Tikal Sunrise Tour: Explore Archeological Marvels and Spot Wildlife (North and West Premium)
5.0
188 Ratings
Tikal National Park
Join our Tikal Sunrise Tour to explore archaeological marvels, spot wildlife, and capture stunning photographs. Guaranteed departure, hassle-free entry fees, and an excellent bilingual guide.
Duration:
6 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- Tikal National Park - The activity begins when we pick you up at your hotel, when booking, please choose the time according to the location of your hotel. In case you don’t know the location of your hotel yet, just book the cheapest tour option, later you let us know your hotel location and if there is a price difference, you can pay it to our guide.
The walking tour begins at Gate 2 of Tikal National Park at:
From March 22 to September 21: at 4:00 am
From September 22 to March 21: at 4:30 am
DURATION OF EACH WAY OF TRANSFER BY LOCATION WHERE WE PICK YOU UP
a. Tikal: 00h: 05m
b. El Remate: 01h: 00m
c. San Jose, Peten: 01h:20m
d. San Benito, Santa Elena Flores or Flores Island: 01h: 30m
e. San Andres: 02h: 00m
Tikal has two titles of UNESCO, it’s cultural and natural heritage of humanity, that’s why we’ll spend more than six hours exploring different archeological monuments and to go from monument to monument, we’ll use nature trails with a high chance of spotting some species of wildlife.
What's Included
- Mosquito Repellent Application
- Tikal Map
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Water refill in the vehicle
- Professional Excellent English-Spanish Speaking tour guide
What's Not Included
- Sunrise and Day Entry fees to Tikal for a total of US$34 only payable for guests 10 year old and on.
Additional Information
Embark on an exquisite tour visiting optimal locations for capturing photos of the monuments. We assure departure, even with only one guest without any additional charges. Our tour combines both, the breath-taking sunrise and archaeological exploration, allowing enough time and flexibility, ideal for photography enthusiasts.
We provide hassle-free entrance fees which are not incorporated in the initial cost due to the differing prices based on nationality and age. However, we offer advance payment for these, which can be reimbursed to our guide during the tour.
Our guide is proficient in both English and Spanish, has broad knowledge about the local history, plant and animal life, who emphasises on providing insightful information about each monument visited.
During the tour, we will cover a distance of approximately 6 to 8 kilometers, however, the journey will not be continuous. The longest duration between two stops will be roughly 20 minutes.
Don’t forget your camera! We are passionate about photography, and we’ll guide you to the most scenic locations.
- Seat belts available
- If you are the only adult in your group and you pick a small group option and at least one more adult reserves for that same schedule, we’ll include the cost of the entry fees for you, which reduces the price for USD34.
- Bring the best walking shoes
- Bring a raincoat just in case
- Bring the best clothes for hot weather
- Bring a flashlight (or you can use your phone’s flashlight)
- Bring a canteen or bottle to refill water
- If you have a Guatemalan local ID (DPI) send us a picture of it, in this event your entry fees will be only USD7
Location
Tikal National Park
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(188 Ratings)
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1 star
Hmsetley
Apr 17, 2024
Tikal sunrise tour - If you are considering going to Tikal you should absolutely book with Gem trips/Marlon. Marlon is extremely knowledgeable about the ruins and wildlife. He was able to identify all the birds we saw and answer all of our questions. The whole experience with awesome. Thank you Marlon!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Gavinc65
Apr 9, 2024
The guide for people who don't like guides - We don't tend to use guides and prefer to explore new places on our own but Tikal probably is one of those places where you need some help. Marvin was absolutely perfect for us. It never felt like some pre-recorded spiel and it was really conversational - sharing stories and responding to questions. He was clearly passionate about the history and wildlife - good at spotting monkeys & birds and even a toucan. He also cleaned up any rubbish he spotted. An early start for the sunrise tour (4.30am) and we just got the usual cloud and mist (we went back later and it's a terrific view if it's clear...as seen in the original Star Wars film) but the atmosphere and sounds of the jungle were magical so still worth it. Marvin also gave us some good advice on different areas we hadn't visited for us to come back on our own later in the afternoon. Very easy once we'd been in already. Watch out for closing time though - we were almost chased out of the park (with a smile though - probably because of my rubbish Spanish!) when it got closer to closing!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jeffc762
Apr 3, 2024
Take this tour!!! - Marlon is a one-of-a-kind, truly exceptional tour guide. He has decades of experience and in-depth knowledge of the area, animals, and Mayan ruins. He had adequate stops, engaging content, and diversified the content between ruins, animals, and history. He also had lunch lined up at the end of the tour, which was a welcome respite.
Separately, Marlon arranged transportation to and from the airport and our hotel in the park, which was seamless.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tour19000974688
Mar 25, 2024
Unforgettable Sunrise Tour of Tikal - The sights were spectacular and Marlon's descriptions made what we were seeing come to life. Not only did Marlon know the history of the area and the ruins as they were constructed over time, but he also was knowledgeable about the wildlife.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Alon_b
Mar 22, 2024
The BEST guide to Tikal you can hope for. - Marlon is an incredible and rare guide. His depth of knowledge, years of experience, love of Maya history and culture past and present, and understanding of the tropical forest, its fauna and flora are peerless. He has a master's degree in Mayan studies, hospitality, and biology, all of which give him a matchless wealth of information, which he shares with colorful details, infectious enthusiasm, and perfect English (he adds all the names in Spanish, Latin, and the local Mayan language).
The experience is magical, from walking through the dark jungle pre-dawn, climbing pyramids, watching birds and other creatures, understanding the jungle ecosystem, witnessing Mayan history and culture come to life and put in context (historical and contemporary)... to the breakfast Marlon's wife made for us which he carried all the way to the top of the pyramid IV for a peaceful meal after sunrise to the sounds of the awakening forest (there was a great lunch later, too).
Marlon runs his own company. He picked us up right on time in a comfortable vehicle, drove us to Tikal, and made sure every aspect of the trip was perfect and matched our interests.
Review provided by Viator
Clarebow95
Mar 22, 2024
one of the best tours we've ever done! - From start to finish this tour was fantastic, as a small group the tour was personalised, we had a delicious and plentiful breakfast & lunch. Marlon was extremely knowledgeable and passionate about Tikal, he even picked up waste as we walked showing his respect for Tikal. Sunrise and listening to the jungle was very special, after this we explored the ruins on an arachaeological tour (most other large sunrise tours seemed to leave around 8am following a quick visit to the main temples however we were exploring until 11am). Marlon brought binoculars so we could spot wildlife and we saw plenty - toucans, oropendulas, parakeets, vultures, monkeys. Couldn't recommend this tour highly enough!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Melanie_w
Mar 20, 2024
A fantastic wildlife and ruins tour! - This was a fantastic tour, a real highlight of our holiday. While the price is higher than other tours, it honestly is well worth the money to have Marlon’s expertise, to be in a small group and to be in the park before the crowds arrive.
Marlon is a font of knowledge on both the ruins and history of the site, and the birds and other wildlife that live there. From explaining the significance of engravings on ruins, to helping us spot a toucan, a hawk, vultures, coatis and Oropendolas, we saw so much with Marlon that we simply would have missed otherwise.
He also genuinely loves and cares for the ecosystem within the park, minimising interruptions to wildlife living there (while other tour guides encourage making noises which can disturb the birds).
As others have mentioned, the homemade breakfast picnic atop the temple was an amazing way to start the day.
Do it!
Review provided by Viator
G1883bvmelaniew
Mar 20, 2024
An amazing ruins and wildlife tour - This was a fantastic tour, a real highlight of our holiday. While the price is higher than other tours, it honestly is well worth the money to have Marlon’s expertise, to be in a small group and to be in the park before the crowds arrive.
Marlon is a font of knowledge on both the ruins and history of the site, and the birds and other wildlife that live there. From explaining the significance of engravings on ruins, to helping us spot a toucan, a hawk, vultures, coatis and Oropendolas, we saw so much with Marlon that we simply would have missed otherwise.
He also genuinely loves and cares for the ecosystem within the park, minimising interruptions to wildlife living there (while other tour guides encourage making noises which can disturb the birds).
As others have mentioned, the homemade breakfast picnic atop the temple was an amazing way to start the day.
Do it!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Andy
Mar 19, 2024
Great way to experience the jungle awaken and explore the ancient city! - Marlon is an absolute delight, he is clearly passionate about Tikal, nature and Mayan history - which adds something extra to this experience. He is the most knowledgable tour guide I have come across! He is patient with questions and gave us enough time to take a look around some of the areas on our own.
The tour itself is brilliantly paced, with a dark, slow and somewhat noisy, walk into the blacked out jungle with a beautiful sunrise awaiting a short stairway climb up the side of a temple. There were many tourists at this point but we waited and had breakfast which enabled us to enjoy the view (and noisy wildlife!) on our own.
Beyond this a gentle stroll through the Mayan city with key archeological examples called out along the way. The balance between wildlife and history is amazing - would happily go back and no doubt see and learn something new. Thanks to Marlon, we were lucky to see toucans, monkeys, a snake, as well as many birds and other wildlife.
Marlon’s wife had prepared breakfast and brunch which were enjoyed by the group and lunch together at the Jaguar Inn was a lovely end to the morning. I struggle to think how this tour could be improved - thank you Marlon!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Katharine
Mar 18, 2024
The best way to experience Tikal - FIVE STARS! This was one of the best tours I've ever been on. Tikal is truly a special place and this tour is the best way to explore it. It really felt like getting to explore the park alone because our group was so small. You really get to soak up the natural beauty of the jungle and the magic of the Tikal ruins. Marlon knows everything there is to know about the ancient Mayans, every structure in the park and every animal in the park. He also really has the sunrise tour down in terms of timing everything and coffee, breakfast, and lunch. Plus the company is run by Marlon and his wife, which I really prefer to some other tour companies where you don't know whether your guides are well paid. I know this your is pricier than some others but I was so glad to be on this one and not one of the huge groups we saw walking around (and mostly avoided). Marlon is great at spotting wildlife and I really enjoyed watching the birds and monkeys and being there when the jungle wakes up. Can't say enough good things about Marlon and the sunrise Tikal tour. Thank you for a beautiful day ❤️
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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