Glory & Ruins of the Maya Culture featuring Tikal and Copan

Discover the glory of the Mayan empire on this 11 day Explorations tour of Guatemala with a 2 night stay in Honduras. Explore Tikal National Park the largest site in the Mayan World. Spend two nights in colonial Antigua, where pastel facades under terracotta roofs line cobblestone streets. Visit the colorful outdoor Chichicastenango Indian Market. Cruise Lake Atitlan. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of the Copan Ruins and Quirigua. Spend two nights in a rainforest resort.

Highlights
Archaeology Museum, Copan Ruins, Coffee Plantation, Quirigua, Banana Plantation, Rio Dulce, Tikal Ruins, Chichicastenango Indian Market, Lake Atitlan Cruise, Antigua, Jade Museum

Collette Experience

  • Visit 4 UNESCO World Heritage sites: Copan, Quirigua, Tikal and Antigua.
  • Cruise Lake Atitlan, considered by many to be "the closest thing to Eden on earth".
  • Visit coffee and banana plantations and learn about the cultivation and processing methods plus their importance to the local economy.
  • Mingle with the locals at Central America's largest and most colorful clothing and crafts outdoor market.
  • Visit Guatemala's Archaeology Museum filled with priceless Maya artifacts.

    • Details

    Tour Operator
    Collette Vacations
    Offer
    Offer valid through 2/28/2009
    Duration
    11 Days
    DayDestinationDescription
    Day 1Guatemala CityGuatemala City, Guatemala - Tour Begins: Thousands of years ago, an ancient civilization made its presence known in a place of breathtaking beauty. When you enter this place - the land of the Maya - you'll embark on a journey that takes you back in time and immerses you in the compelling story and rich culture of a long and treasured history. Earliest evidence of the Mayas traces back to nearly 2600 BC. Their civilization was comprised of astronomers, mathematicians, philosophers, artists, architects and warriors who developed writing (using glyphs), calendars, ceremonial temples and hierarchical societies ruled by kings and noblemen.
    Day 2CopanGuatemala City - Copan, Honduras: Begin your exploration of the Maya culture during a visit to Guatemala's Archaeology Museum where you'll delve into their history and wonder at some of the priceless artifacts that have been excavated over the years. Later, as you descend from the highlands, the breathtaking scenery of Guatemala's central valley encompasses you. This gorgeous drive will enchant you as you pass by small Indian villages that have preserved their Mayan identity and culture. Lush pine forests, picturesque lakes and hand-tilled crops grace hillside terraces. This road takes you to Copan, a city in western Honduras, boasting some of the best preserved ruins of the Mayan world which have been long protected by the jungle in a remote mountain valley.
    Day 3CopanCopan: Begin your day with a visit to the "Athens of the Mayan world", the Copan Ruins. The famous, pre-Columbian ruins - a UNESCO Cultural Heritage of Humankind site - showcase artistic sculptures with detailed carvings and well-preserved stone columns called stelae. Explore the Ballcourt, the second largest in Central America, as well as The Great Plaza where altars and carved stelae represent powerful Mayan rulers from AD 711 to 736. Nearby, the famous Hieroglyphic Stairway still stands, its 63 steps which feature 2,500 glyphs (symbols) carved into the stone, transforming the pyramid's ascension into the Mayans' longest historical record listing dates and names of the city's Classic Period rulers. Some free time gives you the opportunity to explore the town of Copan Ruinas, strolling along its cobblestone streets and taking in its quaint colonial charm. In the late afternoon, enjoy a visit to Finca Santa Isabel for an interesting tour of a coffee plantation, followed by dinner in a lush rainforest setting.
    Day 4Rio DulceCopan - Quirigua, Guatemala - Rio Dulce: This morning you return to Guatemala where you'll visit Quirigua, another UNESCO Cultural Heritage of Humankind site. Marvel at the largest stone columns in the Maya world; these magnificent sandstone stelae stand at 26 feet and 6 inches in height and weigh nearly 65 tons! Well-preserved portraits and texts on the stelae tell the fascinating story of a ruling dynasty once in competition with nearby Copan. Later, visit a banana plantation and discover the history, cultivation and processing of the banana. Your day ends in the charming lakeside town of Rio Dulce where your accommodations rest on the river's edge.
    Day 5PetenchelRio Dulce - Petenchel (Tikal area): Your day begins with a boat ride to Castillo de San Felipe, a fort built to protect the 16th century trade from pirates. Enjoy a leisurely paced tour of the enchanting San Felipe Castle before traveling to northern Guatemala, the birthplace of the great Maya civilization. With excellent astronomers and mathematicians among them, the Maya civilization developed a complex hieroglyphic scripture. They were also very adept in art, stone carving and architecture. Skilled Mayan weavers and potters established a vast commercial network from the north of Mexico to Costa Rica. The eventual fall and collapse of such a talented and driven civilization still puzzles many. Enjoy a two night villa-style resort stay in a tropical jungle setting.
    Day 6Tikal National ParkTikal National Park: Today's journey takes you to Tikal National Park, a UNESCO Cultural Heritage of Humankind site. This majestic Mayan city, considered the largest and most monumental of all of the sites discovered in the Mayan world, showcases temple-pyramids that tower over the rainforest canopy and were built from hand-cut limestone blocks. Surrounded by jungle flora and fauna, you'll enjoy nature at its finest during a guided walking tour featuring the Great Plaza, the Temple of Jaguar, Temple II and Plaza of the Seven Temples. The remainder of your day is at leisure for a nature trail walk, bird watching or simply unwinding by the pool.
    Day 7Lake AtitlanGuatemala City - Chichicastenango - Lake Atitlan: This morning fly to Guatemala City. Next, travel to Chichicastenango, a lovely town named by the Spanish conquistadors and known for its Maya Indian culture. Here, visit the most vibrant, colorful and picturesque outdoor market* in Guatemala. Every Thursday and Sunday locals from the region gather to buy and sell fruit, vegetables, flowers, grains, animals, textiles and handicrafts. Visit the Santo Tomas Church where today the Maya-Quiche still pray to their gods according to the old Maya traditions - to "ensure the sun will cross the sky, and the seasons are going to change." Later, continue to one of the most beautiful lakes in the world, Lake Atitlan, surrounded by breathtaking vistas of volcanoes.
    Day 8Lake AtitlanLake Atitlan - Santiago Atitlan: Lake Atitlan was formed by a caldera (volcanic eruption) and is surrounded by three impressive volcanoes (San Pedro, Atitlan and Toliman) and 12 picturesque Maya villages. Depart in the morning by boat to the Maya-Tzutuhil village of Santiago Atitlan, famous for Maximon, a character that is widely worshipped by the inhabitants of Santiago Atitlan. Enjoy free time to explore Santiago Atitlan and mingle with the locals who are known for their variety of handicrafts, colorful textiles, woodcarvings and naif paintings. Later, enjoy lunch in Panajachel and relax by the lake's shore. Or perhaps you'd like to explore the main street bustling with the interesting sights and sounds of a native village.
    Day 9AntiguaLake Atitlan - Antigua: Travel along beautiful country roads to a local macadamia plantation. Then, visit the Mesoamerican Museum of Jade and learn about the historic importance of jade, considered the most precious treasure and highest symbol of wealth in ancient Mesoamerican cultures. In the mid-afternoon check into your hotel in Antigua, a captivating Colonial town sure to mesmerize you. During Colonial times, Antigua was Central America's political, economic and religious center. Today it preserves the splendor of what was once one of the three most important Spanish colonies on the South American continent.
    Day 10AntiguaAntigua: Antigua, a UNESCO Cultural Heritage of Humankind site, highlights unique customs and traditions of the Maya and Spanish. Visiting this charming town is like stepping back in time. Cobblestone streets, sprays of bougainvillea bursting from crumbling ruins, pastel facades under terracotta roofs, parks with fountains and a dramatic setting surrounded by three volcanoes make Antigua one of the most beautiful Colonial cities in the Americas. A walking tour of Antigua begins with a visit to Casa de Artes for a private demonstration of local handicrafts. Continue to Plaza de Armas where you'll see the monuments early settlers created to honor their heritage. Then, visit the 18th century cathedral and the ornate facade of La Merced Church. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure to explore Antigua's many hidden treasures. This evening, join your fellow travelers for a delightful farewell dinner at a local restaurant celebrating the end of a memorable trip to Guatemala, "land of the eternal spring," and Honduras.
    Day 11Tour endsAntigua -Tour Ends: Your exploration of the world of the Maya ends today in Antigua. The Mayas were an amazing civilization and it's been an amazing journey! Thank you for sharing it with us!
    Dates/Pricing
    DatePrice / DescriptionQuote
    March 09, 2009$1,799.00* (USD) / Land OnlyQuote
    April 20, 2009$1,749.00* (USD) / Land OnlyQuote
    Disclaimer
    Note
    Tour prices are Land Only rates based on per person double occupancy. Please call for triple or child occupancy rates. Taxes and fees are additional for tours that feature a cruise; port taxes are not included in the prices shown. Some dates may feature various changes in hotels, sightseeing and inclusions. Please confirm your specific itinerary at the time of booking.
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