| pm |
Rest,
or take time to explore the fascinating and colorful city of
Antigua. Why not visit Nimpo't, a museum/retail store with the
world's largest collection of Mayan textiles. There are also
dozens of gift, textile, and antique stores to tempt you, plus
the kaleidoscopic outdoor market full of contemporary Mayan artisania.
For those feeling a little more energetic, take a hike up one
of Guatemala's most active volcanoes, Pacaya. |
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| Day
3 |
SURROUNDING VILLAGES OF SACATEPEPQUEZ |
| am/pm |
Full-day
tour exploring the Mayan villages of the region, including visits
to macadamia and coffee plantations. Appreciate the fabulously
fertile and breathtakingly beautiful countryside that surrounds
Antigua. |
| |
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| Day
4 |
COPAN TOWN AND LAS SEPULTRAS |
| am |
Drive
towards the town of Copan, a former tobacco farming village,
in preparation for tomorrows visit of this most magnificent Mayan
site. |
| pm |
Visit
the smaller Mayan site of Las Sepultras, a few kilometers away,
which will give you an interesting look into daily family life
in the Mayan era with its large decorative carvings and stelae. |
| |
|
| Day
5 |
COPAN RUINS |
| am/pm |
Spend
the day touring this impressive site, where construction was
believed to have begun in the year 100 A.D.Uncover further secrets
of the lost Mayan world. |
| |
|
| Day
6 |
BANANERA - PUERTO BARRIOS- LIVINGSTON |
| am |
On
the way to Puerto Barrios, you may stop to visit a banana plantation
in the sleepy town of bananera, which was once home to the United
Fruit Company, now owned by Del Monte. |
| pm |
Continue
on to Puerto Barrios, on the Carribean coast, where only a short
boat ride away you will come to the Garifuna town of Livingston,
where African, indigenous and ladino cultures exist alongside
each other. |
| evening |
Why
not go out and sample some freshly caught fish, while listening
to the popular local reggae music? |
| |
|
| Day
7 |
RIO DULCE - FLORES - EL REMATE |
| am |
Take
a boat trip down the spectacular Rio Dulce, where the scenery
is the main attraction, with its river wildlife, tropical vegetation
& expanding hills. |
| pm |
You
will eventually arrive at the main road heading towards the Peten,
where your driver will be meeting you to take you to Flores and
onto a wonderful family-run hotel right in the heart of the jungle. |
| |
|
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|
| Day
8 |
YAXHA |
| am/pm |
You
head off to the Yaxha lagoon, to vist the sites of Yaxha ("Green
Water"). Yaxha is a seldom visited, ruined city on the Northern
shore of the Yaxha Lake. Restoration has begun, but most of the
ruins are yet to be cleared. Make sure not to miss the breathtaking
view of the lagoon, and the forest canopy from the top of Temple
216. Return later to the hotel, to enjoy dinner while listening
to yet more jungle sounds. Watch those monkeys!! |
| |
|
| Day
9 |
TIKAL |
| am |
After
a hearty breakfast, transfer on to the Tikal National Park, a
protected area some 370 square kilometers situated on the edge
of the Mayan biosphere reserve. It is home to hundreds of species
including spider monkeys, toucans and parakeets. Enjoy a guided
tour of the mystical, magnificent ruins of the lost Mayan world. |
| pm |
After
lunch, either return to the Park to investigate further, or head
back to the hotel for a leisurely afternoon by the pool. |
| |
|
| Day
10 |
GUATEMALA CITY-LAKE ATITLAN |
| am |
Fly
back to Guatemala City, and visit the relief map of Guatemala. |
| pm |
Transfer
on to Panajachel, the gateway to Lake Atitlan. Undoubtedly, this
is one of the most spectacular lakes in the world, flanked by
vast volcanoes and mountains. On the way enjoy a hearty lunch
in the Pedregal Farmhouse, surprisingly unknown by tourists. |
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|
| Day
11 |
SANTA CRUZ LA LAGUNA-SANTIGAO-SAN ANTONIO |
| am/pm |
Enjoy
a one-day boat trip visiting some of the villages scattered around
the shores of Lake Atitlan. This includes Santa Cruz La Laguna,
and Santiago where you will visit a textile museum and learn
about indigenous weavings. We will also make a brief stop in
the village of San Antonio to admire the traditional costumes
of the indigenous villagers; here the men dress in red woven
shirts and short woolen skirts. Enjoy a unique bathe in the Lake's
hot springs as well. |
| |
|
| Day
12 |
CHICHICASTENANGO |
| am/pm |
Transfer
to Chichicastenango to enjoy the K'iche Mayan market day. As
well as offering an abundance of Guatemalan handicrafts to buy,
it also provides a fascinating insight into local religious practices.
A visit to the Santo Thomas church is a good example of how Mayan
and catholic beliefs collide. |
| Day
13 |
PANAJACHEL-ANTIGUA |
| am |
Spend
your last morning soaking up the sun rays by the edge of the
Lake, and later return to Antigua and spend the afternoon shopping
for last minute souvenirs and gifts. |
| |
|
| Day
14 |
ANTIGUA-GUATEMALA CITY |
| am |
Time
to say goodbye, as you fly back to your country of origin or
continue on your journey. |
