A 22 day Journey through Maya History and Nature in Guatemala, Mexico and Honduras

Degree of difficulty: easy to moderate/ Type of accommodations: 3-5 star hotels and ecolodges, 5 star camping on the Usumacinta River/ Focus: Maya Archaeology, Architecture and History, Natural History, Geography and contemporary Maya Culture/ exploring sites in:/ Peten- Guatemala, Belize and Quintana Roo, Yucatan and Chiapas- Mexico

Visit archaeological sites in Guatemala: Tikal, Ceibal, Dos Pilas, Aguateca and Iximche... in Honduras: Copan... in Mexico: Palenque, Yaxchilan, Bonampak, Teotihuacan and Tula. See the natural beauty of the Maya Biosphere Reserve in Guatemala and the Lacandon Jungle in Mexico.

DAY 1

• Fly to Guatemala City

DAY 2 (B/L)

• Transfer to Antigua Guatemala
• Guided colonial history tour of the city and neighboring villages
• Visit coffee farms, ornamental plants, macadamia plantations, textiles, handicrafts and the town’s Central Square and Jade Factory

DAY 3 (B/L)

• Transfer to Lake Atitlán
• Visit the ancient capital of the Caqchiquel kingdom, Iximche, en route
• Explore the lively colors on the streets of Panajachel Sunset over Lake Atitlán
• Sunset over lake Atitlan

DAY 4 (B/L)

• Cross over Lake to appreciate the Tzutuhil village of Santiago and the crystal clear waters of Cerro de Oro
• Visit the alternative village of San Marcos la Laguna

DAY 5 (B/L)

• Visit the Butterfly Sanctuary and the Buenaventura Cascade
• Proceed to Chichicastenango, seat of religious and political identity of the Quiche Maya people
• Enjoy the market day
• Transfer to Guatemala City

DAY 6 (B/L)

• Fly to the ancient city of Copan, in Honduras
• Visit the Late Classic Maya City, famous for its well preserved stone carved monuments and its grand hieroglyphic stairway
• Flight back to Guatemala City

DAY 7 (B/L)

• Flight to Flores Peten
• Proceed to the Tikal National Park
• Guided tour of the archaeological site, known for its enormous temples surrounded by an impressive jungle

DAY 8 (B/L)

• Optional early start for birdwatchers
• Explore more of the impressive Maya City of Tikal and the Sylvannus G. Morley Museum

DAY 9 (B/L)

• Early start, highly recommended for bird lovers
• Time to wander around Tikal on your own
• Visit the Sylvannus G. Morley Museum and see the stelae at the Visitor’s Center
• Transfer to the island city of Flores
• En route visit the ecoartisan village of El Remate
• Visit the island city of Flores and the center for the Peten’s Research, Culture and Handicrafts

DAY 10 (L)

• Transfer to the Itza Maya village of San Jose to learn about the Itza culture
• Transfer to the village of San Andres and proceed to El Triunfo to visit the Itza Maya elder Don Zacar’as Quixchan and his Maya Agroforestry system

DAY 11 (L/D)

• Transfer to the archaeological site of Ceibal
• Head over to the Pasion River in the Petexbatun Lagoon

DAY 12 (B/L/D)

• Transfer to Paso Caribe
• Jungle expedition to the archaeological site of Dos Pilas
• Explore the sites of Arroyo de Piedra and Dos Pilas
• If you don’t feel fit, you may stay at the hotel relaxing, swimming and exploring the surroundings at the Petexbatun Lagoon

DAY 13 (B/L/D)

• Day to rest and relax
• Navegate down Pasion River to the Salinas river, together theses two rivers form the great Usumacinta River
• Camp in a white sand dune by the shore in La Estrella

DAY 14 (B/L/D)

• Continue down river toward Yaxchilan
• Stop at Los Chorros, a real geologic wonder
• Set up camp near Yaxchilan and explore the city

DAY 15 (B/L)

• Continue through Lacandon country, in Mexico
• Visit the Lacandon community of Lacanja-Chansayab
• Discover the Maya paintings in the ancient city of Bonampak
• Transfer to Palenque

DAY 16 (B/L)

• Full day exploring the wonders of Palenque

DAY 17 (B/L)

• Visit the archaeological site of Tonina
• Discover the beautiful cascades and Lagoons of Agua Azul and Misol-Ha

DAY 18 (B/L)

• Fly to Mexico City

DAY 19 (B)

• Transfer to the archaeological site of Teotihuacan
• Appreciate the Pyramids dedicated to the Sun and the Moon as well as the Frescos that have survived the passage of time
• Visit a tequila and mescal distillery

DAY 20 (L)

• Transfer from your hotel to the archaeological site of Tula
• Guided tour of the Toltec City
• Transfer to Tepozotlan
• Discover the Chirriguresque style barroque jewels of this colonial village

DAY 21 (L)

• Guided visit to the Maya exhibit at the Archaeology Museum in Chapultepec
• Transfer to El Zocalo and explore the vestiges of the great city of Tenochtitlan

DAY 22 (D)

• Airport transfer
• Join your flights back home