Survivor: Guatemala
Survivor: Guatemala — The Maya Empire (commonly referred to as Survivor: Guatemala) is the eleventh season of the American CBS competitive reality television series Survivor. Filming took place from June 27, 2005, through August 4, 2005, and the season premiered on September 15, 2005. It was filmed in the Yaxhá-Nakúm-Naranjo National Park near the more popular Tikal National Park in northern Guatemala. Originally, the season was scheduled to be filmed in a location on the Indian Ocean, with scouting taking place in Madagascar, Southern India, and Sri Lanka. However, due to the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, the plans were scrapped. Hosted by Jeff Probst, it consisted of the usual 39 days of gameplay with 18 competitors. This season also featured the return of Survivor: Palau contestants Stephenie LaGrossa and Bobby Jon Drinkard. Aside from the staple twists such as the double Tribal Council and the tribe switch, a new twist called the hidden immunity idol was introduced. The tribes merged with ten remaining players, naming their tribe Xhakúm. After the merge, they received news that an immunity idol was hidden somewhere at camp. Whoever possessed the idol had to use it before the tribe voted. After usage, the