Maya Archaeology Highlights with Copan

Day 1: Arrival in Antigua (Unguided)
Guests are met & transferred to Antigua, located 1hr away. Overnight in Antigua.

Day 2: Architecture & History Tour (Guide HD)
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. Breakfast/-/-.

Day 3: Azotea Coffee Farm, Maya Museum (Guide HD)
Guests visit the local woodcarvers in the village of Jocotenango & then the fabulous Azotea Coffee Farm & Maya Traditions Museums covering traditional music, costume & traditions. Afternoon transfer to Lake Atitlan (2.5hrs). Overnight in Lake Atitlan area. Breakfast/-/-.
• Add in stop to visit Iximche Site & have authentic Maya ritual performed by local Shaman
• Upgrade with Helicopter transfer to Lake Atitlan

Day 4: Lake Tour (San Juan, Santiago) (Guide FD)
This morning guests will take a scenic boat ride across Lake Atitlan (30min) to the village of San Juan La Laguna where they can visit the women’s textile cooperative to see hand weaving and natural dye process. Also here visit the studios / homes of the 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. Overnight in Lake Atitlan area. Breakfast/Lunch/-.

• Add in a performance folkloric dance group

Day 5: Chichi Market (Guided)
Today guests 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 to Antigua (3hr). Overnight in Antigua. Breakfast/Lunch/-.

• Upgrade with a Helicopter Transfer

Day 6: Copan (Honduras) (Unguided)
Transfer across Guatemala towards the border with Honduras. Just across the border guests are in the pretty colonial village of Copan Ruinas (5hrs). Free afternoon to relax or explore this pretty colonial town. Overnight in Copan area. Breakfast/-/-.

• Upgrade with a private Charter Flight (40mins)
• Add dinner at home w. Archaeologist David Sedat
• Upgrade with a presentation from David Sedat.

Day 7: Copan & Bird Park (Guide in each place)
Guests will be met at their hotel and transfer to the Maya Site of Copan. Enjoy 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. Overnight in Copan area. Breakfast/Lunch/-.

• Add Dinner at Hacienda San Lucas

Day 8: Transfer to Rio Dulce (Unguided)
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 boat for a scenic trip along Rio Dulce (Trf time depends on hotel) to your riverside hotel. Overnight in Rio Dulce/Livingston. Breakfast/-/-.

Day 9: Rio Dulce (Guide HD)
Cruise 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 board the transfer to the Tikal area (3-4hrs). Overnight in Tikal area. Breakfast/-/-.

Day 10: Yaxha Sunset (Guide HD)
Guests enjoy a free morning to relax. After lunch they transfer to Yaxha National Park (approx 1hr) to explore this atmospheric lakeside site ending with refreshments & wonderful views at sunset over the rainforest canopy from atop the main temples. Overnight in Tikal area. Breakfast/-/-
.
• Add a Canopy Tour in the morning
• Upgrade with a luxury picnic

Day 11: Tikal (Guide HD)
Today guests transfer to Tikal National park (approx 1hr) 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 have time to relax and refresh and will fly back to Guatemala City (30min) where they will be transferred to their hotel. (Approx 10min) Overight in Guatemala City. Breakfast/Lunch/-.
• Upgrade with a luxury picnic

Day 12: Fly out from Guatemala (B) (Unguided)
This morning our driver will transfer guests to the airport (approx 10mins) in plenty of time to catch your flight. Breakfast/-/-.