Travel to Guatemala: Travel Guatemala with Americans for UNFPA Extension

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Travel Guatemala with Americans for UNFPA Extension

			DAYS: 6 GRADE: I define PRICE: From $3595 per person (Includes Local Air) HIGHLIGHTS: Flores Rio Dulce Francis Ford Coppola's La Lancha Hotel El Mirador via helicopter San Bartolo Murals Uaxactun Village & ruins Tikal National Park tour Rio Dulce boat cruise Ak'Tenamit women artisans Quirigua Mayan stela and carvings Del Monte Banana Plantation. ACCOMMODATIONS: Hotels/Lodges MEALS: As noted  [B-Breakfast, L-Lunch,   D-Dinner] Prices, Departure Dates and Included Services Send to a Friend Print this Itinerary

Following the Americans for UNFPA and UN Foundation Leadership Delegation Tour to Guatemala, participants on this exceptional extension itinerary depart for a unique exploration of two of Guatemala's most spectacular and important Mayan sites. We take a private helicopter to visit the virtually inaccessible ruins of El Mirador, located in the Peten jungle of northern Guatemala. The dramatic views from the 55 meter tall "El Tigre" are unseen by most travelers to the region. Relax at Francis Ford Coppola's beautiful La Lancha Hotel set high in the rainforest above the shores of Lake Peten Iza. Other activities include the recently discovered San Bartolo murals, Tikal National Park, a boat trip on the mysterious Rio Dulce, the  Ak'tenamit women artisans and a visit to the Del Monte Banana Plantation. Join us on this archeological tour-de-force!

DAY 1 :  FLORES: PRIVATE HELICOPTER TO EL MIRADOR
Depart Guatemala City airport for the short flight to Flores. Watch the landscape change from dry highland mountains to steamy, tropical jungles. After landing in Flores, we immediately depart via private chartered helicopter to the rarely visited Mayan site, El Mirador. The ruins of El Mirador and Nakb are located in the northernmost jungle of Guatemala, which is now a protected national park. Due to its inaccessibility, few travelers ever witness these impressive and grand ruins. No roads go to these sites and therefore the only way to visit is via a 5 day trek through the jungle or by helicopter. During the Maya Pre-Classic Period, El Mirador flourished as a trading center. With a population as high as 80,000 it was one of the first large cities in North America. The city's main group of buildings covers two square kilometers and many were built on a grand scale. The largest pyramid at El Mirador, El Tigre, is 55 meters tall, and the fantastic view from the top is dramatic, with the distant ruins of Calakmul and Nakb poking though the jungle canopy. After our tour, we return to Flores and transfer to Francis Ford Coppola's La Lancha Hotel on the shores of Lago Petn Iza. Overnight La Lancha Hotel or similar [BLD]

DAY 2 :  FLORES: SAN BARTOLO MURALS & UAXACTUN VILLAGE
Enjoy a full day excursion to view the exquisite Mayan murals at San Bartolo and the ruins of Uaxactun. The ancient San Bartolo murals were discovered in 2001 and are considered the greatest development in Mayan archeology in 50 years. Their detail and artistic merit suggest a level of sophistication in pre-Classic Maya culture previously unsuspected by archaeologists. These masterpieces of ancient Maya art reveal the Mayan story of creation, the mythology of kingship and the divine right of a king. Before the excavations there was scant evidence of the existence of early Maya kings, or of their published justification to rule. From this thrilling site, we travel to the ruins of Uaxactun, conquered in the 3rd century by the nearby and more powerful Tikal city-state. This was a precursor to a modern archological annexation when in 1982 Tikal National Park was expanded to include the ruins of Uaxactun within its protected area. Overnight La Lancha Hotel or similar [BLD]

The ruins of Tikal

DAY 3 :  FLORES: TIKAL EXPLORATION & CANOPY TOUR
Hidden by dense jungle until the 19th century the 16 square kilometer site of Tikal remains one of the most important archaeological sites in Central America. Once amongst the most powerful cities in the Maya World and believed be 3000 years old, was abruptly abandoned near the end of the 9th century. There are many theories for this fall from grace - over-population, severe deforestation and lack of food - but no definitive answers. Explore the main features of the site, including Temple IV, the largest structure in Tikal at 72 meters. From the top, marvel at a birds-eye view of the jungle canopy and watch (and listen!) for howler and spider monkeys, toucans and over 410 species of birds. Tikal is believed to be where the Maya perfected their writing system and invented their calendar. Following our exploration of this ancient civilization, we trade archeological hat for biology on a jungle canopy tour at Ixpanpajul Park, where there are more than 200 species of trees, 150 species of birds and 40 species of mammals. The organization is run by Guatemalan conservationists whose goal is to preserve the forest as habitat for the incredible creatures who live there. Overnight at La Lancha Hotel or similar [BLD]

DAY 4 :  RIO DULCE: BOAT CRUISE & AK'TENAMIT VILLAGE VISIT
Leaving the ruins of the Peten behind, we travel to the intriguing Rio Dulce. On arrival, board a boat for a river cruise to Ak'tenamit, a remarkably proud and self-reliant small community of women artisans who have resurrected the ancient art of paper making and entirely turned their lives around - from 100% unemployment and abject poverty to a state of energetic success and financial security. We cruise past islands and through dense jungle used in the original Tarzan movie and on to our overnight at the Amatique Bay Resort or similar [BLD]

DAY 5 :  QUIRIGUA & DEL MONTE PLANTATION, GUATEMALA CITY
Visit the village and ruins of Quirigua & the Del Monte Banana Plantation en route to Guatemala City. After a stroll through the quiet and tourist-free streets of the village, we explore the nearby ruins, listed as an UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the best places to see Maya carvings, obelisks and stela. Walk amidst nine great stela, including the tallest in the Maya world (11 meters!) and six ceremonial zoomorphs, massive blocks of stones carved into animal shapes). Late afternoon arrival in Guatemala City and overnight at Vista Real or similar [BLD]

DAY 6 :  DEPART FOR HOME
With memories of the fascinating and captivating world of the ancient and modern Maya still fresh in your mind, transfer to Guatemala City airport for your international flight home. [B]

Questions? Ask Our Program Directors.

. C o n t a c t Jeff Stivers 1(800)345-4453