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Far Flung Adventures |
800-359-4138 |
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Quest Expeditions |
800-277-4537 |
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| Section |
Upper |
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Location |
Southeast of Villahermosa,
southeast Chiapas
Petem, Guatemala |
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Driving Time |
Villahermosa—5
hours |
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Difficulty |
Class
I-III |
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Trip Length |
95
miles (152 km) |
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Trip Options |
Paddle
raft, oar raft; 10 days |
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Season |
January-April |
Mexico’s Rio Usumacinta
is one of the world’s most exotic river adventures. Draining the
Lacandon jungles adjacent to the Mexico-Guatemala border, the
Usumacinta is embraced by North America’s largest remaining
tropical rain forest. While the Usumacinta will be enjoyed by
everyone, it affords archaeology buffs, rain-forest enthusiasts,
bird-watchers an unequaled opportunity.
The
Usumacinta, which translates from the Mayan language as "sacred
monkey," is also known as the River of Ruins. Here, more than a
thousand years ago, the Usumacinta and its tributaries say the rise
and fall of the Mayan civilization. From A.D. 200 to 900, great
ceremonial centers rose in the jungle, the river serving as their
highway. During the Usumacinta river trip, rafters will visit the
ceremonial ruins of Yaxchilan and Piedras Negras, which are
accessible only by air and water.
Rio
Usumacinta, with mostly Class I-II rapids, has its best whitewater
near the end of the trip. Within two narrow canyons, normally run on
the last two days, several Class III rapids add the finishing
touches to an unforgettable river experience.
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