Seniors Explore Tikal
Calling all elderly amateur archaeologists! Take notice that during our next trip – seniors explore Tikal. Bring your flashlight, a rain cover and a vivid imagination. The flashlight we will talk about later, the rain cover is self explanatory since there are sporadic downpours in this region but the vivid imagination is for you to use as your eyes roam over the monuments, majestic temples and ceremonial structures of the Mayan peoples dating back to 200 BC. Officially they weren’t even discovered until 1848 by a Guatemalan government mission led by Modesto Mendez and Ambrosio Tut. Today they are being discovered by senior travel groups and senior travelers from all over the world. Since 1848 until now the ruins of Tikal have fascinated archaeologists and the general public, including the curious elderly traveler who is seeking more opportunities to learn a little bit of history in the process of their travels.
Not only is it an historic site, it is a protected nature reserve with a luxurious tropical forest that is home to over 300 species of birds, jaguar, puma, anteater and snakes. The tropical forest is filled with sapodilla trees, whose sap is used in the making of chewing gum and palm, cedar and mahogany trees that tower over the dense jungle below. The spider monkeys can be heard calling each other loudly within the forest. While relaxing in a comfortable chair on the veranda of your hotel after a busy day of exploring, you can watch the monkeys swing from tree to tree above your head. Remember that flashlight? It will be needed when you hire a guide to take you into the park to watch the sunrise. The overhang of the luscious vegetation blocks any light the moon or stars may have provided as you carefully walk along the soft dirt trail illuminated by the beam of your flashlight. Following your guide through the rainforest will be an experience not to be forgotten as he leads you to the highest temple within the park. Standing 64.5 metres high Temple IV can be seen during the day towering above the rain forest. What better place to see the sunrise? While climbing the ladder and wooden steps to the large platform an unspoken rule of silence takes place. As your light flickers across the rock surface of the platform you may encounter other curious senior travelers who have gotten there before you. Find a comfortable seat and wait patiently for the sun to rise and the forest to waken. A concert of sound will be heard as the jungle awakens and the sounds of the howler monkeys, birds and other jungle animals start a new day. 
Seniors explore Tikal with local guides who are trained and extremely knowledgeable about the history of the Mayans and the National Park that surrounds it. The elderly travelers, either in a group or independently, will not be disappointed in what they will find deep in the jungles of Guatemala.
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