Travel to Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico: Great Cities of the Maya

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Great Cities of the Maya

			DAYS: 12 GRADE: I-II define PRICE: From $3595 per person (Includes Local Air) HIGHLIGHTS: Mayan ruins of Copan Tikal Yaxchilan Bonampak and Palenque plus the towns of Antigua and Panajachel lake Atitlan and the Usumacinta River. ACCOMMODATIONS: Hotels/Lodges MEALS: As noted  [B-Breakfast, L-Lunch,   D-Dinner] SEASON: Year-round Prices, Departure Dates and Included Services Send to a Friend Print this Itinerary

Explore the vast Mundo Maya combining the most fascinating ancient Maya archeological sites in three Central American countries with the vibrant culture of the living Maya around Antigua and Lake Atitlan in the Guatemala highlands. In-depth, expert guided exploration of Copan, Tikal and Palenque highlight the history, legends and current archaeological knowledge of the most important cities of the Classic Maya. Jungles envelop stunning archeological monuments where you will have the opportunity to experience the diverse flora and fauna of the rainforest. Accommodations include historical boutique hotels and jungle lodges.

DAY 1 :  ARRIVE SAN PEDRO SULA, HONDURAS
Arrive in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, where youll be met by our expert guide and transferred 2.5 hours to the highland city of Copan Ruinas. Just outside of town, tucked away in the lush Copan Valley lies the charming family operated Hacienda San Lucas. Enjoy an authentic home cooked meal a comfortable nights rest before the following days exploration of the Copan Archaeological Site. Overnight at Hacienda San Lucas or similar. [D]

Note: Note: Flights arriving after 3:00 pm will overnight at Copantel Hotel in San Pedro Sula, and transfer on to Copan the following morning.

Copan stelae were brightly painted and most depicted images of 18 rabbit, one of the citys most powerful rulers.

DAY 2 :  COPAN
The ancient city of Copan was described by the famous archaeologist Sylvanus Morely as the Athens of the New World. For 400 years Copn was the principal Maya cultural center, far ahead of other larger and more powerful cities in its development of sculpture, astronomy and hieroglyphic writing. Copns great Hieroglyphic Stairway bears a continuous text of more than 1250 glyph blocks listing dates and names of the city's rulers. Because of its beautiful artwork, unsurpassed in the Mundo Maya, Copan occupies a special place in the study of ancient civilizations. Explore the ruins in-depth in the company of expert guides and visit Copan's Museum of Maya Sculpture which contains some of the finest Maya sculpture ever found. Overnight Hacienda San Lucas or similar. [BL]

DAY 3 :  NATIONAL MUSEUM OF ARCHAEOLOGY - ANTIGUA
This morning drive to Guatemala and the old colonial city of Antigua (approximately 4 hours) with a stop in Guatemala City to visit the world famous National Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology. Overnight in Antigua at Meson Panza Verde or similar. [BL] 

DAY 4 :  ANTIGUA, GUATEMALA
Established by Spanish Conquistadors in 1524, Antigua was Guatemalas capital city for over two centuries. Visitors are enchanted by its narrow cobblestone streets, tree-shaded parks, and stylish colonial architecture. An informative guided walking tour takes you into spectacular palaces, churches, convents & plazas and hidden side streets among vendors, artists and craftsmen. Enjoy a free afternoon to explore and shop on your own. Overnight a Meson Panza Verde or similar. [BL]

DAY 5 :  SAN ANDRES ITZAPA AND PANAJACHEL
Drive through Guatemala's highlands to Lake Atitlan, one of the most scenic lakes in the world. En route we stop at the village of San Andres Itzapa, a seldom visited site where ancient Mayan rites are conducted. Visit the revered San Simon, a deity to which Guatemalans make offerings and ask for blessings. At Lake Atitlan we explore this lively lakeside town of Panajachel, famous for its laid back atmosphere, beautiful surroundings and world renowned Guatemalan crafts and textiles. Overnight at Posada Don Rodrigo in Panajachel. [BLD]

	Visit charming villages on the shores of Lake Atitlan.

DAY 6 :  LAKE ATITLAN
Embark a small boat to admire this beautiful natural caldera lake created some 70,000 years ago. Surrounded by three volcanoes and a dozen Maya Villages, our destination is Santiago Atitlan, a traditional Maya Tzutujil village on the far shore. The 450 year old church contains historical paintings and plaques commemorating Santiagos role in Guatemalas bloody civil war, as well as wooden statues of saints, each of whom receives colorful new clothing made by local women every year. The village, noted for its skilled painters and wood carvers, boasts several art galleries lining the main street. Return across the lake and drive to Guatemala City Airport to take a flight to Flores. Transfer to Tikal National Park. Overnight at the Jungle Lodge within Tikal National Park. [BD]

DAY 7 :  TIKAL
One of the greatest cities of the Maya, Tikal is known for its vast concentration of temples and ruins surrounded by pristine rain forest. At its peak the population of Tikal was estimated to be 100,000 individuals residing over a 25 square mile area. Over 285 species of birds have been identified here, including toucans, hawks, motmots and parrots. Frequently seen are Howler and Spider monkeys, coati, peccary and deer. The elusive jaguar and ocelot also survive in this pristine rain forest. Your local Maya guide will illuminate the nature, archeology and ancient culture of Tikal as you explore pyramids soaring above the jungle canopy and innumerable multi-leveled palaces, ball courts, plazas, temples, terraces, shrines and carvings. Overnight at the Jungle Lodge. [BL]

Murals depicting Mayans taking office are one of the wonders of Bonampak.

DAY 8 :  YAXCHILAN AND BONAMPAK
Drive to the Usumacinta River (2.5 hours), and embark on a scenic boat ride through rich rain forest habitat to the Maya site of Yaxchilan in Mexico. Dramatically perched above the banks of the river, Yaxchilan was first inhabited around 200 AD. Statues of jaguars and crocodiles adorn the Central Plaza and adventurous travelers may want to climb the highest temple for the outstanding views of the Rio Usumacinta and surrounding jungle. Travelling by boat to Frontera Corozal Town, we will transfer overland into the Lacandon Forest Reserve, home to the Lacandon people and Bonampak Archaeological Park. The ruins at Bonampak were hidden from the outside world until the site was rediscovered in 1946. Explore the well preserved southern group containing Templo de los Frescos, three rooms covered with paintings depicting ancient Maya ceremonies and customs. The elaborate frescoes reveal much about Maya life and the murals are complete with glyphs. Overnight in the Valley Escondido Hotel.  [BLD]

DAY 9 :  PIEDRAS NEGRAS
An all terrain vehicle is required to reach the Usumacinta River where we will travel by boat to the hidden jewel of Piedras Negras Archaeological Site, lying on the Guatemalan side of the Usumacinta River. Tour this seldom visited area that has remained almost untouched since Tatiana Proskouriakoff and other archaeologists worked there in the 1930s. This prominent Classic Mayan site is famous for its collection of clay figurines and well preserved temple inscriptions that aided in the deciphering of the Mayan Calendar. Traveling back to the Mexican side of the Usumacinta we will visit Plan de Ayutla Archaeological Site, which is believed to known as Sak Tz'i', a rival city depicted in stelae from Piedras Negras.  Overnight in the Valley Escondido Hotel.  [BLD]

	Immerse yourself in current Maya culture and ancient sites such as Tikal, Guatemala and Palenque, Mexico (pictured above).

DAY 10 :  PALENQUE
Discover the ancient city of Palenque in the company of expert local guides who will help you begin to make comparisons between the sites you have visited, wars between former Maya states, and different periods of Maya development. This World Heritage Site is distinguished for its well-preserved buildings, carved stucco ornamentation, detailed reliefs and lengthy hieroglyphic texts. Palenque sculptors were able to create intricate detail using a mixture derived from tree bark and clay to make the stucco dry more slowly. You can see the influence of Palenques architecture in the ruins of Tikal and Copan. The tomb of Pacal the Great, in the Temple of the Inscriptions, remains one of the greatest discoveries of Mayan archaeology.Overnight at the Chan Ka Hotel in Palenque. [BL]

DAY 11 :  LA VENTA & COMALCALCO
Overland trip to Villahermosa, capital city of the Mexican state of Tabasco. Visit the La Venta Park, where colossal Olmec Heads found in the surrounding area are exhibited. The Olmec pre-date the Classic Maya era, setting the foundation of later development of all the Mesoamerican civilizations. Afternoon visit to Comalcalco, one of the westernmost Classic Maya sites with its unique clay brick construction. Comalcalco is located within Mesoamerica's largest chocolate (cacao) plantation and a stopover for samples is included. Farewell dinner and overnight at the Calinda Viva Hotel in Villahermosa. [BLD]

DAY 12 :  DEPARTURE
Short transfer to Villahermosa Airport for departure flight. [B]

Questions? Ask Our Program Directors.

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