| Ruins, Natural Wonders and Colorful Culture...
Our tour begins in Guatemala City, a land in perpetual Springtime. You can't ask for a better winter escape, at 4,500 feet above sea level, the average high temperature here is 72 degrees, year round. Guatemala City, the capitol of Guatemala and home to two million of the near twenty million inhabitant of this country (80% pure Mayan), serves as our base for a couple of flying day tours The first is a day tour to Copan, Honduras, the University of the Mayan World. We celebrate our return with a welcome dinner. The tour continues to the colonial town of La Antigua, founded in 1543 but unfortunately built atop a major fault. As a result, this town has been rebuilt many times over the years, each with that particular period's architectural style. Finally after another major earthquake the government decided in 1773 to move the capitol from here and so ceased the rebuilding. Frozen in time, La Antigua is a living museum from that colonial period, truly the most beautiful Colonial town in the Americas. Continuing from here, we journey through the heart of the highlands, the "altiplano", where a majority of the people live. This is a spectacular scenic wonderland of mountains, volcanoes, rivers and lakes. Amid the pines are the ancient ruins of Iximché, a short stop along the way to the village of Chichicastenango. This colonial period town with Pre-Columbian history has a unique combination of Mayan tradition and Colonial Spanish influence. Twice a week, every Thursday and Sunday, the oldest and largest indigenous market in Central America is held here, with our fail. Nearby, surrounded by ancient volcanoes is one of the most beautiful lakes in the Americas, Lake Atatlan. Returning to Guatemala City, we take the second flying tours to Tikal, one the Mayan World's most significant cities. After lunch we catch our flight back to Guatemala City and our last night in the "land of forest". A marvelous combination of natural beauty, rich culture and colorful history should make this ten day Guatemala adventure one of your most enjoyable and unforgettable journeys. |
Saturday Meet at Guatemala City airport with transfer to hotel upon arrival, Time to relax or join us for a visit to the Zona Viva. Check-in Hotel Hyatt Regency. Overall for business and family travel, the Hyatt is hard to beat. Its many conveniences include a large pool with extended hours, a shopping mall on the property, and great live entertainment in the club. The rooms are large, very comfortable and quiet. (D)
Sunday After breakfast transfer to airport for a short flight to Copan. Tour of ruins known as the "university of the Mayans". Tour of the ruins and time for lunch. Afternoon flight back to Guatemala City. Welcome dinner this evening at a traditional restaurant. (B, D)
Monday City tour with stops at the textile museum, Museo Ixchel and the regional museum before continuing to the very colonial town of La Antigua. This was Guatemala's third capitol, until the government moved to Guatemala City after a devastating earthquake hit Antigua in 1773. But yet Antigua and its charm survived. Today Antigua is a busy city full of life but still at a slower pace than nearby Guatemala City. Traffic winds its way around cobblestone streets, along which many excellent hotels and restaurants are found. For local charm and atmosphere my pick would be Posada Don Rodrigo where we will stay. This hotel was built using three adjoining colonial mansions, each area with its own distinctive atmosphere. (B)
Tuesday Half-day tour of the city includes the Cathedral, the church of Merced the University of San Carlos and other colonial treasures. Afternoon open for you to enjoy this wondrous city. Stop at the premium end hotel, Casa Santo Domingo which offers its guests posh surroundings with beautiful gardens. This three hundred year old converted monastery is unique to other hotels, having it's own archeological site and history museum on the grounds. It's well worth at least a visit.(B)
Wednesday Today we journey into the heart of the highlands with our first stop at the ruins of Iximeché. Continue to the town of Chichicastenango with its unique mixture of traditional Mayan and Colonial Spanish influences. Our accommodations are the Hotel Santo Tomas, a colonial home made hotel in the center of town. (B)
Thursday We begin today with a visit to the market of Chichicastenango where for over 2000 years the Quiche Mayans have gathered here every Thursday and Sunday without fail. The largest and most colorful indigenous market in Central America, you can find many different types of artisan work here from ghoulish masks to beautiful and very colorful hand woven textiles. Something for every occasion can be purchased here. Continue to Panjachel, now a bit more tourist town, on the shore of Lake Atitlan. Considered the most beautiful lake in Latin America, Lake Atatlan offers a wonderfully tranquil setting. Just out of town , the most romantic of the hotels we stay in is Hotel Atatlan. Surrounded by immaculate gardens, each room offers a spectacular view of the lake from private balconies.(B)
Friday From the hotel pier we take a quick 45 minute boat ride to one of the typical villages found along the lake, Santiago de Atatlan, if traveled by vehicle, the journey to this village and back would have taken several days. On a hilltop overlooking the village, a simple colonial period church with historic significance serves as a gathering place for the people. Nearby, a small yet colorful market caters more to the needs of the local residents, the needs of the tourist are satisfied by the many shops lining the streets that lead to the church. Return to the hotel with afternoon free to relax.. (B)
SaturdayAfternoon transfer back to Guatemala and the modern, spacious surroundings of the Hyatt. Special farewell dinner this evening (D)
SundayTransfer to airport flight via jet plane, to the city of Flores and the remote Mayan city of Tikal. This once major ceremonial site of the Mayans, considered the Mayan World center, is now mostly covered by vegetation, re-claimed by the jungle. Only a few major temples and other buildings have been excavated but the importance of this site is undisputed. One thing for sure, the heat and humidity of the jungle makes me truly appreciate the coolness of the highlands. Back up to Guatemala City and the end of an eye opening adventure into the natural beauty of a place known as Guatemala, "land of forest". [Those signed on for the tour extension will stay and transfer to the Hotel Camino Real on the shores of Lake Peten Itza.] (B)
Monday Transfer to airport for flight home or
^ Extension Program to Mexico
^Transfer to airport in Cd. Flores with flight to Palenque. At airport meet your driver and transfer to hotel Villas Kin Ha, located near the ruins. (B)
^Tuesday Early this morning journey to the famous jungle ruins of Palenque, perhaps the most beautiful of the Mayan ceremonial complexes. Palenque once covered an area of over 25 square miles in its heyday (100-900 AD), of which only about one-half mile has been excavated and contains some of the most detailed and exquisite sculpting of the Mayan Civilization. Afterwards return to hotel to enjoy a dip in the pool or relaxing under a palapa. (B)
^Wednesday Morning departure with stops at the equally beautiful but dramatically different waterfalls of Misol-Ha and Cascadas Aguas Azul. First a short visit to the beautiful jungle waterfall of Misol-ha where you can follow a trail under and behind the the 10 meter tall (30 ft.) waterfall to the opposite side. The cool water of the splash pool makes this a favorite stop for campers. Continue on, take a break to swim in the inviting clear blue pools of the picturesque Cascada Agua Azul National Park. Shimmering blue water cascades down a series of rimstone dams that terminates in a clear waist-deep, sandy bottomed river, perfect for wading or swimming. After prying you away from the beauty here (and a roll of film later), we continue to San Cristobal de las Casas with late afternoon arrival. Check-in hotel Ciudad Real Centro Historico. (B)
^Thursday Today begin with a city tour of the market and a visit to the traditional village of Zinacantan. That afternoon open to enjoy the Zocolo. (B)
^Friday Early departure to Chiapa de Curzo and a boat journey down the picturesque Sumidero Canyon. On your return to the hotel by van, stop at the scenic view point of the canyon. Check-in Hotel La Ceiba (B)
^Saturday Transfer to Tuxla Gutierrez airport for flight out. (B)
Price per person, Guatemala Maya World:
$1783 USD based on double occupancy.
Single Supplement: US$338
Price includes all accommodations and meals as described in itinerary plus air to Copan and Tikal and ground transportation as described, bilingual tour escort and bilingual area guides. Also included is baggage handling (one piece of luggage per participant) and tips for housekeeping and included meals plus taxes.
Not included are transportation to and from Guatemala or Mexico and tips for local drivers and guides.
Palenque, San Cristobal extension
price per person:
$743 USD based on double occupancy.
Single Supplement: US$167
Price includes all accommodations and meals as described in itinerary plus air Flores - Palenque and ground transportation as described with bilingual driver/guide. Also included is baggage handling (one piece of luggage per participant) and tips for housekeeping and included meals plus taxes.
Not included is transportation from Mexico - home and tips for local drivers and guides.
Independant Travel Program
NEW!
Guatemala, a land of mystery...
A land of mystery, in that for many people, little is known about Guatemala. Today we find a peaceful time in a country with a turbulent past. That now behind them, the people of Guatemala wish to share with the rest of the World a proud history from an even further past, the time of the Maya. With a population of 80% pure Mayan descendants, this country is a treasure of history and culture.
Our program begins in the colonial town of La Antigua. Founded in 1543, unfortunately the founders had no idea and chose to built atop a major fault. As a result, this town has been rebuilt many times over the years, each with that particular period's architectural style. Finally after another major earthquake the government decided in 1773 to move the capitol from here and so ceased the rebuilding. Frozen in time, La Antigua is a living museum from that colonial period, truly the most beautiful Colonial town in the Americas.
Continuing from here, we journey the highlands, where a majority of the people live, a spectacular scenic wonderland of mountains, volcanoes, rivers and lakes. Amid the pines is the ancient village of Chichicastenango, with a unique combination of Mayan tradition and Colonial Spanish influence. Twice a week the market is held here, every Thursday and Sunday, for over 2000 years without fail. Yet behind all the busyness of the market you find a charming colonial town with an interesting history.
Nearby, surrounded by ancient volcanoes is one of the most beautiful lakes in the Americas, Lake Atatlan. Here you make an all too breif overnight stay along the shores of this beautiful lake. Before continuing on, you have time for a boat tour to a traditional Quiche Mayan village.
Our last stop is Guatemala City, home base for the next two nights. From here you take a full-day tour to Tikal, one the Mayan World's most significant sites.
A marvelous combination of natural beauty, rich culture and colorful history makes this eight day Guatemalan adventure surely to be one of your most enjoyable and unforgettable journeys.
NT-9: Guatemala... Land of Mystery
Day 1, Friday: Arrive to Guatemala City, met and transferred to La Antigua. Overnight Posada Don Rodrigo (4*).
Day 2, Saturday: Breakfast. City tour that includes the Cathedral, the university of San Carlos, the Church of Merced and other colonial buildings and niches. Overnight Posada Don Rodrigo.
Day 3, Sunday: Breakfast. Depart into the heart of the highlands with a stop at the ruins of Iximché. Continue to the town of Chichicastenango. Stop to enjoy the colorful market held twice weekly then continue to Panajachel. Overnight Hotel Atatlan (4*).
Day 4, Monday: Breakfast. Late morning tour via boat to Santiago de Atatlan, a traditional village along the lake shore. Afternoon free to relax and enjoy the surroundings. Overnight Hotel Atatlan (4*).
Day 5, Tuesday: Breakfast. Continue that afternoon to Guatemala City with short city tour. Overnight Hyatt Hotel (5*).
Day 6, Wednesday: Breakfast. Early departure for flight to Flores and tour to Tikal. Lunch and return flight to Guatemala City. Overnight Hyatt.
Day 7, Thursday: Breakfast. Transfer to airport and the end of a short but great week.
Price per person:
double occupancy: $1358
single occupancy: $1686 (this program requires 2 persons minimum)
Price includes all accommodations with breakfast daily; airfare Tikal and ground transportation as described with bilingual driver/guide. Also included is baggage handling (one piece of luggage per participant) and tips for housekeeping and included meals plus taxes.
Not included are transportation to and from Guatemala and personal expenses or tips for local guide.
Guatemala... A Romantic Escape!
Day 1, Friday: Arrive to Guatemala City, met and transferred to La Antigua. Overnight Posada Don Rodrigo (4*).
Day 2, Saturday: Breakfast. City tour that includes the Cathedral, the university of San Carlos, the Church of Merced and other colonial buildings and niches. Overnight Posada Don Rodrigo.
Day 3, Sunday: Breakfast. Depart into the heart of the highlands with a stop at the ruins of Iximché. Continue to the town of Chichicastenango. Stop to enjoy the colorful market held twice weekly then continue to Panajachel. Overnight Hotel Atatlan (4*).
Your driver leaves you during your stay here then later returns you to Guatemala City.
Day 4, Monday: Breakfast. Late morning tour via boat to Santiago de Atatlan, a traditional village along the lake shore. This is your only per arranged activity during your stay here. Overnight Hotel Atatlan.
A note about this hotel. Hotel Atatlan is probably the most romantic spot I've come across. The rooms are furnished simply yet tastefully accented with colorful Mayan textiles from the area. Each room has a view of the lake and the exquisitely manicured gardens. As you exit your room you are greeted by the lush green of the forest surroundings and the soothing sounds from the stream running along side the building. Activities include hikes along the many nature trails or a visit to the on grounds butterfly farm with its many varieties of butterflies, orchids and other beautiful flowers. You may just wish to relax by the pool but regardless of your choice of activities, your stay here will always seem too short.
Day 5, Tuesday: Breakfast. Overnight Hotel Atatlan
Day 6, Wednesday: Breakfast. Overnight Hotel Atatlan.
Day 7, Thursday: Breakfast. Continue that afternoon to Guatemala City with short city tour. Overnight Hyatt Hotel (5*).
Day 8, Friday: Breakfast. Early departure for flight to Flores and tour to Tikal. Lunch and return flight to Guatemala City. Overnight Hyatt.
Day 9, Saturday: Breakfast. Transfer to airport and the end of a memorable stay.
Price per person:
double occupancy: $1556
single occupancy: $1920 (this program requires 2 persons minimum)
Price includes all accommodations with breakfast daily; airfare Tikal and ground transportation as described with bilingual driver/guide. Also included is baggage handling (one piece of luggage per participant) and tips for housekeeping and included meals plus taxes.
Not included are transportation to and from Guatemala and personal expenses or tips for local guide.
Write or call for reservations and/or information:
Native Trails
613 Queretaro Dr.
El Paso, TX 79912
(800) 884-3107
(915) 833-3107 | fax (915) 585-7027