Maya Sites Travel Services - 5 night Classic Maya of Tikal and Copan tour Feb. 7-12,2011

Feb. 7: 7:30 pm pick up at Flores airport and transfer to Hotel Esplendido. Overnight Hotel Esplendido on the lake across from Flores Island.

Feb. 8: You begin your day with a visit of the Maya ruins on Lake Yaxhá. On the banks of its beautiful lagoon is the Maya ruin site of Yaxhá ("Green Water"). Yaxhá was the third largest Maya city in the Peten (after El Mirador & Tikal) and has an unusual layout for the region. Its twin pyramid complexes, 9 acropolis', plazas and more than 500 structures are connected by sacbés (ancient elevated roads) in a manner more similar to Maya sites in the Yucatan. The views of the jungle from the 30 meter high Structure 216 are breathtaking. Then you'll take a boat trip to the nearby island ruins at Topoxte ("Ramon Tree"). Topoxte also has unusual architectural features, including columns that are much like those found at the Yucatec site of Chichen Itza.

In the afternoon you'll visit Uaxactun. Uaxactun (which means “eight stones”) got its name from archeologist Sylvanus Morley because of an inscription he deciphered on one of the stela there. Archeologists have determined that the four major structures there were probably used for astronomical studies as they are aligned to the sunrise on equinoxes and solstices. Uaxactun is located in the 1.65 million hectare Maya Biosphere Reserve, which is part of the largest body of intact tropical forest in Central America. Overnight at Camino Real Tikal where comfort and the jungle meet on the glimmering blue waters of Lake Peten Itza, the second largest lake in Guatemala. The resort is part of the Cerro Cahui natural reserve, home to over 400 bird species. Each bungalow overlooks the lake and has magnificent views from the private balconies.

Feb. 9: You'll have a full day to visit spectacular Tikal. One of the most famous and beautiful of Maya sites, Tikal’s massive and steep pyramids (one is over 200 feet high) loom above the lush jungle of the Peten where one can observe spider and howler monkeys and numerous bird species such as toucans, parrots and macaws in the towering ceiba trees. At its peak Tikal was home to an estimated 100,000 people and the site has over 3,000 structures within a six square mile area. Well preserved glyphic texts tell of a dynamic historical record spanning over 1,000 years, including a very old long-count inscription date of 292 AD. For your maximum enjoyment of Tikal, climb the highest pyramid, Temple 4, and get a birds-eye view of the site above the jungle canopy. You'll also visit the Sylvanus Morley Museum. Overnight at Camino Real Tikal.

Feb. 10: Today you travel by land to Copan, Honduras. On the way you'll visit the Quirigua archaeological site. Quirigua is famous for having the tallest stone monument ever discovered in the Maya World and for its relationship with nearby Copan. You'll see the Plaza where a powerful king of Quirigua ritually executed a great king of Copan after capturing him in battle. Overnight Hotel Plaza Copan on the main square of the village of Copan.

Feb. 11: You'll have a full day to visit beautiful Copan, with its stunning monuments and forest of "tree stones" documenting a powerful dynasty in the Classic Period of the Maya. The vast Acropolis is dotted with large, well preserved standing stelas carved with incredibly intricate detail. Copan is also known for its Temple of the Hieroglyphic Stairs which has the longest Precolumbian text in existence with over 2,000 carved glyphs. Your visit will include the tunnels and sculpture museum. Overnight Plaza Copan

Feb. 12: Private transfer to San Pedro Sula airport for your departing flight. Optional: Land transfer to Guatemala City (not included in tour).