Tikal is in my opinion the highlight of Guatemala. The ancient Maya city located in the far north of the country. Where else is not much. But the long trip is worth it.
Tikal was at that time one of the largest Maya cities, consisting of countless buildings, thousands of which are not excavated until today. The city covers an enormous terrain; However, the walk-part of the Tikal National Park is only a small part of it – but also feels great to have because you can cross it on foot.
The base: Flores
Let us first take a step back. Tikal itself lies deep in the rainforest. Who wants to visit the pyramids, rises in all probability from the small town in Flores. More than an hour from Tikal away.
Flores is a very putziges village on a small island. They can easily circulate in 15 minutes. Ultimately, that’s almost everything can be done in Flores: run around. Perhaps even a boat ride. A few restaurants there also, but more than a base for Tikal is Flores.
Before getting to the pyramids
A tour can be booked at every street corner in Flores. If desired, it may simply consist only of the arrival and departure.
Correct early risers break already by 3 clock in the morning and stand at sunrise on the highest pyramid. Late risers – as I do – get going until 4:30 clock. With a delayed departure, the approach and the dawdling at the entrance we were finally at 7 clock in the morning ready to go in the park. Later, you should not show up there, if you still want to have two hours of rest.
That I omitted the sunrise tour, has afterwards no longer bothered me, because of the sun there was no sign. A deep fog hung over the Tikal National Park and provided a thrilling atmosphere.
After a few minutes I have encapsulated me quickly from the guided tour, not five hours with 20 people to trot a guide afterwards. For me there is nothing more boring and simultaneously straining Deres.
So I have a map of the park concerned (photographed map) and am going alone. Since I was faster than the groups that could be explained every stone, I saw only two or three people for the next hour and a half.
First we went through the rainforest to the first smaller ruins in the mist appeared. Even a few animals, which reminded me of a mixture of squirrel and rat, but were big as cats, played their part in the mystical mood.
The first big highlight was the Temple IV, the highest of all. Standing on it overlooks the entire rainforest of the region. I had seen photos, climbed up, did the view and saw: Fog.
I went on to explore other temples, looked here and there a man in the distance. Two hours later, I met my group and went straight on to the big square where the temple I and Temple II stand. There I sat down myself and enjoyed the quiet and the sun, but now revealed.
Gradually, more and more tourist groups came to the central square, it was been 10 clock. Now that the sun was shining, but I wanted to know again and again went to Temple IV (the highest). With the blue sky, the world saw around me already quite different. Below me the rainforest as far as the eye could see.
At the end of this trip I was happy as rare for a cultural tour. In the five hours, it was never boring. The area is large and varied, the roads are quite wide, between one wants to rest sometimes and enjoy and as the time passed very quickly.
Tikal gets from me a clear recommendation. For each visit to Guatemala, it is a must and for pyramids lovers there is even a good option if Guatemala is not on the agenda, but one stays in Belize or southern Mexico.
Info: The accessibility of Tikal cost over the Amigos Hostel 90 quetzales (about 8 euros). There are also 150Q entry for the National Park. For the Sunrise Tour by 3 clock in the morning is the entry 250Q.