5 night Classic Maya of Tikal and Copan tour March 2-7, 2012

March 2: Your journey begins with your flight into Guatemala City. From there you will take a short flight to Flores (nearest airport to Tikal) at 6:20 pm. 7:30 pm pick up at Flores airport and transfer to Hotel Esplendido. Overnight Hotel Esplendido on the lake across from Flores Island.

March 3: We begin the day at Lake Yaxhá. On the banks of its beautiful lagoon is the Maya 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 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.

Afternoon we visit La Blanca archaeological site. It is thought that La Blanca probably served as a frontier trading post during the Late Classic period. Its location on the frontier zone between the northeastern and southeasten Pet n regions and the emphasis on the palace complex, which dominates the site, suggests it was an administrative center with little evidence of religious or ceremonial activity. 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.

March 4: Early morning we visit Uaxactun. Archeologists have determined that its four major structures were probably used for astronomical studies as they are aligned to the sunrise on equinoxes and solstices. It is in the 1.65 million hectare Maya Biosphere Reserve, which is part of the largest body of intact tropical forest in Central America.

Then we'll have a the remainder of the 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 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. We'll also visit the Sylvanus Morley Museum. Overnight at Camino Real Tikal.

March 5: Today we travel by land to Copan, Honduras. On the way we'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. We'll see the Plaza where a powerful king of Quirigua ritually executed a great king of Copan after capturing him in battle. In the evening we'll enjoy an informative slide presentation from an on-site Copan archaeologist. Overnight Hotel Marina Copan.

March 6: We'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 steles carved with incredibly intricate detail. Copan is also known for its Temple of the Hieroglyphic Stairs which has the longest Pre-Columbian text in existence with over 2,000 carved glyphs. Our visit will include the Sculpture Museum and a guided visit of the Tunnels with an on-site archaeologist . Overnight Hotel Marina Copan.

March 7: Private transfer to San Pedro Sula airport or land transfer to Guatemala City for departure or Antigua for optional Highland Maya extension. Those transferring by land will make a stop in Guatemala City to visit the Museum of Ethnology & Archaeology, the Popol Vuh Museum and the Ixchel Museum of Indigenous Textiles.

OPTIONAL HIGHLAND MAYA EXTENSION:

March 7: Private transfer by land from Copan to Antigua, Guatemala. Overnight Posada de Rodrigo Antigua.

March 8: Today we visit the market at Chichicastenango, an important ritual center of the modern day Mayan . We'll witness Maya religious practices firsthand at the 400 year old Church of Santo Thom s and visit the most colorful native market in all the Americas. K'iche' Maya of the surrounding region and vendors from all over Guatemala gather in Chichi , one of the largest trading centers in the Maya world, to buy sell and trade their wares. A wonderful mix of richly colored textiles and meticulously carved wooden ceremonial masks, the scent of copal incense and candles, the sounds of prayers and singing -- a truly unique experience.

Then we travel to Lake Atitlan. Surrounded by three towering volcanoes (Tolim n, Atitl n and San Pedro), and at an altitude of 1562 meters (4,265 feet) this spectacular lake is home to a multitude of Maya communities who live on its shores. Overnight Posada de Rodrigo Panajachel.

March 9: Following breakfast, we embark on a boat ride across the lake to Santiago de Atitlán. Take in expansive views of the San Pedro volcano and watch the Atitl n volcano peek out from behind its shorter neighbor Tolim n. Santiago Atitl n is the capital of the Tzutujil Maya nation, who consider it to be the navel of the Universe. It has the largest population of indigenous people of any town in Central America. Renowned weavers, the women wear traditional headdresses made from long lengths of cloth wound repeatedly around the head, after the manner of some of the figures in Classic Maya art. Winding through the narrow streets we'll visit the parish church founded over four centuries ago where there is a remarkable combination of traditional Maya and Catholic religious practices. In the afternoon we go to historic UNESCO World Heritage City Antigua with a stop at Ixmiche archaeological site on the way. Ixmiche was the capital of a Late Postclassic Kaqchikel Maya kingdom from 1470-1524 AD. When the Spanish arrived in 1524 it was the 2nd most powerful city in the Guatemala Highlands. Overnight Posada de Rodrigo Antigua.

March 10: Transfer to Guatemala City airport for departure.