Day 1: Fly into Guatemala City and then take a short flight to Flores (nearest airport to Tikal) at 6:20 pm. 7:30 pm pick up at Flores airport and transfer to Hotel Esplendido. Overnight Hotel Esplendido on the lake across from Flores Island.
Day 2: You begin your day at Lake Yaxhá. On the banks of its beautiful lagoon is the Maya site of Yaxhá ("Green Water"). Yaxhá was the third largest Maya city in the Peten (after El Mirador & Tikal) and has an unusual layout for the region. Its twin pyramid complexes, 9 acropolis', plazas and more than 500 structures are connected by sacbés (ancient elevated roads) in a manner similar to Maya sites in the Yucatan. The views of the jungle from the 30 meter high Structure 216 are breathtaking. Then you'll take a boat trip to the nearby island ruins at Topoxte ("Ramon Tree"). Topoxte also has unusual architectural features, including columns that are much like those found at the Yucatec site of Chichen Itza.
Afternoon visit La Blanca archaeological site. It is thought that La Blanca probably served as a frontier trading post during the Late Classic period. Its location on the frontier zone between the northeastern and southeasten Petén regions and the emphasis on the palace complex, which dominates the site, suggests it was an administrative center with little evidence of religious or ceremonial activity. Overnight at Camino Real Tikal where comfort and the jungle meet on the glimmering blue waters of Lake Peten Itza, the second largest lake in Guatemala. The resort is part of the Cerro Cahui natural reserve, home to over 400 bird species. Each bungalow overlooks the lake and has magnificent views from the private balconies.
Day 3: Early morning visit Uaxactun. Uaxactun (“eight stones”) got its name from archeologist Sylvanus Morley because of an inscription he deciphered on one of the stele there. Archeologists have determined that the four major structures here were probably used for astronomical studies as they are aligned to the sunrise on equinoxes and solstices. Uaxactun is located in the 1.65 million hectare Maya Biosphere Reserve, which is part of the largest body of intact tropical forest in Central America.
Then you'll have a the remainder of the day to visit spectacular Tikal. One of the most famous and beautiful of Maya sites, Tikal’s massive and steep pyramids (one is over 200 feet high) loom above the lush jungle of the Peten where one can observe spider and howler monkeys and numerous bird specie in the towering ceiba trees. At its peak Tikal was home to an estimated 100,000 people and the site has over 3,000 structures within a six square mile area. Well preserved glyphic texts tell of a dynamic historical record spanning over 1,000 years, including a very old long-count inscription date of 292 AD. You'll also visit the Sylvanus Morley Museum. Overnight at Camino Real Tikal.
Day 4: Today you travel by land to Copan, Honduras. On the way you'll visit the Quirigua archaeological site. Quirigua is famous for having the tallest stone monument ever discovered in the Maya World and for its relationship with nearby Copan. You'll see the Plaza where a powerful king of Quirigua ritually executed a great king of Copan after capturing him in battle. Overnight Hotel Plaza Copan.
Day 5: You'll have a full day to visit beautiful Copan, with its stunning monuments and forest of "tree stones" documenting a powerful dynasty in the Classic Period of the Maya. The vast Acropolis is dotted with large, well preserved standing steles carved with incredibly intricate detail. Copan is also known for its Temple of the Hieroglyphic Stairs which has the longest Pre-Columbian text in existence with over 2,000 carved glyphs. Your visit will include the Sculpture Museum and a guided visit of the Tunnels. Overnight Hotel Plaza Copan.
Day 6: Private transfer to San Pedro Sula airport or Guatemala City airport or to Antigua for optional Highland Maya extension.
OPTIONAL HIGHLAND MAYA EXTENSION:
Day 6: Transfer to Antigua, Guatemala. Overnight Posada de Rodrigo Antigua.
Day 7: Today you visit the market at Chichicastenango, an important ritual center of the modern day Maya. You'll witness Maya religious practices firsthand at the 400 year old Church of Santo Thomás and visit the most colorful native market in all the Americas. K'iche' Maya of the surrounding region and vendors from all over Guatemala gather in “Chichi”, one of the largest trading centers in the Maya area, to buy sell and trade their wares. A wonderful mix of richly colored textiles and meticulously carved wooden ceremonial masks, the scent of copal incense and candles, the sounds of prayers and singing -- a truly unique experience. Then to Lake Atitlan. Surrounded by three towering volcanoes (Tolimán, Atitlán and San Pedro), and at an altitude of 1562 meters (4,265 feet) this spectacular lake is home to a multitude of Maya communities who live on its shores. Overnight Posada de Rodrigo Panajachel.
Day 8: Following breakfast, you embark on a boat ride across the lake to Santiago de Atitlán. Take in expansive views of the San Pedro volcano and watch the Atitlán volcano peek out from behind its shorter neighbor, Tolimán. Santiago Atitlán is the capital of the Tzutujil Maya nation, who consider it to be the navel of the Universe. It has the largest population of indigenous people of any town in Central America. Renowned weavers, the women in Santiago wear traditional headdresses made from long lengths of cloth wound repeatedly around the head, after the manner of some of the figures in Classic Maya art. Winding through the narrow streets you'll visit the parish church founded over four centuries ago where there is a remarkable combination of traditional Maya and Catholic religious practices. In the afternoon to historic UNESCO World Heritage City of Antigua with a stop at Ixmiche on the way. Ixmiche was the capital of a Late Postclassic Kaqchikel Maya kingdom from 1470-1524 AD. When the Spanish arrived in 1524 AD it was the 2nd most powerful city in the Guatemala Highlands. Overnight Posada de Rodrigo Antigua.
Day 9: Transfer to Guatemala City
airport for departure.
