The beauty of Guatemala is not to be missed, and is rarely duplicated. Full of mystery, intrigue and powerful history, Guatemala has it all. While there are many places to explore, Tikal is a jewel in the lush green jungles of Guatemala; the largest Mayan city with the most beautiful temples in the region. Picture yourself in a wild jungle teeming with birds, monkeys, and exotic sounds. Wildlife of all kinds abounds throughout the land, and the trees reach the sky. You will feel like an archeologist, an adventurer, and you will feel like you are truly a part of a magical place when you begin your journey to the many temples of Tikal. Your journey will begin at the border crossing to Guatemala where you will see mothers and daughters, fathers and sons, and fellow travelers galore. The only way to see the magnificent city of Tikal is to travel a dusty road inhabited by the Guatemalan people and much more. Many Guatemalans are farmers, so whether you travel by car or bus you will share your road with cows and chickens and families busy with life. You will also encounter armed militia men who protect the borders at all times. This adventure will open your eyes to a world like no other and to experiences that can’t be easily explained. After traveling for nearly an hour on the dirt and gravel, sometimes paved road to Tikal you will reach the entrance of the magical city of Tikal, here you can prepare to be stunned by the power of the Mayan culture. Upon entering the path to the many temples of Tikal you will discover the Tree of Life. Looking up to the sky you will be speechless, in awe and wonder you will be silent and still, for the Tree of Life is a truly heavenly vision. Just think you have only just begun, there is still much to see. Tikal is home to the most thoroughly excavated of all the Mayan cities and temples in South America. There are more than sixteen temples throughout Tikal, with Temple Four being the tallest and most magnificent. Each temple shows the strength and innovation of this ancient culture with nothing falling short of magnificent. While some temples are smaller than others, each one is a unique design with wide ranging purposes. Some temples are for prayer, while other structures were the homes of city dwellers. The central plaza is a large courtyard surrounded by two large temples and many small homes. This stop on your journey within Tikal is like traveling back in time because the thatch roofs are in place on several of the homes within the central plaza. To get an even better view you will take a long and steep wooden staircase up the side of the temple to the top. These stairs were added to protect the ancient stones steps of the temple from being word away by the many visitors of Tikal. From the top of the temple you will look out across the central plaza to a beautiful world below. You will see a lush jungle landscape and the full expanse of the central plaza. This is a great time to begin taking several pictures of this world of wonders. After carefully descending the wooden staircase the floor of the plaza, have some water and relax into the jungle sounds around you. Listen to wild birds calling across the jungle, and the many voices of fellow adventurers, you are in Tikal. While every direction will lead to a magnificent discovery, the largest temple, number four awaits you. The path to Temple Four is a great time to see more wildlife of which the monkeys will stand out. They range in size from small to large, and at first you may only hear them. Look for dark brown fur and branches that are moving gently back and forth. The monkeys here will not seek to be seen so simply look up on your way to Temple Four and you will surely see them. The young monkeys are more adventurous and will be leaping from one branch and scaling random tree limbs from one moment to the next. A real treat is when you get to see two monkeys playing together within the tree. Their acrobatics will keep you on the edge as they seem to fall from one branch to another, always seeming close to danger; these monkeys know how to show off their jungle skills. After walking and looking up for a while you will arrive at Temple Four, the crown jewel of Tikal. From the ground Temple Four demonstrates just how long mankind has been fascinated with reaching the sky. Whether the goal is to reach the heavens, be closer to the divine, or simply to see the world from a new vantage point, Temple Four accomplishes all these things and more. At the base of the temple there is a sign that reads ’’Climb at Your Own Risk’’ and it is not kidding. The winding narrow wooden staircase goes so high up that from the ground you are unable to see where the stairs end. This point on your journey brings to a point all that you will hear about Temple Four, and if ever you thought the temple might not be as tall as people say, you are quickly and completely enlightened, and ready to begin the climb. Each step is different, narrow, and made of wood. The widest step may be eight inches deep and not more than eighteen inches across, so climb with care. If you are wearing a heaving backpack or other gear, pace yourself, the clime is a long one, yet every step is worth the effort. As you near the top of Temple Four you will feel the excitement build as you scale step after step, sometimes they are more like a ladder due their steep angle. Just as you approach the top of the temple, the steps become almost flat as you complete your ascension to the top of Temple Four. Take a deep breath, steady your body after the long climb, and prepare to take in Guatemala from the pinnacle of Mayan strength and beauty. From the top of Temple Four you will see a vast jungle; one of the largest ecosystems with the most diverse population of birds and wildlife know to man. Standing majestically above the tops of vibrant trees of green and red and yellow and gold, are the many temples of Tikal. This is a great time to get a closer look at the tops of different temples with the use of binoculars, though they are not necessary to see the beauty of the Guatemalan country. While the country of Guatemala includes beautiful lakes, mountains, rich history and enchanting people, Tikal stands out as a part of the world that, like the great Pyramids or the Taj Mahal, is not to be missed. Every step along your journey to this magical land will invite you to see a world you have never known where you will take in the sights, sounds, fragrances, and colors all at once. The country of Guatemala, with its wild jungles and incomparable views all come together in the Mayan city of Tikal. This is a journey that should not be missed for after experiencing Tikal, you will see every skyscraper in every city in a whole new way, and you will think silently to yourself, I have lived the mystery of Tikal, I have seen the place where skyscrapers began.