|
 |
Maya Civilization Past & Present itinerary is for
those with keen interest in Maya culture. It is a
comprehensive tour of ANTIGUA – LAKE ATITLAN – CHICHI –
COFFEE FARM – COMALAPA - SANTIAGO – PETEXBATUN – CEIBAL
- AGUATECA -YAXHA - TIKAL
Optional Copan Extension:
with David Sedat, the
Field Director & head archaeologist for the Pennsylvania
Museum’s Copan Program, 3 days. |
Itinerary
Day 1, Arrival & Transfer to Antigua
On arrival at Guatemala City guests are met by our
bi-lingual driver for their transfer to Antigua (1hour)
Antigua 3N.
Day 2, Architecture & History Tour (B)
Guests will take a half day tour of Antigua. tour takes in
the main square, palace, Cathedral, La Merced Church,
Capuchinas Convento, St Clara & San Francsico Church. All
entrances are included. Free afternoon.
Day 3, Azotea Coffee Farm, Maya Traditions Museum (B)
Guests visit the local woodcarvers in Jocotenango & then the
fabulous Azotea Coffee Farm & Maya Traditions Museums
covering traditional music, costume & traditions. Free
afternoon.
Day 4, Lake Atitlan via Comalapa Market (B,L)
Guests will be transferred to visit the colorful authentic
market at Comalpa and enjoy a tour of the market and famous
local primitive painting galleries & town mural. Transfer on
to Lake Atitlan. (3hr) rest of the afternoon free. Lake
Atitlan 2N
Day 5, Lake Tour & Visit to Santiago (B,L)
This morning guests will take a scenic boat ride across Lake
Atitlan to the village of Santiago where they have lunch in
a local hotel and tour the village visiting the Maya God
Maximon and learn about the spiritualism and beliefs of the
T’zutujil Maya.
Day 6, Chichicastenango Market (B)
Today guests transfer approx. 1hr to the famous market at
Chichicastenango. Time for shopping and an opportunity to
see Maya rituals being performed in the Catholic
Church.Transfer on to Antigua for a final night in this
beautiful City. Antigua 1N.
Day 7, Petexbatun Lake, Ceibal Site (B,L,D)
Take a scheduled flight to Flores in the northern rainforest
& transfer to Sayaxche (1.5hr) and then board a local boat
for a picturesque river journey down the La Pasion river to
the site at Ceibal. After a pretty steep climb up to the
site through a Ceiba tree forest your guide will provide you
with the latest findings and conclusions about this site
which contains some of the most ornate & well preserved
carved stelae. When you are ready continue by river to your
rainforest lodge on the shores of Lake Petexbatun. Chiminos
Island Lodge 1N.
Day 8, Aguateca (B,L)
After breakfast, transfer with your guide by boat to the
lesser visited yet unique site at Aguateca. This is site is
unusual in that it contains the only known bridge formed in
Maya civilization and is surrounded by a natural moat
fortification formed by a fault line. Guests can explore the
natural fault as well as a small selection of restored
monuments and some intricate carvings. After lunch guests
transfer back to Flores area by boat & land. Tikal Area 2N
Day 9, Yaxha (B,L)
Today guests explore the atmospheric lakeside site of Yaxha
with wonderful views over the rainforest canopy from atop
the main temples.
Day 10, Tikal (B,L)
Today guests explore the amazing Mayan Temple site at Tikal
where huge Mayan temples rise above the jungle canopy and
monkeys and tropical birds are abundant in the surrounding
rainforest. After lunch guests will fly back to Guatemala
City and transfer to their hotel. Guate City 1N
Day 11, Transfer Out (B)
This morning our driver will transfer guests to the airport
in plenty of time to catch their international flight
onwards
 tours@footloosetravelguides.com
Optional Copan Extension:
for the Maya Civilization Past and Present itinerary would
be as followed:
Day 6: Transfer to Copan. In the afternoon visiting the Bird
Park. Having dinner at the house of the famous
archaeologist, David Sedat, where he will give a
presentation about his work for the University of
Pennsylvania Museum at Copan which covers the amazing
discoveries of the royal tombs that most visitors of Copan
never know about. Overnight Hacienda San Lucas
Day 7: Visit the ruins of Copan & Los Sapos Site. Lunch in
Copan Town. Overnight at Hacienda San Lucas
Day 8: Transfer to Rio Dulce via Quirigua. From here the
normal itinerary continues
David Sedat has been the Field Director & head archaeologist
for the Pennsylvania Museum’s Copan Program for 16 years and
before that at Quirigua in Guatemala.
|
