El Castillo West view, Xunantunich, Belize
“The Maya world was made up of three layered domains: the starry arch of heaven, the stony middle world of earth made to flower and bear fruit by the blood of kings, and the dark waters of the Underworld below.”
Sitting majestic on a prime piece of hill real estate, El Castillo (the castle), stands guard over its 22 acres of ‘down town’ Xunantunich and its three to four square kilometers in radius, where its farmers lived and planted, beans and squash, the trinity of their nutrition.
To get to this small city NINEBELIZE will take you on a short 15-minute ride from San Ignacio, Southwest toward the border with Guatemala at the village of San Jose Succotz, a Yucatec Maya village. Here will cross the Mopan River via a hand-cranked ferry to travel the last mile up to the site.
El Castillo at Xunantunich. Guests hiking up the “mountain”. Xunantunich, Belize.
At this site, one of the most majestic pieces of art work called a frieze was built. Once wrapped around the entire building, we have lost the North and the South sides of the frieze and more than half of the West frieze. Fortunately the East frieze and a part of the West frieze are still evident of this most spectacular art that was built at 800AD. This piece of art is a testament of their mythology, politics and religion that dominated the psyche of their world.
Tour Departs: Anytime between 7:30 AM to 1:30 PM.
Duration: 2.5 to 3.5 hours
Ecology: Secondary broadleaf forest, mostly cleared, central part of the city.
Fitness: Medium, approximately 260 to 350 calories, some climbing involved
Dress: Camera, comfortable and cool, shorts and t-shirts to the Indiana Jones ensemble, Sneakers, or rugged sandals
What to Bring: Sun block, water, hat, (If you are a shopper, cash as there is a little market just before you cross the ferry to the site. Shop after the tour)
Nota Benne: This tour can be done on its own or as a combination with another half-day activity. Please note that land tours are organized by law to 15 guests to 1 guide ratio.
Contact us at info@ninebelize.com and tourswithnine@gmail.com