This tour has been cancelled for the December 2022 departure.
Capacity: 20
The Trip
Although close to home, the realm of the ancient Maya is truly like a different world, full of contrasts: spectacular ancient ruins; today’s indigenous peoples; and exotic tropical plants and animals. This 14-day program is a true jungle adventure with the best-paced itinerary to thoroughly explore ancient Maya sites in the dense, tropical rainforests of Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras.
Gain fascinating insights about Maya art and architecture with our expert guides as you discover for yourself huge temple-pyramids that soar above the rainforest, enormous stelae (carved monoliths), painted frescoes, stucco friezes, and carved lintels, plus tropical mammals and birds such as howler monkeys and toucans. We take our time to see eight (possibly nine) of the most remarkable ancient sites of the lowland Maya, four of which are World Heritage Sites; and we will have ample time to relax, reflect, bird watch, and enjoy lectures and our comfortable hotels and remote jungle lodges. Accommodations have been chosen for their comfort, charm and, most importantly, their proximity to the sites.
Your faculty leader, Al Montero, and tour manager/guide, Alfonso Escobedo, are a great team with a wealth of combined knowledge. Professor Montero is an expert on the politics and economics of Latin America, and will enhance your experience with his insights on the political history and economics of Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras. He will emphasize how Maya identities continue to be relevant to contemporary political change and local economies.
Alfonso is an experienced tour manager who will handle all of the logistics. He has been leading tours in his native Mexico and in Central America for more than four decades, and he will illuminate not only the archaeological sites that you explore but also share information about the more recent history, contemporary peoples, and natural world that you encounter along the way. Local guides will also accompany you in Guatemala and Honduras, to share their more localized knowledge.
I hope you will join Professor Montero and fellow Carls on this tropical winter adventure. Secure your space by calling Alumni Adventures at (800) 811-7244 or emailing carleton@studytours.org.
Tour Leader
Alfred P. Montero is the Frank B. Kellogg Professor of Political Science at Carleton College, and the senior editor of the refereed journal Latin American Politics and Society. His main research areas are the political economy of Latin American countries and the quality of democracy. Al is the author of Brazil: Reversal of Fortune (Polity Press, 2014), Brazilian Politics: Reforming a Democratic State in a Changing World (Polity Press, 2006), Shifting States in Global Markets: Subnational Industrial Policy in Contemporary Brazil and Spain (Penn State University Press, 2002), and he is co-editor with David J. Samuels of Decentralization and Democracy in Latin America (University of Notre Dame Press, 2004). Al has accompanied a number of previous Alumni Adventures, including both land tours and small-ship cruises in Mexico, Cuba, Peru, Panama, and Costa Rica.
“Everything felt really first-class and well planned. Having a Carleton professor (Al Montero) along for a trip like this felt particularly vital as his personal insights…were woven so well with his obviously well thought out political science perspectives. His deep historical knowledge was tremendously entertaining to help us understand the finer points.”
-Andrew, Minnesota
Prices Per Person (10 nights)
Double Occupancy (18-20 participants) $7,295
Double Occupancy (15-17 participants) $7,695
Single Supplement $1,095
Single room supplement will be charged when requested or required (limited availability).
With fewer than 15 participants, a small group surcharge may be added.
Itinerary
Saturday, December 3, 2022: Depart home for Villahermosa, Mexico
Sunday, December 4: Comalcalco | Hacienda visit | Welcome dinner
Monday, December 5: La Venta Park | Palenque
Tuesday, December 6: Palenque | Jungle trail walk | Palenque site museum
Wednesday, December 7: AM at leisure | Bonampak | Frontera Corozal
Thursday, December 8: Yaxchilán
Friday, December 9: Tikal, Guatemala
Saturday, December 10: Tikal
Sunday, December 11: Optional pre-dawn hike | Tikal site museum | PM at leisure or Yaxhá
Monday, December 12: Rio Dulce | Southeastern Petén Regional Museum, Dolores
Tuesday, December 13: Quiriguá | Motagua Valley | Paleontology and Archaeology Museum, Estanzuela | Copán, Honduras
Wednesday, December 14: Copán
Thursday, December 15: Sepulturas Group | Rastrojón | San Pedro Sula | Farewell dinner
Friday, December 16: Fly home
Additional Information
To make online reservation click here or contact us for reservations or for more information. Call 800-811-7244 or email Carleton College Alumni Adventures.