Maya Magic & Mystery 9D/8N

Maya ceremony photo courtesy of ViaVentureRelive the mysteries of Guatemala’a ancient search for magic. Here, women, using magic threads of every color of the rainbow, spin, weave and embroider more than 500 different costumes. Many fertility goddesses bring light and strength to the flowers, the stars and also to the beautiful creatures in the jungle. In Guatemala, people still worship the Sun, father of all harvests, who is remembered in some 23 different rituals. Enjoy the traditional highland Indian markets and explore some of the incredible Mayan sites on the Peten. Since this is a private program (you do not join another group or party) with private minibus transfers at all times and private guided tours, you can further customize your visit with different upgrades.

The Highlands region is an outstanding cultural universe. Its inhabitants, belonging to the Maya Kaqchiquel, Tzutujil, and Quiché groups, keep alive their cultures, the manifestations of which can be admired by the visitor. Today, few markets in the world are as famous as the Chichicastenango market where thousands of persons come together on Thursdays and Sundays in an impressive spectacle which goes beyond mere trading. with many of Guatemala’s Maya groups represented by vendors setting up portable booths in the main plaza and adjacent streets of “Chichi” during the night before and the early daylight hours and spending the night in the arcades surrounding the plaza, waiting for the market to start. At first light, the hawking begins in a cacophony of sounds, color, costumes, smoke and smells with homemade firecrackers fired sporadically from the steps of the 400-year old church of Santo Tomás, adding acridity to the languid smell of the clouds of incense burned in large quantities by the local faithful sacrificing to their ancient gods in Christian disguise, staging an impressive spectacle which goes beyond mere trading.

Market day in Chichi - photo courtesy of ViaVentureEI Peten, the northernmost department of Guatemala was once the center of the ancient Maya people. Reminders and remains of this civilization are found within an area covering more than 125,000 square miles and five countries. Today, we still call this “El Mundo Maya” the World of the Maya who lived not only in Guatemala, but in Belize, Mexico, Honduras and El Salvador. Flores is the capital of El Petén, built on an island on Lago de Petén Itzá, and connected by a 500 metre causeway to the lakeshore. The city was founded by the Itzaes, and at the time of conquest was perhaps the last still functioning Mayan ceremonial center in the country. The pyramids, temples and idols were crushed under the foundations of the Spanish city, and the dispersal of the Mayan citizens into the jungle gave rise to the myth of a `lost’ Mayan city.

Highlights: Antigua – Lake Atitlan – Chichicastenango Market – Azotea Coffee Farm – Comalapa Market – Santiago – Yaxha - Tikal

Included: Services as specified in the selected level
Not Included: Airfare, services and meals not specified as included

Maya ceremony at Tikal - photo courtesy of ViaVentureAccommodation:

  • 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 (Except Panza Verde which only offers Continental Buffet Breakfast) Guides & Tours: • Private minibus transfers at all times, private guided tours
  • 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, private guided tours

    • Departs: Tuesday or Saturday

    Yaxha Sunset - photo courtesy of ViaVentureSketch itinerary

    • Day 1 Arrival - Antigua (Unguided) - Guests are met & transfer to Antigua (1hr). Check-in at hotel. Overnight
    • Day 2 Antigua - Architecture & History Tour - Morning guided walking tour of Antigua (3-4hr). The tour takes in the main square, Palace, Cathedral, La Merced Church & San Francisco Church. All entrances are included. Free Afternoon. (B)
    • Day 3 Antigua - Azoteca Coffee Farm, Maya Museum - Morning guided visit the local woodcarvers in the village of Jocotenango & then the fabulous Azotea Coffee Farm & Maya Traditions Museums covering traditional music, costume & traditions. Free afternoon. (B)
    • Day 4 Comalapa Market & Lake Atitlan - A full day guided visit of the colorful authentic market at Comalapa to enjoy a tour of the market, the famous local primitive painting galleries, a local bakery and the famous town mural. Then transfer to Lake Atitlan (2.5hr) and your hotel. Overnight (B,L)
    • Day 5 Lake Tour (San Juan, Santiago) - A full day with local guide starts with a scenic boat ride across Lake Atitlan (30min) to the village of San Juan La Laguna where you can visit the women’s textile cooperative and the studios/homes of the celebrated naïf painters. Then to the village of Santiago where lunch is followed by a tour of the village visiting the Maya God Maximon tolearn about the textiles, spiritualism and beliefs of the T’zutujil Maya. (B,L)
    • Day 6 Chichi Market - Transfer to the famous market at Chichi (Unguided). Time for shopping in this fabulous craft market and an opportunity to see Maya rituals being performed in the Catholic Church before transferring to the airport (3hr) for the early evening flight to Flores. Transfer to your hotel. (B,L)
    • Day 7 Yaxha Sunset - Free morning to relax. Afternoon transfer to Yaxha National Park (approx 1hr) with local guide to explore this atmospheric lakeside site ending with refreshments & wonderful views at sunset over the rainforest canopy from atop the main temples. (B)
    • Day 8 Tikal - Morning guide tour of Tikal National park to explore this amazing UNESCO protected Mayan site where huge temples rise above the jungle canopy. After lunch transfer to the airport for the flight to Guatemala City and transfer to the hotel. (B,L)
    • Day 9 Departure - Transfer to the airport for departure flight.

    Possible Upgrades: • Gala dinner in one of the monuments • Upgrade with Helicopter Transfers • Add a Canopy Tour in the morning in Yaxha • Upgrade with a Luxury Picnic Lunch at Yaxha and/or Tikal

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    Also tagged with: Central America, Archaeology, Guatemala, Mundo Maya, Educational, Shopping, Cultural, Nature / Ecology, Bird Watching, Special Interest, Art / Architecture, Customized Programs, Classic Visit, Hosted Tours, Private Tour, Photography, Intriguing Getaway


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