Guatemala - Tikal

Mayan founded Tikal in about 700BC and by inhabited (by as many as 100,000 people) until 900AD. It was rediscoverd by European explorers in the 1840's

Flying to Tikal over the jungle Flores airport is about a 1 hour flight from Guatemala City. Jungle Over the jungle This is how Tikal would have looked to the first Explored in 1840. The Maya built a series of reservoirs and canals for agriculture. After trekking through the jungle we finnally see Temple #1 A part of the main palace complex This is how it looked before it was restored The rest of the palace complex A traditional Mayan arch. First glimpse of Temple 4 The Arcopolis in the Great Plaza. it may have been another palace. The football court, you do not want to be a looser in this game. Temple of the Grand Jaguar, or Temple#1 Temple of the Masks, or Temple 2 You can climb this one, its 50 big steep steps to the top. Looking over to Temple 1 from the top of temple 2 The room at the top of Temple 2, defaced by tourist graffiti. A carving of Au Cacau (Lord chocolate), the greatest Tikal king. Unrestored temple 3 Temple3 alter still sticks above the trees Tikal has less sculpture then other Mayan sites, but what it has is spectacular. Bits of an alter. Stephen summiting Temple 4 it took 150 steps to get up on top of this 60M temple The view from the top of Temple 4. What movie is this scene from? The Pyramid from the top of temple 4 You get a great view of the jungle canopy from here. The view on top of temple 4 is incredible, A side view of Temple 4 alter, the Pyramid is alligned with the sun at its equinox and solstice. This face was carved into the side of the Pyramid The Pyramid is built on top of 6 smaller ones. Excavation tunnels prove this.