Guatemala Under the Spell of the Mayas

UNDER THE SPELL OF THE MAYAS ( 11 Days / 10 Nights ) ( Wednesday Departures )

DAY 1 ANTIGUA

Meet and greet at the airport in Guatemala City and transfer to your hotel in Antigua. Services included today: Airport arrival transfer; overnight accommodations at Posada Don Rodrigo or similar; hotel taxes; English-speaking assistance.

DAY 2 ANTIGUA - QUETZALTENANGO

Quetzaltenango, the first colonial settlement in Guatemala. Rich Maya Quiche heritage can still be seen in the traditional costumes, folklore, and bustling markets. The colonial era is represented by the numerous churches and private residences built in classical and Italian renaissance style. The Fuentes Georginas thermal springs coming for a dormant volcano have curative properties. El Baul boasts gigantic heads and other monuments from the Olmec culture, including several reliefs featuring decapitated figures. La Democracia still makes us wonder about the meaning of its colossal heads with frowning faces sitting in a field of flowers. Services included today: Breakfast; transportation to Quetzaltenango; visit to Nahuala market; overnight accommodations at Pension Bonifaz; hotel taxes; English-speaking assistance.

DAY 3 QUETZALTENANGO - ATITLAN

Visit to traditional Maya villages and native markets: Market of San Francisco El Alto, Almolonga with its traditional produce market and the thermal springs of Aguas Amargas, and Zunil, famous for the hand-woven, colorful dresses worn by its inhabitants. Services included today: Breakfast; tour of markets and Maya villages, transportation to Atitlan; overnight accommodations at Posada Don Rodrigo or similar; hotel taxes; English-speaking assistance.

DAY 4 ATITLAN - CHICHICASTENANGO

This morning we will visit Lake Atitlan, which Aldous Huxley labeled as the most beautiful lake in the world. Flanked by three spectacular volcanoes and surrounded by 12 small Indian villages named after the apostles forming a scenery of incomparable beauty. We will take a boat and explore the shores of the lake and interact with the natives. Handicrafts galore. In the afternoon we will depart for Chichicastenango. Services included today: Breakfast; boat ride on Lake Atitlan; transportation to Chichicastenango; overnight accommodations at Mayan Inn or similar; hotel taxes; English-speaking assistance.

DAY 5 CHICHICASTENANGO - ANTIGUA

Chichi, the most famous Indian market of Central America: Hundreds of stalls display colorful hand-woven textiles, hand-carved masks, small nativities, jade works, musical instruments, wicker furniture. It is time to put your bargain skills into practice! And then there is the church of Santo Tomas, a true colonial gem built in 1540 and the cemetery where ancient Maya rites take place. In the afternoon we will head for the colonial city of La Antigua. Services included today: Breakfast; city tour of Chichicastenango; transportation to La Antigua; overnight accommodations at Posada Don Rodrigo or similar; hotel taxes; English-speaking assistance.

DAY 6 ANTIGUA

First capital of the Spaniards in Latin America. Wrought-iron balconies, walls of stone, red brick roof tiles, manor houses, monasteries, cobblestone streets, and native markets. Hotels housed in historical buildings. And three towering volcanoes presiding over the city. Services included today: Breakfast; walking city tour; afternoon visit to San Antonio Aguascalientes and coffee farm; overnight accommodations at Posada Don Rodrigo or similar; hotel taxes; English-speaking assistance..

DAY 7 ANTIGUA - COPAN

Copan: Secluded. Tucked away in the mountains. A masterpiece of antiquity. Rich stone sculptures, intricate hieroglyphs, marvelous stelae, altars, ball courts, and temples… the highest artistic and cultural achievement of the ancient Maya civilization. Services included today: Breakfast; land transportation to Copan; guided tour of the ruins; lunch; overnight accommodations at Marina Copan or similar; hotel taxes; English-speaking assistance.

DAY 8 COPAN - ROATAN

Roatan, a world apart. An underwater paradise. An explosion of colors. Sandy beaches to soak up some rays. Caribbean flavor to spice up the nights. Friendly, laid back atmosphere. Fresh seafood. Unwind and relax… Services included today: Breakfast; tour of Las Sepulturas Maya area; land transfer to San Pedro Sula; one-way flight to Roatan; transfer to hotel; welcome cocktail; lunch; snorkel trips; horseback riding; water sports; dolphin show presentations; dinner; overnight accommodations at Anthony’s Key Resort; hotel taxes.

DAY 9/10 ROATAN

Days at leisure. Suggested activities: Relax at the beach, go snorkeling, horseback riding, kayaking, hiking, visit the Roatan Museum, enjoy daily dolphin show presentations. Services included today: All meals; overnight accommodations; hotel taxes.

DAY 11 ROATAN - OUT

Services included today: Transfer to the airport; flight to San Pedro Sula.

Rates ( Minimum 2 passengers )

From: USD1890.00