel Santana, on the lake shore. Hotel services include AC, cable TV, phones, pool, on-site restaurant and room service.

Tikal: The Jaguar Inn, inside the ruins. Hotel services include fans, private baths, internet, on-site restaurant.

Guatemala City: The Holiday Inn, Zone 9. Hotel services include AC, TV, private baths, internet, on-site restaurant.

PRICE INCLUDES
- Lodging
- Breakfasts and lunches
- The final dinner
- Ground and water transportation
- Entrance fees
- Guiding
- Lectures and course resource packet


PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE
- Airfare to Guatemala City and Flores
- Travel insurance
- Dinners
- Tips for Service Providers (drivers, maids, etc..)

Proceeds from MEC Travel courses and 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.
Suggested reading books can be bought at Amazon.com JungleCasts with Dr. Barnhart