Ek Balam & Cenote Maya
Get on an archaeological expedition full of adventure. Visit the archaeological site of Ek Balam, the ancient Maya City that had its glory before Chichen Itza. Discover the mysterious and the biggest cenote (sinkhole) discovered in the Yucatan Peninsula: Cenote Maya, enjoy its beautiful natural formations and great natural pool of 60 meters diameter. Descend into the region’s most impressive cenote through a large wooden staircase made with the ancient Maya technique. During the tour you will see different Maya communities. Ek’ Balam is a Yucatec-Maya archaeological site within the…
Begeben Sie sich auf eine archäologische Expedition voller Abenteuer.
Besuchen Sie die archäologische Stätte von Ek Balam, der alten Maya-Stadt, die vor Chichen Itza ihren Ruhm hatte. Entdecken Sie die mysteriöse und größte Cenote (Doline), die auf der Halbinsel Yucatan entdeckt wurde: Cenote Maya, genießen Sie die wunderschönen natürlichen Formationen und den großen natürlichen Pool mit einem Durchmesser von 60 Metern. Steigen Sie über eine große Holztreppe mit der alten Maya-Technik in die beeindruckendste Cenote der Region ab. Während der Tour sehen Sie verschiedene Maya-Gemeinschaften.
Ek ’Balam ist eine archäologische Stätte von Yucatec-Maya in der Gemeinde Temozon, Yucatan, Mexiko. Es liegt im nördlichen Maya-Tiefland, 25 Kilometer nördlich von Valladolid und 56 Kilometer nordöstlich von Chichen Itza. Von der vorklassischen bis zur postklassischen Zeit war es der Sitz eines Maya-Königreichs. Die Bevölkerung ging während der postklassischen Zeit dramatisch auf 10% ihres Höchststandes zurück, als Ek'Balam langsam leer wurde.
Es gibt 45 Strukturen, von denen die wichtigsten sind:
El Trono
The Defensive Walls
The Entrance Arch
The Oval Palace
The Twins
The Ballcourt
Sak Xok Naah
Besuchen und erfrischen Sie sich im Cenote Maya Park. Eine Cenote ist eine natürliche Grube oder ein Sinkloch, das aus dem Einsturz des Kalkgesteins resultiert, das das Grundwasser darunter freilegt. Vor allem im Zusammenhang mit der Halbinsel Yucatan in Mexiko wurden Cenoten von den alten Maya manchmal für Opfergaben verwendet.
Betreten Sie die beeindruckendste Cenote der Region mit einem Durchmesser von 60 Metern und einer nahezu perfekten Kreisform. Genießen Sie die wunderschönen Felsformationen und schwimmen Sie in diesem großen und frischen Naturpool. Gehen Sie von der Unterwelt durch einen Tunnel oder eine große Holztreppe an die Oberfläche zurück. Genießen Sie schließlich Maya- und Abenteueraktivitäten wie Rituale, Seile, Abseilen und mehr.
Die Expedition beinhaltet:
Transport für kleine Gruppen, traditionelles Mittagessen, Wasser, Eintritt in Ek Balam, archäologischer Reiseleiter, englischsprachiger Führer, für Aktivitäten erforderliche Ausrüstung, Hängematten, Handtücher und Schließfächer.
Information
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AbfahrtCancun / Riviera Maya
Bildergalerie
El Trono
The main temple where the doorway is in the shape of a monster-like mouth, possibly depicting a jaguar; this is the temple in which Ukit Kan Le'k Tok', the founder of Ek Balam dynasty, was buried. The Acropolis or structure number 1 has six levels and numerous rooms, is 160 meters long by 60 meters wide and 32 meters high, only surpassed in size in the state by the pyramid of Kinich Kak Mo in Izamal, its shape is pyramidal For which it was a symbol of the sacred mountain by which it was acceded to the celestial plane and at the same time where was an access to the underworld.
Open for the public to climb | Located in the North Place
The Entrance Arch
Stands at the entrance of Ek’ Balam, constructed over the road that leads into the city, was probably ceremonial in purpose. A vaulted arch that from some angles is shaped like a cross, for some researchers arriving from a sacbe and passing under the arch was probably considered or symbolized a sacred act of purification when crossing from a profane to a sacred space.
The main entrance of Ek Balam
The Oval Palace
The oval palace which as its name indicates is formed by oval bodies, this palace is thought to have been inhabited by the elite of the city since there are 10 rooms, however, it is likely that it also had ceremonial functions since the upper part seems have been used as Altar, moreover findings of burial relics and its alignment suppose it could be used for cosmological ceremonies.
Located in the South Place
The Twins
Two structures placed in the same basement and which have been called the Twin, although today have different degrees of conservation at the time were identical. Located in the west of the South Square are the ones that presents the best preserved architectural features.
Located in the South Place
The Ballcourt
In whose stands were found hieroglyphic texts, which mentioned the time in which they were covered approximately in 841 AD and the name of a personage who was presumed was its owner called Tz'ihb'am tuun "who paints or writes in stone" . The ball game was extremely important to the Mayan people, it was seen as representing cycles or antagonistic as day and night, the sun and moon, the cycle of earth and underworld, also symbolized the cycle death and rebirth as well like the ascent of the twins Hunanpu and Ixbalanque like sun and moon as it narrates the Popol Vuh.
Located in the South Place
Sak Xok Naah
"White house of reading", located on the fourth level of the acropolis, is one of the most beautiful works of Mayan architecture and undoubtedly the one that distinguishes this site, the facade of this room was completely covered with a huge mascaron, which is very well preserved, since pre-Hispanic times was covered not only to protect it, but mainly to protect the Tomb of the King Ukit Kan Lek'Tok together with an offering of more than 7, 000 pieces that included pots made of ceramic, Alabaster and jewels.
Interior not open to the public | Part of El Trono | Located in the North Place
Cenote Maya Park // Adventure and Mayan Activities
Go down into the region’s most impressive Cenote of 60 meters diameter and in an almost perfect circular shape. Enjoy its beautiful rock formations and swim in this large and fresh natural pool. Go back to the surface from the underworld through a tunnel or a large wooden staircase. Also enjoy of:
Trepachanga (ropes)
Tarzan vine and rappel down 26m (264 lbs is the maximum weight for the rappel activity).
Maya hut. Learn about the architecture of the region and the use of plants for medical purposes.
Handcraft market. Visit a small and colourful market where you can find quality local handicrafts. Buy them and you will contribute to benefit the Maya artisans of the region.
Maya ritual. Be part of an authentic blessing Maya ceremony that a shaman will perform for you.
Organic garden. Walk through the plantation and discover vegetables that you will find in your meal.
Traditional meal. Enjoy an authentic Maya menu including soup, chicken, vegetables, rice, beans and handmade corn tortillas.
Optional included adventure activities | Minimum age may be required
Tour Location
Yucatan, Mexico
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