CIELO Y TIERRA TOURS
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 Cristobal 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, and it also has an excellent site museum that we will visit on our arrival.
Our full-day excursion from San Cristobal takes us through some stunning scenery to arrive at Tonina, as the road winds through magnificent mountain valleys and passes through several Tzeltal Maya communities.
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.
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!
Before heading back to San Cristobal, we will stop for a late lunch in a small restaurant close to the site, where we can enjoy (amongst other things) a traditional Mexican lunch of quesadillas made with local cheeses (the area is famous for the production of its delicious cheeses), handmade tortillas and black beans.
Day Tours to Ancient Maya Sites
TONINÁ
Day of Excursion: Tuesday to Sunday
Duration: Approx 9 hours
