Vantage World Travel

In Depth Honduras - 12D/11N

Honduras is strategically located in the heart of Central America, surrounded by high tropical mountains. The mountainous topography contributes to the diversity of climates. Its northern border is the Caribbean Sea, offering long stretches of beautiful beach, warm weather and friendly people. Just off the coast, the Bay Islands are surrounded by the world’s second largest coral reef. To the south, Honduras is bordered by the Pacific Ocean and El Salvador, to the west by Guatemala and to the east by Nicaragua. The country’s current population is estimated at 7 million people.

Copan In the land known today as Honduras, the Maya-Toltec culture was born 3,000 years before Christ while Europe was still considered a land of barbarians. Scientists consider the Maya-Toltec civilization to have become the most developed indigenous culture in the world. Without a doubt, it was the most advanced in Middle America. Copan’s Pyramids, temples, and stone monuments justify the claim. They are in the northwestern zone of Honduran territory, near the border with Guatemala. At Copan, Mayan structures date back to at least 1000 years BC. Nevertheless, in the 10th century AD, this colossal metropolis of 3,450 buildings and more than 15,000 inhabitants, was mysteriously abandoned. So were several other Mayan city-states. The archaeological zone of the Mayas extends from the Tehuantepec Isthmus in Mexico to Honduran territory in Central America. Today, Guatemala, Belize and Honduras encompass the land that once belonged to them. In this vast geographical region, there are a number of archaeological ruins. Scientists come to unveil the mysteries of hieroglyphics, engraved stelae, altars, ceramic and jade objects in the land of the ancient centers, like Copan, Tikal, Chichen Itza and Uxmal. While the area is rich in minerals, the inhabitants only utilized the precious stones, particularly jade, and some metals like gold and silver, with sumptuary ends in mind. The Copan Valley is the site of some of the most important sources of information on the ancient Maya civilization. The ancient city of Copan has always been referred to as the most artistically advanced and elaborate of all the Maya cities. The principal attractions are the main park, Las Sepulturas, Los Sapos, the museum located in the town, and the ‘tree stones’ or stelae surrounding the valley.

Roatan The largest and most populated of the bay islands with 10,565 inhabitants. It is 30 miles from the coast of Honduras, at the same latitude as La Ceiba. Roatan is 28 miles long and becomes quite narrow at one end. A spine of highlands comprise the island’s center. Roatan has an international airport, and good paved roads take travelers from tourist centers and coastal villages to the small town of Coxen Hole, the largest town on the island. The coral reef encircling Roatan is notorious for its coral gardens near the coast. The eastern side of Roatan is mostly mangroves, bordering a narrow canal that seperates it from Helene, a neighboring island.

Accomodations and Services
Superior Hotels Hacienda San Lucas - Standard Room in Copan Ruinas. Pico Bonito Lodge - Standard Cabin in La Ceiba area. Palmetto Bay -Orchid Beachfront 2 Bedroom / 1 Bathroom at Roatan. Meals American breakfast thoroughout. Guides & Tours Private minibus transfers at all times, private guided tours in Copan. Tours in La Ceiba area might be collective.

Standard Hotels Don Udos - Standard Room in Copan Ruinas. Omega Lodge - Standard Cabin in La Ceiba area. Turquoise Bay - Orchid Beachfront 2 Bedroom / 1 Bathroom at Roatan. Hotel del Arbol - Standard Room in San Pedro Sula. Meals American breakfast thoroughout. Guides & Tours Private minibus transfers at all times, private guided tours in Copan. Tours in La Ceiba area might be collective.

Included: Services as specified in the selected level.
Not Included: Any airfare, passport and visa expenses, governmental arrival and departure taxes, cancellation and personal insurance (strongly recommended), excess baggage charges, all items of a personal nature and any services not specifically indicated as included.

Daily Itinerary

• Day 1 Arrival, San Pedro Sula to Copan (Unguided transfer) - Guests upon arrival into San Pedro Sula guests will be met off their flight and transferred to the pretty highland town of Copan Ruinas.(3hrs) Rest of the afternoon free to explore this colonial style small town. Copan Ruinas 3N.
• Day 2 Copan Site & Bird Park (B,L) (2 Guides - One in each location) - Guests are transferred to the Archaeology site at Copan. Here they enjoy a guided tour of this beautiful site which is famous for its intricately carved stelea & heiroglypic stairwy aas well as its comprehensive museum. When ready, guests return to Copan and to the Bird Park for lunch. After lunch, guests enjoy a walk in the lush, shady river vally location of the Copan Bird Park where they have a local guide accompany them and see and interact with a number of beautiful, tropical birds that have been rescued from locales all over Honduras. When ready, guests are transferred back to their hotel.
• Day 3 Finca El Cisne (B,L) (SIB Tour) - Guests will be met at their hotel reception by 9am by their guide, Carlos, to begin a full day excusion to “Finca el Cisine”. Carlos’ family owns the farm and he will take guests on a tranquil horseback ride through the farmlands and beautiful scenery of the Copan Valley. This is followed by a hearty farmhouse lunch cooked by Carlos’ mother; here the local coffee can be tasted. In the afternoon, guests can explore the coffee and cardamom plantations and learn about cattle ranching. This tour finishes with a dip in the hot springs on the way back to the hotel.
• Day 4 Transfer to La Ceiba (B) (Unguided Transfer) - Guests transfer to San Pedro Sula (3hrs) for a short flight to La Ceiba (20min) & transfer to their hotel/lodge. La Ceiba Area 2N.
• Day 5 Cacao Lagoon (B,L) (SIB Tour) - Guests are picked up from their hotel & transferred to Cacao Lagoon, where they will be able to meet the local people of this fishing village, living an authentic, traditional life. Then guests jump in the kayaks and paddle through the mangroves, always along the shore so that they can see as much wildlife as possible. In this area guests should see lots of birds, butterflies, bats and howler monkeys. Reaching the beachside of Cacao Lagoon we paddle into the Caribbean and try our kayaks in the waves. The beach here is picturesque, serene and deserted. After a fruity beach picnic, we paddle back to our starting point and are met for the transfer back to their hotel.
• Day 6 Cuero y Salado & Garifuna Village (B,L) (SIB Tour) Guests transfer from their hotel to this wildlife refuge situated 33km from La Ceiba which is home to many endangered animal species, found within the many mangrove canals proceeding from the rivers Cuero and Salado. There is a mixture both fresh and salt water, the reserve being right at the ocean’s edge. From La Union, we catch a ride on the old railway to reach this wildlife refuge, and then by boat or canoe we explore the mangrove lagoons. Manatees, monkeys, alligators and a variety of birds are all part of the highlights of this protected and diverse habitat run by the foundation FUCSA. Most frequently seen wildlife: Howler monkeys, more than 200 species birds (Herons, kingfishers, gallinules) and butterflies, manatee, alligators.
• Day 7 Pico Bonito (B,L) (SIB Tour) Guests are met at their hotel at around 8:00am & travel by 4×4 to the tropical forest of Pico Bonito. Here guests follow several trails trek deep into the lush vegetation - en route discovering butterflies, birds and many other species of wildlife. Following the Rio Zacate trail, we’ll have a beautiful view of the Caribbean Coast, reaching the magnificent Zacate Waterfall at approx. 1:30pm. Hiking along the magnificent ‘Cordillera Gracias a Dios’, which has it´s highest peak in Pico Bonito will leave you breathless at the natural and sweeping beauty of a park that has made Honduras famous as a destination for eco-tours.
• Day 8 Pico Bonito Park & Transfer to Roatan (B) Guests can enjoy an early morning hike in Pico Bonito National Park before transferring to La Ceiba for a flight to the island of Roatan. Transfer to the hotel for overnight. Choose between more isolated beach hotels, the energetic beach of the West Bay area or the lively nightlife of the West End. Roatan 4N.
• Days 9-11 Beach Relaxation Enjoy a free day on Roatan to sunbath, snorkel, dive or perhaps rent a moped or car to explore the island.
• Day 12 Departure Transfer to Roatan airport for international flight our tor connecting flight to San Pedro Sula to meet international flight out.

**SIB - Sit In Bus.

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