San Cristóbal de las Casas Chiapas Day Tours
| · ‘Montebello’ Lakes and ‘El Chiflón’ waterfall |
| The
‘Montebello’ Lakes are an extremely beautiful lacustrine
system of 59 lagoons located in the municipalities of ‘Trinitaria’
and ‘Independencia’ in the Mexican State of Chiapas.
The lagoons are surrounded by different ecosystems ranging from
pine tree forests to tropical forest and have pristine waters that
invite to swim or to contemplate them. After visiting the lakes, proceeding to ‘El Chiflón’ waterfalls. A waterfall lover's paradise, it is one of the most remote and also most dramatic falls in the region. ‘El Chiflón’ is a series of cascading waterfalls formed by the San Vicente River as it passes through steep limestone canyons, an excellent place for hiking. After enjoying the most important falls return to San Cristóbal de las Casas. |
| · ‘Agua Azul’ & ‘Misol Ha’ waterfalls and Palenque archaeological site, drop off . |
| Departure to visit the wonderful cascades that are formed in the stepped hills and mountains of northern Chiapas. The Yax-há and the Shumul-há rivers meet to form the Tulijá River and the magnificent waterfalls system of Agua Azul, which consists in a chain of 500 falls. The name Agua Azul means blue water although this is more prevalent during the spring before the heavy rainfalls of summer and fall. There are lots of possibilities for swimming, trekking and even horse riding in this national park. After a refreshing swim, drive to Palenque. The archaeological site of Palenque is a heritage of the World by the UNESCO. It was one of the most influential Kingdoms of the Maya Region in the early, mid and late Classic periods (300- 900 A.C.). This ancient Maya City has a marked different constructive style of gracious and harmonic lines, has also the highest quantity of well preserved and exquisitely made writings. Many of the principal writings at Palenque tells fascinating stories about the creation of the world and the linkage between the Creation Goddess and the Queen Zak Kuk (“White Quetzal”) mother and grandmother of the great kings Pakal and Kan Balam respectively (“Shield” and “Snake-Jaguar”). The writings at Palenque were the first to unveil the exact date that the Mayas gave to the fourth |
| · Sumidero Canyon. |
| Boat
ride to the spectacular, 1-kilometer-deep Sumidero Canyon that was
the stage for an epic battle between the Spanish and the Chiapanecan
Indians, who chose to jump into the sacred canyon rather than submit
to the invaders. |
| · Indigenous communities of ‘San Juan Chamula’ and ‘San Lorenzo Zinacantán’. |
| The
Jovel valley in which San Cristóbal de las Casas is located,
is surrounded by many indigenous Maya communities that proudly preserve
their culture throughout the centuries. The first stop will be at
San Juan Chamula. This town has a very interesting temple which
inside of it a high level of religious syncretism has developed
from Christian and Maya beliefs. Everyday many religious ceremonies
take place and visits to the temple are allowed but silence and
respectful behavior is needed. Beware of taking pictures or filming,
it is prohibited within the boundaries of the Temple. San Lorenzo
Zinacantán is another beautiful town about the same distance
from San Cristóbal de las Casas. It is famous because of
the delicate handmade clothes that are made by the women in almost
every house and by the religious festivities that take place each
Sunday. Rare musical instruments, Maya songs, colorful traditional
clothing, fireworks and plenty of the local alcoholic beverage:
the ‘Pox’. |
| · Yaxchilán & Bonampak archaeological sites |
Departure
to Frontera Corozal, the last Mexican town on the Usumacinta river;
in this part of its cause, the river is the political boundary between
Mexico and Guatemala. A boat will be taken from Corozal, this boat
will navigate downriver until reaching the major archaeological
site of Yaxchilán, which is only accessible from the river
or by air. Yaxchilán shows to the visitor the magnificent
combination of pure wildlife and ancient history. Most of its buildings
are covered by enormous trees which can reach a height of 60 to
65 meters in average; still, many of the fine steles, lintels and
bas-reliefs, which reflect the high level of artistic and political
development of this kingdom, are in excellent degree of conservation.
Spider and Howler monkeys, parrots, macaws, wild turkeys will animate
the traveler while walking over the ancient streets built by Shield-Jaguar
and Bird-Jaguar (the two most constructively active Kings). After
visiting the site, time to enjoy the atmosphere and return to the
boat that will get back to Frontera Corozal, from this point proceeding
to Bonampak, archaeological site which is famous for its mural paintings
dating from the Late Classic Period. These murals were ordered by
one of the most important rulers of this small site, Chan Muan II.
This ruler was allowed to use the services from the artisans and
scribes from Yaxchilán, which are presumed to be the authors
of the magnificent paintings known as the “Sixtine Chapel
of America”. |
| ‘Agua Azul’ & ‘Misol Ha’ waterfalls and Palenque archaeological site. |
Departure
to visit the wonderful cascades that are formed in the stepped hills
and mountains of northern Chiapas. The Yax-há and the Shumul-há
rivers meet to form the Tulijá River and the magnificent
waterfalls system of Agua Azul, which consists in a chain of 500
falls. The name Agua Azul means blue water although this is more
prevalent during the spring before the heavy rainfalls of summer
and fall. There are lots of possibilities for swimming, trekking
and even horse riding in this national park. After a refreshing
swim, drive to Palenque. The archaeological site of Palenque is
a heritage of the World by the UNESCO. It was one of the most influential
Kingdoms of the Maya Region in the early, mid and late Classic periods
(300- 900 A.C.). This ancient Maya City has a marked different constructive
style of gracious and harmonic lines, has also the highest quantity
of well preserved and exquisitely made writings. Many of the principal
writings at Palenque tells fascinating stories about the creation
of the world and the linkage between the Creation Goddess and the
Queen Zak Kuk (“White Quetzal”) mother and grandmother
of the great kings Pakal and Kan Balam respectively (“Shield”
and “Snake-Jaguar”). The writings at Palenque were the
first to unveil the exact date that the Mayas gave to the fourth
creation of the world: 3114 B.C. |
Orbitur Travel Service
Calle 6 #480-A x 19 y Colón
Colonia García Ginerés
C. P. 97070
Tel (999) 920 3085, 920 3086 Fax (999) 925 5684
Mérida, Yucatán, México
 |
Montebello
Palenque
Sumidero
Canyon
San Juan
Chamula
Yaxchilán
& Bonampak
Agua Azul
Todos los derechos reservados.
Ultima actualización:
June 09, 2006