Modern Maya Culture in Highland Chiapas
This ten-day tour provides a unique opportunity to learn about the meaning and methods of a continuing Maya art form. Beginning with Olmec art at La Venta Park, and the great Maya ruins of Palenque and Tonina, the tour then focuses on the living Maya traditions of the Highlands.
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| The Living Maya Tour | |||
| Price | $2100 per person (based on double occupant lodging. Add $300 for single lodging supplement.) | ||
| Date | TBD | ||
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| DAY ONE: Arrival Arrive at airport in Villahermosa, Tabasco, and check into your hotel. |
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DAY TWO: La Venta Park Learn about Mexico's first civilization, the Olmec, while walking through La Venta Park with archaeologist Christopher Powell. Walking trails provide, a perfect setting for the monumental Olmec sculptures. |
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DAY THREE: Palenque Spend the morning touring the ruins of Palenque with archeologist Dr. Ed Barnhart, who will focus on Maya art and cosmology. Stroll through the city's magnificent palace and marvel at its famous pyramid complex, the Cross Group and visit the on-site museum and the tomb of Palenque's greatest king, Lord Pakal. |
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DAY FOUR: Tonina and San Cristòbal Drive through panoramic mountains to San Cristòbal, stopping at the tropical waterfalls of Misol Ha and the Classic Maya ruins of Tonina. See the last monument carved during the Classic Maya Period and arrive in San Cristòbal for a lecture on cultural continuity among the Highland Maya. |
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DAY FIVE: Zinacantán Travel to the Tzotzil Maya village of Chamula and nearby Zinacantán, where weavers are continually exploring dramatic innovations. Visit the Zinacantán cultural museum, and shop for local textiles. Later, enjoy an informal talk over a home-cooked regional dinner at Chip's house. |
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DAY SIX: Tenejapa Travel to the beautiful Tzeltal Maya village of Tenejapa to see natural dyeing and weaving. Lunch at exemplary weaver, Mar’a Meza Giron's home. Return to San Cristòbal for a tour of Na Bolom, now a museum and cultural center for the Lacandon Maya. Attend a theatre production by the Maya troupe, Sna Jtz'ibajom ("House of the Writer") in the evening. |
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DAY SEVEN: Chinkultic and Aguacatenango Stop in Comitan for coffee, then travel on to the Maya ruins of Chinkultic. Surrounded by lagoons, the site boasts remarkable stelae. Lunch at Santa Mar’a, a beautifully preserved hacienda. Visit Aguacatenango then drive to the nearby village of Amatenango where women weave unique costumes and produce exceptional hand-built, pit-fired pottery. |
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DAY EIGHT: San Andrès Visit the remote villages of San Andrès and Magdalenas, renowned for their spectacular wool brocade work. See the making of fine net bags in Magdalenas, visit the homes of weavers, and take in the market. Back in San Cristòbal, take the afternoon off and then attend a final evening's dinner at Chip's house. |
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DAY NINE: Pichucalco After a casual breakfast and a last look around town, depart for Villahermosa, this time traveling via the scenic Pichucalco road through mountains and pristine cloud forests. Stay in Villahermosa for the evening to be ready for early flights out the next morning. |
| DAY TEN: Departure Early flights out. |
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PRICE INCLUDES
- Lodging- Breakfasts & lunches
- 4 dinners
- Ground transportation
- Entrance fees
- Guides
- Lectures
- Tour information packet
PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE
- Airfare to and from Villahermosa- 5 dinners
- Alcoholic beverages
- Travel insurance
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.
