Structure II, Calakmul, Campeche

Structure II at Calakmul, in the forests of southern Campeche near the Guatemalan border, with carved stelae lined up at its foot. More than 45 meters high, it is one of the tallest Maya pyramids, and it was the centerpiece of the Snake Kingdom, whose kings spent much of the Classic period locked in rivalry with Tikal. Calakmul is far off the usual tour routes, so the climb is often shared with very few other people.