Trip duration: 7 days
Kilometers covered: 65
Total vertical meters climbed: less
than 300
Ecosystems Visited: Tropical Rainforest, Tropical low
mountain cloud forest
Cultural interaction
with: Maya Lacandon,
Maya Tzeltal
Group size: 2-7 persons
Departure from: Palenque, Chiapas
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| Route Map - click to enlarge |
Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve.
The northern most remnant of the south and Central
American tropical rainforest biomass is the Montes Azules (Blue Mountains)
biosphere reserve, otherwise called the Lacandon Jungle, in the Mexican state
of Chiapas.
Compared to rainforest reserves in famous Costa
Rica, this reservoir is far larger (680,000 hectares) and so allows the
existence of all the wildlife species that exist in this type of habitat, some
of which require large areas to exist (jaguars require 10,000 hectares each).
But having the possibility to see jaguars and quetzals is not the only fact of what makes this area unique. The forest is spilled with infinite ladders of waterfalls, Caribbean-blue freshwater lakes with white-sand bottoms, and endless unexplored ancient Maya archeological sites. Earth has never concentrated so much beauty, natural and cultural richness in one place.
THE TREK
So much beauty couldn’t possibly come with an easy
visit. Natives that live around this reserve have never been too enthusiastic
about exploiting it turistically. That’s
why the only way to truly experience the beauty of this paradise, is to do a rarely
done trek across it.
This trek takes you to the heart of the Lacandon
rainforest, far from the touristy places, and to the remote corners where
wildlife encounters become possible. Unexplored and unexcavated ruins, bat-filled
caves, undiscovered lagoons with pyramids in the middle, are just some of the
natural and cultural marvels that people are missing out on.
The first part of this trek is
accompanied by a native Lacandon Maya, the latter by a native Tzeltal
Maya. An unrepeatable deep forest and
wildlife experience is exponentially made better by adding a rich Maya cultural
experience, both ancient –visiting the ancient Maya lost cities- and modern –sharing
with modern Maya native men-. Few places and few trips can gather so much
insight into one of the world’s richest cultures and one of the most beautiful
rainforests that remain today.
You should be warned, this trek is very rarely
done. Itinerary and route changes can be expected due to the near non-existence
of trails and the fact that the same local native guides are not always readily
available and they may know different routes. The tour leader is well trained
to deal with all situations and will make of trip the best experience. All of
this can only make this trek a more authentic into-the-jungle adventure.
THE ITINERARY
Day 1. Transportation from Palenque to Lacanja village. Swimming in waterfalls.
Night in Jungle Bungalows.
Day 2. Beginning of trek to Lacanjá lagoon. Cross the lagoon in canoe to
pyramid Island. Camp in pyramid.
Day 3. All day in lagoon, wildlife observation, swimming, fishing.
Day 4. Trek to Indio Pedro community. Night at community.
Day 5. Trek to Río Negro. Visit Caves and unexcavated pyramids. Campsite
Day 6. Trek to Miramar Lagoon. Swimming and fishing. Campsite.
Day 7. Trek to other end of Miramar lagoon. Swimming
Day 8. Short trek to road. Meal & beers in village. Drive back to Palenque
WHAT TO BRING
- Backpack for trekking
- Lightweight camping tent
- Sleeping mat
- Light sleeping bag
- Water bottle
- Personal first aid kit
- Comfortable hiking shoes
- Personal hygiene equipment
- Rain coat
- Swimming equipment
WHAT’S INCLUDED
- All transportation to and from Palenque
- Bilingual tour leader
- Accommodation for 1 night in very comfortable bungalow in Lacanjá
- Maya native guides
- Mules or horses for carrying supplies
- Camping equipment for cooking
- All meals during the trip, very complete, varied and adequate for trekking
- Entrances to parks, reserves and communities
- Restaurant meals in towns and villages with beer
PRICES
Prices are per person, in U.S. dollars
RESERVATIONS
Please contact juliankatari@yahoo.com if you have any questions or if you desire
to make a reservation for this trip
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