Highland Tours of Guatemala (cont'd)

Guatemala, Relive Its Mystery (14days/13nights)

Tuesday: Arrive Guatemala City airport where you are met by a representative of Clark tours for transfer to the Marriott Hotel for overnight accommodations.

Wednesday - Early morning departure heading south of Guatemala City to the archaeological site of El Baul and La Democracia. At El Baul you will see an assortment of original statues gathered together under a corrugated roof to protect them from the weather. There is a begging jaguar and his humanoid partner; a squatting Olmecoid figure, headless, and one of the few found in the region wearing a loin cloth. Also you'll stop off the beaten path to see a huge head of a grinning idol, probably of Pipil origin, which is still revered in a jungle clearing. In the town of La Democracia you will see gigantic sombre stone heads lining the central park and although little is known of these colossal sculptures, each one is chiseled from a single boulder. Afternoon transfer to Chichicastenango for overnight at the Mayan Inn.

Thursday: Today is market day at Chichi when 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 vegetables. After market shopping, usually late afternoon, transfer to Quetzaltenango which is Guatemala's second largest city -- known as Xela by the local population --for overnight at the Pension Bonifaz.

Friday: Morning departure for Panajachel on the shores of Lake Atitlan. En route you will visit the quaint village of Zunil and its enclosed market where thousands of items are spread out over the earthen floor and tended by family members. You will also visit the open-air animal market of San Francisco El Alto and the Church of San Andres Xecul while passing through the beautiful Valley of Almolonga. Overnight at Hotel Atitlan.

Saturday: Morning launch excursion to the picturesque Indian village of Santiago Atitlan, the ancient capital and religious center of the Tzutuhiles. Santiago's market stretches from street to street and it is here where you'll see Maximon, a mysterious religious idol, being closely watched over by an entourage of 'confradias' -- a group of men assigned the responsibility of protecting the idol. Look for the exquisite cortes and huipiles worn by the woman of the village. Afternoon transfer to the Colonial city of Antigua for overnight at the Casa Santo Domongo Hotel.

Sunday: Morning tour of Antigua which was founded by the Spaniards in 1543. The city is a beautiful blend of ruins, restored Colonial buildings, stylish arcades, cobbled streets and a festive market area. Places to be visited include: La Conception (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, philosophy, canonical law, mathematics and physics. If time permits, before returning to Guatemala City, you will stop off at the Jade factory where jade is cut, polished and made into fine jewelry. Overnight Marriott Hotel.

Monday: Early morning drive through the Eastern part of Guatemala via the states of El Progresso and Zacapa to arrive at the border with Honduras. After immigration formalities you will drive to Copan to explore the beautiful stelae and temples. In the afternoon you will return to Guatemala territory to Rio Hondo for overnight at the Hotel Longarone.

Tuesday: Morning visit of the Quirigua archaeological site to see some of the most interesting and beautiful Maya stelae in zooomorphic form. Later your journey continues Puerto Barrios for overnight at the Green Bay Hotel.

Wednesday: Morning launch excursion to the Caribbean town of Livingston for a bit of leisurely sightseeing before a late afternoon visit to the Castle of San Felipe where Lake Izabel and Rio Dulce intersect. Overnight Catamaran Hotel.

Thursday: Relax and enjoy the lakeside activites of the local residents -- fishing, washing clothes, preparing boats for sail -- and then transfer to Flores which is home to a number of Guatemala's world-famous archaeological sites. Overnight Camino Real Tikal.

Friday: Morning trip to Ceibal, the Maya archaeological site located near the banks of the La Pasion River. Ceibal stelae are among the finest and best preserved sculptures of the late Classic Period. Later return to the Camino Real for overnight.

Saturday: Today you will visit Yaxha which was, after Tikal and El Mirador, the third largest Maya city. Its ruins are extensive and of particular interest is its Solstice Observatory and massive pyramid complexes and acropolises. Return to Camino Real for overnight.

Sunday: At Tikal you will visit the "Q" Complex, the Great Plaza, the Grand Jaguar and the Masks, the Palace of the Nobles and Pyramid IV. Pyramid IV is the highest of Maya pyramids, from the top of which a complete view of Tikal can be seen. After lunch you can visit the two local museums which house some of the many pre-Columbian archaeological treasures found in the area. Later return to Guatemala City for overnight at the Marriott.

Monday: At the appropriate time, transfer to the airport for your outbound flight.

Price: $1,625 per person double occupancy. Includes tours, entrance fees to museums and historic buildings, launch excursion, one way air Flores to Guatemala City, transfers and transportation, overnight accommodations at Marriott, Mayan Inn, Pension Bonifaz, Hotel Atitlan, Casa Santo Domingo, Hotel Longarone, Green Bay, Catamaran and Camino Real Tikal. Meals include full American breakfast each morning and lunches when in the Tikal area.

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