Hiking El Mirador, Guatemala

The Maya ruins of El Mirador are found in the jungles of northern Guatemala, close to the Mexican border.

Visitor numbers are minimal due to the isolated location, and the fact you have to hike for five days to see the ruins. Either that or fly in on a helicopter, out of reach for all but the wealthiest travelers.

For most people it’s necessary to reach El Mirador under their own steam, starting with a drive from the town of Flores to Carmelitas, the last settlement on the route to El Mirador. Here you will be grouped with guides and pack donkeys to carry provisions for the five-day round-trip.

The guides set a steady pace through the jungle, stopping to look at the monkeys and birds that are common sights along the route. You’ll sleep under canvas in a string of campsites, and be woken by howler monkeys each morning.

It’s an amazing hike, part of which follows the ancient stone highways built by the Maya. At the end of the road you’ll reach the largely unexcavated ruins of El Mirador, and climb to the top of La Danta. It’s the largest pyramid in the world by volume, and provides incredible views over the sea of trees that stretch as far as the eye can see.