Sample Itinerary:
Day 1, Wednesday - Miami/San Pedro Sula
Depart Miami via Taca Airlines flight for San Pedro Sula, Honduras. Arrive and transfer to hotel. (Casa del Arbol Hotel/Hilton Princess)
Day 2, Thursday - San Pedro Sula/La Esperanza
Today start your tour downtown to observe the intense commercial activity. After visiting the local handicraft market (Guamilito) with its colorful stores, continue via Lake Yojoa to La Esperanza, high in the mountains of Honduras. Arrive at La Esperanza and transfer to hotel. (Hotel Los Pinos) (B)
Day 3, Friday - La Esperanza
Today, visit the neighboring towns for a look at different lifestyles of the local inhabitants. (B)
Day 4, Saturday - La Esperanza/Gracias/Santa Rosa
Morning transfer to Gracias. Discover the Gracias colonial history through its churches and the fortress San Cristobal. Afternoon transfer to Santa Rosa de Copan. (Hotel Elvir) (B)
Day 5, Sunday - Santa Rosa/Copan
Tour the village in the morning. Then continue to Copan and enjoy beautiful countryside while learning about the Mayans and about theories on their mysterious demise. (Hotel Plaza/Hotel Marina) (B)
Day 6, Monday - Copan
After breakfast, visit the legendary Archaeological Park of Copan. Learn about the impressive 63-step stairway with over 2,500 hieroglyphs and masterful carvings. In the afternoon, explore the ruins or cobblestone streets of Copan on your own. (B) Day 7, Tuesday - Copan/San Pedro Sula
Morning at leisure. In the afternoon take the direct bus to San Pedro Sula. (Casa del Arbol Hotel/Hilton Princess) (B)
Day 8, Wednesday - San Pedro Sula/Guatemala City
Depart San Pedro Sula for Guatemala City by Taca Airlines. Arrive and transfer to your hotel. (Marriott/Quinta Real Hotel) (B)
Day 9, Thursday - Guatemala City/Chichicastenango
Travel westward through the highlands to the famous market at Chichicastenango, where artisans display a wide array of local crafts. You may see Maya rituals being performed in the Catholic Church. (Mayan Inn/Hotel Santo Tomas) (B)
Day 10, Friday - Chichicastenango/Lake Atitlan
Travel to Lake Atitlan. Stop at the local market (Fri. and Tues. only) in Solola, where local Maya people, dressed in traditional bright colors, buy and sell produce. (Hotel del Lago/Atitlan Hotel) (B)
Day 11, Saturday - Lake Atitlan/Santiago Atitlan/Antigua
After breakfast, take a scenic boat ride across Lake Atitlan to Santiago Atitlan and marvel at the surrounding volcanoes. Visit the village and see an effigy of the Maya God Maximon. Arrive in Antigua late afternoon. (Hotel Antigua/Hotel Casa Santo Domingo) (B/L)
Day 12, Sunday - Antigua
Morning city tour covers the architectural and historical highlights of this colonial city. Afternoon at leisure to explore on your own or shop for Guatemala's famous arts and crafts. (B)
Day 13, Monday - Antigua/Flores/ Tikal
Morning transfer to Guatemala City to catch the flight to Flores, in the northern rainforest region of the country. Arrive and transfer to your hotel in Tikal. Take a guided tour of Yaxha National Park. Tour ends at sunset on top of the main temple for wonderful views of the surrounding rainforest. (Villa Maya/Hotel Camino Real) (B)
Day 14, Tuesday - Tikal/Guatemala City
Morning, explore the amazing ruins at Tikal, where huge Mayan temples rise above the jungles. This afternoon, fly to Guatemala City and transfer to your hotel. (Marriott/Hotel Quinta Real) (B/L)
Day 15, Wednesday - Guatemala City/Miami
Transfer to the airport for your Taca Airlines flight to Miami, arriving the same day. (B)
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