Guatemala, Honduras And Belize Explorer - Central America,
13 days
See the best of three distinct Central American countries.
Towering volcanoes, dense tropical rainforest, pristine
lakes, ancient Maya ruins, indigenous culture, and Spanish
colonial architecture await you.
Tour Highlights:
- Enjoy Antigua, a beautiful Spanish Colonial town
with elegant 16th & 17th Century architecture,
cobblestone streets, civilized central squares, stylish
hotels, luxurious shops and superb international cuisine.
- Lake Atitlan - called by many "the most beautiful
lake in the world."
- Journey to Chichicastenango, a highlands village
famous for its huge traditional market, boasting a
fantastic range of beautiful and inexpensive traditional
crafts.
- Admire a totally authentic market in Solola where
the traditional dress of the local Maya is probably
the most colourful of all the country.
- Visit Copan Mayan Ruins, containing a large amount
of delicate carvings on both stelea and buildings such
as the amazing hieroglyphic stairway, the ball court
and various temples.
- Experience Yaxha and Tikal, the largest and most
spectacular Mayan ruin sites yet uncovered.
- See Caracol Mayan ceremonial ruins, where there
are more than 4,000 structures spread across 55 square
miles.
Day 1: Arrive Guatemala City, Guatemala
/ Antigua -
Upon arrival at Guatemala City airport, we will be met and transferred
in a private car to the beautiful city of Antigua. Enjoy dinner and settle
in.
Accommodations : Panza Verde ( D )
Day 2: Antigua -
Antigua is a stunningly beautiful and elegant colonial town with cobblestone
streets, tranquil parks, numerous palaces, cathedrals, churches and
residences. The city was founded in 1543 by Francisco de la Cueva and
was the first planned settlement in the new world, designed by Italian
architect Juan Francisco Antonelli. Antigua grew to be the finest city
in Central America and was the country’s capital until it was
heavily damaged by an earthquake in 1773. Now fully reconstructed and
renovated, Antigua has wonderful restaurants, patio cafes, shops and
galleries in which to relax, numerous ruins to explore and interesting
museums and exhibitions to visit. This morning we enjoy a guided tour
of Antigua to learn about the main architectural monuments and history.
We shall visit the Plaza Mayor, Cathedral (1680), Capuchinas Convent
and Iglesia San Fransisco where Saint Hermano Pedro is buried. The
afternoon is at leisure to explore and enjoy Antigua. Several optional
activitiy choices can be arranged such as Horse Riding, visit to the
Azotea Cultural Museum which offers an excellent exhibition & slide
show on the traditional costumes, customs and music of the Mayan people.
You can also visit a Cofee or Macadamia farm or San Juan Obisbo, where
one can visit the beautiful convent and enjoy the view over Antigua
from this small Maya village.
Accommodations : Panza Verde ( B )
Day 3: Antigua -
Today will be spent with a resident Maya textile expert who will start
the day by presenting on the history of Maya textiles, the weaving
techniques of the back strap loom and the symbolism of the designs.
We will see the museum “House of the Old Textile” in Antigua.
The museum is run by a cooperative from the village of San Antonio
Aguas Calientes, a village famous for its strong textile tradition.
Although the backstrap weaving from SAAC is primarily done in a single
face brocade, the village has incorporated a beautiful double sided
tapestry weave into its traditional traje (costume). We will see the
weaving process on both the backstrap and foot looms. There are vignettes
of textiles from all over the country. After lunch on our own (lunch
not included), we visit some of the specialist shops and artisan markets
to learn how to distinguish new weavings from old and good quality
from poor.
Accommodations : Panza Verde ( B )
Day 4: Antigua / Lake Atitlan -
Today, we transfer deeper into the highlands to Lake Atitlan. This lake
has been called by many, “the most beautiful lake in the world”.
It is indeed an amazing setting with the crystal blue waters of the
lake surrounded by the three lofty peaks of Toliman, San Pedro and
Atitlan Volcanoes at 3,535m. The lake is surrounded by small Maya towns,
villages and farmlands where fields of corn and beans are planted on
what appear to be impossibly steep slopes. Coffee is also grown at
lower altitudes on the rich volcanic soil of the area. The waters are
calm and still in the morning but in the afternoon a phenomenon known
locally as “xocomil” occurs where-by the wind gets up and
the lake becomes quite choppy. After an approximate three hour transfer
through the Guatemalan countryside you will be taken to your hotel
where you can rest or explore for the rest of the day.
Accommodations : Hotel Atitlan ( B L D )
Day 5: Lake Atitlan & Santiago
Village -
Today, we will take a journey on a private boat with our guide to explore
one of the more traditional villages surrounding the lake to experience
the local indigenous customs, traditions, dress and crafts. Santiago
is an interesting town where the Maya language of Tz’utujil is
spoken and where the local people hold strongly to their beliefs and
rituals. We will see where the local Mayan community worship an image
called Maximon feeding him alcohol and cigarettes in an attempt to make
their wishes come true as well as other brotherhood or “Cofradia” houses
where other Maya Gods are revered. This village is also famous for its
primitive art and beautiful woven “huipiles” – women’s
tunics. There is also an interesting market to wander through.
Accommodations : Hotel Atitlan ( B L D )
Day 6: Full Day To Chichicastenango
-
Depart to Chichicastenango for a full day tour. Chichi as it is known
to the locals, is famous for its large craft market on Sunday and Thursday
when craftsmen and villagers from all over the highlands converge on
this small town to sell their wares. Many village shamans will come from
miles around to “Chichi” to perform Mayan rituals on behalf
of people in their community. There are many hillside Mayan altar sites
where the rituals are performed and, yet more strangely, many are performed
on altar slabs inside the catholic church. Chichi is one of the easiest
places for travelers to experience the strange way that Mayan & Catholic
faiths have merged in Guatemala. During a trip to Chichi, guests can
also visit the small mask factory and see a traditional dance display
performed by the local children. After the guided tour around Chichi
we will transfer back to the lake.
Accommodations : Hotel Atitlan ( B L D )
Day 7: Solola / Guatemala City -
Today, we will transfer back to Guatemala City, briefly stopping en route
to admire the totally authentic market of Solola where the traditional
dress of the local Maya is probably the most colorful of all the country.
We will have lunch and in the afternoon visit your choice of Ixchel
Textile Museum or Popol Vuh and the Archaeology Museums.
Accommodations : Hotel Intercontinental ( B L )
Day 8: Full Day To Copan, Honduras
-
We depart early this morning by charter plane to Copan in Honduras (single
propeller Baron or Cessna Caravan depending on group size). Upon arrival,
we will be transferred to the beautifully elegant Mayan Ruins of Copan.
It is believed that Copan was inhabited from approximately AD 300 to
AD 800. The site contains a large amount of delicate carvings on both
stelea and buildings such as the amazing hieroglyphic stairway, the ball
court and various temples. There are also tunnels that allow the visitor
access to see ancient temples buried under more recent temples that still
display the original red coloring. After visiting the site we will transfer
guests up to the picturesque Hacienda San Lucas to cool down, enjoy some
refreshments and a late lunch before transferring back to the airstrip
for the return flight to Guatemala City.
Accommodations : Hotel Intercontinental ( B L )
Day 9: Tikal Ruins Area -
This morning you will be transferred to the airport for our flight into
the northern rainforest. Having landed at Flores airport you will be
transferred to the village of El Remate where we check into the Hotel
Camino Real Tikal. This afternoon, we enjoy a guided tour and sunset
at the wonderfully atmospheric site of Yaxha by Lake Yaxha. Yaxha (Green
Water) is a beautiful Mayan ruin site set at the shore of Lake Yaxha – home
of the Moreletti crocodiles. Close to Tikal, situated on the shores
of a peaceful lake is the site of the third largest known Classic Mayan
site in the country. Yaxha has a twin pyramid complex, nine acropolis
and more than 500 structures. Similar to Tikal, Yaxha was at its height
of importance between AD 300 and AD 900. Temple 216 offers a wonderful
view of the lake and surrounding rainforest. Trekking in Yaxha is wonderful
and watching the sunset with the sun falling behind the lagoon and
its island is really breathtaking. Howler & spider monkeys and
a myriad of birds can often be observed from the temple tops. Before
exploring Yaxha itself, a short boat trip on the lake will be taken
to visit the small ruin site of Topoxte, one of the oldest cities in
the Maya world.
Accommodations : Camino Real Tikal Hotel ( B L D
)
Day 10: Tikal Ruins Area -
Any early start today in order to see the best of the tropical wildlife
and to have the site all to yourselves! Today we will transfer into
Tikal National Park to visit the world famous site of Tikal.. Tikal
(City of Voices), is the world famous Mayan temple ruins set in the
protected rainforest. This is an amazing climax to any trip to Guatemala
with an incredible sight to behold as huge temples rise out of the
rainforest and monkeys and exotic birds complement the scene. Enjoy
sunset or sunrise or both from on top of the temples. Construction
of Tikal began around BC 300, although it’s most important époque
was between AD 200 and AD 900 in what is called the Classic Period
of the Mayan civilization when it was considered an important commercial
city. The temples at Tikal were built to reach the sky with the Temple
of the Serpent reaching 70 meters high and offering a magnificent view
of the rainforest canopy and other temples. Due to the immense historical
value of the site at Tikal, it has been declared a UNESCO protected
monument. The site covers 16 square kilometers and contains over 3,000
structures.
Accommodations : Camino Real Tikal Hotel ( B L D
)
Day 11: Tikal / San Ignacio, Belize
-
This morning we will transfer you to the lodge at Chaa Creek in Belize.
After an approximate 3 hour transfer (including time to cross the border),
you’ll arrive at the lodge. You’ll have lunch at the lodge
and a free afternoon to unwind or explore the surroundings.
Accommodations : Chaa Creek ( B L D )
Day 12: Full Day To Caracol Ruins
-
Today you’ll take an excursion to the ruins of Caracol, occupied
as early as 1200 BC. Caracol has revealed an extensive and varied history.
The true name of this ancient city, found in hieroglyphics throughout
the site, has not yet been successfully deciphered. Its modern name is
Spanish for "snail," the derivation of which is not entirely
clear. One translation of the emblem glyph, indicates it may have been
named "Place of Three Hills," but this is also uncertain. The
comprehensive work done by archaeologists Diane and Arlen Chase, of the
University of Central Florida, tells us that in 650 AD, a population
exceeding 150,000 was occupying the epicenter of the site.
Accommodations : Chaa Creek ( B L D )
Day 13: Depart Belize -
This morning you will be transferred to Belize International airport
to arrive in time for your international flight home. ( B )
Prices are per person, double occupancy.
Tour operates with minimum 2 persons.
Guatemala, Honduras And Belize Explorer
Dates of Season |
Land-only |
International
Air (sample fare) |
Internal Air |
Single Supplement |
Jan-06-04
May-31-04 |
$3999 |
N/A |
N/A |
$1059 |
Jun-01-04
Jun-30-04 |
$3899 |
N/A |
N/A |
$989 |
Jul-01-04
Aug-31-04 |
$3999 |
N/A |
N/A |
$1059 |
Sep-01-04
Sep-30-04 |
$3899 |
N/A |
N/A |
$989 |
Oct-01-04
Dec-15-04 |
$3999 |
N/A |
N/A |
$1059 |
Dec-16-04
Jan-05-05 |
$4239 |
N/A |
N/A |
$1299 |
International airfare quoted
from Miami. Air Taxes not included. All airfares
are subject to penalties and seasonal surcharges
and based on availability. Fares also available
from other major USA Cities. |
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THE TOUR COST INCLUDES:
- Accommodation as outlined in itinerary
- Meal Plan as outlined in itinerary (B-beakfast L-lunch D-dinner)
- Private transportation in mini-buses and local boats. (AC Guarenteed
in Rainforest & Copan only)
- Internal flights as stated in the itinerary
- International Flight from Flores to Belize City
- Bi-lingual Guide for all transfers
- Guided Tours of Antigua, Chichicastenango, Santiago, Copan, Yaxha & Tikal
- All entrance fees
- All hotel local taxes & service fees
- All Restaurant service fees for meals that are included
- Porterage when at Airports
- Local Sales and Tourist taxes
NOT INCLUDED IN THE TOUR COST:
International airfare to Quito, Ecuador. Departure Tax of approx $25
per person payable locally, Passport and visa fees. Travel insurance.
Excess baggage or shipping charges. Items of personal nature such as
gratuities to guides and drivers, rental of snorkeling equipment aboard
some vessels, telephone / telex / fax charges, laundry, beverages, meals
and services not specified.
Departure Dates:
This tour depart weekly on the following day(s):
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