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GUATEMALA: RAINFOREST ARCHAEOLOGY EXPLORATION WITH COPAN
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TOUR CODE EAI-GU06
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Length: 13 DAYS
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HIGHLIGHTS: Antigua, Lake Atitlan, Chichicastenango, Copan, Aguateca, Chiminos Point, El Ceibal, 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.
Just over the border into Honduras is the pretty town of Copan Ruinas and nearby stands the beautiful Maya
site of Copan. Copan contains a large amount of beautiful carvings
on both Stelea and buildings and fully restored buildings such as the amazing Hieroglyphic stairway, the ball court and
various temples. There are also tunnels that allow the visitor access to see ancient temples buried under more recent
temples that incredible still display their original red color.
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 your guests 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 guests 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 guests to explore and enjoy Antigua. Activity suggestions in and
Around Antigua:
- Horse Riding – rides with Katie Cunningham from her stables in and around Antigua.
- Azotea Cultural Museum – Coffee farm and excellent exhibition & slide show on the traditional costumes, customs
and music of the Mayan people.
- Textiles of Aguas Calientes. This village is famous for its strength of traditions and double-sided textiles. We can visit
the home of a lady who gives lessons in weaving and a larger residence where they explain some of the traditions like
marriage & the important role textiles play in these traditions.
- San Juan Obisbo – Visit the beautiful convent and enjoy the view over Antigua from this small Maya village
- Macadamia Farm. Low key trip to a fascinating organic Macadamia farm where they encourage discussion about
environmental issues and are encouraging local people to grow Macadamias as well as coffee in an attempt to help the
problem of crashing coffee prices. (They give the trees away and provide technical support.)
- Mountain Biking or Hiking half and full day trips in and around Antigua.
- Volcano Climbing – on foot or in on a 4x4 Land Cruiser. Descend the same way or on bikes.
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3
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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 guests 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 you to wander through.
Overnight at the Lake.
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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,
you can also visit the small mask factory and see a traditional dance display performed by the local children.
After the tour around Chichi we will transfer on to Antigua or Guatemala City as you prefer. Overnight in
Guatemala City or Antigua.
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COPAN |
This morning we will be transferred across Guatemala and into the neighbouring country of Honduras. Just over
the border into Honduras is the pretty town of Copan Ruinas and nearby stands the beautiful Maya site of Copan. The
transfer in an AC bus will take approx. 6 hours including the border crossing. After arriving and checking into your hotel you
will have the rest of the afternoon free to explore the town or perhaps visit the nearby bird park. We thoroughly recommend
dining one night at the Hacienda San Lucas on a hillside just outside the town with views down into the Copan valley – we
can arrange transportation to take you there with prior notice. Overnight at Marina Copan or Hacienda San Lucas. |
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COPAN |
This morning you will be picked up from your hotel by your driver and specialist guide. They
will transfer you to the Copan site (10 mins) where you will enjoy a guided tour of the ruins
and museum.
It is believed that Copan was inhabited from approximately AD 300 to 800. It contains a large amount of beautiful carvings
on both Stelea and buildings and fully restored buildings such as the amazing Hieroglyphic stairway, the ball court and
various temples. There are also tunnels that allow the visitor access to see ancient temples buried under more recent
temples that incredible still display their original red color. Overnight in Copan at Marina Copan or Hacienda San Lucas.
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8
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TRANSFER TO GAUTEMALA CITY – OPTIONAL VISIT TO QUIRIGUA |
This morning we will transfer back to Guatemala City (approx. 6 hours). For those esecialy interested in
archaeology we can make a detour to visit the UNESCO site of Quirigua which will add an extra 2 hours driving time.
Quirigua is a late Classic site 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.
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9
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TRANSFER INTO THE NORTHERN RAINFOREST – YAXHA TOUR |
This morning we will transfer to Guatemala airport for the 50min flight up into the northern rainforest and then a bus
transfer to our 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 a rest at the hotel we will transfer deep into the
rainforest to visit the beautiful, atmospheric site, Yaxha.
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 guests 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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TRANSFER TO PETEXBATUN – EL CEIBAL |
This morning we delve deeper into the rainforest and descend to the town of Sayaxche (1.5hrs) where we board a local
wooden passenger motor-boat for an hour’s journey down the river, “La Pasion” to the site of El Ceibal. This site is
surrounded by the national tree – La Ceiba tree from where the site takes its name.
El Ceibal was a major ceremonial site which is situated on a hilltop, surrounded by lush vegetation and Ceiba trees (from
where the site takes its name). A beautiful 45 minute boat ride down “La Pasion” river takes guests to the entrance of the
park and then a fairly strenuous 1.5 km walk into the rainforest will bring visitors to the monuments. This site was at its
height from BC 800 to the 1st Century AD, then abandoned between AD 500 - 690 and re-populated again between AD 771
- 889. El Ceibal is most famous for its beautifully carved stelae (standing stones) which depict rulers, warriors and ball
players from the site’s turbulent history.
After visiting the site we will once again board the boats for a two hour ride onto the picturesque Lake Petexbatun. Along the
way we will be able to see a wide array of wildlife including tropical birds, turtles and cayman. Once at the Lake you can
relax with a sumptious dinner at Chiminos Island Lodge which is situated in a large area of protected rainforest with the
Maya site of Chiminos Point just yards away. Each of the 5 bungalows has a terrace with lake and rainforest views. There
are also wonderful rainforest trails which offer great wildlife spotting opportunities. Overnight Chiminos Island Lodge.
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12
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AGUATECA & CHIMINOS POINT |
This morning we board a boat for the transfer to the fascinating Maya site of Aguateca. Perched on a high outcrop this site
is only partially restored and still retains an atmosphere of recent discovery. It is surrounded by dense rainforest and has
great views over the lake . /there are many beautifully carved stelaes – some with clear signs of where looters tried to make
off with treasured sections. Aguatea is also the site of the only known bridge in the Maya world which crosses a natural fault
line – itself acting as a natural moat fortification. After lunch at the lodge your guide will take you on the various rainforest
trails surrounding the lodge and to the small site of Chiminos Point. Overnight Chiminos Island Lodge.
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13
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TRANSFER TO GUATEMALA CITY |
After a morning relaxing at Chiminos Island Lodge or trekking in the rainforest we can enjoy lunch before being
transferred back to Flores airport for the evening flight back to Guatemala City. After being met at the airport you will be
driven to your hotel in zone 10. This area is full of restaurants and bars where you can celebrate your last night in
Guatemala. We particularly recommend dining at the famous Tamarindos restaurant. Overnight Guatemala City.
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14
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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. Please don’t forget to set aside $30 departure tax for each person traveling.
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