Day 1
Upon arrival in San Pedro Sula, transfer to your hotel.
Day 2
Transfer to Copán, the site of a major Maya kingdom of the Classic era. Visit the Copán Ruins Archeological Park, with its monumental Hieroglyphic Stairway; the Ball Court (social center of the city during the Maya days); the Great Plaza, famous for its estelae and altars; and the tunnels. After the visit to the Museum of Mayan Sculpture, lunch will be served at Nia Lola’s Restaurant (included). Overnight in Copán.
Day 3
In the morning, visit the Copán Museum in town. In the afternoon, we will visit the Hacienda San Lucas, with a magnificent view of the valley. We will then enjoy a delightful and unique dinner with typical Copán flavor (included). Overnight in Copán.
Day 4
Transfer to Antigua Guatemala. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. Afternoon, private tour of Antigua, the Spaniards’ military capital of Central America for two centuries. You will be met at your hotel by your private guide to begin your half-day walking tour of Antigua. It will cover the architectural and historical highlights of this colonial city with a behind-the-scenes look at some of the many ruined churches, convents and cathedrals. Entrance fees are included to the Iglesia San Francisco, the Cathedral, Central Park and La Merced Church. This tour is flexible, and if you have specific sites that you wish to see, please let us know.
Day 5
Half-day tour to Santiago Atitlán. You will be picked up from your hotel for a scenic boat ride across the lake, passing by the three impressive volcanoes of Toliman, Atitlán and San Pedro. Upon arrival in Santiago, you will walk with your guide to find the house where the Maya God Maximon is said to reside. Each year a different “brotherhood” has the privilege of taking care of their God, so his location changes. Once with Maximon you may see a local shaman performing rituals for local people; if you wish, you can ask your guide to help you hire the services of a shaman to perform a personal ceremony. Next, you will visit the local church and learn about the history of this very traditional town, and also see the market and learn about the distinctive textiles and primitive art for which the area is famous. Take a ride in a local “flete” (a pickup truck in which passengers stand in the bed) to get to Hotel Posada Santiago for lunch. After lunch, private transfer to Antigua for overnight.
Day 6
Transfer to Guatemala City airport to take the flight to Flores. Full-day visit to the impressive and mystical Maya city of Tikal. One of its largest buildings is the Temple of the Two-headed Serpent, which measures up to 70 meters high. From its highest point, one can hear the sounds of the rain forest: more than 300 species of birds, howler monkeys, ocelots, jaguars and toucans. Due to its immense value, Tikal was declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1979. Overnight in Peten. Lunch included.
Day 7
Day of leisure in Flores. Optional guided canopy tour to Ixpanpajul and sunset tour to Yaxha.
Day 8
Transfer to Palenque, and overnight there. Ground transfer from Flores to Palenque takes about 8 to 9 hours.
Day 9
Enjoy a visit to the archeological site of Palenque. Walk through the same paths as the great Mayan Lords, and feel the charm and mystery of this culture. The Mayan site of Palenque is located northwest of the Maya lowlands in Chiapas, Mexico. Surrounded by the jungle, it is considered one of the most important archeological sites of Mesoamerica, a ceremonial center and home to a number of Mayan Lords. There are religious temples, plazas, open courts and a ball court, but most of the structures are palaces. Artifacts discovered at this site tell us about the Mayan Lords and in particular of Pacal, one of the best-known Lords of the Mayan civilization. Overnight in Palenque.
Day 10
We will get back on the road, winding along mountain lanes to San Cristobal de las Casas. On the way, we will visit the Agua Azul waterfalls.
Day 11
Today you will enjoy a half-day tour of the Indian villages of San Juan Chamula and Zinacantan. Each village has its own distinctive highland dress as well as a weekly market and numerous festivals honoring patron saints and other special religious days. Afterwards walk through the colonial streets of San Cristobal de las Casas, a jewel right in the heart of the Chiapas highlands. The indigenous soul of the town coexists harmoniously with its colonial charm, making it an enchanting place to visit.
Day 12
Depart San Cristobal de las Casas towards Tuxtla Gutierrez airport. On the way, there is a visit to the enormous Sumidero Canyon, where we will enjoy a boat ride. Have an unforgettable experience sailing down the Grijalva River, across a geological fault formed millions of years ago with dramatic cliffs up to one kilometer high and the river’s depth of 100 meters. Arrive at the airport for a flight for to Mérida. Upon arrival in Mérida, the “white city,” transfer to your hotel.
Day 13
You will enjoy today’s excursion to the wonderful archeological sites of Uxmal and Kabah. Uxmal was probably built around 700 A.D. The rich, green, fertile land provides a perfect setting for some of the most magnificent pyramids, buildings and temples of the ancient Mayan world. You can sense history here as you walk around and gaze at the stunning architecture and layout of this old city. The Piramide del Adivino (the Oracle’s Pyramid) stands majestically above other buildings, and a climb to its summit will reward you with spectacular views of the entire half-square-mile ancient city. Kabah is located south of Uxmal, as both archeological sites are connected by a grand 18-kilometer-long pedestrian causeway with monumental arches at each end. Kabah is the second largest ruin of the Puuc region, after Uxmal. The most famous structure at the Kabah ruins is the Palacio de las Mascaras (the Palace of the Masks), its facade decorated with hundreds of stone masks of the long-nosed rain god Chaac. The site also has a number of other palaces, low stone buildings, and step-pyramid temples you can discover and enjoy.
Day 14
After breakfast, leave Mérida on your way to the ancient archeological site of Chichen-Itza. The famous Mayan pyramids of Chichen-Itza are more than 1,500 years old. The site is divided into three sections. The north grouping of structures is distinctly Toltec in style. The central group appears to be from the early period. The southern group is known as “The Old Chichen.” You will find a large ball court where Mayan men played a game called pok ta pok, full of symbolism and drama. Overnight in Chichen-Itza.
Day 15
Transfer to Cancun airport for your flight back home or stay a few nights in a hotel in Cancun or the Riviera Maya.
Mexico and Central America Combined
Chichen Itza
Copán
Tikal
