El Mirador
Undoubtedly the cradle of Maya civilization, covering 42,300 square kilometers that encompass the forest surrounding the city, it is considered the Maya site with the largest pyramids by volume in the world and the largest in all of the Americas. With a system of Maya roadways that cross and connect the different cities to El Mirador, we will appreciate the scale and grandeur of this Preclassic city, which has recently reshaped what was previously understood about the formation of the earliest states during the Early Preclassic period; comparable to the Olmec culture and the city of La Venta. We will venture deep into the jungle to witness the immensity of the ruins covered by the rainforest and delight in the awe-inspiring view from the tallest pyramid, as well as the presence of a variety of wildlife such as toucans, hummingbirds, and turkeys, among others. In addition, we will show you little-visited ancient groups that help explain the urban planning logic of the city of El Mirador; we will step into the skin of a Maya from 1,500 years ago, walking among the majestic structures that once rose in red above the dense green canopy of the jungle.
