RoutesHiking trails & RoutesMexicoYucatán
Platform of Venus – Temple of the Warriors loop from Chichen-Itza
RoutesHiking trails & RoutesMexicoYucatán
Platform of Venus – Temple of the Warriors loop from Chichen-Itza
Easy
5.0
(2)
113
hikers
Platform of Venus – Temple of the Warriors loop from Chichen-Itza
01:05
4.29km
10m
Hiking
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.
Last updated: May 6, 2026
Waypoints
A
Start point
Parking
Get Directions
1
1.02 km
The Castle (Chichen Itza Pyramid)
Highlight • Historical Site
This building, one of the few circular structures built by the Maya, is believed to have been used for astronomical observations, throught openings in the top of the tower.
The so-called Caracol or Observatory is a structure built in the form of a larger circular tower set on a platform with a central staircase. The base is set on another rectangular platform, decorated with a cornice of rounded corners on the upper part. The Caracol is really built of three superimposed buildings.
The first part of the cylindrical tower is formed by two concentric walls which enclose a pair of circular chambers each with four doorways.
The second level comprises the cornice of the first level and a second, narrower one, which frames a frieze. Above the doors, the frieze has a mask o Chaac and a seated figure, framed with motifs made of feathers and serpents.
The third and fourth parts of the tower have deteriorated, but a series of openings or windows can still be glimpsed which perhaps served for making astronomical observations.
On the west side of the larger base there is a staircase whose balustrades are adorned with intertwining serpents´ heads.
The total height of the monument is 75 feet. The structure was constructed during the first period of the Military city.
El caracol Chichen Itza
Mayan Astronomy
The Maya Studied the sun, the moon and Venus, and their observations included some visible bodies such as Mercury, Mars and other stars.
Their priests, the greatest astronomers of the time, succeeded in calculating solar and lunar eclipses, the rising and setting of Venus and the movements of stars and planets, as well as the solar year, with great accuracy.
Even today, scientists are amazed at the development of Mayan astronomy. For the ancient Maya, astronomy and cosmogony were closely linked in their mythical conception of the universe.
Chichen Itza Mayan Astronnomy
Chichen Itza Observatory
The Lords of Time
Known as the “Lords of Time”, the Maya were unique in elevating to the rank of gods not only the idea of time, but also the periods into which it is divided. They represented time as supernatural beings whose mission was to maintain order in the universe. The Mayan gods of time completed their life cycle in a constant circular movement beginning with their birth, developing with the manifestation of their characteristics, and finishing with their death. They were then re-born and a new cycle of birth and death was begun.
The so-called Caracol or Observatory is a structure built in the form of a larger circular tower set on a platform with a central staircase. The base is set on another rectangular platform, decorated with a cornice of rounded corners on the upper part. The Caracol is really built of three superimposed buildings.
The first part of the cylindrical tower is formed by two concentric walls which enclose a pair of circular chambers each with four doorways.
The second level comprises the cornice of the first level and a second, narrower one, which frames a frieze. Above the doors, the frieze has a mask o Chaac and a seated figure, framed with motifs made of feathers and serpents.
The third and fourth parts of the tower have deteriorated, but a series of openings or windows can still be glimpsed which perhaps served for making astronomical observations.
On the west side of the larger base there is a staircase whose balustrades are adorned with intertwining serpents´ heads.
The total height of the monument is 75 feet. The structure was constructed during the first period of the Military city.
El caracol Chichen Itza
Mayan Astronomy
The Maya Studied the sun, the moon and Venus, and their observations included some visible bodies such as Mercury, Mars and other stars.
Their priests, the greatest astronomers of the time, succeeded in calculating solar and lunar eclipses, the rising and setting of Venus and the movements of stars and planets, as well as the solar year, with great accuracy.
Even today, scientists are amazed at the development of Mayan astronomy. For the ancient Maya, astronomy and cosmogony were closely linked in their mythical conception of the universe.
Chichen Itza Mayan Astronnomy
Chichen Itza Observatory
The Lords of Time
Known as the “Lords of Time”, the Maya were unique in elevating to the rank of gods not only the idea of time, but also the periods into which it is divided. They represented time as supernatural beings whose mission was to maintain order in the universe. The Mayan gods of time completed their life cycle in a constant circular movement beginning with their birth, developing with the manifestation of their characteristics, and finishing with their death. They were then re-born and a new cycle of birth and death was begun.
Tip by
2
1.33 km
Tzompantli (Skull Platform), Chichén Itzá
Highlight • Historical Site
after so many years, such details can still be discerned
Translated by Google •
Tip by
3
1.82 km
The Ossuary (El Osario), Chichén Itzá
Highlight • Historical Site
Also known as The High Priest Temple, The Ossuary is a pyramid at Chichen Itza with nine stepped blocks and a staircase on each side. Stairs count with balustrades carved with interlocking snakes that lead to a temple at the top, which entrance displays two snake columns.
The ossuary
The ossuary
It was built above a deep extense cavern, to which one can descend-to from the entrance made in the floor of the upper temple. At the entrance to the cavern, there are seven tombs which contained jade, rock crystal, shell and copper offerings.
It was designed for the sun register. Its orientation, at 17 degrees from north, allows one to observe a relevant astronomic event on the agricultural ritual calendar: the cenital pass of the sun from may 23rd to june 19th. The first date, on this latitude, matches with the beginning of the rainy season. It’s composed by a vertical air intake, where sun descends, initiating on the floor of the upper temple. Ending then, in the "Mother Rock", 10 meters deep, where several objects were found, such as medium-sized sculptures, bones and shell-made objects.
The ossuary
The ossuary
In practice, this cenital observatory is similar to other buildings found at Xochicalco, Morelos, Teotihuacan, Oaxaca and other locations. It was built, same as the others, in order to have more precise reference in time register. In terms of rituals, The Ossuary was made as a replic of the Cosmic Mountain, where sacred forces are manifested. On this structure, the creation of the cosmos by Gods in the Mythical Time is replicated. The sun penetrates trhough the air intake and fertilizes soil.
The Ossuary is one of the most complex buildings on site. It is known to be built over a deep cave. It is possible that this cave was considered a door to the underworld. Its architecture is very similar to the Pyramid of Kukulkan, with 4 staircases and an upper temple.
The most remarkable aspect of the Ossuary is its bust decoration. Full of different bas-relief snakes, birdmen, men with god-like masks and other representations. It also holds 894 AC’s incriptures.
On the upper foundation, 8 interlocked snakes decorate the edge of the structure. Four of the snakes are covered with turquoise disc and the other four with earrings. The three panels on the upper foundation are covered by bird representations. In total, there are 48 panels with fruit, cocoa beans, jewels and animal bas-relief.
The ossuary
The ossuary
It was built above a deep extense cavern, to which one can descend-to from the entrance made in the floor of the upper temple. At the entrance to the cavern, there are seven tombs which contained jade, rock crystal, shell and copper offerings.
It was designed for the sun register. Its orientation, at 17 degrees from north, allows one to observe a relevant astronomic event on the agricultural ritual calendar: the cenital pass of the sun from may 23rd to june 19th. The first date, on this latitude, matches with the beginning of the rainy season. It’s composed by a vertical air intake, where sun descends, initiating on the floor of the upper temple. Ending then, in the "Mother Rock", 10 meters deep, where several objects were found, such as medium-sized sculptures, bones and shell-made objects.
The ossuary
The ossuary
In practice, this cenital observatory is similar to other buildings found at Xochicalco, Morelos, Teotihuacan, Oaxaca and other locations. It was built, same as the others, in order to have more precise reference in time register. In terms of rituals, The Ossuary was made as a replic of the Cosmic Mountain, where sacred forces are manifested. On this structure, the creation of the cosmos by Gods in the Mythical Time is replicated. The sun penetrates trhough the air intake and fertilizes soil.
The Ossuary is one of the most complex buildings on site. It is known to be built over a deep cave. It is possible that this cave was considered a door to the underworld. Its architecture is very similar to the Pyramid of Kukulkan, with 4 staircases and an upper temple.
The most remarkable aspect of the Ossuary is its bust decoration. Full of different bas-relief snakes, birdmen, men with god-like masks and other representations. It also holds 894 AC’s incriptures.
On the upper foundation, 8 interlocked snakes decorate the edge of the structure. Four of the snakes are covered with turquoise disc and the other four with earrings. The three panels on the upper foundation are covered by bird representations. In total, there are 48 panels with fruit, cocoa beans, jewels and animal bas-relief.
Tip by
4
2.10 km
The Castle (Temple of Kukulcán), Chichén Itzá
Highlight • Historical Site
Can only agree with APunkt. To be there as early as possible. Not only are there fewer people traveling, but it is also cooler. I would recommend a guide. Above all, this can explain and demonstrate the "acoustics".
Translated by Google •
Tip by
5
2.12 km
Chichén Itzá UNESCO World Heritage plaque
Highlight • Monument
In the entrance area there is a plaque with the listing as a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Translated by Google •
Tip by
6
2.38 km
Platform of Venus
Highlight • Historical Site
Amazing postcards, be careful in the sun
Translated by Google •
Tip by
7
2.55 km
Temple of the Warriors
Highlight • Historical Site
In the open area in front of the actual temple, one of the figures known as Chak Mo'ol stands in the characteristic half-reclining posture. The name Chak Mo'ol goes back to the New York amateur archaeologist Augustus Le Plongeon from the second half of the 19th century, who saw it as the image of what he suspected was a Mayan prince; it has nothing to do with the rain god Chac .
Translated by Google •
Tip by
8
2.84 km
Temple of the Thousand Columns
Highlight • Historical Site
to appreciate the columns
Translated by Google •
Tip by
B
4.29 km
End point
Parking
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
3.64 km
499 m
134 m
Surfaces
3.66 km
499 m
120 m
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Weather
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Today
Sunday 12 July
35°C
23°C
5 %
Additional weather tips
Max wind speed: 16.0 km/h
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