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Leave Thu. Feb. 11
Return Thu. Feb. 25

$4,985 - Total Package
$895 - Single Room

$165 - Globus Journeys Club Discount 

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Guatemala, Honduras & Belize 15 days

Exploring Ancient Mayan Civilizations

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1 Honolulu Departure.

Our exploration of the Ancient Mayan World begins tonight with an overnight departure for the Houston, Texas. Once the preliminary flight schedule is ready it will be displayed online at doldworldjourneys.com under the journey's web page.

Day 2 Via Houston to Guatemala City.

After a quick connection in Houston, we take a comfortable three hour flight and arrive at Guatemala's La Aurora Airport around noon (the same day). We clear customs and immigration, and then are met by our Globus Tour director and transfer to Antigua Guatemala, the most important and enchanting city of colonial Guatemala. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Antigua is one of the Americas' oldest and most beautiful cities, with pastel-colored buildings, wide cobblestone streets, and a beautiful natural setting ringed by three volcanoes. Our home here for the next two nights is the Casa Santo Domingo Hotel. Once we settled in and freshen up we enjoy our first dinner together in Central America. (D)

Day 3 Discovering Antigua.

Today we experience the Central Plaza, surrounded by the antique Cathedral, the Municipal Government Building, and the Palace of the Captains General. We also view the ruins of churches and monasteries, primitive foot-looms where colorful textiles are woven, and a jade factory where this stone is worked into beautiful jewelry.

In the afternoon, we visit the La Azotea coffee plantation located on the outskirts of Antigua. A nature trail leads us from their Museum complex to the farm's nurseries. From there walk through the shade covered plantation observing coffee plants in their different stages of growth. The different processes of planting and handling coffee are labeled in each section for a better understanding of the complex management required for growing the high quality coffee for which Antigua is famous. (B), (D)

Day 4 Via Chichicastenango to Lake Atitlan.

Today, reach the whitewashed highland town of Chichicastenango where we spend time browsing the most colorful, open-air Market in the country. Hundreds of natives from the surrounding countryside gather to barter their goods and products. Also, witness the captivating religious ceremonies held on the steps and inside the 400-year old Church of Santo Tomas.

In the afternoon we head to the shores of Lake Atitlan (Place of Great Water), one of the most beautiful in the world, with its crystalline-azure waters in the crater bowl below. Atitlan is the ideal place to come in contact with Guatemalan folklore. Twelve native villages surround the Lake, and their inhabitants are descendants from the great Quiche, Cackchiquel, and Tzutuhil nations. Our next two nights will be at the Atitlan Hotel. (B), (L), (D)

Day 5 Cruising Lake Atitlan.

This morning we embark on a cruise across 900-foot-deep Lake Atitlan, renowned for its beauty and many colorful Mayan towns and villages along the shores. Learn how an enormous caldera formed after a volcanic eruption thousands of years ago to form what is known today as Lake Atitlan. Next, visit the native village of Santiago Atitlan which lies between the Toliman and San Pedro volcanoes. Here we have the opportunity to mingle with the Tzutuhil people, one of Guatemala's largest indigenous tribes. (B), (D)

Day 6 To Guatemala City.

Our first highlight today is a visit to Solola Market, an authentic indigenous market where men and women wear colorful clothing which represent their different surrounding villages. Today Solola is one of the few villages from the highlands where people proudly wear their traditional clothes, which, depending on the fabrics and threads used, as well as the amount of embroidered motives, portray the social and economic status and position of the civil and religious hierarchies.

In the afternoon, transfer back to Guatemala City and explore the National Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology. Dedicated to the preservation of the Mayan history, this museum houses a vast collection of exquisite artifacts and valuable treasures. Westin Camino Real Hotel. (B), (D)

Day 7 To Copan, Honduras.

After breakfast we head north to Honduras for the night. Our highlight today is Copan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, once considered the "Athens of the Maya world." The ruins of this Mayan archaeological site were discovered in 1570 and are considered to be one of the most important sites of the Mayan civilization.

It is speculated that the site was inhabited as early as 2000 BC, flourished from 300-900 AD, and was ultimately abandoned in the early 10th century. During its heyday, Copan was the largest and most influential city in the Mayan World, with a population over 20,000. Our guide will show us the city's Acropolis, main plaza, majestic temples, ceremonial altars, and complete ball court. We will also learn how the once rich and powerful city met its demise. Marina Copan Hotel. (B), (D)

Day 8 Via Quirigua to Rio Dulce, Guatemala.

This morning cross back into Guatemala to visit the ruins of Quirigua located in the Motagua River Valley. Founded between 250-550 AD by people who came from the area of Tikal. It is one of the most impressive archaeological sites in the Maya Classic period with the largest stelae in the Mayan world, weighing more than 65 tons. UNESCO declared World Heritage Site in 1979. It also boasts a number of enormous and unexplainable carved monoliths sculpted into the forms of mythological animals (zoomorphs). Our coach continues to Rio Dulce, a small town on the east end of Lago de Izabal, the largest lake in Guatemala and one of the most important water ways of the Spanish crown during colonial times. Catamaran Hotel (B), (D)

Day 9 To Flores.

The Rio Dulce River is undoubtedly one of the country's most unique attractions. This morning we cruise along enormous Rio Dulce. While navigating its beautiful waters enjoy the serine forest and listens to the sounds of the howler monkeys. We pass several islands and islets along the river which are nesting grounds for thousands of aquatic birds. Be sure to keep an eye out as they feed in large groups on the river waters.

Our destination is San Felipe Castle. Recently restored the castle is like a miniature city. Observe the Spanish origins of the main plaza's arch doors and windows, stone walls, and tile roofs over corridors. On one side of the plaza, the chapel still has its niches for the statues of the saints. Take the time to study the original mechanism for raising and lowering the bridge. The castle was originally built as a fortress in order to prevent attacks from pirates, corsairs and buccaneers of the ships of the Spanish Crown. In the afternoon, we travel to Flores located in the Peten Basin. Our next two nights are at the Camino Real Tikal Hotel. (B), (D)

Day 10 Tikal Expedition.

A full-day excursion today takes us to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Tikal, the largest of the ancient Maya cities. It contains artifacts dating as early as 700 BC. Around 200 AD Tikal had become the leading political, economical, and military power of the Maya region. At its height the area supported a population of 90,000 people. Our guide will explain the significance of the major temples and monuments in the park, of which only a fraction have been excavated. Lying within a rainforest, it is common to see spider monkeys, howler monkeys, toucans, and parrots cavorting in the dense canopy enveloping the ruins. Keep an eye out for jaguars and coatis, as they are said to roam the park as well! (B), (D)

Day 11 Via Yaxha and Topoxte to San Ignacio, Belize.

Our first stop today is at the site of Yaxha, second in importance behind Tikal dating back to 250 AD. During our visit, see the ball courts, residential and religious areas, as well as the Acropolis. A short boat ride brings us to the ancient Mayan city of Topoxte, located on an island on Lake Yaxha. Inhabited from 900-1200 AD, its buildings are similar to those of Tulum in the Yucatan.

Continue into Belize, which was granted independence from Britain in 1981 and is the youngest nation in the Western Hemisphere. We head through beautiful countryside, past limestone mountains and miles of uncharted forests to San Ignacio in the Cayo District in Western Belize. Our home for next three nights will be at the beautiful San Ignacio Resort. This property is located in a lush tropical setting along the Macal River. During our time here be sure to check out the Iguana conservation project. (B), (L), (D)

Day 12 Excursion to Caracol.

Caracol is the largest known Mayan archaeological site in Belize, and one of the great Mayan city-states of the Classic Period. During its heyday, Caracol was home to more than 140,000 people - twice that of Belize City's current population. Located deep within the Chiquibil Forest Reserve, the ruins cover 30 square miles of thick, high-canopy jungle rich in flora and fauna. Our guide will point out some of the most important buildings, including the Caana Pyramid (Sky Palace). Standing over 140 feet high, it is the tallest Mayan building in Belize and the tallest man-made structure in the country. (B), (L), (D)

Day 13 Exploring Xunantunich.

Today we discover ancient Maya city of Xunantunich (Maiden of the Rock). Before reaching the entrance of this ancient city, we board a 19th century hand-cranked ferry which takes us across the Mopan River. A short shuttle ride brings us to the entrance of Xunantunich, located on one of the highest plateaus in the area.

During our Archaeological Walk be on the lookout for birds and howler monkeys, as our guide points out interesting and important flora and fauna (Copal, Ramon, Cotton, Allspice) which played a major role, both medicinally and as a food source. View the original carved monuments (stelae) which depict Maya rulers and warriors in their full regalia, as well as residential palaces for Maya elites. The highlight of our exploration is El Castillo, the tallest of the temples at this site at 130 feet from ground level. If you have the energy, climb about half way up the temple, and discover a unique astronomical carving depicting Maya gods.

This afternoon, visit the Blue Morpho Butterfly Farm and marvel at the splendid iridescent wings of these magnificent butterflies. Then stop at the Chaa Creek Natural History Center which will take us along a fascinating time line, which begins with prehistoric land formation through to the shifting of the continents. This evening, enjoy a special farewell dinner as we reminisce about our amazing adventure. (B), (L), (D)

Day 14 Journey Home.

This morning we can choose to either relax or do some exploring. In the early afternoon we say "Aloha" to our newly found Patagonian friends as we transfer to the airport for our late afternoon flight to Houston. On arrival we clear customs and immigration and then transfer to our airport hotel for the night.

Day 15 To Honolulu.

This morning we continue home with smiles on our faces and incredible memories of the wonders we've seen on our exploration of the Ancient Mayan Civilizations.