Discover Guatemala

Guatemala is a magical place bursting with color, breathtaking natural beauty, and Mayan culture. We will visit 2 of the largest and most beautiful of the classical Maya cities, as well as more remote sites in order to experience the breadth of the ancient Maya. In the highlands, we will enjoy the perpetual Spring weather and natural beauty of volcanic lakes while visiting colonial towns and small villages to see the Maya of today, many still living their traditions.

Day 1:	Fly to Guatemala City, capital of Guatemala. After settling into our hotel, we will have a walking tour of the historic district, including the main square, governor's palace, and cathedral. Overnight in Guatemala City
Day 2:	Descend from the mountains to the tropical rainforest along the PanAmerican highway to Copan, Honduras. We will stay in the quaint village of Copan Ruinas with cobblestone streets, markets and museums.
Day 3:	Visit the World Heritage site of Copan, one of the most beautiful of the classic Maya cities. It reigned supreme for most of the classical period spanning the 5th to 9th century CE. The heiroglyphic stairway on the main pyramids was instrumental in cracking the meaning of Maya glyphs. Overnight in Copan Ruinas.
Day 4:	Explore another World Heritage site, the ruins of Quirigua, a rival city of Copan with massive stelae and zoomorphic carvings. Continue to Puerto Barrios, where we will take a boat to Livingston, a coastal town with an unusual mix of Garifuna, Afro-Carribean,Maya, and Landino cultures. Overnight in Livingston.
Day 5:	Return by boat down the Rio Dulce to Lago Izabel, the larget lake in Guatemala. Along the way we will see people fishing in small traditional wooden canoes and thatched roofed houses on stilts. Continue by land to Flores which is situated on Lake Peten in the Northern plains region of Guatemala. Overnight in Flores.
Day 6:	Explore the less visited site Maya site of Yaxha which was a rival of the grand city of Tikal. Enjoy the grand vistas of the lakes and jungle from the top of the restored pyramid. The only way to get to the ruins of Topoxte is by boat. Experience the tranquility of this small site. Overnight in Flores
Day 7:	Visit Tikal, another UNESCO World Heritage site. Tikal is one of the largest of the archaeological urban centers of the Maya empire and one of the most iconic. They traded with cities as far away as Teotihuacan near present day Mexico City. If desired, climb to the top of the towering pyramids. Overnight in Flores
Day 8:	Drive to the World Heritage site of Antigua, one of the oldest and most beautiful colonial cities in the Americas, found nestled between three magnificent volcanoes. Overnight in Antigua.
Day 9:	Walking tour of Antigua, including a visit to the Church and Convent of Capuchins, Le Merced and the Cathedral de San Jose. Afterwards, enjoy the a free afternoon to rest or explore on your own. Overnight in Antigua
Day 10:	Take a boat ride across Lake Atitlan to Santiago Atitlan, where the traditional lifestyle of the Tz'utujil Maya is still prevalent. Learn about the cult of Maximon to whom they offer liquor and tobacco. Overnight in Panajachel.
Day 11:	Experience the colorful traditional market day in Chichicastenango, where villagers from the region come to sell their wares. Overnight in Panajachel.
Day 12:	Drive back to Guatemala City for an afternoon flight back to the States.