Itinerary for Palenque: 2012 Mayan Prophecies – Bringing in the Light

Day 1 December 17th – ARRIVAL (-/-/d)

We meet in Mexico City and transfer to our flight to Tuxtla Guitierrez. You will be met by your bilingual guide and driven to San Cristobal de las Casas (about 2 hours). There you’ll settle in at the Hotel Diego de Mazariegos in the center of San Cristobal. Enjoy a welcome dinner and then gather together as a group and get to know each other and share our intent for our week.

Day 2 December 18th – SAN JUAN CHAMULA & SAN CRISTOBAL (b/l/-)

After breakfast we board bus to the village of San Juan Chamula. We will witness the central church, which is very much a part of the villagers’ life, in its mix of Christianity and Maya religion and local markets. Chamula is located in the Chiapas highlands, at an altitude of 2,200 meters (7,200 feet), inhabited by the indigenous Tzotzil Maya people, whose Tzotzil language is one of the Mayan languages. We will witness the central church, which is very much a part of the villagers’ life, in its mix of Christianity and Maya religion and local markets. The floor of the church is covered with pine needles, copal can be found burning, and people receive treatments from the local shamans and curanderas. There hasn’t been a traditional Christian mass in this church since approximately 1968. Afternoon free for exploring San Cristobal. Overnight at Hotel Diego de Mazariegos.

DAY 3 December 19th – TONINA (b/l/d)

After breakfast, transfer to the Ocosingo where we will visit the Maya site of Tonia. The center of Tonina is built on the side of a large hill in seven terraces producing the overall effect of a stepped pyramid. Numerous chambers and passageways exist and there are several fascinating buildings located in front of the main complex, which may have been used in conjunction with structures on the main buildings. Tonina is believed to have conquered Palenque and led to its eventual collapse. In the 7th century a dynasty change occurred from the long standing “Lord of the Lineage of the Underworld” to the “Snake Skull-Jaguar Claw.” Some of the most powerful carvings can be found at Tonina along with an unusual tunneling passageway. Enjoy a box lunch to take advantage of the entire day visiting the site and its underworld mythology. We’ll also visit the and the museum which features some amazing glyphs. Overnight at Hotel Nututun

DAY 4 December 20th – PALENQUE & MISOL HA (b/l/d)

After breakfast, transfer to the waterfalls of Misol ha (if open). Enjoy the morning, basking in the sun and swimming in the pool of the falls. Then we will contunue on to explore Palenque in the afternoon. More than 500 buildings in Palenque are known, but more than 80% of the city is covered by rain-forest. The outside walls of Palenque’s buildings were not finished in the usual Mayan limestone face but were plastered to show a smooth finish. Beautiful carvings decorated the interiors. Stucco and terra-cotta were also employed. Some buildings, particularly the “Temple of the Inscriptions,” show extensive writing, not all of which have been deciphered.

Day 5 December 21st – PALENQUE (b/l/-)

We will obtain a special permit to enter the site of Palenque before sunrise for a very special ceremony celebration. The location of Palenque was significant as an observer standing on top of the watchtower of the palace during the winter solstice would see the sun plunge down straight into the earth, leading the way to the underworld. Pacal, the most powerful of all the rulers of Palenque had his tomb constructed at that very location. His pyramid tomb thus appears as a direct gateway to the underworld. Return to Nututun in time for dinner. We’ll have all day to discover the spectacular ruins of Palenque. Box lunch and afternoon for visiting the site and the museum. Overnight at Hotel Nututun

Day 6 December 22nd – VILLAHERMOSA – DEPART (-/-/-)

We leave our beautiful hotel and make our way back to the airport and get ready for our flights home. We say our last goodbyes, hugs and kisses as we prepare to take our new dream of heaven back to our lives!