LAS VERAPACES - Guatemala - page 420

tractions. Don't miss a somewhat difficult trail up the side of a mountain for a
fantastic view of the pools from above ( SEMUC CHAMPEY NATURAL
MONUMENT ) .
Cancuén: This Mayan site, still being excavated and restored, has yielded
new insights into the last days of the Classic Mayans and lies in the remote
jungles straddling the border between Alta Verapaz and Petén ( CANCUÉN ) .
Candelaria Caves National Park: This large cave complex is among the
most impressive in all of Latin America. Don't miss the chance to explore un-
derground rivers by cave tubing or rafting into its depths ( CANDELARIA
CAVES NATIONAL PARK ).
Parque Ecológico Hun Nal Ye: One of Guatemala's best-kept secrets is this
private 135-hectare nature reserve where you can swim in pristine rivers, visit a
limestone sinkhole, ride horses, and zip across the forest canopy. It's also the site
of one of the Maya world's rarest finds - a carved stone box now housed in a
Guatemala City museum ( Parque Ecológico Hun Nal Ye ) .
Laguna Lachuá National Park: This exquisitely beautiful and remote la-
goon lies in the northwest corner of Alta Verapaz surrounded by dense rainforest
andisthoughttohavebeenthesiteofaprehistoricmeteorimpact.Thesurround-
ing forests and the azure jungle river known as Río Ikbolay are worth some ex-
ploration ( Laguna Lachuá National Park ).