ARCHAEOLOGICAL: ANTIGUA / COPAN / QUIRIGUA/ CANCUEN / CANDELARIA CAVES/LAKE ATITLAN / MAXIMON / WOMEN WEAVING COOPERATIVE /

We are offering a unique tour to the part of Guatemala, which is the heartland of the traditional weaving, medicines and rituals of the "Living Maya" and the touch of the ancient Maya in Copan and Cancuen. Join us for a comprehensive introduction to the wonderfully diverse and beautiful country of Guatemala. 

Day 1 ARRIVAL / ANTIGUA

On your arrival to the "La Aurora" airport in Guatemala City, you will be met and taken to the colonial old capitol of Antigua. You will stay the next two nights in the Posada de Don Rodrigo (or equivalent), an historic hotel brimming with colonial atmosphere.

After settling in, you will enjoy your welcome dinner--a great start to a great trip!

ON@ Hotel Posada Don Rodrigo

Meals: Dinner (D)

Day 2 ANTIGUA

Full day tour of Antigua, a UNESCO World heritage site. You will visit the Capuchinas Convent, San Francisco church and the Casa Kojom, a museum of Mayan Music and a working coffee plantation.

Take time to visit the local markets and shops to get your first glimpse (but not your last!) at the great quality and variety of native handicraft available in Guatemala.

Optional activity: Climbing Pacaya Volcano--an active volcano and a great day hike!

ON@ Hotel Posada Don Rodrigo

Meals: BLD (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 3 ANTIGUA / COPAN RUINAS, HONDURAS

Depart from Antigua at 6:00 am, continue to the border with Honduras.   Box breakfast on the way.     Cross immigration into Honduras. Check in at your hotel in the town of Copan Ruinas at Hotel Marina de Copan.

We may opt to visit Quirigua on this day on our way to Copan.

Depending on our arrival we will take advantage of the afternoon.    We may visit the smaller yet very insightful museum of the town of Copan Ruinas, located on the town square.   Or we may also visit the museum of Rosalia, to allow an entire day tomorrow, for visiting the site of Copan and Sepulturas, the elite residential area close to the main site.

ON@ Hotel Marina de Copan

Meals: BLD

Day 4 COPAN RUINAS, HONDURAS

After breakfast, enjoy all day at the site.    Enjoy a box lunch at the entrance to the site.     Entrance fee to the site is included, as well as the tunnel tour to view the Rosalia temple underneath the Acropolis of Copan.

Time permitting you can view the Rosalia museum.    Return to your hotel when the park closes.    Enjoy a dinner at your hotel or in one of the many restaurants in the town.     Internet cafes are available.  

ON@ Hotel Marina de Copan

Meals: BLD

Day 5 COPAN RUINAS / QUIRIGUA / GUATEMALA CITY

Early departure from Copan and cross into Guatemala.   Arrive to the site of Quirigua. Take your time visiting this small but impressive site.    Marvel at the similarities in artistic style between Quirigua and Copan it's founding city.    See first hand the influence the power K'ak' Tiliw Chan Yoaat gained when he ambushed Copan's king, Waxaklajuun Ub'aah K'awill. Box lunch at the site.   Board vehicle for evening arrival to Guatemala City.

Overnight @Hotel Melia Crowne Plaza, Guatemala City.

Meals: BLD

Day 6: GUATEMALA CITY / CANDELARIA

At 7:00am depart for the town of Candelaria. (Transportation from Antigua available) Drive to the town of Cobán. In route visit to the natural reserve "Biotopo Mario Dary". Lunch at the Posada Montaña del Quetzal. Upon arrival in Cobán, we will have time to visit the new archaeological museum with a Panel from Cancuen, while we wait for our lunch in Cobán.   (Possibly we will have a box lunch.) A 2-3 hour drive on the newly paved road to the small town of Mucbilja where the eco-lodge Candelaria is located.  

Afternoon hike through walking section of Mico cave, return to eco-lodge for dinner and overnight.

These accommodations are run by the community of Mucbilja who oversee the conservation of the jungle on top and surrounding the caves. 

ON@ Campemento Candelaria

Meals: BLD

Day 7: Cobán / Cancuen

After breakfast, an early departure for Cancuen. We arrive to a small village along the Pasión River. Here we transfer by boats to the local service of transport to Cancuen, a 1 1/2 hour boat ride to arrive at the field camp of Arthur Demarest and his team from Vanderbilt and Del Valle University.   Guided by the local guides trained by the archaeologists we will visit the excavations of the Largest Palace of the Maya region yet discovered as well as the various digs throughout the site.

We will enjoy lunch at the site.   After lunch we can re-enter the site and later visit the museum and areas of work of the archaeologists.   We take our time at the site, as we will be camping with the archaeologists at the site.   

The local community, in conjunction with USAID has built nice palm structures where large tents are placed with thick foam mattresses, sheets and pillows.    They have also constructed hotel quality bathrooms, showers, and a large meeting/classroom/dining hall.

Enjoy a typical Maya dinner at the site: Kak ik, a flavorful stew of meat, potatoes, rice and aromatic Guatemalan spices with chili on the side.     You have your choice of turkey or chicken.   (The chicken meat is slightly more tender than the turkey.)

ON@ Campemento Cancuen

Meals: BLD

NOTE: During later spring usually shows a hubbub of archaeological excavations.

Day 8: CANDELARIA / GUATEMALA CITY / LAKE ATITLAN

After breakfast, we board our boat to our vehicles to transfer to Guatemala City.   Lunch in Guatemala City and continue onto Panajachel to Hotel Posada Don Rodrigo.  

ON@ Posada Don Rodrigo

Meals: BLD

Day 9:   SANTIAGO ATITLAN / MAXIMON / SAN JUAN COOPERATIVE

Early boat ride to the native village of Santiago de Atitlan. Witness the time-honored rituals of the saint Maximon. Spend the day marveling at the local handicrafts and religious ceremonies.

Following lunch you will visit San Juan, an unspoiled Maya village on the lake where a new woman's weaving cooperative is positively changing the lives and ideas of all who it touches. You will see this, and also have the chance to purchase their quality products before returning to Panajachel.

ON@ Posada Don Rodrigo

Meals: BLD

Day 10: SAN ANTONIO PALOPO / GUATEMALA CITY

Morning free before stopping at local weavers home to witness the traditional weaving on a treadle loom (Optional morning activity: lake kayaking). In the afternoon, you will be transferred to Guatemala City; here you will stay at the Melia Crowne Plaza for your final night in Guatemala.

Enjoy your farewell dinner at Kacao, one of the prettiest restaurants in Guatemala City.

ON@ Hotel Melia Crowne Plaza

Meals: BLD

Day 11: DEPART FOR HOME

Depart for home from Guatemala City Airport, where you will be assisted in checking in.

Thanks for joining us!

single supplement additional $455