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GUATEMALA HIGHLIGHTS
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TOUR CODE EAI-GU02
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Length: 11 DAYS
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HIGHLIGHTS: Antigua, Lake Atitlan, Chichicastenango, Quirigua, Rio Dulce, Yaxha, Tikal
This trip will provide you with a taste of Guatemalan crafts, culture, nature and history.
Start off in Antigua, a stunningly beautiful and elegant colonial town with cobblestone
streets, tranquil parks, numerous palaces, cathedrals, churches and residences. The city
was founded in 1543. Guatemala is famous for its amazing array of folk art, in particular
the wonderful array of hand woven textiles with amazing variety of colours, symbolism and
techniques.Spend a day with Martha Hettich, our resident Maya textile expert, who will
present you with the history of Maya textiles, the weaving techniques of the back strap
loom and the symbolism of the designs.
Travel deeper into the highlands to Lake Atitlan. This lake has been called “the most
beautiful lake in the world”. Take a private boat with guide to explore one of the more
traditional villages surrounding the lake to experience the local indigenous customs,
traditions, dress and crafts. Visit Chichicastenango, famous for its large craft market.
On the way to Rio Dulce, visit the remarkable UNESCO protected, Late Classic site of Quirigua which contains the
tallest carved stelae (standing stones) found in the whole of the Mayan world and many
remarkable zoomorphic altars in the shape of frogs, jaguars and other animals. The Rio
Dulce area is also famous for the "Garifuna" communities here, descendants of the
indigenous Carib and African cultures.
Fly to the northern rainforest area of the Peten where there are numerous ancient Mayan
temple sites and bountiful tropical wildlife. Tour Yaxha, close to Tikal, situated on the
shores of the peaceful Lake Yaxha. This is the site of the third largest known Classic
Mayan site in the country. Yaxha has a twin pyramid complex, nine acropolis and more than
500 structures. Similar to Tikal, Yaxha was at its height of importance between AD 300 -
900. End your tour at The world famous Mayan temple ruins at Tikal. Set in the protected
rainforest this is an amazing climax to any trip to Guatemala, an incredible sight to
behold as huge temples rise out of the rainforest and monkeys and exotic birds complement
the scene. Enjoy sunset or sunrise or both from on top of the temples.
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COSTS
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| Contact Eco-Adventure International For Costs |
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Rates are subject to change without notice.
Included:
TRIP INCLUDES: Hotels, meals where indicated, airport
transfers, group equipment (bikes,
rafts, camping gear, etc.), support vehicle and
experienced, bilingual & fun guides.
Meals where indicated.
(B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, BL-Box Lunch, D=Dinner)
Not Included:
International and domestic flights, airport taxes,
other meals, tips.
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DAY
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PLACE/ACTIVITY
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DESCRIPTION |
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1
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ARRIVAL – TRANSFER TO ANTIGUA |
Upon arrival at Guatemala City airport you will be met by a representative from Viaventure and transferred to the
beautiful city of Antigua. Approx 45mins Transfer.
Hotel Options
HIGH END SUGGESTION - Panza Verde was recently featured in French Vogue. Not only does it have the most elegantly
decorated suites but it has wonderful terrace areas with views of the volcano and what many say is the best restaurant in
town. Highly acclaimed with 12 rooms – 10 suites.
MID RANGE SUGGESTION - Casa Mayor is a small, 8 room colonial style hotel situated just 4 blocks from the main
square in Antigua. It has a pretty roof terrace and café, garden cloister and communal lounge area.
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2
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ANTIGUA – GUIDED TOUR OF THE MONUMENTS – FREE AFTERNOON |
Antigua is a stunningly beautiful and elegant colonial town with cobblestone streets, tranquil parks, numerous palaces,
cathedrals, churches and residences. The city was founded in 1543 by Francisco de la Cueva and was the first planned
settlement in the new world, designed by Italian architect Juan Francisco Antonelli. Antigua grew to be the finest city in
Central America and was the country’s capital until it was heavily damaged by an earthquake in 1773. Now fully
reconstructed and renovated, Antigua has wonderful restaurants, patio cafes, shops and galleries in which to relax,
numerous ruins to explore and interesting museums and exhibitions to visit.
This morning we will provide us with a guided tour of Antigua to learn about the main architectural monuments and
history. Tour to include the Plaza Mayor, Cathedral (1680), Capuchinas Convent and Iglesia San Fransisco where Saint
Hermano Pedro is buried.
In the afternoon we will leave us to explore and enjoy Antigua.
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3
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ANTIGUA – INTRODUCTION TO MAYA FOLK ART & TEXTILES – FREE AFTERNOON |
Guatemala is famous for its amazing array of folk art, in particular the wonderful array of hand woven textiles with amazing
variety of colours, symbolism and techniques. Today will be spent with Martha Hettich, our resident Maya textile expert.
Martha will start the day by presenting on the history of Maya textiles, the weaving techniques of the back strap loom and
the symbolism of the designs. We will accompany her to the museum “House of the Old Textile” in Antigua. The
museum is run by a cooperative from the village of San Antonio Aguas Calientes, a village famous for its strong textile
tradition. Although the back strap weaving from SAAC is primarily done in a single face brocade, the village has
incorporated a beautiful double sided tapestry weave into its traditional traje (costume). At the museum we will see the
weaving process on both the back strap and foot looms. There are vignettes of textiles from all over the country. If there is
still time we can then finish off the morning by visiting some of the specialist shops and artisan markets to learn how to
distinguish new weavings from old and good quality from poor. Martha will also help negotiate fair prices for those who wish
to make purchases.
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4
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LAKE ATITLAN |
Today we transfer deeper into the highlands to Lake Atitlan. This lake has been called by many, “the most beautiful lake
in the world”. It is indeed an amazing setting with the crystal blue waters of the lake surrounded by the three lofty peaks of
Toliman, San Pedro and Atitlan Volcanoes at 3,535m. The Lake is surrounded by small Maya towns and villages and
farmlands where fields of corn and beans are planted on what appear to be impossibly steep slopes. Coffee is also grown at
lower altitudes on the rich volcanic soil of the area. The waters are calm and still in the morning but in the afternoon a
phenomina known locally as “xocomil” occurs where-by the wind gets up and the lake becomes quite choppy. After a three
hour transfer through the Guatemalan countryside you will be taken to your hotel where you can rest or explore for the rest
of the day.
Hotel Options
HIGH END SUGGESTION - Casa Palopo – Named by Conde Naste in 2001 as one of the best new hotels in the world. 6
elegantly decorated rooms & suites with beautiful communal lounge, dining areas & terraces. There is a small pool and
amazing views of the lake and surrounding volcanoes.
MID RANGE SUGGESTION - Villa Sumaya is a beautiful, stylish small hotel near the village of Santa Cruz village on the
lakeshore. There is a hot tub and sauna and they offer massages and other relaxation treatments. Not as luxury as Casa
Palopo but with great style and service.
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DAY AT THE LAKE – VILLAGE OF SANTIAGO |
Today we will take a private boat with guide to explore one of the more traditional villages surrounding the lake to
experience the local indigenous customs, traditions, dress and crafts. Santiago is an interesting town where the Maya
language of Tz’utujil is spoken and where the local people hold strongly to their beliefs and rituals. Here your guide will
show us where the local Mayan community worship an image called Maximon feeding him alcohol and cigarettes in an
attempt to make their wishes come true as well as other brotherhood or “Cofradia” houses where other Maya Gods are
revered. This village is also famous for its primitive art and beautiful woven “huipiles” – women’s tunics and there is an
interesting market for us to wander through.
Overnight at the Lake.
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6
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TRIP TO CHICHICASTENANGO |
Chichicastenango is famous for its large craft market on Sunday and Thursday when craftsmen and villagers from all over
the highlands converge on this small town to sell their wares. Sunday is an interesting day to visit because as well as the
hugely colorful market, many village shamans will come from miles around to “Chichi”, as the locals call it, to perform Mayan
rituals on behalf of people in their community. There are many hillside Mayan altar sites where the rituals are performed
and, yet more strangely, many are performed on slabs inside the catholic church. Chichi is one of the easiest places for
travelers to experience the strange way that Mayan & Catholic faiths have merged in Guatemala. During a trip to Chichi,
we can also visit the small mask factory and see a traditional dance display performed by the local children.
After the visit to Chichi we will transfer on to Antigua or Guatemala City as they prefer. Overnight in Guatemala City
or Antigua.
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7
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RIO DULCE - GARIFUNA COMMUNITIES |
This morning we will transfer and travel 5 hours through Guatemala City and the dry
central desert to Rio Dulce. On the way to Rio Dulce we can make a visit to the
remarkable UNESCO protected, Late Classic site of Quirigua which contains the tallest
carved stelae (standing stones) found in the whole of the Mayan world and many
remarkable zoomorphic altars in the shape of frogs, jaguars and other animals. This site
is believed to have been at its height from AD 751-806 although the earliest monuments
date back to AD 480. It is believed that Quirigua was an important trading post between
Tikal and Copan in Honduras. After a few hours to enjoy the site we will continue
on to Rio Dulce where they will board a boat for the short transfer down river to their
hotel.
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8
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RIO DULCE |
RIO DULCE means "Sweet River". In this tropical area of Guatemala on the eastern side of the
country we can take a private boat and cruise along this beautiful river all the way to the
Caribbean coastline. The river is 42 kilometers long and stretches from Guatemala's largest
lake, Izabal, to the Amatique Bay on the Caribbean coast, through a changing landscape of flat
rainforest to sheer cliff walls of a spectacular 300-foot river gorge. There are old Spanish
forts that defended against marauding pirates of the 17th century, modern marinas, protected
wildlife areas and manatee breeding waters, natural hot springs, and abundant wildlife.
The Rio Dulce area is also famous for the "Garifuna" communities here, descendants of the
indigenous Carib and African cultures. The coastal town of Livingston is the only Garifuna
community in Guatemala and is where you can enjoy displays of their traditional and highly
rhythmic “punta” dancing.
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9
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TRANSFER INTO THE NORTHERN RAINFOREST – YAXHA TOUR |
This morning we will transfer to Guatemala City for the internal flight up into the northern rainforest to their hotel on
the banks of the Peten Itza lake. In the northern rainforest area of the Peten there are numerous ancient Mayan temple sites
and bountiful tropical wildlife. After lunch and a rest at the hotel we will transfer deep into the rainforest to visit the
beautiful and atmospheric site of Yaxha and to watch the sunset from the top of the main temple.
Yaxha (Green Water) & Topoxte (Ramon Tree) – A beautiful Mayan ruin site set at the shore of Lake Yaxha – home of the
Moreletti crocodiles. Trekking in Yaxha is wonderful & watching the sunset with the sun falling behind the lagoon and its
island is really breathtaking. Howler & spider monkeys & a myriad of birds can often be observed from the temple tops.
Before exploring Yaxha itself, a short boat trip on the lake can be taken to visit the small ruin site of Topoxte, one of the
oldest cities in the Maya world.
Close to Tikal, situated on the shores of a peaceful lake is the site of the third largest known Classic Mayan site in the
country. Yaxha has a twin pyramid complex, nine acropolis and more than 500 structures. Similar to Tikal, Yaxha was at its
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10
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GUIDED TOUR OF THE WORLD FAMOUS TIKAL |
Any early start today in order to see the best of the tropical wildlife and to have the site all to yourselves! Today we will
transfer into Tikal National Park to visit the world famous site of Tikal.
Tikal (City of Voices) - The world famous Mayan temple ruins at Tikal. Set in the protected rainforest this is an amazing
climax to any trip to Guatemala, an incredible sight to behold as huge temples rise out of the rainforest and monkeys and
exotic birds complement the scene. Enjoy sunset or sunrise or both from on top of the temples.
Construction of Tikal began around BC 300, although it’s most important époque was between AD 200 - 900 in what is
called the Classic Period of the Mayan civilization when it was considered an important commercial city. The temples at
Tikal were built to reach the sky with the Temple of the Serpent reaching 70 meters high and offering a magnificent view of
the rainforest canopy and other temples. Due to the immense historical value of the site at Tikal, it has been declared a
UNESCO protected monument. The site covers 16 square kilometers and contains over 3,000 structures.
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11
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FLIGHT OUT |
This morning our driver will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to Guatemala City airport in plenty of time for your
flight home.
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