Norman brought us to the jungle-enveloped site of Uaxactún to witness the site of sub-structure E-VII that was perfectly preserved beneath a later superstructure. The Structure E-VII-Sub is the first reported example of what is now recognized to be a well-established type of Late Pre-Classic monumental architecture: The Astronomic alignment is known as "Group E" and is a manner to classify the importance of any Maya Site.


"On the west side of a court at Uaxactún, facing due east, was a pyramid. On the opposite side, on a terrace, were three temples with façades running north and south, and arranged so as to establish lines of sight when observed from the stairway of the pyramid on the west side. From this observation point, the sun, on its way north, rose directly behind the middle temple (Str. E-II) on March 21, the vernal equinox; behind the northernmost front corner of the north temple (Str. E-I, left) on June 21, the summer solstice; behind the middle temple again on its way back south on September 23, the autumnal equinox; and behind the southernmost front corner of the south temple (Str. E-III, right) on December 21, the winter solstice. This assemblage of buildings thus marked the longest and shortest days of the year, as well as the two intermediate positions, when day and night are of equal length."

Robert Sharer, The Ancient Maya, p. 181

Travel to this site was to be included and associated with our visit to Tikal, just 12 miles or 19 kilometers [approx] to the south.
I'm not sure about the actual distance, but it seemed to be within a 30 minute drive.

Tikal is on a massive scale and had to be witnessed to be believed.