How difficult is the El Mirador trek and how far do you walk?

The El Mirador trek has a difficulty rating of 8 out of 10 and covers approximately 82 kilometers over five days on foot. The longest days involve hiking 23.5 km through jungle terrain, so a good level of fitness is recommended. You will be walking along ancient trails and sacbés through primary rainforest with four nights of jungle camping.

What is the best time of year to trek to El Mirador in Guatemala?

The best time to do the El Mirador trek is from April through August. This window offers the most favorable conditions for the five-day jungle expedition through the Maya Biosphere Reserve.

What is La Danta Pyramid and why is El Mirador significant?

La Danta Pyramid at El Mirador is the largest pyramid in the world by volume, located within one of the largest and most important Preclassic Maya cities ever discovered. The city flourished more than 2,000 years ago and once dominated the Preclassic Maya world. The trek includes a full day of exploration at El Mirador with an expert guide covering the site's political history and ongoing conservation efforts.

What is included in the El Mirador trek price and where do you sleep?

The price includes four nights of jungle camping with tents, sleeping pads, and blankets provided, plus one night of accommodation on the island of Flores with breakfast. All meals during the trek, private transfers between Flores and Carmelita, bilingual and local community guides, and all archaeological site entrance and conservation fees are also included. Travel insurance, international airfare, pre-trek accommodation in Flores, and gratuities are not included.

How do you get to El Mirador and can you visit El Tintal and La Muerta along the way?

The trek begins with a private transfer from Flores to the remote community of Carmelita, which serves as the gateway to the Mirador Basin. From Carmelita, you hike through the Maya Biosphere Reserve along ancient sacbés, stopping at El Tintal on the first day and La Muerta on the second day before reaching El Mirador. Both El Tintal and La Muerta are significant archaeological sites accessible only on foot and rarely visited by travelers.

Guatemala

The El Mirador Trek

Duration

5 Days

From

$595

Group Size

2-12 Guests

A 5-day trek through the Maya Biosphere Reserve to El Mirador and La Danta Pyramid, the largest pyramid in the world by volume, passing the remote sites of El Tintal and La Muerta

Book This Expedition

View Itinerary See Pricing

Ecovoyager Experiences

Tour Highlights

The moments that make this journey unforgettable.

La Danta Pyramid and the Preclassic Maya World

Remote Sites: El Tintal and La Muerta

Sunset from El Tigre Pyramid

Ancient Sacbés Through Primary Jungle

Carmelita: The Community Gateway to the Basin

Guatemala Tour Overview

The El Mirador Trek

A 5-day trek through the Maya Biosphere Reserve to El Mirador and La Danta Pyramid, the largest pyramid in the world by volume, passing the remote sites of El Tintal and La Muerta

Duration

5 Days

Price

$595

Difficulty

Hard

Best Time

April – August

The El Mirador Trek is a five-day wilderness expedition through the Maya Biosphere Reserve to El Mirador, one of the largest and most important Preclassic Maya cities ever discovered and home to La Danta Pyramid, the largest pyramid in the world by volume. Starting from the remote community of Carmelita, the route follows ancient sacbés through primary jungle, passing the significant but rarely visited archaeological sites of El Tintal and La Muerta before reaching El Mirador for a full day of exploration. The trek covers approximately 82 kilometers over five days on foot, with four nights camping in the jungle and a final night on the island of Flores.

The El Mirador Trek

Your Guatemala Tour Itinerary

Route Overview 5 Days · Guatemala

Day 1

Carmelita to El Tintal

A private transfer from Flores takes you to the remote community of Carmelita, the gateway to the Mirador Basin and the starting point of the trek. After breakfast at the community restaurant and introductions with your local and bilingual guides, the trail leads into the Maya Biosphere Reserve through ancient forest corridors of towering ceiba trees, following paths used by the Maya for millennia. A boxed lunch at El Guacute camp provides a midday break before continuing deeper into the jungle toward El Tintal, a once-powerful Maya city now reclaimed by the rainforest. Explore the site as the light softens before settling into camp for the first night under the jungle canopy. Tents, sleeping pads, and blankets are provided throughout the trek. Distance: 17.5 km. Meals: B / L / D

Ancient Mayan ruins emerging from dense jungle canopy in Guatemala's rainforest

Blue tarps and camping shelters set up among trees in jungle clearing at El Mirador Guatemala

Day 2

El Tintal to El Mirador via La Muerta

After an early breakfast at camp, continue deeper into the Mirador Basin along ancient sacbés, the white stone causeways that once connected powerful Maya kingdoms across the jungle. En route, stop to explore La Muerta, a smaller but significant ceremonial complex hidden within the forest and accessible only on foot. By mid-afternoon, arrive at the legendary city of El Mirador, one of the largest Preclassic Maya cities ever discovered. As the day winds down, climb El Tigre Pyramid to watch the sunset above the endless canopy of the Maya Biosphere Reserve. Distance: 23.5 km. Meals: B / L / D

Forest trail winding through dense jungle with fallen logs and lush green vegetation

Ancient Maya stone pyramid ruins covered in moss surrounded by tropical rainforest trees

Ancient Maya pyramid structure covered in vegetation surrounded by jungle trees in Guatemala

Day 3

Exploring El Mirador

Rise before dawn for an optional sunrise from La Danta's summit, watching the jungle awaken in mist and golden light. After breakfast, spend the full day exploring the vast archaeological complex of El Mirador with your guide. Stand before La Danta Pyramid, the largest pyramid in the world by volume, and move through a city that flourished more than 2,000 years ago at the height of the Preclassic period. Your guide provides context on the city's political dominance, its relationships with rival and allied kingdoms, and the ongoing conservation work protecting the basin. As evening falls, a final sunset from the ruins marks the close of a full day at one of the most significant archaeological sites in the Americas. Meals: B / L / D

Group of tourists sitting on ancient Maya temple ruins at sunset overlooking jungle canopy

Ancient Maya stone ruins with pyramid structure surrounded by dense jungle vegetation and trees

Rustic jungle camp with tarp shelter, cooking fire with smoke, and person preparing food in forest

Day 4

Return Through the Maya Forest

After breakfast, begin the return trek through the Maya forest toward El Tintal. The journey back offers new perspectives on the jungle, fresh wildlife encounters, and time to absorb the scale of what you have walked through. Pause for lunch along the trail before reaching El Tintal once again, where you revisit the site in afternoon light. Spend a final night camping in the jungle before the last stretch back to Carmelita the following morning. Distance: 23.5 km. Meals: B / L / D

Hikers walking through dense tropical jungle on muddy trail surrounded by palm fronds and vegetation

Day 5

Back to Carmelita and Flores

A final morning hike returns you to Carmelita, completing the Mirador Basin expedition. Upon arrival, celebrate with a well-earned lunch at the local community restaurant before a private transfer drives you back to Flores Island, where a comfortable bed and a long shower await after four nights in the ancient Maya world. Distance: 17.5 km. Meals: B / L / -

Guatemala Tour Details

What's Included

Everything included in the tour, and what to budget separately.

What's Included

4 nights camping in the Maya Biosphere Reserve (tents, sleeping pads, and blankets provided)
1 night accommodation on the island of Flores with breakfast included
All meals as indicated in the itinerary (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)
Breakfast at the Carmelita community restaurant on Day 1 before the trek
Celebratory lunch at the Carmelita community restaurant on Day 5
Private transfer from Flores to Carmelita on Day 1
Private transfer from Carmelita to Flores on Day 5
Bilingual English-speaking expedition guide throughout
Local Carmelita community guides for all trek days
All archaeological site entrance fees (El Mirador, El Tintal, La Muerta)
All community and conservation fees
Local taxes

Not Included

Pre-trek accommodation in Flores (not included in this package)
International airfare
Travel insurance (required)
Personal expenses and personal laundry
Visa fees (if applicable)
Gratuities for guides, drivers, and trek support staff
Alcoholic beverages
Medical evacuation costs
Optional activities not listed in the itinerary

Guatemala Tour Details

Tour Pricing

Transparent pricing, comprehensive inclusions, and exactly what to expect.

Per Person

$595

Based on group of 9-12

CurrencyUSD

Group Rates

Group Size	Per Person	Notes
Solo traveler	$895	Per personSingle occupancy supplement
2 travelers	$745	Per personStandard package
3 travelers	$695	Per personStandard package
4 travelers	$695	Per personStandard package
5-8 travelers	$645	Per personGroup rate
9-12 travelers	$595	Per personBest value, max group size

Deposit & Payment: A 25% deposit secures your place (credit card accepted). 50% balance due 90 days before departure. Final balance due 60 days prior. ACH bank transfer available at reduced fees. Bookings within 60 days require full payment.

Cancellation: 90+ days: full refund minus $500 admin fee. 60-89 days: 50% refund. Under 60 days: no refund. Comprehensive travel insurance covering emergency evacuation is required for all participants.

Ready to secure your place on this expedition? Spaces are limited to ensure an intimate experience.

Book This Tour

JavaScript required. This booking form requires JavaScript to submit. Please enable JavaScript or email contact@ecovoyager.com to book directly.

Ecovoyager Adventures

Book Your Adventure

Complete your booking request and our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours to confirm your journey.

No payment required to request a booking

Response within 24 hours guaranteed

Flexible dates and custom itineraries available

Thank you! Your booking request has been received. We'll be in touch within 24 hours to confirm your adventure.

Oops! There was an issue submitting your request. Please try again or contact us directly.

Full Name *

Email Address *

Phone Number

Preferred Date

Adults (18+)

Children (0-17)

Total: 2 travelers

Special Requests or Questions

Traveler Stories

What Our Adventurers Say

View Us on Trustpilot

Norway

"Watching the northern lights from that coastal overlook was one of those moments you carry with you. EcoVoyager's team knew exactly where to take us and when."

Chile

"They made my trip to Chile super smooth. I had nothing to worry about, they connected me with local guides and took me to some super cool places."

Madagascar

"My kids are still talking about the lemurs months later. EcoVoyager handled every detail so we could actually be present together."

Mongolia

"Absolutely loved our Mongolia trip in July 2025! Ecovoyager put together the best itinerary possible that combined adventure and comfort. We would 100% recommend Ecovoyager to our friends and family!"

Guyana

"The Rupununi was fabulous. Even if there weren't any animals, it would've been a great experience. The only negative was leaving."

Cuba

"The trip was thoughtfully curated for a REAL Cuban cultural experience, juxtaposing between the island's insolvency and the faux luxuries propped up by foreign investment."

Bolivia

"The salt flats at sunrise were even more stunning than I'd imagined. Our guide positioned us perfectly for the reflections."

Kyrgyzstan

"EcoVoyager put my mind at ease with expert guidance on how to stay safe and enjoy the vibes. If I were to plan another solo trip to an unfamiliar country, I'd trust EcoVoyager to help me through it all."

Japan

"I had a wonderful time. Organization was superb and our experiences were maximized due to great planning and enthusiasm."

Kyrgyzstan

"Staying with nomadic families, riding through valleys with no other tourists in sight. This is the kind of travel I didn't know I was missing."

Duration

2 Days

From

From $159

All Guatemala Tours See All Experiences

Destination

Explore the Places You'll Visit

Each stop on this journey through Guatemala, and the country that ties them together.

Guatemala

Where ancient Maya cities rise from the world's largest tropical forest north of the Amazon, 37 volcanoes sculpt cloud forests sheltering the resplendent quetzal, and 22 living Maya cultures weave…

Explore Guatemala

El Mirador

Explore

The El Mirador Trek

Tour Highlights

La Danta Pyramid and the Preclassic Maya World

Remote Sites: El Tintal and La Muerta

Sunset from El Tigre Pyramid

Ancient Sacbés Through Primary Jungle

Carmelita: The Community Gateway to the Basin

The El Mirador Trek

Request More Information

Carmelita to El Tintal

El Tintal to El Mirador via La Muerta

Exploring El Mirador

Return Through the Maya Forest

Back to Carmelita and Flores

Isla de Flores

What's Included

What's Included

Not Included

Tour Pricing

Group Rates

Book Your Adventure

What Our Adventurers Say

More Adventures in Guatemala

Highland Trek to Atitlán and Acatenango Summit

Guatemala Adventure: Volcanic Highlands to Mayan Ruins

Kingdoms of the Maya Jungle

The Antigua to Atitlán Trek

Acatenango Volcano Overnight Trek

Explore the Places You'll Visit

Guatemala

El Mirador