El Mirador Guatemala Tour – Should You Book it?
TL;DR
The two best tours to visit the largest pyramid in the world are a guided El Mirador hike and an El Mirador helicopter tour.
By far the best way to visit the largest pyramid (by volume) in the world is an El Mirador tour.
We went on the 5-day trek with Cooperativa Carmelita and could not recommend it more.
- Should You Book the El Mirador Tour?
- How to Get to El Mirador Guatemala
- El Mirador Guatemala Trek
- El Mirador Helicopter Tour
Should You Book the El Mirador Tour?
The short answer is YES!
How to Get to El Mirador Guatemala
There are two ways to get to the El Mirador Pyramid:
1. El Mirador Hike
On the El Mirador Hike, the route is the goal. You’ll walk through the jungle for 5 days. On the way, you can watch the fauna and spot animals like birds or monkeys. Additionally, you’ll visit super off-the-beaten-path Mayan ruins with no other people around.
2. El Mirador Helicopter Tours
If you don’t have the time (or willingness) to hike through the Guatemalan jungle for 5 days but still want to see one of the biggest pyramids in the world, an El Mirador helicopter tour. The price tag is around the same as for the hike!
El Mirador Guatemala Trek
El Mirador Trek – A Personal Review
Hiking El Mirador was one of the greatest adventures of our lives. We loved the tour with Cooperativa Carmelita. Everybody was super friendly and everything was well well organised.
We got so many explanations not only about Mayan history but also about the flora and fauna. With the help of our guide, we climbed in and on Mayan structures. And she also helped us spot monkeys and many birds.
On a 5-day trek, we think it’s important that the food is plentiful. And it was. We were also provided a good amount of soft drinks and snacks to keep our blood sugar levels up.
The camps were comfortable with hammocks, tents, a communal dining area as well as toilet and shower facilities.
Yes, it’s around a 100 km (60 mi) hike across the 5 days. But the terrain is very flat, the pace isn’t too fast, and you’ll take very regular breaks. Admittedly, it’s a bit of a physical challenge but it’s one that the two couch potatoes of bucketlist2life managed to do without any training.
The only uphills of the trek will be to the tops of Mayan pyramids to watch the sunrise and sunset – memories that will stick with us for the rest of our lives.
Why Should You Choose a Guided El Mirador Tour?
In case you’re wondering if you can do El Mirador Trek without a guide, here are some of the reasons we think you profit a lot from a guided tour:
- Equipment: As a bare minimum, you need a tent, a sleeping mat, and a sleeping bag. Many travellers have to buy the equipment, on a guided tour, the equipment is included.
- Porters: You do not only have to carry your equipment but also water for 5 days in the jungle which should be at least 10 liters. For us, the porters were a lifesaver.
- Food and water: Your guides will serve you delicious warm meals in the camp and snacks on the way. They also always had filtered water on hand to refill your personal water bottle on the trek.
- Showers: This sounds like a small thing but trust us, after a day of hiking in the jungle, you want a shower – even if it’s just a bucket shower.
- Navigation: Although the path is quite decently signposted, you will have 0 (we mean nada) internet connection on the whole trek in case of getting lost or any other emergency. Additionally, there won’t be any power to charge your gear.
- Getting to the trailhead in Carmelita: There is only one public bus from Flores to Carmelita per day which arrives in the afternoon. You cannot book any accommodation in Carmelita online so you have to trust that you find something on the spot.
- A guide: Quite literally the biggest advantage of a guided tour is – a guide. Your guide will not only make your life easier but also explain a lot about the context and the history of the Mayan ruins you’ll visit. Additionally, they can show you hidden spots to climb in or on.
What to Expect on the El Mirador Trek
Day 1 of the El Mirador Hike – El Tintal
At 4:30 a.m. you’ll be picked up at your hotel and the drive to the Carmelita community begins.
In Carmelita, meet the team and strengthen yourself with breakfast.
The hike to El Tintal base camp takes around 6 hours, interrupted by lunch on the way.
After a short rest in the base camp, climb the El Henequén pyramid at El Tintal with 360° views across the jungle and your first chance to see El Mirador in the distance.
Back in the camp, you can rest in a hammock, take a shower, and enjoy dinner.
Day 2 of the El Mirador Hike – La Muerta
Wake up early and have a local breakfast to gather strength for a day of hiking.
In the afternoon, explore the small Mayan city of La Muerta. Here, it’s particularly fun to enter some of the structures Indiana Jones style.
Continue walking for 45 minutes until you reach El Mirador Mayan city.
In the El Mirador base camp, you can rest and enjoy your hot and hearty dinner.
Don’t miss out on watching the sunset from the El Tigre pyramid!
Day 3 of the El Mirador Hike – El Mirador
Start your day early by watching the sunrise from the Mayan pyramid!
Today is not a hiking day but a day dedicated to visiting El Mirador in depth.
After breakfast, head to the Central Acropolis to learn about the history of El Mirador and Mayan mythology.
Towards the end of the day, you’ll head to La Danta, the greatest construction ever made by the Mayans. From here, you can enjoy a spectacular sunset.
Day 4 of the El Mirador Hike – El Tintal
Before the hike back to El Tintal, make a final visit to the archaeological site of El Mirador. Visit the city's hydraulic canal and ball court.
Day 5 of the El Mirador Hike – Return
After your last jungle breakfast, embark on the last hike of the trip to Carmelita.
Have a hot lunch and put your name on the wall of fame before driving back to Flores.
What’s Included in the El Mirador Trek
- Transportation to the Community of Carmelita From Flores - Round Trip.
- Certified local tour guide (Spanish speaking, as the tour guides are local from the Carmelita indigenous community. English-speaking translator optional).
- Muleteers.
- Cargo mules to carry luggage (max. 25 pounds) and food.
- Cooks.
- Camping equipment.
- Purified water.
- First aid kit, antiophidic serums.
- Breakfast (4).
- Lunch (5).
- Dinner (4).
What Other Travellers Say About the El Mirador Trek
Very good experience to know the jungle of Central America and its origins of the Mayan culture. Recommend to do.
– A Tripadvisor Reviewer (see more reviews)
El Mirador Helicopter Tour
Why Should You Choose El Mirador Helicopter Tour?
Choose the helicopter tour if you don’t have the time or willingness to trek through the Guatemalan jungle for 5 days. Maybe, you can not be without an internet connection for 5 days. In that case, this is the tour for you.
Additionally, a helicopter ride is a great adventure and gives you amazing views across the jungle.
What to Expect on the El Mirador Helicopter Tour
Enjoy a flight for 35 minutes over the beautiful Guatemalan jungle. See the Mayan pyramids peek out of the trees,
Tour El Mirador and visit La Danta, the largest pyramid in the Mayan World.
Enjoy lunch before your helicopter flight back.
What’s Included in the El Mirador Helicopter Tour
- Transport from Hotels in Flores Island and Santa Elena to Mundo Maya Airport.
- Flight FLORES-MIRADOR-FLORES.
- Spanish/English guide.
- Lunch.
- Bottled water.
What Other Travellers Say About the El Mirador Helicopter Tour
The helicopter ride was so cool! Our guide Ronnie was excellent and so knowledgeable, so nice to have him as our guide!! The el Mirador site is amazing, so many structures and history. And you have the site and tour mostly to yourselves, such a wonderful experience, the best of our trip!! Tikal Expeditions is the best!!
– A Tripadvisor Reviewer (see more reviews)
This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something we may earn a commission. You would help us a lot if you do so. Thanks.
