Dear Friends,
All
of us appreciate the personal effort that you have contributed in
order to make this
expedition possible and we are excitedly looking forward to your
company. 
Un abrazo and
let the journey begin…
GENERAL
INFORMATION
The Usumacinta River and its archaeological sites are a phenomenon
every river runner, archaeology buff and conservationist should
experience. However, gaining access to this remote area imposes
a few special conditions on our trips.
It will
be a long first day. We leave Palenque very early to arrive in Frontera
Corizal and rig the boat mid-day. Then we float 2 hours to Yaxchilan
for a quick visit to the ruins and dinner.
Because
of the social, economic and political instability of the area this
part of the expedition must be made during daylight hours. There
will probably be several military roadblocks between Palenque and
Frontera. So you must carry your passport and/or Mexican tourist
visa with you
.
Once we reach the river we will need a couple of hours to blow up
the rafts and accommodate
the
gear before heading for the three hour float down river to Yaxchilan.
Barring any unforeseen difficulties we should be in Yaxchilan by
four or five o’clock in the afternoon. Our expedition will
be self-supported on the river for the next eight days. Because
of this, expedition members should be in good physical condition.
Strenuous moments can be expected. We will be traveling in one of
the last Wilderness areas in Mexico. In case of injury, evacuation
can be slow and tedious. It is possible on trips of this nature
that unforeseen difficulties may be encountered. The river has been
used recently by drug smugglers so we may be stopped and our equipment
and gear searched at any time or any place along the journey. 
Reasonable changes
in itinerary may be made where deemed advisable for the comfort
and safety of the expedition member. Everyone that joins our groups
will have to accept the associated risks of such and expedition.
There is no insurance and you will be required to sign a waiver
before leaving Palenque. However, our group leaders are seasoned
travelers and know this area of Mexico and will make every effort
to ensure that the trips are a great success.
The climate
is typical of these latitudes of rainforests: hot and humid. Daytime
temperatures are often in the low 90 degrees F, nights sometimes
as low as 50 degrees F. March is the dry season, but occasional
rains occur as in any tropical environment. Generally speaking,
it is usually very pleasant on the river.
THE
USUMACINTA RIVER
The Usumacinta is one of the largest rivers in Mexico. Also, it
is one of the few rivers in North America that flow north. The river
begins at the confluence of the Chixoy and Pasion rivers on the
north eastern slopes of the Highlands of Guatemala. A few kilometers
North West of this confluence the river is joined by the major drainage
system of the Lacandon National Forest, the Lacantun River. On a
nearby beach, as if to signal this important point, some ancient
figures and symbols have been carved on the rocks.
North of the
Lacantun, the Usumacinta cuts through the thick limestone bed and
winds its way through one of North Americas most romantic wilderness.
This mid-section of the river forms the political boundary between
Mexico and the Peten of Guatemala for over 140 km. Here the river
is supported with a number of enchanting arroyos and strea ms
with equally enchanting names: the Yaxchilan, Busilja, Chancala,
etc. Just before the Usumacinta passes out into the savannahs and
plains of Chiapas and Tabasco the river cuts a magnificent canyon
through the limestone. Throughout this canyon, travertine formations,
created by dissolved limestone deposits, create a fantasy of geological
shapes.
During the
first millennium after Christ, the Maya traveled up and down this
river in their dug out canoes. The number of archaeological sites
on or near both river banks bears quiet testimony of the Mayas use
and exploitation of the area. The beautiful carved monuments of
Yaxchilan have supplied important hieroglyphic texts for archaeologists,
artists, art historians and epigraphers. Thanks to the combined
efforts of these investigators many of the carved figures at these
sites now have names and personalities.
At Yaxchilan
you will gain an historical understanding of the ruins and learn
to read a number of Calendrical and Historical Mayan Hieroglyphs.
During our descent of the Usumacinta we will also explore the otherwise
inaccesible Classic Mayan site of Piedras Negras in Guatemala.
Our journey
begins the following morning on the, “River of the Sacred
Monkey”. During a typical day we will float for four to five
hours. By early afternoon we will set up camp on untracked sandy
beaches in the heart of the rain forest. After
a hearty dinner, enjoy a driftwood campfire under star-filled skies
accompanied by the orchestration of jungle sounds. 
Several stretches
of the river have beautiful waterfalls cascading from the cliffs
above, which are delightfully refreshing. The Usumacinta is remarkably
clean for it’s size and perfect for swimming. The
forest on both sides of the river is alive with an amazing assortment
of tropical flora and fauna; multi-colored flowers, parrots, the
ever present Howler Monkeys and the elusive jaguar.
The 124 kms
of the river that we will be running has short powerful, pool-drop
rapids.These vary in difficulty with the water level,but all are
straight forward and easy to run. Toward
the end of the trip the rafts float in the narrow river channel
between the steep, 300 meter walls of the San Jose canyon mentioned
above. Trees, vines and vegetation cling to the nearly vertical
walls as you pass through this tropical fantasy.
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