Guatemala: Details
& Itinerary
14-Day (13 nights) Fully-Escorted Tour out of Vancouver, B.C.
Land Package: Monday, January 12, to Sunday, January 25, 2009
Land only: $2,100 U.S. will differ a little depending on whether
you take the Yucatan extension.
All-inclusive except lunches (but includes lunches at Chichi and Tikal)
A commitment and deposit is required by August 1, 2008 in order to secure the hotels.
If taking the 4.5-day Yucatan extension, the return date would be
Thursday, January 29 2009.
Guatemala is indeed an amazingly diverse country — very scenic with
mountains, volcanoes, lakes and tropical jungle, and where the native
Indians all wear their colourful costumes. Our tour includes market days
in their villages to take advantage of seeing and meeting them; staying on
the very different Caribbean coast of Guatemala; two exciting boat trips;
visiting the famous ruins of Tikal, the nearby new site of Yaxhá, and
also Copan in Honduras.
The tour is led by Margaret Rodgers
together with a very expert Guatemalan English/Spanish-speaking guide.
Included in the price:
- Airport transfers for those arriving and leaving with the group
- Accommodation and transportation (up to 35-seater coach) for tour
length
- All breakfasts and dinners, including coffee or tea with all hotel
dinners
- Admission to all attractions
- Porterage - one bag per person in and out of hotels
- Escort throughout
Not included:
- Airfare and related taxes
- All Insurance
- Personal requirements, laundry
- Alcoholic beverages
- Gratuities for driver and escort/guide
Day 1 (Monday)
Arrive Guatemala City via Continental or American Airlines.
Transfer to Antigua.
First of 3 nights, Hotel - Villa Colonial, Antigua
Day 2 (Tuesday)
Depart 9:00 a.m. for a morning tour of Antigua, one of the
oldest colonial cities in all of the Americas. Surrounded by volcanoes,
Antigua's colonial buildings have survived many earthquakes, floods and
fires. "Exploring Antigua Guatemala is like stepping back in
time ... cobbled stone streets, sprays of bougainvillea bursting from
crumbling ruins, pastel façades under terracotta roofs, parks with
fountains ... amidst a dramatic setting surrounded by three volcanoes,
Agua, Fuego and Acatenango." These are some of the reasons why
Antigua was declared by UNESCO to be one of the most beautiful colonial
cities in the Americas - a "Cultural Heritage of Humankind".
Antigua was founded on 1543 as the original capital of Guatemala, and
flourished during the 17th and 18th centuries. Unfortunately, an
earthquake destroyed it in 1773 and the capital was transferred to its
present location. Present-day Antigua's focal point is the lovely Parque
Central, surrounded by the Cathedral, the Captain-Generals Palace, the
City Hall and the Portal de las Panaderas. Another famous landmark is the
Santa Catarina Arch and La Merced Church and Convent, a wonderful example
of baroque art in Antigua. We leave you at the fascinating Jade Factory
from where the rest of the afternoon is free to explore this
delightful town.
Second of 3 nights in Antigua. Dinner, Bed and Breakfast
Day 3 (Wednesday)
Depart 9:00 a.m. for another morning tour to visit a Macadamia Nut Farm
and tour a Coffee Plantation. After lunch, we will walk to the Artisans'
Market, and the rest of the afternoon is free to further
explore Antigua.
Last of 3 nights in Antigua. Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
Day 4 (Thursday)
An early start for Chichicastenango, stopping for breakfast en
route at a restaurant famed for its hot chocolate! The town of Chichicastenango
is where the "Popol Vuh", the sacred book of the Maya-Quiché,
was found. After a short tour to point out the places of most interest,
most of the morning is free time to enjoy the market in Chichi,
which is one of the largest, most colourful, and picturesque outdoor
markets in Guatemala - also aimed at tourists! Every Thursday and Sunday
natives dressed in their local attires come from different regions to buy
and sell fruits, vegetables, flowers, grains, animals, textiles, and
handicrafts. Here you can buy some marvellous crafts, particularly
textiles and wooden masks. With its narrow cobbled streets and red-tiled
roofs, Chichi is a magical place where Catholic and pagan beliefs are
practised side by side in the 400-year old Church of Santo Tomás.
Catholic and pre-Hispanic rituals blend in an almost perfect symbiosis in
this church where Maya descendants worship with intense devotion.
At 12 noon we meet in the Hotel Santo Tomás to continue for lunch at
the house of a local family and have the opportunity to interact and taste
a typical Guatemalan plate. Afterwards continue our journey to Quetzaltenango,
known as Xela (Shayla), Guatemala's second largest city, at 2,335
metres high, surrounded by beautiful volcanic countryside. In this part of
the Guatemalan highlands all villagers wear their native costumes. The
rest of the afternoon is free to explore Quetzaltenango.
First of 2 nights, Hotel - Pension Bonifaz, Quezeltenango.
Lunch, dinner, bed & breakfast
Day 5 (Friday)
Early morning start to San Francisco El Alto Market, the
highland village market in Guatemala where Indians from all the
surrounding villages come to shop and exchange goods. This market is
considered the largest market in the country - where you see the typical
life, not geared towards the tourist. Afternoon tour to some of
Guatemala's most interesting villages, including a visit in Salcajá
to the Church of San Jacinto which dates from 1524, the first Christian
church in Central America; and San Andrés Xecul, a small town home
to a stunning church with yellow façade and technicoloured saints,
angels, flowers, tigers and monkeys. Back in Xela you will have either free
time or the opportunity to learn the traditional backstrap loom weaving techniques
used by indigenous people, in a workshop at a local textile cooperative.
Last of 3 nights in Quezeltenango. Dinner, Bed and Breakfast
Day 6 (Saturday)
We visit Zunil, another of Guatemala's prettiest and most
colourful villages located in a lush valley framed by steep hills and
dominated by a towering volcano, with an amazing cemetery; and Almolonga, an indigenous
agricultural and market town in which we'll see local crafts and gorgeous
vegetables during market day. We then head onto Cantel for a visit
to a local cooperative run by the community in which the artisans produce
glass products in an old fashioned way.
Then we have a wonderful drive through very diverse countryside to our
lovely hotel in Santa Catarina Palopó, near Panajachel, (Panahachel)
a tourist village on the shores of lovely Lake Atitlán, considered
one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. The lake was formed by a
caldera (collapsed volcanic cone) and is surrounded by three impressive
volcanoes (San Pedro, Atitlán and Tolimán). After checking into our
hotel, the rest of the afternoon is free to enjoy the pool.
First of 2 nights: Hotel - Villa Santa Catarina. Dinner,
Bed & Breakfast
Day 7 (Sunday)
Depart 8:30 a.m. for a 9:00 a.m. boat cruise across Lake Atitlan to
visit the Maya-Tzutuhil village of Santiago Atitlán, famous for Maximón,
a character that is widely worshiped by the inhabitants of Santiago. On
return, lunch is in a lovely restaurant in the resort of Panajachel, and
chance to wander a little before we return to our hotel to relax for the
rest of the afternoon (by popular demand from the last group!).
Last of 2 nights: Hotel - Villa Santa Catarina.
Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
Day 8 (Monday)
Depart 8:30 a.m. back to Antigua with a stop for more of that delicious
hot chocolate! We visit the gorgeous 5-star Hotel Santa Domingo, built on
the ruins of an old convent destroyed by the earthquake of 1773 with the
magnificent museum on the site. The rest of the day is free
to relax and enjoy Antigua and explore the many picturesque courtyards
surrounded with flowers, shops, art galleries, craft shops, etc.
Overnight: Hotel - Posada Don Rodrigo, Antigua. Dinner,
Bed & Breakfast
Day 9 (Tuesday)
An early start to drive to Honduras, to check into our truly
gorgeous hotel in Copan. After arrival we visit the famous and extensive
archaeological site of the Copán Ruinas where we will be able to
fully appreciate Mayan art and culture.
Overnight: Hotel - Marina Copan, Copan, Honduras. Dinner,
Bed & Breakfast
Day 10 (Wednesday)
Free time in the morning to explore this picturesque
little town so close to the ruins before we set off to visit the very
different archeological site of Quiriguá, famed for its giant
intricately carved stelae (stones), similar but larger than those in
Copán. Quiriguá is a unique site surrounded by the largest banana
plantation in Central America. Declared by UNESCO to be another "Cultural
Heritage of Humankind," Quiriguá is famous for having the
tallest stone-carved stelae in the Mayan World.
We continue to Puerto Barrios on the Caribbean with its
wood-framed houses, and take a boat to our gorgeous hotel in the tropical,
brightly-painted town of Livingston whose economy is based on
fishing, and whose only access is by boat. It is also the only town in
Guatemala where the African Caribbean Culture has survived with all its
traditions since the first settlers came at the end of the 15th Century:
today it is a peaceful, colourful and relaxed town.
Overnight: Hotel - Villa Caribe, Livingston. Dinner,
Bed & Breakfast
Day 11 (Thursday)
Our River trip - a fabulous cruise up the Río Dulce (Sweet
River) stopping for a chance to bathe in the hot springs. Then we order
lunch at a lakeside restaurant before visiting Castillo de San Felipe,
the ruins of a fortress built in 1652 to keep pirates from looting the
villages. In the early 16th century the commercial activity between
Guatemala and Spain flourished throughout the former Golfo Dulce, and this
fortress was built to protect the merchandise from the pirates of the Gulf
of Mexico. Lunch is now ready, after which we have time to enjoy the pool
at our lovely resort on the river
Overnight: Hotel - Hotel Catamaran, Rio Dulce. Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
Day 12 (Friday)
Depart 8:30 a.m. through Guatemala's vast north-eastern jungle area of El
Petén to Flores, built on a small island on Lake Petén Itzá.
An afternoon visit to the relatively recently-discovered ruins of Yaxhá,
in the lush tropical forest near to Tikal. The archaeological site
of Yaxhá ("Turquoise Water") is a very large
Classic Mayan Ceremonial site, settled on a hill overlooking the beautiful
Yaxhá Lagoon and Sacnab Lagoon.
Overnight: Hotel - Villa Maya, Flores. Dinner, Bed
& Breakfast
Day 13 (Saturday)
Depart at 8:30 a.m. for the magnificent Mayan ruins of Tikal.
The Northern part of Guatemala, Petén, was the birthplace of the great
Mayan Civilization. The region witnessed the rise and fall of this ancient
culture that was a very advanced stratified society which lived
harmoniously with nature. The Maya were excellent astronomers and
mathematicians and developed a complex hieroglyphic scripture. They were
also very skilled in arts, stone carving and architecture, and established
a vast commercial net-work from the North of Mexico to Costa Rica. The
fall and collapse of this great civilization is still a true enigma.
The majestic city of Tikal, considered the largest and most
monumental of all sites discovered in the Mayan World, was declared by
UNESCO as a "World Heritage Site". Enjoy a guided walking
tour to visit the most important plazas, complexes, temples, ball courts,
palaces and stelae. Also enjoy the tropical forest, nesting place of
hundreds of exotic birds and the habitat of a wide variety of wildlife. A
picnic lunch at the ruins is included.
After a full day at Tikal, in the late afternoon those who are not
going on to the Yucatan fly back to Guatemala City.
Overnight: Hotel - Guatemala City Marriott. Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
Day 14 (Sunday)
Depart approx. 7.45 a.m. from Guatemala Airport for Vancouver.
OPTIONAL - FOUR-AND-A-HALF ADDITIONAL DAYS IN THE YUCATAN
Alternative Day 13 (Saturday)
Full day at Tikal, as per Guatemala itinerary above. The rest of the
afternoon is free to enjoy the hotel, pool, walks around the
lake, etc.
Second of 2 nights: Hotel - Villa Maya, Flores.
Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
Day 14 (Sunday)
11:30 a.m. we fly from Flores to Cancun on the Yucatan Peninsula,
arriving at approx.13.10 to drive along the Riviera Maya to the unique
ruins of Tulum, known as the "City of the Dawn",
constructed on the rim of Yucatan's cliff coast above the turquoise waters
of the Caribbean. First settled in the 4th century, by the time the
Spanish arrived in the 16th century it was the western hemisphere's
longest continuously-occupied city.
Overnight: Hotel - Los Lirios Beach-front Resort, Tulum.
Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
Day 15 (Monday)
Depart 8:00 a.m. to view Coba, the oldest Mayan city on the Yucatan
Peninsula, en route for Chichen-Itza, the Yucatan's most extensive
and impressive ruin. Its Mayan name, "Mouth of the Well,"
implies that the earliest inhabitants, from 2000 BC, settled here because
of the freshwater sources. En route, we stop for lunch and a possible swim
at cenote Ik-ll. The Yucatan is comprised of a porous limestone
shelf with no surface water. All rivers are underground, often forming
huge pools (cenotes), with wonderful stalagmite and stalactite
formations in many huge caverns. As our hotel is next to the ruins, we can
return in the evening for the spectacular Sound and Light Show.
Overnight: Hotel - Mayaland Hotel, Chitchen-Itza.
Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
Day 16 (Tuesday)
Depart 8:00 a.m. for Uxmal, the most spectacular archaeological
site of the region, the most striking ruin of which is the Pyramid of the
Magician supposedly built in one night by a dwarf-magician! En route to Merida
we stop at the typical Yucatecan small town of Muna with its
thatched-roof dwellings and mud ovens. We continue to Merida and have a
short orientation walk.
First of 2 nights: Hotel - Hotel Colon, Merida.
Bed & Breakfast
Day 17 (Wednesday)
Depart 9:00 a.m. for the ruins of Dzibilchaltun (15 km) and
visit the best and most comprehensive Museum of the Mayan people in
the Yucatan. Afterwards we visit Xlacah (Ish-la-cah) cenote
where you will have chance for a swim in the warm turquoise-blue water.
We return to Merida, which was founded in 1542 and is still
called the "white city" because of the white dresses originally
worn by the women. We will visit the most important places in the city
where you can still see the influence of Spanish architecture and a
mixture of many civilizations, especially Moorish and French. The main
street, Paseo Montejo, was inspired by the Champs-Elysees in Paris,
at one end of which is the Monumento a la Patria, a magnificent
stone carving of major figures from Mexican history. The rest of the day
is free to enjoy Merida.
Last of 2 nights in Merida. Bed & Breakfast
Day 18 (Thursday)
Depart for Merida Airport to Houston, Texas, and connection to
Vancouver, or Dallas/Fort Worth to Vancouver, or using Mexicana via Mexico
City (depends on airline we will use).
Price is on request and depending on the number of people
attending the trip - approx. $800 U.S. for min. 10 people. Please contact
me if you are the interested in this most fascinating tour of Mexico's
Yucatan Peninsula.
Prices include:
- 4 x nights in hotels including 10-15% VAT and 2% room tax
- 4 x daily breakfasts
- 2 x Dinner in hotels on Days 14 & 15, including tax and service
(all dinners in the Merida hotel can be included, if you wish, at an
additional cost of $31)
- Tips to porters and chamber maids at hotels with a minimum of 8
people
- Entrance fees according to the itinerary
- English-speaking guide from Day 14 to 17, and English-speaking
assistance for transfer out of Merida on Day 18
- Tips to porters at airport upon arrival and departure
- Modern transportation for transfers, excursions and round trip
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