El Zotz – Tikal 3 days / 2 nights

Ruins & Bat Caves

"At Zotz [bats] are all around you and you can feel the wind from their wings as they fly by on millimeters away, sometimes, while walking we would even brush into them. We slept in hammocks, the food was excellent, and the guides were so fun and understanding."

This tour starts in Flores and ends in Tikal. Bat cave is not accessible. Bat viewing is from the cave entrance.

This trail is operated by the Maya Ke´kchí community of El Cruce Dos Aguadas, located 62 Km north of Flores. This trail winds through the El Zotz Biotope and comes out into Tikal through the back door !Wildlife, archaeology and jungle exploration come together in this magical experience.

Itinerary 3 dias/2 noches from 7:30 am to 18:00 pm

DAY 1

Cruce Dos Aguadas – El Zotz

Early departure from Hotel. A minibus pickup will take us to Cruce Dos Aguadas or San Andres where our journey begins. A local assistant will prepare the pack horses. If requested ahead of time, we can also ride the horses. The 5-hour trail to El Zotz is quite a windy road and areas are sunny, with dense foliage and lively spider monkeys. Along the way to El Zotz, we will stop to eat a box lunch.
Upon arrival to the site, camp is set up near a ranger station. In the evening, we walk to the base of a bat cliff (about 500 meters from the camp) and set up to watch the hundreds of thousands of bats that leave their cave dwellings in the rocks and near by cliff for a night of foraging. Bat falcons can also usually be seen, diving at a high speed into the streams of bats as they hunt for their prey.

DAY 2

El Zotz After breakfast, exploration and visit of the nearby archaeological site of El Zotz, now undergoing excavation and research work by the government and international institutions surveying its plazas and jungle-covered mounds. Climbing of the tallest mound, the Devil's Pyramid provides an overhead jungle view of the summit of the temples of Tikal, 23 Km. to the East.
After dinner, we set up for the night in this remote camp and listen to the sounds of the jungle.  Sometimes you can hear jaguars howling in the distance and the always present howler monkeys.

DAY 3

To Tikal After breakfast, we break camp and head for the final leg of our journey toward Tikal National Park, through rolling terrain covered by tall primary forest. Pack horses are not allowed in the park, so passengers have to walk and carry their own packs during this segment. At some point along the trail, we stop for a lunch break. After about 3 hours walking with backpacks, we arrive at the outskirts of the main Tikal ruins, having passed dozens of jungle covered mounds.
Approximately two hours later, we arrive at Temple IV on the West side of the restored area of the site.
Transportation back to Flores or you stay at the Hotel Jaguar Inn (Tikal) is best made in advance.
Most people that have taken this tour say that they were very tired when arriving to Tikal. It's better to plan a separate day to visit Tikal.

What to Take:

• light and comfortable clothes
• shoes or boots, but light
• poncho or raincoat
• binoculars
• insect repellent
• cap or hat
• flash light with batteries
• sun glasses
• water bottle
• sun block cream
• toilet paper
• personal medication
• camera, film, batteries
• light jacket
• antiseptic cream
• 1 knapsack (the horse will take it)
• 1 small personal knapsack
• snacks for the road

This Tour Package Includes:

• Round trip transportation
• All meals by description
• Spanish speaking guide
• Camping gear (tents, mats, mosquito • nets and bedding.)
• Purified water
• First aid kit
• Horses for equipment