LACANDONA JUNGLE:
WILDLIFE, MAYAN COMMUNITIES & ADVENTURE
PRICE:
1800 USD (Tax. Inc.)
DATES:
December 28th - January 4th
LOCATION:
Chiapas, Mexico
LEADERS:
Sara Lopez & Alfredo Alfaro
EXPEDITION DETAILS
We begin our journey through the enchanting landscapes and cultural hubs of Chiapas. After meeting in the colonial town of San Cristobal de las Casas we will enter the awe-inspiring Lacandona Jungle, home to endangered species like jaguars and toucans.
The jungle shelters the revered Lacandon Maya, guardians of the forest and preservers of ancestral traditions. Clad in traditional attire, they maintain ancient beliefs, including veneration for “Hach Ak Yum.” Our stay with this community offers insights into their ancestral wisdom. Guided by these guardians, we’ll venture into the dense jungle, discovering hidden wonders and exploring ancient, untouched Mayan ruins and Immerse in riverbank adventures during this expedition.
INMERSE IN THIS ADVENTURE
The Lacandon Jungle in Chiapas, Mexico, is a vast tropical rainforest home to diverse wildlife, from jaguars, tapirs, and howler monkeys to crocodiles and macaws. This Jungle is essential to the local communities as it insures their survival, providing them with medicinal plants, timber, and nourishment. The community mainly consumes what they grow, such as corn, beans, and squash, along with other products provided by the jungle.
Across generations, the indigenous Lacandon people have inhabited this region of Chiapas. Rooted in their rich and distinct culture, they’ve navigated change introduced by external influences such as religion and modernization. Remarkably, Lacandon traditions and beliefs perservered, revealing a profound and deep bond with their jungle home and a cultural resilience that can withstand the test of time. Today they live in humble dwellings and our mainly self-sufficient from the land.
The Mayan ruins of the Lacandon Jungle in Chiapas, Mexico, are an archaeological treasure hidden in the middle of a lush jungle. The ancient structures and temples present at Palenque and Yaxchilán reveal the rich heritage of the Mayan civilization in the region. Despite being shrouded by dense vegetation, the ruins are a silent witness to a glorious past.
In 2019, a chance encounter with the Yak Nayin family in the Lacandona Jungle blossomed into a profound relationship. Sara and Gabriel, founders of our team, transitioned from special guests to family and godparents to Jayden, the grandson of Yak Najin. Over the years, we’ve collaborated on diverse projects, from audio-visual endeavors to embarking on immersive excursions.
Beyond documenting moments, our shared mission focuses on revitalizing the community’s ancestral ties, particularly in ancient pre-Hispanic spirituality.
With the Lacanjá Lacandon Maya, you’ll immerse in their rituals, participating in ceremonies like imbibing blaché, a sacred drink, and copal rituals for purification and blessings. The founders facilitate communication, offering insights to help you grasp the rich information these communities graciously share.
OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE COMMUNITY
ITINERARY
Day 1: Pick-up at the Tuxtla Gutiérrez airport, followed by a meet-up at the hotel in San Cristóbal de las Casas. During our first meeting, we will present the details of the expedition, provide an opportunity for meet-and-greet sessions, and conclude with introductions, all culminating in a shared dinner together.
Day 2: We got up early to drive into the jungle. On the way we will make a stop at the Agua Azul waterfall. Located in a protected area, this waterfall features numerous terraces and pools with vibrant blue water flowing. It is an ideal place to relax and unwind for a few hours. Before nightfall we will arrive at Lacanjá, our entry point to the jungle.
Day 3: On our first day in the jungle we will wake up in some comfortable cabins next to the river. Once we have had breakfast we leave for Yaxchilan, one of the archaeological jewels of the Mayan world. This is surrounded by the Lacantun River that separates Mexico from Guatemala. We can only access it by boat. Once back in the community, we will visit the Yak Najin family who will give us a “Welcoming Ceremony”.
Day 4: We will start the day visiting the local school where we will meet the little ones in the community. Shortly after we will be ready to walk a few hours to “Laguna Lacanjá” where with some tents and around a campfire we will spend the night. With a Mayan guide we will see waterfalls, learn about medicinal plants, and with luck we will be able to spot some animals.
Day 5: At dawn we will return to the community to eat and rest. In the afternoon the Yak Nayin family will show us their “Milpa”, teach us their crafts and we will try their sacred Mayan drink “Balché”. With them we will share, learn about their spirituality and listen to stories from the jungle.
Day 6: Traveling just 3 hours from Lacanjá we will arrive at the “Las Guacamayas” reserve. A sanctuary dedicated to the scarlet macaw, an endangered species in Mexico. We will get to know their project and we will spend our last day in the jungle with them.
Day 7: Early departure to San Cristóbal de las Casas in our van, where we will spend our last night. There is an opportunity to conclude the day with a visit to a mezcalería to savor the local product.
Day 8: After warm embraces and goodbyes, we will arrange your transfer to the airport in Tuxtla Gutiérrez. At The Jungle Journal, we are confident that we will have the pleasure of seeing you again on one of our upcoming expeditions.
MEET THE LEADERS
OF THE EXPEDITION
SARA LOPEZ & ALFREDO ALFARO
Sara Lopez was born in Texas, but her Mexican and mestiza (mixed race) roots undoubtedly shaped her perspective on the world. An explorer passionate about cultural preservation and indigenous communities, she has engaged with various groups in remote places around the globe. Sara firmly believes that empowerment in these communities can be achieved through meaningful visits and exchanges, contributing to the revival of some of their lost and treasured practices.
Alfredo Alfaro is a native of Chiapas, specifically from a small town called Cintalapa. He graduated in tourism from the Technological University of the Jungle and is also an expert in adventure tourism. He is a bridge between two worlds, having spent over twelve years guiding tourist groups from all parts of the world while also having a deep understanding of indigenous communities such as the Lacandon, Tzotzil, Chol, and Tzeltal.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
- Expedition leaders and guides
- Accommodation
- Breakfast, lunch & dinner
- Transportation
- All experiences during the expedition
- Medical Insurance
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
- Flights
- Extra drinks and alcohol
- Personal expenditures
- Expenses arising from unexpected events, whether due to third-parties or weather-related issues (flight delays or cancelations, floods, landslides, snowfalls, natural disasters, etc.)
LACANDONA JUNGLE:
THE DESCENDENTS OF THE ANCIENT MAYA
PRICE:
1800 USD (Tax. Inc)
LOCATION:
Chiapas, Mexico
DATES:
December 28th - January 4th
GROUP:
Max. 10 People
TESTIMONIALS
The Jungle Journal promotes cultures from around the world, mainly indigenous and highlights other underrepresented groups.
I love this project! What a gift to the world. Thanks so much for sharing the wisdom you find and letting us be part of it.
TJJ is not only a great initiative, but a necessary experience to show us that enjoyment and happiness are not incompatible with authentic culture, awareness and solidarity.
HOW TO JOIN?
By clicking on the RESERVE button, you will open a form where you can fill in your personal information and other relevant details necessary to provide you with the best experience during the trip.
After submitting the form, you will receive an email within 24 hours containing a link to pay the deposit. Upon receiving the payment, we will send you a confirmation email, indicating your official inclusion in the expedition.
Additionally, in the coming weeks, we will invite you to join the WhatsApp group where our Expedition Leaders will assist you in preparing for the expedition. This includes guidance on the best flights, packing tips for your backpack, and addressing any questions that may arise before the trip. It’s important to note that our expeditions are highly flexible, and the itinerary will be adjusted as needed based on the circumstances at the time.
DO YOU NEED MORE INFO?
If you need to have more detailed information do not hesitate to contact us. You can also join our group zoom call on Saturday, September 21th where we will explain everything you need to join this adventure.
FAQs
By clicking on the RESERVE button, you will open a form where you can fill in your personal information and other relevant details necessary to provide you with the best experience during the trip.
After submitting the form, you will receive an email within 24 hours containing a link to pay the deposit. Upon receiving the payment, we will send you a confirmation email, indicating your official inclusion in the expedition.
Additionally, in the coming weeks, we will invite you to join the WhatsApp group where our Expedition Leaders will assist you in preparing for the expedition. This includes guidance on the best flights, packing tips for your backpack, and addressing any questions that may arise before the trip. It’s important to note that our expeditions are highly flexible, and the itinerary will be adjusted as needed based on the circumstances at the time.
After completing the form, you can expect to receive an email with more detailed information and a link to make the 40% deposit payment within 24 hours.
The following days, we will send you a link where you can make the payment for the remaining 60%. Please note that this payment must be settled by the deadline of 15 days before the start of the expedition.
Our expeditions do not include flights so that people from all over the world can join us. Once selected to participate in the adventure, you will be introduced to a private WhatsApp group for that expedition. Our Expedition Leaders will help you find the best flight combinations.
Depending on the specific expedition, we’ll provide details about the designated day and meeting point. Rest assured, there won’t be any issues, as everyone will have already become acquainted in the WhatsApp groups prior to the expedition.
The initial deposit will not be refunded or discounted for a next expedition, as it represents the expenses generated by the management of your place and the work of our team.
The rest of the payment will be returned when two conditions are met:
1º- You give more than one month’s notice.
2º- A substitute is found for the vacant place.
In the reimbursement, the commissions generated by the payment by credit card will be subtracted, as these are not recoverable by us.
In this case, we must consider your disability depending on the expedition. Some of our adventures are physically demanding.
Yes, all our expeditions include a complete medical travel insurance that covers the duration of the expedition. For more information on insurance click on IATI Star International with IATI TRAVEL INSURANCE.
Important notice: the insurance that we contract is included in the name of each client, in case it is necessary to use it, the management with the insurance is personal, we do not process anything on our part other than helping to contact the insurer.
We include medical insurance for all expedition members. In case a person wants to buy a more comprehensive insurance, he/she can do it on his/her own.
If you have any questions, please contact us at expeditions@itsthejunglejournal.com. We will try to answer you as soon as possible.