Guatemala Tourism Board Launches B’aktunes Mayan Cultural Route

The Guatemala Tourism Board (INGUAT) and the Guatemalan Ministry of Culture announced the establishment of the B’aktunes Route, a cultural trail featuring archeological sites tied to the Mayan calendar’s current “long count,” which ends in December. The Mayan calendar consists of several cycles or “counts” of different lengths.

All the B’aktunes Route locations feature monuments and structures related to the end of the 2012 long count, including sites where contemporary Mayans continue to hold spiritual ceremonies.

The sites can be divided into two smaller circuits, the first focusing on pre-Hispanic Mayan cities, and the second highlighting contemporary Mayan cultures. The route includes the Petén region, which features lush jungles and archeological sites including Tikal National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. Other key B’aktunes sites include Yaxha and Ceibal.

The B’aktunes Route features “stunning archeological locations of great significance,” said Pedro Pablo Duchez, Guatemala’s minister of tourism. “Communities around the country are hosting celebrations on the 21st day of each month, offering visitors a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience one of the most unique celebrations of our history.”

The classic period of Mayan civilization occurred during the eighth and ninth baktuns (a period of 144,000 days) of the current Mayan calendar cycle. The 13th and current baktun will be completed Dec. 21, 2012.

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