Highland Wonderland (4days/3nights)

Thursday - Early morning deprture for Chichicastenango to shop the famous marketplace where the village streets are transformed into a massive, colorful array of stalls piled high with goods for sale and nowhere else in Guatemala will you find such a wealth of handicrafts, blankets, belts, masks, clay pots, gourds, machetes, and locally grown foods. Overnight accommodations at the Mayan Inn, Chichicastenango.

Friday - Morning departure for Panajachel via the market village of Solola which lies on a high shelf 1,700 feet above Lake Atitlan and known as a great trading center. Afternoon arrival at the Hotel Atitlan for overnight accommodations.

Saturday - Morning launch excursion to the picturesque lakeside village of Santiago Atitlan, the ancient capital and religious center of Tzutuhiles. Santiago's market stretches from street to street and it's here where you'll see Maximon, a mysterious idol, being closely watched over by an entourage of 'confradias'. Look for the exquisit cortes and huipiles worn by the women of the village. Afternoon transfer to Antigua for overnight at the historic Casa Santo Domingo Hotel.

Sunday - Today you will have a full day tour of Antigua which was founded by the Spainards in 1543. Antigua is a beautiful blend of ruins, restorded Colonial buildings, stylish arcades, cobbled streets and a festive market area. Visit La Concepcion (the first convent for women in Antigua); the Palace of the Captains General (built in 1776 as a residence of the governor then called Captain General); the Church of San Francisco (built in 1579 and originally used by students to study theology, philosphy, canonical law, mathematics and physics) and end the visit by stopping off at the Jade Factory to see how jade is cut, polished and made into fine jewelry. Late afternoon return to your selected hotel in Guatemala City.

Price: $359 per person double occupancy. Includes guided tours, entrance fees to museums and historic buildings, launch excursion, overnight at Mayan Inn, Chichicastenango, Hotel Atitlan, Lake Atitlan, Casa Santo Domingo, Antigua, taxes 3 full breakfasts.