A favourite destination – Mexico. Awe-inspiring ancient Mayan ruins to enthusiastically explore. Over 4000 ancient sites spread over Central America. Best Mayan archeological sites:
Mayan community inhabited Mexico & Central America since 1800 BC. Agricultural by nature, they harvested crops like maize, beans & cleared jungles for farming. Worshipped 150 Gods – God of Rain, God of Agriculture & so on.
Chichen Itza Mayan Ruins
A sacred city built in both classic Maya & later Maya-Toltec period. Highlight is the ‘Kukulkan Pyramid’, 75 feet tall. Built for astronomical & sacrificial purposes. During twice-annual equinox, the setting sun creates shadows on pyramid steps resembling the body of a serpent. A new wonder of the world.
Coastal Ruins Of Tulum
Iconic walled city of Tulum is perched on cliffs overlooking the sea. Beautiful beaches to swim. Major trading & religious centre in the 11th-16th centuries. Traded jade, turquoise, cotton, copper bells, axes & chocolate. ‘Temple of Frescoes‘ offers rare painted murals inside.
Maya Ruins Of Coba
Features 5 lovely large lakes. Dare to climb 120 steep stone steps to ‘Nohoch Mul’, the tallest pyramid in the peninsula. Gorgeous gaze over jungle-covered ruins.
Palenque
‘Temple of Inscriptions’ was built by King Pakal’s son. Recorded 180 years of city’s history. Home to King Pakal’s Tomb. Humidity in the burial chamber is so intense that walls drip with water. Can only enter with special permissions.
Calakmul
Houses 2 large pyramids & extensive system of reservoirs for water to 50,000 Mayans. Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, massive protected jungle at the Guatemala border hosts wonderful wildlife like howler monkeys & jaguars.
Monte Alban
One of Mexico’s 1st pre-Colombian cities, founded in 500 BC. Incredibly intact temples, tombs, palaces, astronomical observatory & a historical ball court which hosted games of Ollama.
Teotihuacan
The main attraction is ‘Pyramid of Moon’. Hides a plethora of secrets discovered in bodies of humans treated with brutality as ritualistic sacrifices to God. Explore Citadel, Avenue of Dead, Pyramids of Sun & Moon.
Ek Balam
Location of ‘King Ukit Kan Lek Tok’s Tomb‘. Lies within the largest pyramid alongside 45 ancient structures. Wonderful works of art & calligraphy are plastered on the walls.
Edzna
‘House of the Itzas‘, home of the Itza family. Gran Acropolis & Temple of the Masks honours the Sunrise & Sunset God. An imposing palace facing Gran Acropolis.
Templo Mayor
Spanish for ‘Greater Temple’ – center of the Maya universe. Dedicated to the God of War, Rain & Agriculture.
A great destination for lovers of history, architecture & ancient cultures.