Maya Archaeology Highlights with Copan
Antigua - Lake Atitlan - Chichicastenango - Santiago - Copan - Rio Dulce - Yaxha - Tikal (12 days / 11 nts)
From $3407
Day 1: Guatemala City - Antigua (Unguided)
Guests are met & transferred in a private vehicle to Antigua, located 1hr away. Overnight in Antigua.
(Included meals : N / A).
Day 2: Architecture & History Tour (Guide Half Day)
Guests will take a half day walking tour of Antigua. (3-4hr). The tour takes in the main square, Palace, Cathedral, La Merced Church& San Francisco Church. All entrances are included. Free Afternoon. Overnight in Antigua.
• Add an afternoon activity such as Canopy or Textile tour
• Upgrade with romantic dinner at hotel or monument
(Included meals : Breakfast).
Day 3: Azotea Coffee Farm - Maya Museum - Lake Atitlan (Guided Half Day)
 Guests have a private guided tour to visit the local woodcarvers in the village of Jocotenango & then to the fabulous Azotea Coffee Farm & Maya Traditions Museums covering traditional music, costume & traditions. Afternoon private transfer to Lake Atitlan (2.5hrs).
• Add in stop to visit Iximche Site & have authentic Maya ritual performed by local Shaman
• Upgrade with Helicopter transfer to Lake Atitlan
(Included meals : Breakfast).
Day 4: Lake Tour (San Juan, Santiago) (Guide Full Day)
This morning guests will take a private scenic boat ride across Lake Atitlan (30min) to the village of San Juan La Laguna where they have a private guided tour of a women’s textile cooperative to see hand weaving and natural dye process and the studios / homes of the local celebrated naïf painters. From here guests continue to the village of Santiago where they have lunch in a local hotel and tour the village visiting the Maya God Maximon and learn about the textiles, spiritualism and beliefs of the T’zutujil Maya.
• Add in a performance folkloric dance group
• Upgrade guide to be a local renowned author & Maya culture specialist
(Included meals : Breakfast, Lunch).
Day 5: Chichi Market - Antigua (Guided)
Today guests have a private transfer approx. 1hr to the famous market at Chichi. Time for shopping in this fabulous craft market and an opportunity to see Maya rituals being performed in the Catholic Church before transferring on privately to Antigua (3hr).
• Upgrade with a private guide in Chichi or Helicopter Transfer
(Included meals : Breakfast, Lunch).
Day 6: Copan (Honduras) (Unguided)
 A private transfer today takes guests across Guatemala to the border with Honduras and over to the pretty colonial village of Copan Ruinas (5hrs). Free afternoon to relax or explore this pretty colonial town.
• Upgrade with a private Charter Flight (40mins)
• Add dinner at home with Archaeologist David Sedat
(Included meals : Breakfast).
Day 7: Copan - Bird Park - Copan (Guide in each place)
Guests will be met at their hotel for a private transfer to the Maya Site of Copan. Here they have a private guided tour of Copan Ruins site with its famous hieroglyphic staircase, ball court and tunnels. Lunch is in the tropical bird park where guests can also enjoy a visit of this beautiful facility looking after rescued tropical birds & working to educate people about conservation.
• Add Dinner at Hacienda San Lucas
• Upgrade guide to become a renowned arqueologist
(Included meals : Breakfast, Lunch).
Day 8: Transfer to Rio Dulce - Livingston
Private transfer across Guatemala through the central desert region to the lush tropical area at Rio Dulce (5 hrs). Visit the beautiful, UNESCO protected small Mayan Temple site at Quirigua along the way. Once at Rio Dulce guests will board a private boat for a scenic trip along Rio Dulce (Trf time depends on hotel) to their hotel.
(Included meals : Breakfast).
Day 9: Rio Dulce - Tikal (Guided Half Day)
Guests take a private cruise along the Rio Dulce River through the central canyon and down to the Garifuna town of Livingston on the Coast. Explore Livingston and then journey back downriver to Rio Dulce and per chance see the elusive Manatee. Once back at Rio Dulce guests take a private transfer up into to the northern rainforest. (3-4hrs).
(Included meals : Breakfast).
Day 10: Yaxha Sunset - Tikal area (Guided Half Day)
 Guests enjoy a free morning to relax. After lunch they take a private transfer to Yaxha National Park (approx. 1hr) to explore this atmospheric lakeside site with their private guide - ending with refreshments & wonderful views at sunset over the rainforest canopy from atop the main temples area.
• Add a Canopy Tour in the morning
• Upgrade with a luxury picnic
(Included meals : Breakfast).
Day 11: Tikal - Guatemala City
Today guests have a private transfer with guide to Tikal National park (approx 1hr). At Tikal guests have a private guided tour to explore the amazing UNESCO protected Mayan Temple site of Tikal where huge Mayan temples rise above the jungle canopy and monkeys and tropical birds are abundant in the surrounding rainforest. After lunch guests & time to relax and refresh guests will fly back to Guatemala City (30min) and transfer to their hotel (Approx 10min).
• Upgrade with a luxury picnic
(Included meals : Breakfast, Lunch).
Day 12: Fly out from Guatemala (Unguided)
This morning guests have a private transfer to the airport (approx 10mins) in plenty of time to catch their international flight.
• Consider an extension into Belize
(Included meals : Breakfast).
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