CIELO Y TIERRA TOURS
Maya Culture in Highland Chiapas
Cielo y Tierra Tours S.A de C.V.
San Cristóbal de Las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico
Email: info@cieloytierratours.com
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Less than two hours from San Cristóbal de Las Casas is the spectacular Maya site of Toniná, one of the last great Classic Maya cities. Overlooking a beautiful valley, it is a large site with an incredible history. There is also an excellent site museum.
It is a stunning journey to Toniná, as the road winds through magnificent mountain valleys, passing through several Tzeltal Maya communities, including Oxchuc, well-known for its colorful Saturday market and impressive Santo Tomás church, situated in the main square.
The site of Toniná centers on the huge, grassy Gran Plaza, and a series of seven stone platforms on the hillside above. It is one of the tallest pyramidal structures in the Maya world, and it is an astonishing sight. From the top,
80 meters above the plaza, there are lovely views of the surrounding countryside.
In its most powerful days, Toniná controlled vast areas of Chiapas and Guatemala, defeating Palenque in the eighth century. It became known as the 'place of the (celestial) captives', and the many representations of prisoners (bound and sometimes headless) fashioned in stucco and stone show that it was clearly a military power.
Before heading back to San Cristóbal, we stop for lunch in the shaded main square of Ocosingo, a bustling small town in the very heart of the Tzeltal region, famous for its food market and production of delicious cheeses.
Our Tours: Ancient Maya Ruins
TONINÁ
Day of Excursion: Tuesday to Sunday
Duration: Approx 9 hours
We will have plenty of time to explore these beautiful ruins, enjoying the fact that Toniná receives suprisingly few visitors, and we could very well have the site to ourselves!
