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Maya Archaeology Highlights with Copan 12D/11N
Guatemala treasures its colonial past. Primarily Spanish, its strutures can be found in most major cities and villages throughout the country. But nowhere can they be seen better than in Antigua. Guatemala City is a contrasting counterpart to the country’s ancient beginnings and the colonial heritage whihc offers such allure to visitors. Modern and cosmopolitan, the city hosts hundreds of travelers daily. The folklore of Guatemala is possibly the most interesting and varied in the world; a natural result of the country’s rich pre-Columbian and Spanish colonial past. Throughout this tour the wonders of the old and new can be experienced.
Antigua Antigua is among the oldest and most beautiful cities in the Americas. Set amidst three magnificent volcanoes Agua, Fuego and Acatenango its superb yet sturdy colonial buildings have weathered 16 earthquakes and numerous floods and fires. The city was founded in the Valley of Panchoy and became the third capital in the New World following only those of Mexico and Peru. Antigua today is a beautiful colonial city where time has stopped. Some of the building elements, such as the low, wide columns were necessary to withstand earthquakes. With some of the nation’s most prestigious museums and the site of the finest examples of Spanish Colonial art and architecture in the Americas, La Antigua has been declared a “Monument of the Americas” by the Pan American Institute of History and Geography in 1942. The magnificent ruins of La Antigua’s cathedrals, convents, plazas and stately homes remain as outstanding reminders of 16th and 17th century Guatemala with the government buildings surrounding the Plaza de Armas at the center of the city. They include the palace of the Captain General built in 1764 to house the Royal Mint, Treasury, courts, and official reception areas. Across the park is the old City Hall (Palacio del Ayuntamiento)which housed the city jail and town council during colonial times, and is now a museum. Nearby are the ruins of the Cathedral and archbishop’s palace completed in 1680. La Merced Church with its white stone work, has survived a number of earthquakes and remains unchanged since 1773. The ruins of San Francisco Church built by the Franciscans late in the 16th century houses elaborate frescoes, paintings and statues. The Convent of the Capuchinas, one of La Antigua’s best preserved structures, was once a center of study and meditation for the nuns who lived there, while the University of San Carlos, which opened in 1681, has been a museum of colonial art since 1936, its cloistered arcade is the most elaborate in La Antigua.
Lake Atitlan Volcanic in origin, is the main tourist attraction in the Department of Solola. The lake is 90 miles from Guatemala City, and has been described by experts as the most beautiful lake in the world. It is located 5,125 feet above sea level, covers an area of 50 square miles and has a depth of 1,600 feet. Its clear waters are home to several species of fish including the very edible black bass. Three spectacular volcanoes Toliman, Atitlan and San Pedro form a natural backdrop for the lake waters which change colors with the varying light. Lake Atitlan is a mecca for water sports: fishing, swimming, diving, water skiing and boating. The surrounding mountains are a natural springboard for hang gliding and competitions are often held there. A visit will bring you to the “poc”, another nearly extinct bird that spends its entire lifespan on the water. Efforts are also being made here to ensure the survival of this rare bird. The Monterrico Reserve is located in Santa Rosa, on the Pacific coast. Here, among the rich jungle vegetation, mangroves and beaches, there exist fruit trees and an amazing variety of marine life, including marine turtles.
Tikal The monumental Mayan ceremonial center at Tikal lies northwest of Flores in the department of El Petén. Towering pyramids rise above the jungle’s green canopy, while down below howler monkeys swing nosily through the branches of ancient trees and colorful parrots squawk. The steep sided temples rise to
heights of over 44 meters, and although the jungle carpet has been swept, the dense rainforest canopy is not far away, making passage within the enigmatic site an unforgettable experience. The many ruins include plazas, an acropolis, pyramids, temples and a museum.
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.
Accomodations and Services
- Superior Hotels • Panza Verde – Standard Suite in Antigua • Hotel Atitlan - Std Room at Lake Atitlan • Camino Real Tikal – Standard Room in Tikal Area • Westin Camino Real – Deluxe room in Guatemala City • Bonifaz – Standard Room in Quetzaltenango • Santo Tomas or Mayan Inn – Std Room in Chichi • Villa Caribe – Suite in Rio Dulce area • Unicornio Azul – Std Room in Huehuetenango Area • Hacienda San Lucas – Standard Room in Copan. Meals - American breakfast throughout. Guides & Tours - Private minibus transfers at all times. Tours might not be private.
- Mid-Range Hotels • Meson de Maria – Standard Room in Antigua • Posada de Don Rodrigo – Standard Room in Lake Atitlan • Casona del Lago – Standard Room in Tikal Area • Holiday Inn – Standard room in Guatemala City • Bonifaz – Standard Room in Quetzaltenango • Santo Tomas - Standard Room in Chichicastenango • Catamaran – Standard Room in Rio Dulce area • Unicornio Azul – Standard Room in Huehuetenango Area • Don Udos – Standard Room in Copan. Meals - Continental breakfast throughout. Guides & Tours - Private minibus transfers at all times. Tours might not be private.
- Day 1 Arrival - Antigua (Unguided) - Guests are met and transferred to Antigua. Anigua 2N.
- Day 2 Architecture & History Tour (B) (Guide HD) - Guests take a half day walking tour of Antigua (3-4 hours). The tour passes through the main square, Palace, Cathedral, La Merced Church & San Francisco Church. All entrance fees included. Afternoon free.
- Day 3 Azotea Coffee Farm, Maya Museum (B) (Guide HD) - Guests visit local woodcarvers in the village of Jocotenango & then the Azotea Coffee Farm and Maya Trandions Museum covering traditional music, costume & traditions. Afternoon transfer to Lake Atitlan. Atitlan 2N.
- Day 4 Lake Tour (San Juan, Santiago) (B,L) (Guide FD) - Morning boat ride across Lake Atitlan to the village of San Juan La Laguna where they can visit the women’s textile cooperative to see hand weaving and natural dye processes, visit studios of naif painters. Guests continue to village of Santiago where they have lunch in a local hotel and tour the village, visiting the Maya God Maximon and learn about the the textiles, spiritualism, and belifs in the T’zutujil Maya.
- Day 5 Chichi Market (B,L) (Guided) - Today guests transfer approx. 1hr to the famous market at Chichi. Time for shopping in this fabulous craft market and an opportunity to see Maya rituals being performed in the Catholic Church before transferring on to Antigua (3hr). Antigua 1N.
- Day 6 Copan (Honduras) (B) (Unguided) - Transfer across Guatemala towards the border with Honduras. Just across the border guests are in the pretty colonial village of Copan Ruinas (5hrs). Free afternoon to relax or explore this pretty colonial town. Copan 2N.
- Day 7 Copan & Bird Park (B,L) (Guide in each place) - Guests will be met at their hotel and transfer to the Maya Site of Copan. Enjoy a private guided tour of Copan Ruins site with its famous hieroglyphic staircase, ball court and tunnels. Lunch is in the tropical bird park where guests can also enjoy a visit of this beautiful facility looking after rescued tropical birds & working to educate people about conservation.
- Day 8 Transfer to Rio Dulce (B) (Guide HD) - Transfer across Guatemala through the central desert region to the lush tropical area at Rio Dulce (5 hrs). Visit the beautiful, UNESCO protected small Mayan Temple site at Quirigua along the way. Once at Rio Dulce guests will board a boat for a scenic trip along Rio Dulce (Trf time depends on hotel) to their riverside hotel. Rio Dulce/Livingston 1N.
- Day 9 Rio Dulce (B) (Guide HD) - Cruise the Rio Dulce River through the central canyon and down to the Garifuna town of Livingston on the Coast. Explore Livingston and then journey back downriver to Rio Dulce and per chance see the elusive Manatee. Once back at Rio Dulce board the transfer to the Tikal area (3-4hrs). Tikal 2N.
- Day 10 Yaxha Sunset (B) (Guide HD) - Guests enjoy a free morning to relax. After lunch they transfer to Yaxha National Park (approx 1hr) to explore this atmospheric lakeside site ending with refreshments & wonderful views at sunset over the rainforest canopy from atop the main temples.
- Day 11 Tikal (B,L) (Guide HD) - Today, guests transfer to Tikal National park (approx 1hr) to explore the amazing UNESCO protected Mayan Temple site of Tikal where huge Mayan temples rise above the jungle canopy and monkeys and tropical birds are abundant in the surrounding rainforest. After lunch guests have time to relax and refresh and will fly back to Guatemala City (30min) where they will be transferred to their hotel. (Approx 10min) Guatemala City 1N.
- Day 12 Departure (B) (Unguided) - This morning our driver will transfer guests to the airport (approx 10mins) in plenty of time to catch their flight.
Daily Itinerary
Possible Upgrades: -Stop to visit Iximche Site and have authentic Maya ritual performed by local Shaman. -Helicopter transfer to Lake Atitlan. -Performance by fokloric dance group. -Helicoptor transfer to Antigua. -Private charter flight to Copan. -Dinner at home of Archaeologist David Sedat. -Presentation by David Sedat. -Dinner at Hacienda San Lucas. -Canopy Tour in the morning. -Luxury picnic in Yaxha National Park and/or Tikal.
Vantage World Strongly Recommends Insurance for all your Travel Programs
We provide, through TravelSafe Insurance, one of the nation’s largest and most respected providers of travel insurance, a TravelSafe Custom Plan, where you decide the benefits YOU want and the levels of protection YOU desire including access to their 24-hour emergency assistance service from anywhere in the world. Click the link below the Plan Benefits table for plan details.
US Residents - Download Full Plan Details Here
Canadian Residents - Download Full Plan Details Here
Vantage World Strongly Recommends Insurance for all your Travel Programs
We provide, through TravelSafe Insurance, one of the nation's largest and most respected providers of travel insurance, a TravelSafe Custom Plan, where you decide the benefits YOU want and the levels of protection YOU desire including access to their 24-hour emergency assistance service from anywhere in the world. Click the link below the Plan Benefits table for plan details.
