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Guatemala Symphony
offered by supplier M07706 (view this supplier profile)
Key Information:
Tour Duration: 14
day(s)
Group Size: 1
- 16
people
Destination(s):
Guatemala
Honduras
Specialty Categories:
Cultural Journey
Archeology/History
Season: January - December
Airfare Included: No
Tour Customizable: Yes
Minimum Per Person Price: 1780 US Dollar (USD)
Maximum Per Person Price: 2260 US Dollar (USD)
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Visit the archaeological sites of El Baul and La Democracia; tour Antigua, the former Spanish colonial capital of Central America; cross the border to Honduras and explore Copan; visit Tikal, the highest of Maya pyramids.
Your Itinerary
Day 1:
TUESDAY - GUATEMALA CITY: Arrive Guatemala City to be transferred to Hotel Westin Camino Real.
Day 2:
WEDNESDAY - EL BAUL, LA DEMOCRACIA AND CHICHICASTENANGO. Morning drive to the archaeological sites of El Baul and La Democracia. At El Baul you will see an assortment of original statues. There is a begging jaguar and his humanoid partner, a squatting Olmecoid figure. In the town of La Democracia you will see gigantic stone heads lining the central park. Afternoon transfer to Chichicastenango for overnight at the Mayan Inn.
(B)
Day 3:
THURSDAY - CHICHICASTENANGO AND QUETZALTENANGO. Today is market day at “Chichi” when the village streets are transformed into a massive colorful array of stalls piled high with goods for sale. Nowhere else in Guatemala will you find such a wealth of handicrafts, blankets, shirts, textiles, belts, masks, clay pots, gourds, machetes and locally grown vegetables. After market shopping, usually late afternoon, transfer to Quetzaltenango, Guatemala's second largest city, for overnight at the Hotel Pension Bonifaz.
(B)
Day 4:
FRIDAY - THE HIGHLANDS. Morning departure for Panajachel on the shores of Lake Atitlan. En route you will visit the quaint village of Zunil with its enclosed market where thousands of items are spread out over the earthen floor and tended by family members. You will also visit the open-air animal market of San Francisco El Alto and the Church of San Andres Xecul while passing through the Valley of Almolonga. Overnight at Hotel Del Lago on the shore of beautiful Lake Atitlan.
(B)
Day 5:
SATURDAY - LAKE ATITLAN. Morning boat ride to the picturesque Indian village of Santiago Atitlan,the ancient capital and religious center of the Tzutuhiles. Santiago's market stretches from street to street and it is here where you'll see Maximon, a mysterious religious idol, being closely watched over by an entourage of men assigned the responsibility of protecting the idol. Look for the exquisite cortes and huipiles worn by the woman of the village. Afternoon transfer to the colonial city of Antigua for overnight at the Casa Santo Domingo Hotel.
(B)
Day 6:
SUNDAY - ANTIGUA, THE FORMER SPANISH COLONIAL CAPITAL OF CENTRAL AMERICA. Morning tour of Antigua which was founded by the Spaniards in 1543. The city is a beautiful blend of ruins, restored colonial buildings, stylish arcades, cobbled streets and a festive market area. Places to be visited include: La Conception (the first convent for women in Antigua); the Palace of the Captains General (built in 1776 as a residence of the governor then called Captain General); the Church of San Francisco built in 1579 and originally used by students to study theology, philosophy, canonical law, mathematics and physics. Evening transfer to Guatemala City for overnight.
(B)
Day 7:
MONDAY - COPAN IN HONDURAS. Early morning drive through the Eastern Guatemala to arrive at the Honduran border. Continue to Copan to explore the beautiful stelae and temples. Overnight in the village of Copan Ruinas.
(B)
Day 8:
TUESDAY - QUIRIGUA. Morning tour of Quirigua archaeological site to see some of the tallest and most beautiful Maya stelae in zoomorphic form. Later continue to Puerto Barrios for overnight at the Green Bay Hotel on the Bay of Amatique.
(B)
Day 9:
WEDNESDAY - RIO DULCE AND LIVINGSTON. Boat excursion to the Caribbean town of Livingston for sightseeing before visiting the Castle of San Felipe on Lake Izabal. Overnight Catamaran Hotel.
(B)
Day 10:
THURSDAY - RIO DULCE AND FLORES. Relax and enjoy the lakeside activities. Afternoon transfer to Flores in the Peten Jungle which is home to several Classic Period Maya archaeological sites. Overnight in the Flores area.
(B)
Day 11:
FRIDAY - CEIBAL. Morning trip to Ceibal near the La Pasion River. Ceibal stelae are among the finest and best-preserved sculptures of the late Classic Period. Later return to the Flores area for overnight.
(B)
Day 12:
SATURDAY - YAXHA. Today you will visit Yaxha. After Tikal and El Mirador, Yaxha is Guatemala’s third largest Maya city. Its ruins are extensive. Of particular interest are the observatory and the massive pyramid complexes and acropolises. Return to Flores area for overnight.
(B)
Day 13:
SUNDAY - TIKAL. At Tikal you will visit the "Q" Complex, the Great Plaza, the Grand Jaguar and the Masks, the Palace of the Nobles and Pyramid IV. Pyramid IV is the highest of Maya pyramids, from the top of which a complete view of Tikal can be seen. After lunch you can visit the two local museums that house some of the many pre-Columbian archaeological treasures found in the area. Return to Guatemala City.
(B)
Day 14:
MONDAY - DEPARTURE. Transfer to the airport for your departure flight.
(B)
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Also see tour packages in:
Central America and Caribbean
Guatemala
Honduras
Cultural Journey
Archeology/History
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