We had a fabulous time. The holiday definitely met or exceeded our expectations.
Speak to a specialist 1300 720 443
Request a
personalised quote
Quote
The magical site of Tikal graces the cover of travel brochures the world over, a mysterious ancient Mayan kingdom drenched in steamy rainforest that echoes with tropical birdsong and the haunting shrieks of howler monkeys. Soaring temples peer out of the jungle canopy amidst a sea of green – the iconic backdrop to various Hollywood movies– while the vast complex is dotted with ceremonial platforms, shrines, stelae, ball courts and plazas. Among the largest sites in the Mayan kingdom, Tikal encompasses some 16km² of tropical forest yet only a fraction has been excavated. Head into the surrounding jungle and you can discover ancient ruins and burial mounds hidden amidst a tangle of creeper figs and roots. Tikal was settled in around 900 BC and reached its zenith during the eighth century AD boasting a population of around 100,000 inhabitants.
For visitors, Tikal is the highlight of any trip to Guatemala, however, it is but one of a series of spectacular crumbling ruins that lie undisturbed amidst the Peten’s jungle, sites that receive a small fraction of tourists. Close by, you can visit the spectacular and relatively untouched sites of Yaxha or Topoxte, or more remote still, El Ceibal, dos Pilas and Aguateca accessed by ascending a spectacular natural fissure in the limestone cliff. Better still, you can camp amidst the eerie ruins of Uaxactun; take boat trips to Yaxchilan just across the Usumacinta River in Mexico or continue across the border into Belize to visit Xunantunich.
We had a fabulous time. The holiday definitely met or exceeded our expectations.
Not quite sure where you want to go? Just click on the themes below and see where the Oasis suggestions take you.
Have you ever been stuck in a country having no idea how to even say 'please' or 'thank you'?
Problem solved… as you can now download free language guides containing 30 basic phrases onto your iPod/MP3 Player.
Sign up for our quarterly e-Newsletter for updates on the latest openings, news and offers from your favourite destinations and Oasis staff travel experiences.
Sign Up For Our Newsletter