HIGHLIGHTS OF GUATEMALA WITH COPAN
A cultural tour of Guatemala & Honduras

A journey in Guatemala takes one from the lush vegetation of the warm low lands zone to the cold of the pine forests.  A small country with richness that goes beyond its size, Guatemala a country with intense archaeology, adventure, colonial and contemporary architecture, folklore, nature and lovely friendly people. This is a 12-day cultural journey of this unique Central American country plus a taste of Honduras.

Day 01: Arrive Guatemala City / Antigua (Drive)
Upon arrival at Guatemala City airport you will be met by our local representative and an accompanying guide and transferred to the beautiful city of Antigua.  Approximately one hour drive, unguided.
Overnight: Panza Verde, Antigua (2 nights)

Day 02: Antigua
Antigua is a stunningly beautiful and elegant colonial town with cobblestone streets, tranquil parks and numerous palaces and cathedrals.  Morning tour includes visit to the main square, palace, cathedral, La Merced Church, Capuchinas Convento, St. Clara & San Francisco. (B)

Day 03: Antigua / Lake Atitlan (Drive)
A visit to the local woodcarvers in the village of Jocotenango is planned.  Next stop is the fabulous Azotea Coffee Farm and the Maya Traditions Museums.  In the afternoon, we depart deeper into the highlands to Lake Atitlan, referred to by many as “the most beautiful lake in the world”.  It is indeed an amazing setting with the crystal blue waters of the lake surrounded by the three lofty peaks of Toliman, San Pedro and Atitlan Volcanoes at 3,535m.
Overnight:  Hotel Atitlan, Lake Atitlan (2 nights) (B)

Day 04: Lake Atitlan
Today we take a scenic boat ride across Lake Atitlan to the village of San Juan La Laguna, where we can visit the women’s textile cooperative to see hand weaving and natural dye process.  Also, here, we will be visiting the studios / homes of the celebrated native painters.  Continue to the village of Santiago, where lunch will be served then a tour of the village to visit the Maya God Maximon and learn about the spiritualism and beliefs of the T’zutujil Maya. (B, L)

Day 05:  Atitlan / Antigua (Drive)
This morning we head out for 1 hour drive to visit the famous market at Chichi, unguided.  It’s time for shopping in this fabulous craft market and an opportunity to see Maya rituals being performed in the Catholic Church before transferring on to Antigua.
Overnight: Panza Verde, Antigua (1 night) (B, L)

Day 06: Antigua / Copan (Drive)
We will be crossing the border with Honduras to a pretty colonial village of Copan ruinas, which is approximately 5 hours drive, unguided.  The rest of the day is free to relax.
Overnight: Hotel Hacienda San Lucas, Copan (2 nights) (B)

Day 07: Copan
The guide will meet with us at the hotel’s lobby and transfer us to the Maya Site of Copan, where wewill enjoy a guided tour of Copan Ruins with its famous hieroglyphic staircase, ball court and tunnels.  Lunch will be arranged in the tropical bird park where we can also visit the facility looking after rescued tropical birds & working to educate people about conservation. (B, L)

Day 08: Copan / Rio Dulce (Drive/Boat)
Return back to Guatemala through the central desert region to the lush tropical area at Rio Dulce, which is approximately 5 hours driver, unguided.  A visit will also be made at the beautiful, UNESCO protected small Mayan Temple sitet at Quirigua along the way.  Once at Rio Dulce you will board a boat for a scenic trip along Rio Dulce to our riverside Hotel.
Overnight: Hotel Villa Caribe, Rio Dulce (1 night) (B)

Day 09: Rio Dulce / Tikal (Drive)
This morning a guided tour starts with a cruise on the Rio Dulce River through the central canyon and down to the Garifuna town of Livingston on the Coast.  Explore  Livingston and then journey back downriver to hopefully get a glimpse of the elusive Manatee.  Once back at Rio Dulce then we will be transferred to the Tikal area.
Overnight: Hotel Camino Real, Tikal (2 nights) (B)

Day 10: Tikal
We enjoy a free morning to relax.  In the afternoon we take in a guided tour to Yaxha National Park to explore this atmospheric lakeside site ending with refreshments & wonderful views at sunset over the rainforest canopy from atop the main temples. (B)

Day 11: Tikal / Guatemala City (Flight)
Today we visit the famous site of Tikal with our guide.  Set in the protected rainforest this is an amazing climax to any trip to Guatemala.  Huge temples rise out of the rainforest and monkeys and exotic birds complement the scene.  Construction of Tikal began around 300 BC, although its most important époque was between 200 – 900 AD in what is called the Classic Period of the Mayan civilization when it was an important commercial city. The temples at Tikal were built to reach the sky with the Temple of the Serpent reaching 70m/77yds high and offering a magnificent view of the rainforest canopy and other temples. Due to the immense historical value of the site at Tikal, it has been declared as a UNESCO protected monument. The site covers 16sqkm/6sqmi and contains over 3,000 structures.  In the mid afternoon, we fly back to Guatemala City and transfer to our hotel.
Overnight: Hotel Westin Camino Real, Guatemala City (1 night) (B, L)

Day 12: Depart Guatemala City
This morning we are transferred to the airport for our departure flight, unguided. (B)

Departure Dates
2012 English Speaking Departures Daily
Inclusions
Tour Price Includes Tour Price Does Not Include Hotels as mentioned (or similar) Meals as mentioned (B=Breakfast L=Lunch) All sightseeing and transfers on seat-in-coach basis Services of local English speaking guides All domestic flights mentioned Entrance fees to the sites included in the itinerary Any international airfares & Departure taxes Visa / Insurance Tips / Beverages
Tour Price
We accept payment in US $ (US Dollars), CA $ (Canadian Dollars) or equivalent EURO (for clients outside North America). Bestway Tours & Safaris offers conversion rate protection. Once full payment has been received, and no modification has been made to the tour itinerary, we will honour that rate. For complete payment procedures, please download Bestway_Payment_Info.pdf Note: to read this file you must have Adobe Acrobat.
Departure Double Occupancy Single Room Supplement 2012 US $ 4095 2880 US $ 1085 660 Note: US$ 200.00 surcharge per person during Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year.
Estimated International Airfare - International airfare is NOT included in this tour
Canada - West Coast US $ 1400 USA - West Coast US $ 900 Canada - East Coast US $ 1300 USA - East Coast US $ 800
Participants
This tour operates on a minimum of 02 participants.
Notes
Customised Itinerary If you would like to have a tour on dates other than the above ones or with a customised itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy to work out an exclusive program for you. Foreign Language Departures Please contact us for information on French, German, Italian and Spanish speaking departures. You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com or call us at 604.264.7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1.800.663.0844.