Day one here, day two here and day 3 here. For days 4 & 5, El Mirador to Flores, keep on reading!
I am going to keep this last post about the El Mirador hike short. We started walking back early on the fourth day. You use the same trail out as you did coming in but the views still change and we were lucky enough to see lots of monkeys on the way back!
We walked all the way back to the camp we stayed at on the first night. Another group (three people), walking in, arrived a little after we did. The routine was the same; we dropped our stuff and relaxed in hammocks, played cards, and explored a bit before dinner.
We couldn’t miss one last sunset from the top of El Tintal before eating and going to dinner. That night we got to watch the rain slowly come in from the top of the temple. It was beautiful to see it from a far but definitely made me glad I didn’t have to hike through it!
We decided, as a group that we wanted to get up early and start walking so we could make it back to Carmelita in good time. The two French guys walked ahead and actually ended up going too far, they somehow entered Carmelita from a different side. Luckily some people from the village spotted them and drove them back to where the tour started and to where Hector, the guide, and I finished. We had a quick lunch (we were given the option to shower and change – we had no clean clothes left so we just decided to wait till we got to Flores) before hopping in the small van and riding (again on the bumpiest road imaginable) back to Flores.
On the drive back, not only was it bumpy, but it started pouring with rain. Hector and I talked about how glad we were it didn’t rain while we were hiking! We were met in Flores with a torrential downpour which made walking and finding our new hotel fun!
I want to finish up by linking to my Lost City Trek packing list here. We both carried the same items (minus a bathing suit, shorts, and a sleeping bag). We didn’t have to worry about carrying our bag in El Mirador like we did in the Lost City; although I still wanted to be weary of weight because I didn’t want the mule carrying unnecessary items!
This was such a great trek. I don’t know which I enjoyed more: The Lost City or El Mirador. El Mirador is definitely more off the beaten path and the groups are a lot smaller! We barely saw any other people the whole hike, it was so nice to have the entire place to ourselves! El Mirador was an easier hike because it was mainly flat but the distance was further. Make sure to add El Mirador to your list! It is worth the 5 day hike in and out!
We thought it fitting to end the day at La Danta restaurante!
Lots of Love,
Buffy xx
