Starting Price:	£3,911.00
Trip Length:	12 days
Includes airfare allowance from London (UK)

Ambergris Caye

Tikal

Copan

Copán, Guatemala and Belize: Maya Ruins and Beaches

Description Pricing Itinerary Hotels

This combined tour includes a visit to Copán, where we will spend 2 nights before crossing to Guatemala by car for an enriching stay in Antigua Guatemala. From here, we will explore Lake Atitlán and the nearby Maya towns. Yampu travelers will then fly to Flores to visit the mystical Maya city of Tikal, staying a night in Flores. We will be able to see more Maya ruins in Belize, especially around the town of San Ignacio. Last stop: San Pedro in Ambergris Caye, known for its turquoise waters and barrier reef.

This tour includes airfare allowance from London (UK), on non-holiday dates. You do not need to fly via London; Yampu will fly you the most direct way to your city of destination. Depending on your travel dates and proximity of travel, we will quote you the most economical surcharge from your city or country of origin.

Additional information on this trip:

Days of Week the Trip can Start:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Dates this trip is NOT available for online booking (please submit a regular request):
20 December - 02 January
Visited Cities:
San Pedro Sula, Copan Ruinas, Antigua, Tikal (Peten), Tikal (Peten), San Ignacio, Belize City or San Ignacio, Ambergris Caye

Day 1

Upon arrival in San Pedro Sula, transfer to your hotel.

Day 2

Transfer to Copán, an artistic city of the Mayan World. Visit the Copán Ruins Archaeological Park, with its monumental Hieroglyphic Stairway; the Ball Court (the social center of the Mayan city); the Great Plaza, famous for its estelae and altars; and the tunnels. After our 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 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 Guatemala—known commonly as La Antigua or just Antigua. It was the Spaniards’ military capital of Central America for more than two centuries. You will be met at the hotel by your private guide to begin a half-day walking tour of Antigua. It tour will cover the architectural and historical highlights of this colonial city with a behind-the-scenes look at some 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 living. 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 a shaman to perform a personal ceremony for you. After visiting Maximon, you will visit the local church and learn about the history of this very traditional town. You will 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 the 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 peak, you can perceive 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

Morning of leisure. Private transfer to San Ignacio in Belize. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel.

Day 8

Morning visit to the Xunantunich Maya site. We arrive at the village of San José Succotz where a hand-cranked ferry carries vehicles and passengers to the other side of the Mopan River. One more mile will bring the visitor to Xunantunich (Maiden of the Rock). A major Maya ceremonial center, and one of the countries larger excavated sites, the view from the largest pyramid El Castillo is remarkable.

Trip continues with a visit to the Belize Zoo, 40 minutes drive from Belize City. Only indigenous species are housed at the Zoo, all of which have been either rescued or donated from owners who could not take care of the animals properly. The “guests” (birds, cats, crocodiles, monkeys, etc.) are housed in large compounds containing what would be their natural habitats. Transfer to Belize City, and transfer to your hotel.

Day 9

Morning tour of Altun Ha Maya site. Located 35 miles from Belize City on the Old Northern Highway, Altun Ha (Rock Stone Water) is a great example of a Maya ceremonial and trading site. Here, in 1968 Dr. David Pendergast uncovered one of the most precious of all Mayan artifacts, the Jade Head representing the Sun God, Kinich Ahau. Air transfer from Belize City to San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. Overnight in San Pedro Hotel.

Day 10

Half-day snorkel trip to Hol Chan Marine Reserve. Afternoon of leisure. Overnight in San Pedro Hotel.

Day 11

Day of leisure. Overnight in San Pedro Hotel.

Day 12

Transfer to the airport to take the flight back to Belize and connect with international flight back home.

Suggested Hotels by City and Category *

San Pedro Sula
3-star	1night 3-star hotel. Gran Hotel Sula or similar.
4-star	Holiday Inn or similar.
5-star	Real Intercontinental, Hilton Princess or similar
Copan Ruinas
3-star	Plaza Copan or similar.
4-star	Marina Copan, Posada Real or similar.
5-star	Hacienda San Lucas or similar.
Bungalow	1 night bungalow hotel. Hotel Casa Rosada or similar.
Antigua
3-star	Hotel Aurora, Casa de las Fuentes, Hotel Los Bucaros, or similar.
4-star	Posada de Don Rodrigo, El Meson de Maria (boutique) or similar.
5-star	Casa Santa Domingo, Casa Encantada (boutique), Méson Panza Verde (boutique), El Convento Boutique Hotel, or similar.
Boutique	Hotel Cissus, or similar
Deluxe	Posada del Angel, or similar.
Tikal (Peten)
3-star	Casa Amelia, Hotel Peten, or similar.
4-star	Peten Esplendido, Villa Maya, or similar.
5-star	Camino Real Tikal or similar.
Deluxe	La Lancha (note: no A/C). Nitún, or similar.
San Ignacio
3-Star	Windy Hill, or similiar.
4-Star	Pook’s Hill, Duplooy’s Jungle Lodge, or similar.
5-Star	Ka'ana Boutique Resort (in Balam Room), or similar.
Deluxe	Blancaneaux Lodge, Chaa Creek, or similar.
Ambergris Caye
3-star	Sunbreeze, Ramon’s Village, or similar.
4-star	Victoria House or similar.
Deluxe	Mata Chica Resort (seabreeze bungalow), or similar.

* Subject to confirmation at time of booking

Occupancy Type	3star Standard	4star First Class	5star First Class
Double/Triple	£3911	£4400	£4627
Single	£5597	£6807	£7401

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