MAYA ARCHAEOLOGY & COPAN 12D

Maya Archaeology Highlights and Copan
Twelve Days
Suggested Departures Days from USA: Wednesday or Sunday

DAY 1: Arrival Guatemala City / Antigua
Upon arrival in Guatemala City guests are met & transferred in a private vehicle to Antigua.
Overnight accommodations

DAY 2: Antigua Walking Tour
Breakfast. The best way to discover the beauty of Antigua. Guests will take a half day walking tour of Antigua. The tour takes in the main square, Palace, Cathedral, La Merced Church & San Francisco Church. All entrances are included. Free Afternoon.
Overnight accommodations (B)

DAY 3: Azotea Coffee Farm & Maya Museum
Breakfast. Guests visit the local woodcarvers in the village of Jocotenango & then the fabulous Azotea Coffee Farm & Maya Traditions Museums covering music, costume & traditions. Afternoon transfer to Lake Atitlan.
Overnight accommodations (B)

DAY 4: Lake Atitlan Tour / San Juan & Santiago
Breakfast. This morning guests will take a scenic 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 process. Also here visit the studios / homes of the celebrated naïf painters. From here guests continue to the village of Santiago where they have lunch in a local hotel and tour the village visiting the Maya God Maximon and learn about the textiles, spiritualism and beliefs of the T’zutujil Maya.
Overnight accommodations (B/L)

DAY 5: Chichicastenango Market
Breakfast. Today guests will visit 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
Overnight accommodations (B/L)

DAY 6: Copan (Honduras)
Breakfast. Transfer across Guatemala towards the border with Honduras. Just across the border guests are in the pretty colonial village of Copan Ruins. Free afternoon to relax or explore this pretty colonial town.
Overnight accommodations (B)

DAY 7: Copan and Bird Park
Breakfast. 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.
Overnight accommodations (B/L)

DAY 8: Transfer to Rio Dulce
Breakfast. Transfer across Guatemala through the central desert region to the lush tropical area at Rio Dulce. 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 to their riverside hotel.
Overnight accommodations (B)

DAY 9: Rio Dulce
Breakfast. 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. Overnight accommodations (B)

DAY 10: Yaxha Sunset
Breakfast. Guests enjoy a free morning to relax. After lunch they transfer to Yaxha National Park to explore this atmospheric lakeside site ending with refreshments & wonderful views at sunset over the rainforest canopy from atop the main temples.
Overnight accommodations (B)

DAY 11: Tikal
Breakfast. Today guests transfer to Tikal National park 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 and transferred to their hotel.
Overnight accommodations (B/L)

DAY 12: Depart Guatemala City
Breakfast. This morning our driver will transfer guests to the airport (approx 10mins) in plenty of time to catch their flight. (B)