Collette > Glory and Ruins of the Maya Culture

Glory and Ruins of the Maya Culture
11 Days starting from $1,749

Countries Visited:
Guatemala, Honduras

 

Length: 11 Days
Type: First Class Tour
Category: South and Central America
Operator: Collette
Tour Code: 3503
   
 
 
 
About This Tour


Highlights include Archaeology Museum, Copán Ruins, Coffee Plantation, Quirigua, Banana Plantation, Rio Dulce, Tikal Ruins, Chichicastenango Indian Market, Lake Atitlán Cruise, Antigua, Jade Museum and more.
 
  • What's Included
  • Itinerary
  • Dates & Prices
  • Sightseeing
  • Details

Enjoy the services of a professional tour manager who accompanies you throughout your trip.

Private transportation via a deluxe, climate-controlled motorcoach

Meals: 10 Breakfast(s), 2 Lunches, 7 Dinner(s)

Hotel Accommodations:
Rooms with private bath or shower, hotel taxes, porterage, tips, and service charges
GUATEMALA CITYHotel Princess
COPANHotel Marina Copan
RIO DULCEHotel Catamaran Island<
LAKE ATILANHotel Atitlan
ANTIGUAPorta Hotel Antigua

On some dates alternate hotels may be used.

Complimentary hotel-to-hotel baggage handling.
Day 1
Guatemala City, Guatemala - Tour Begins
Thousands of years ago, an ancient civilization made its presence known in a place of breathtaking beauty. When you enter this place – the land of the Maya – you’ll embark on a journey that takes you back in time and immerses you in the compelling story and rich culture of a long and treasured history. Earliest evidence of the Mayas traces back to nearly 2600 BC. Their civilization was comprised of astronomers, mathematicians, philosophers, artists, architects and warriors who developed writing (using glyphs), calendars, ceremonial temples and hierarchical societies ruled by kings and noblemen.

Day 2
Guatemala City - Copán, Honduras
Begin your exploration of the Maya culture during a visit to Guatemala’s Archaeology Museum where you’ll delve into their history and wonder at some of the priceless artifacts that have been excavated over the years. Later, as you descend from the highlands, the breathtaking scenery of Guatemala’s central valley encompasses you. This gorgeous drive will enchant you as you pass by small Indian villages that have preserved their Mayan identity and culture. Lush pine forests, picturesque lakes and hand-tilled crops grace hillside terraces. This road takes you to Copán, a city in western Honduras, boasting some of the best preserved ruins of the Mayan world which have been long protected by the jungle in a remote mountain valley.

Day 3
Copán
Begin your day with a visit to the “Athens of the Mayan world”, the Copán Ruins. The famous, pre-Columbian ruins – a UNESCO Cultural Heritage of Humankind site – showcase artistic sculptures with detailed carvings and well-preserved stone columns called stelae. Explore the Ballcourt, the second largest in Central America, as well as The Great Plaza where altars and carved stelae represent powerful Mayan rulers from AD 711 to 736. Nearby, the famous Hieroglyphic Stairway still stands, its 63 steps which feature 2,500 glyphs (symbols) carved into the stone, transforming the pyramid’s ascension into the Mayans’ longest historical record listing dates and names of the city''s Classic Period rulers. Some free time gives you the opportunity to explore the town of Copán Ruinas, strolling along its cobblestone streets and taking in its quaint colonial charm. In the late afternoon, enjoy a visit to Finca Santa Isabel for an interesting tour of a coffee plantation, followed by dinner in a lush rainforest setting.

Day 4
Copán - Quirigua, Guatemala - Rio Dulce
This morning you return to Guatemala where you’ll visit Quirigua, another UNESCO Cultural Heritage of Humankind site. Marvel at the largest stone columns in the Maya world; these magnificent sandstone stelae stand at 26 feet and 6 inches in height and weigh nearly 65 tons! Well-preserved portraits and texts on the stelae tell the fascinating story of a ruling dynasty once in competition with nearby Copán. Later, visit a banana plantation and discover the history, cultivation and processing of the banana. Your day ends in the charming lakeside town of Rio Dulce where your accommodations rest on the river’s edge.

Day 5
Rio Dulce - Petenchel (Tikal area)
Your day begins with a boat ride to Castillo de San Felipe, a fort built to protect the 16th century trade from pirates. Enjoy a leisurely paced tour of the enchanting San Felipe Castle before traveling to northern Guatemala, the birthplace of the great Maya civilization. With excellent astronomers and mathematicians among them, the Maya civilization developed a complex hieroglyphic scripture. They were also very adept in art, stone carving and architecture. Skilled Mayan weavers and potters established a vast commercial network from the north of Mexico to Costa Rica. The eventual fall and collapse of such a talented and driven civilization still puzzles many. Enjoy a two night villa-style resort stay in a tropical jungle setting.

Day 6
Tikal National Park
Today’s journey takes you to Tikal National Park, a UNESCO Cultural Heritage of Humankind site. This majestic Mayan city, considered the largest and most monumental of all of the sites discovered in the Mayan world, showcases temple-pyramids that tower over the rainforest canopy and were built from hand-cut limestone blocks. Surrounded by jungle flora and fauna, you’ll enjoy nature at its finest during a guided walking tour featuring the Great Plaza, the Temple of Jaguar, Temple II and Plaza of the Seven Temples. The remainder of your day is at leisure for a nature trail walk, bird watching or simply unwinding by the pool.

Day 7
Guatemala City - Chichicastenango - Lake Atitlán
This morning fly to Guatemala City. Next, travel to Chichicastenango, a lovely town named by the Spanish conquistadors and known for its Maya Indian culture. Here, visit the most vibrant, colorful and picturesque outdoor market* in Guatemala. Every Thursday and Sunday locals from the region gather to buy and sell fruit, vegetables, flowers, grains, animals, textiles and handicrafts. Visit the Santo Tomás Church where today the Maya-Quiché still pray to their gods according to the old Maya traditions - to “ensure the sun will cross the sky, and the seasons are going to change.” Later, continue to one of the most beautiful lakes in the world, Lake Atitlán, surrounded by breathtaking vistas of volcanoes.

Day 8
Lake Atitlán - Santiago Atitlán
Lake Atitlán was formed by a caldera (volcanic eruption) and is surrounded by three impressive volcanoes (San Pedro, Atitlán and Tolimán) and 12 picturesque Maya villages. Depart in the morning by boat to the Maya-Tzutuhil village of Santiago Atitlán, famous for Maximón, a character that is widely worshipped by the inhabitants of Santiago Atitlán. Enjoy free time to explore Santiago Atitlán and mingle with the locals who are known for their variety of handicrafts, colorful textiles, woodcarvings and naïf paintings. Later, enjoy lunch in Panajachel and relax by the lake’s shore. Or perhaps you’d like to explore the main street bustling with the interesting sights and sounds of a native village.

Day 9
Lake Atitlán - Antigua
Travel along beautiful country roads to a local macadamia plantation. Then, visit the Mesoamerican Museum of Jade and learn about the historic importance of jade, considered the most precious treasure and highest symbol of wealth in ancient Mesoamerican cultures. In the mid-afternoon check into your hotel in Antigua, a captivating Colonial town sure to mesmerize you. During Colonial times, Antigua was Central America’s political, economic and religious center. Today it preserves the splendor of what was once one of the three most important Spanish colonies on the South American continent.

Day 10
Antigua
Antigua, a UNESCO Cultural Heritage of Humankind site, highlights unique customs and traditions of the Maya and Spanish. Visiting this charming town is like stepping back in time. Cobblestone streets, sprays of bougainvillea bursting from crumbling ruins, pastel façades under terracotta roofs, parks with fountains and a dramatic setting surrounded by three volcanoes make Antigua one of the most beautiful Colonial cities in the Americas. A walking tour of Antigua begins with a visit to Casa de Artes for a private demonstration of local handicrafts. Continue to Plaza de Armas where you’ll see the monuments early settlers created to honor their heritage. Then, visit the 18th century cathedral and the ornate façade of La Merced Church. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure to explore Antigua’s many hidden treasures. This evening, join your fellow travelers for a delightful farewell dinner at a local restaurant celebrating the end of a memorable trip to Guatemala, “land of the eternal spring,” and Honduras.

Day 11
Antigua -Tour Ends
Your exploration of the world of the Maya ends today in Antigua. The Mayas were an amazing civilization and it’s been an amazing journey! Thank you for sharing it with us!


To speak to one of our live, experienced travel consultants, Call us now at 1-800-942-3301.

Airfare Disclaimer
A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link.

Documents
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.
         
Touring Date
Land Only
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Single
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12/1/2008 - 12/12/2008
$1,799
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2/16/2009 - 2/27/2009
$1,799
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3/9/2009 - 3/20/2009
$1,799
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4/20/2009 - 5/1/2009
$1,749
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Package Notes: Hotel check-in on your day of arrival is 3:00 PM. Rooms may not be available prior to that time.
*Chichicastenango's outdoor market is open on Thursday and Sunday only. Museums are closed on Monday.
Smaller buses, which may not be lavatory equipped, may be used on this program. In this case, frequent stops are made during travel periods.
The days and order of sightseeing may change to best utilize your time on tour.
The internal flights on this program are not included in the land price of your vacation. These flights need to be arranged and purchased separately if you arrange your own air. Internal flights are included with the air portion of your vacation if you purchase air through Collette Vacations.
Collette air passengers will depart from Antigua for the Guatemala City airport and all Collette transfers will depart from that airport.
Due to flight schedules, in order to arrive on Day 1, some passengers may require a pre-night (at an additional cost) or red-eye flight the night prior.
Visit 4 UNESCO World Heritage sites: Copán, Quirigua, Tikal and Antigua.

Cruise Lake Atitlán, considered by many to be the closest thing to Eden on earth.

Visit coffee and banana plantations and learn about the cultivation and processing methods plus their importance to the local economy.

Mingle with the locals at Central America’s largest and most colorful clothing and crafts outdoor market.

Visit Guatemala’s Archaeology Museum filled with priceless Maya artifacts.
Package Notes: Hotel check-in on your day of arrival is 3:00 PM. Rooms may not be available prior to that time.
*Chichicastenango's outdoor market is open on Thursday and Sunday only. Museums are closed on Monday.
Smaller buses, which may not be lavatory equipped, may be used on this program. In this case, frequent stops are made during travel periods.
The days and order of sightseeing may change to best utilize your time on tour.
The internal flights on this program are not included in the land price of your vacation. These flights need to be arranged and purchased separately if you arrange your own air. Internal flights are included with the air portion of your vacation if you purchase air through Collette Vacations.
Collette air passengers will depart from Antigua for the Guatemala City airport and all Collette transfers will depart from that airport.
Due to flight schedules, in order to arrive on Day 1, some passengers may require a pre-night (at an additional cost) or red-eye flight the night prior.
   
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