City Highlights
TUCSON:
Welcome reception

NUEVO CASAS GRANDES:
Visit a pottery studio and Paquime

CHIHUAHUA:
City sightseeing; visit the cathedral, the Government Palace, and the former home of Pancho Villa

CREEL:
Valley of the Mushrooms; visit the cave dwellings of the Tarahumara Indians

DIVISADERO:
Piedra Volada; board the Copper Canyon Train

SAN CARLOS:
Guided tour of a pearl farm; enjoy a Farewell Dinner

Meals
Welcome reception (R); American breakfast daily (B); 3 lunches (L); and 5 dinners (D), including a special Farewell Dinner. On Tour YME: breakfast daily.

Hotels:
TUCSON Sheraton Suites (F), NUEVO CASAS GRANDES Hotel Hacienda (BA), CHIHUAHUA Westin Soberano (F), CREEL Lodge at Creel (F), DIVISADERO Hotel Posada Mirador (F), EL FUERTE Hotel Posada del Hidalgo (F), SAN CARLOS San Carlos Plaza Resort (F)

Itinerary

Day 1:
Arrival in Tucson, Arizona. Welcome to Tucson! At 7 pm, meet your traveling companions at the welcome reception hosted by your Tour Director. (WR)

Day 2:
Tucson–Tombstone–Nuevo Casas Grandes, Mexico. This morning, journey south for a stop at Tombstone, “The Town Too Tough to Die,” where you’ll have time to visit the OK Corral and wander the streets of this historic town. Afterward, we cross into Mexico at the border towns of Douglas and Agua Prieta. Then, continue to the fertile valley of Casas Grandes. Spend the night in the town of Nuevo Casas Grandes. (B,D)

Day 3:
Nuevo Casas Grandes–Chihuahua. During the 13th and 14th centuries, pottery was once the principal ware of trade, and this morning includes a visit to a local POTTERY STUDIO. See how the traditional hand-forming and painting methods are still used today. Next, visit PAQUIME, the most important archaeological site in northern Mexico. Once an important trading center, it combines elements of the Pueblo Indian civilization from the southwestern United States with Mesoamerican influences. Continue on to explore Chihuahua, made famous by Mexican revolutionary leader Pancho Villa. Dinner this evening is at your hotel. (B,D)

Day 4:
Chihuahua–Creel. This morning, visit the ornate 18th-century CATHEDRAL, the GOVERNMENT PALACE with its unique murals, and the former HOME OF PANCHO VILLA, converted by his widow into a museum. Head west to Cuauhtémoc, the center of Mexico’s Mennonite population, where you’ll enjoy a traditional homemade Mennonite lunch. Then, travel through pine forests to the lumber town of Creel, situated at an elevation of 7,500 feet in the Sierra Tarahumara mountain range. There’s time this afternoon and evening to explore this quaint town and shop for local wares. (B,L)

Day 5:
Creel–Divisadero. After breakfast, drive through the VALLEY OF THE MUSHROOMS with its strange monolithic formations. See the CAVE DWELLINGS of the Tarahumara Indians, famed for their colorful tribal customs and prowess as long-distance runners. Afterward, it’s a special visit to a local kindergarten and elementary school to learn more about the children and their culture in this remote area of the world. Depart for Divisadero and catch your first views of the spectacular Copper Canyon. Enjoy a visit to PIEDRA VOLADA, a giant rock miraculously perched on the edge of a precipice. Tonight, savor the sunset as it colors the canyon walls and leaves you with some remarkable memories and photos. (B,L,D)

Day 6:
Divisadero–Copper Canyon Train–El Fuerte. This morning, relax and enjoy the solitude and beauty of Copper Canyon. You may choose to join an optional hiking trip along the rim or perhaps an optional horseback riding excursion. After lunch, embark on your rail adventure through El Cañon de Cobre. Experience some of North America’s most magnificent scenery as your TRAIN winds its way along the rim of steep chasms, descends mountain passes reaching 7,000 feet, and crosses canyons and rivers. Dinner this evening will be at your hotel. (B,L,D)

Day 7:
El Fuerte–San Carlos. For three centuries El Fuerte has been an important commercial and agricultural center. We’ll start the day off with a short walking tour of this picturesque colonial city and see the plaza, city hall, and colorful market place. Then, head north along the Sea of Cortez, reaching the resort of San Carlos by late afternoon. Just a short drive from the old port of Guaymas, the Bay of San Carlos is rich with fish and seabirds, and its many beaches attract visitors from around the world. The remainder of the day is yours to relax on the beach, take a dip in the pool, or enjoy a cool drink while watching the swaying palm trees. (B)

Day 8:
San Carlos. Today is at leisure. Enjoy a relaxing stroll along the beach, take an optional fishing excursion, or join us on an optional boat ride on the pristine waters of San Carlos Bay. While keeping an eye out for dolphins and other marine life, enjoy complimentary margaritas, soft drinks, and snacks. Tonight, a farewell dinner celebrates your Copper Canyon adventure. (B,D)

Day 9:
San Carlos–Tucson, Arizona. Head north to the United States today and pass through the Sonoran capital of Hermosillo. Cross the border at Nogales and transfer to Tucson International Airport. Please schedule your homebound fight after 7 pm. (B)
 

Dates & Prices

To book a tour, call and speak to one of our live, experienced travel consultants, Call us now at 1-800-942-3301.

Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
9/14/2008 - 9/22/2008	$1,889	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
10/5/2008 - 10/13/2008	$1,889	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
10/19/2008 - 10/27/2008	$1,889	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
11/9/2008 - 11/17/2008	$1,889	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
1/25/2009 - 2/2/2009	$1,959	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
1/26/2009 - 2/3/2009	$1,769	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
2/5/2009 - 2/13/2009	$1,769	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
2/8/2009 - 2/16/2009	$1,959	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
2/22/2009 - 3/2/2009	$1,959	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
2/23/2009 - 3/3/2009	$1,769	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
3/8/2009 - 3/16/2009	$1,959	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
3/9/2009 - 3/17/2009	$1,799	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
4/9/2009 - 4/17/2009	$1,799	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
4/26/2009 - 5/4/2009	$1,799	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
5/10/2009 - 5/18/2009	$1,799	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
5/18/2009 - 5/26/2009	$1,799	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
9/17/2009 - 9/25/2009	$1,799	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
9/28/2009 - 10/6/2009	$1,799	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
10/14/2009 - 10/22/2009	$1,799	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
10/26/2009 - 11/3/2009	$1,799	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
11/12/2009 - 11/20/2009	$1,799	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
1/24/2010 - 2/1/2010	$1,799	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
2/7/2010 - 2/15/2010	$1,879	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
2/21/2010 - 3/1/2010	$1,879	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
3/7/2010 - 3/15/2010	$1,879	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
3/21/2010 - 3/29/2010	$1,879	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us

Price Details US
Single Room Supplement: $395.

Triple Room reduction per person: $53.

Extra nights per person in Tucson:
In single room $135; in twin room $80; in triple room $65.

2010 prices and itineraries subject to change.

Related Tours
YME|Extend Your Stay in Tucson

Sightseeing Highlights

Tucson: Welcome reception

Nuevo Casas Grandes:
Visit a pottery studio and Paquime

Chihuahua:
City sightseeing; visit the cathedral, the Government Palace, and the former home of Pancho Villa

Creel:
Valley of the Mushrooms; visit the cave dwellings of the Tarahumara Indians

Divisadero:
Piedra Volada; board the Copper Canyon Train

El Fuerte:
Walking tour

San Carlos:
Farewell dinner

Note:

• Maximum enjoyment of the “Copper Canyon” vacation requires walking on rough streets and uneven pathways. Elevations up to 8,000 feet can make even modest exertion a challenge.
• See the spectacular sights of the Copper Canyon, “Barranca Del Cobre,” when you travel on the Chihuahua al Pacifico Railway (El Chepe). Started in 1871 and taking 90 years to complete, it is considered one of the world’s finest engineering marvels. The complete route from Chihuahua to Los Mochis crosses over 39 bridges, passes through 87 tunnels, and crosses the Sierra Tarahumara traveling from over 8,000 feet to sea level. At one point, the track actually crosses over itself. You’ll experience one of the most dramatic train rides in the Western Hemisphere as we travel a portion of this route from Divisadero to El Fuerte.

 

 

Hotels
Cancun Omni Cancun Hotel (D), Chichen Itza Hotel Mayaland (F), Uxmal Hacienda Uxmal (F), Merida Hyatt Regency (D)

Meals
Welcome reception (WR), American breakfast daily (B), 5 lunches (L), and 4 three-course dinners (D), including a farewell dinner in Cancun.

Itinerary

Day 1:
Arrival in Cancun, Mexico. (Sun.) Welcome to Cancun! This evening, enjoy a 7 pm welcome reception and meet your traveling companions. (WR)

Day 2:
Cancun–Tulum–Coba–Chichen Itza. (Mon.) First, we’ll visit the beachfront ruins of TULUM. This stunning 12th-century site, once inhabited by the Mayas and Toltecs, is set atop coastal cliffs overlooking the Caribbean. From here it is a short drive to COBA, an important Mayan city during the 8th and 9th centuries. Although it had an estimated population of 50,000, it was abandoned for unknown reasons. The present-day village straddles Lago Coba and is surrounded by dense jungle. In the late afternoon, arrive at Chichen Itza, where the renowned Mayaland Hotel is your home for the next two nights. (B,L,D)

Day 3:
Chichen Itza. (Tue.) A full day to explore this most important and strategic ancient city. CHICHEN ITZA was built by the Maya between 600 and 900 AD, abandoned by the end of the 10th century, and re-established in the 11th and 12th centuries, possibly by the Toltecs. The site sits amid 3 miles of cleared forest scrub. Visit the BALL COURT, site of many human sacrifices; EL CASTILLO, a formidable building dedicated to the high priest; and the CENOTE SAGRADO, the sacred well once filled with priceless treasures offered to the gods. This evening, enjoy the SOUND & LIGHT SHOW at Chichen Itza. (B,L,D)

Day 4:
Chichen Itza–Izamal–Uxmal. (Wed.) Today we drive to Izamal, a charming town that was once a classic Mayan religious site and later a center of the Spanish attempt to Christianize the Maya. Tour the Convent, built between 1549 and 1562, and visit the local market before enjoying lunch at an area restaurant. This evening, enjoy an exciting SOUND & LIGHT SHOW. (B,L,D)

Day 5:
Uxmal–Kabah–Merida. (Thu.) This morning we visit UXMAL. Built during the Classic Period, Uxmal is the most famous of the ruins in the Puuc region. Its architecture is considered one of the masterpieces of the old civilization. Later, visit KABAH, a small but interesting archaeological site famous for its PALACE OF MASKS. Journey on to Merida, capital of the Yucatan state and its colonial heart. This evening, take a stroll around this friendly town and explore some of the interesting shops and restaurants. Your Tour Director will have suggestions for the best way to spend your evening. (B,L)

Day 6:
Merida. (Fri.) Conquered in 1542 by Francisco de Montejo, Merida remained under Spanish control for the next 300 years. This morning’s city tour showcases a variety of European architectural styles by visiting the CATHEDRAL, the zocalo (main square), and the elegant Paseo Montejo boulevard. Later, visit the MUSEUM OF ANTHROPOLOGY & HISTORY with its excellent displays of Mayan artifacts from various sites in the Yucatan. Enjoy leisure time this afternoon to relax in your centrally located hotel, shop for local wares, or maybe visit nearby museums such as the Museum of Popular Art, showcasing Mayan art, handicrafts, and clothing. (B,L)

Day 7:
Merida–Ek Balam–Valladolid–Cancun. (Sat.) Today we visit the enormous Acropolis pyramid inside the Mayan site of EK BALAM. Meaning “black jaguar,” Ek Balam was at the height of its importance as a Mayan city during the Late Classic Period (600-900 AD). When the Mayas abandoned the site, it went under cover as the dense low-lying jungle of the Yucatan engulfed it. Found by archaeologists and adventurers, its restoration has been ongoing since 1997. Next we visit the charming town of Valladolid before making our way back to Cancun. This evening your Tour Director hosts a festive farewell dinner. (B,D)

Day 8:
Cancun. (Sun.) The vacation ends this morning with guests departing on individual schedules. Transfers are provided to Cancun International Airport. (B)

Dates & Prices

To book a tour, call and speak to one of our live, experienced travel consultants, Call us now at 1-800-942-3301.

Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
9/21/2008 - 9/28/2008	$1,729	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
10/5/2008 - 10/12/2008	$1,729	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
10/26/2008 - 11/2/2008	$1,729	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
11/9/2008 - 11/16/2008	$1,729	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
2/1/2009 - 2/8/2009	$1,859	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
2/15/2009 - 2/22/2009	$1,859	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
3/1/2009 - 3/8/2009	$1,859	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
3/15/2009 - 3/22/2009	$1,859	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
3/29/2009 - 4/5/2009	$1,779	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
4/19/2009 - 4/26/2009	$1,779	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
9/20/2009 - 9/27/2009	$1,779	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
10/4/2009 - 10/11/2009	$1,779	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
10/25/2009 - 11/1/2009	$1,779	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
11/8/2009 - 11/15/2009	$1,779	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
1/31/2010 - 2/7/2010	$1,939	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
2/14/2010 - 2/21/2010	$1,939	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
2/28/2010 - 3/7/2010	$1,939	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
3/14/2010 - 3/21/2010	$1,939	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
3/28/2010 - 4/4/2010	$1,939	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us

Price Details US
Single Room Supplement: $457.

Triple Room reduction per person:$57.

Extra nights in Cancun:
Feb & Mar: in single room $290; in twin room $175; in triple room $145.
Apr-Nov: In single room $210; in twin room $135; in triple room $115.

2010 prices and itineraries subject to change.

Related Tours
YYE - Extend Your Stay in Cancun
 

Sightseeing Highlights

Cancun:  Welcome reception; farewell dinner

Tulum:  Sightseeing

Coba:  Sightseeing

Chichen Itza:  Sightseeing; visit Ball Court, El Castillo, and Cenote Sagrado; sound & light show

Uxmal:  Sightseeing; sound & light show

Kabah: Visit the Palace of Masks

Merida:  City sightseeing; visit the cathedral and Museum of Anthropology & History

Ek Balam:  Sightseeing

Note:

• Maximum enjoyment of the “Treasures of the Yucatan” vacation requires walking on uneven pathways.

 

Hotels
San José Doubletree Cariari by Hilton (D), Tortuguero National Park Pachira Lodge (BA), Sarapiqui La Quinta de Sarapiqui Lodge (F), Tilajari Tilajari Resort Hotel (F); Lake Atitlán Porta Del Lago (F), Guatemala City Biltmore Express (SF)

Meals
American breakfast daily (B), 5 lunches (L), and 6 three-course dinners (D), including special welcome and farewell dinners in San José.

Itinerary

Day 1:
Arrival in San José, Costa Rica. (Sat.) Upon your evening arrival you will be met by your Tour Director who will help you check into your hotel.

Day 2:
San José. (Sun.) This morning, enjoy a San José city tour that will introduce you to the capital’s most important sights. Driving through Paseo Colon, visit the heart of the city to admire the pride of the ticos, the NATIONAL THEATER. This architectural jewel was designed as the opera house at the beginning of the 19th century. Visit the NATIONAL MUSEUM, a faithful witness to Costa Rican history, then enjoy sightseeing at Central Park, the cathedral, the Congress Building, and the Justice Court. Continue to the town of SARCHI, for centuries a production center of Costa Rica’s famous hand-painted oxcarts, to have an included lunch and shop for unique souvenirs. Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner hosted by your Tour Director at the hotel. (B,L,D)

Day 3:
San José–Tortuguero National Park. (Mon.) Journey east to the Caribbean shore and TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK. On the way, stop at a BANANA PLANTATION. Later, board a motor launch for your CRUISE along the Tortuguero Canals, waterways crisscrossing a national park dedicated to the protection of endangered turtles. The trained eyes of your guide and boatman help you spot freshwater turtles, caymans, herons, toucans, egrets, and monkeys. An afternoon at leisure lets you explore Pachira Lodge until you meet for an informative slideshow presentation on the area. (B,L,D)

Day 4:
Tortuguero National Park Tour & Canal Cruise. (Tue.) Your Tour Guide accompanies you on a leisurely BOAT RIDE along remote, unspoiled sections of the park’s waterways, explaining the bountiful flora and fauna. Enjoy a fascinating stroll through an accessible portion of the nearby RAINFOREST. During the peak nesting season, from mid-July to mid-October, you may be lucky enough to observe an endangered green turtle laying her eggs under the starlight on an optional tour. (B,L,D)

Day 5:
Tortuguero–Sarapiqui. (Wed.) A morning boat transfer begins your journey to the Sarapiqui area. Along the way, enjoy views of the passing rainforest. Arrive at your resort hotel for time to relax. (B,L)

Day 6:
Sarapiqui–Tilajari Resort. (Thu.) This morning, tour the CORSICANA PINEAPPLE FARM to learn about the history, cultivation, and industry of pineapples. Continue through TILAJARI RAINFOREST RESERVE. After settling in, experience the magic of the resort’s BUTTERFLY GARDEN and consider a walk in the nearby tropical rainforest in search of 300- to 400-year-old trees, poisonous frogs, monkeys, birds, and possibly small animals native to the reserve. (B,D)

Day 7:
Tilajari Resort. (Fri.) During your morning at leisure you may wish to go on an optional horseback ride or float trip. Or, you can take advantage of Tilajari’s amenities by walking along the shaded trails of the private, 750-acre tropical forest. Later this afternoon, enjoy a walking tour of the town of La Fortuna de San Carlos, offering spectacular views of the active Arenal Volcano. Next, drive to nearby ECOTERMALES HOT SPRINGS for a dip in the curative and relaxing pools. This evening, view ARENAL VOLCANO, hoping to see lava glowing on its sides. (B,D)

Day 8:
Tilajari–San José. (Sat.) Get an early start this morning to POAS VOLCANO NATIONAL PARK. On the way, see LA PAZ WATERFALL, one of the five falls in the area. Arrive at POAS VOLCANO for close-up views of the enormous crater with its deep, green lake; perhaps you will even see one of its sporadic geyser-like eruptions. Next, stop at the DOKA COFFEE PLANTATION where you will see firsthand the entire production process—from seedlings to your cup! Tonight, your Tour Director hosts a farewell dinner at a local restaurant, ending an unforgettable discovery of Costa Rica. (B,L,D)

Day 9:
(Sun.) Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (B)

Dates & Prices

To book a tour, call and speak to one of our live, experienced travel consultants, Call us now at 1-800-942-3301.

Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
9/13/2008 - 9/21/2008	$1,559	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
9/20/2008 - 9/28/2008	$1,559	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
10/4/2008 - 10/12/2008	$1,559	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
10/11/2008 - 10/19/2008	$1,559	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
10/25/2008 - 11/2/2008	$1,559	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
11/8/2008 - 11/16/2008	$1,559	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
12/6/2008 - 12/14/2008	$1,559	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
1/10/2009 - 1/18/2009	$1,689	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
1/17/2009 - 1/25/2009	$1,689	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
1/24/2009 - 2/1/2009	$1,689	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
2/7/2009 - 2/15/2009	$1,689	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
2/14/2009 - 2/22/2009	$1,689	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
2/21/2009 - 3/1/2009	$1,689	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
2/28/2009 - 3/8/2009	$1,689	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
3/7/2009 - 3/15/2009	$1,689	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
3/14/2009 - 3/22/2009	$1,689	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
3/21/2009 - 3/29/2009	$1,689	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
3/28/2009 - 4/5/2009	$1,689	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
4/11/2009 - 4/19/2009	$1,689	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
4/25/2009 - 5/3/2009	$1,689	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
5/9/2009 - 5/17/2009	$1,669	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
7/11/2009 - 7/19/2009	$1,669	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
7/25/2009 - 8/2/2009	$1,669	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
9/12/2009 - 9/20/2009	$1,669	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
9/26/2009 - 10/4/2009	$1,669	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
10/17/2009 - 10/25/2009	$1,669	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
11/7/2009 - 11/15/2009	$1,669	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
12/5/2009 - 12/13/2009	$1,669	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
1/9/2010 - 1/17/2010	$1,789	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
1/23/2010 - 1/31/2010	$1,789	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
2/6/2010 - 2/14/2010	$1,789	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
2/20/2010 - 2/28/2010	$1,789	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
2/27/2010 - 3/7/2010	$1,789	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
3/6/2010 - 3/14/2010	$1,789	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
3/13/2010 - 3/21/2010	$1,789	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
3/20/2010 - 3/28/2010	$1,789	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
3/27/2010 - 4/4/2010	$1,789	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us

Price Details US
Single Room Supplement: $440.

Triple room reduction per person: $82.

Extra nights per person in San Jose: In single room $190; in twin room $110; in triple room $100.

Extra nights per person in Antigua: In single room $105; in twin room $70; in triple room $60.

Extra nights per person in Quepos: Jan-Apr & Jul-Aug: In single room $250; in twin room $140; in triple room $120.
May-Jun & Sep-Dec: In single room $210; in twin room $120; in triple room $105.

2010 prices and itineraries subject to change.

Related Tours
SRQ - Start Your Vacation in Guatemala
SRE - Add Manuel Antonio to Your Vacation
SRY - Add Guatemala & Manuel Antonio to Your Vacation
 

Sightseeing Highlights

San José:   City sightseeing; visit the National Theater, the National Museum, and a banana plantation; tour Doka Coffee Plantation; welcome dinner; farewell dinner

Sarchi:  Shop for souvenirs

Tortuguero National Park: Guided cruise through the canals to view wildlife; guided walk through the rainforest

Sarapiqui: Tour a working pineapple plantation

Tilajari Resort: Tilajari Rainforest Reserve; visit the Butterfly Garden, Ecotermales Hot Springs, and Arenal Volcano

Poas Volcano National Park: View La Paz Waterfall; visit Poas Volcano

Note:

• Maximum elevation on tour: 9,000 ft.

 

 

Hotels
San Salvador Hilton Princess (SF), Copán Marina Copán (MF), Antigua Casa Santo Domingo (F), Lake Atitlán Porta Del Lago (F), Tikal Camino Real (F), San Ignacio San Ignacio Hotel (MF); Granada La Gran Francia (F)

Meals
American breakfast daily (B), 4 lunches (L), and 5 three-course dinners (D) including a welcome dinner in Copàn and a farewell dinner in San Ignacio.

Itinerary

Day 1:
Arrival in San Salvador. (Sat.) Upon your evening arrival you will be met by your Tour Director, who will help you check into your hotel.

Day 2:
San Salvador–Joya de Cerén–Copán, Honduras. (Sun.) Depart this morning for UNESCO World Heritage Archeological Site JOYA DE CERÉN, a pre-Columbian Maya farming community that, like Pompeii and Herculaneum in Italy, was buried under a volcanic eruption around 600 AD. The exceptional condition of the remains provides insight into the daily lives of the Central American populations who worked the land at that time. Continue to Copán, Honduras, and enjoy a welcome dinner hosted by your Tour Director at the hotel. (B,D)

Day 3:
Copán. (Mon.) Today’s guided tour introduces you to COPÁN, the site of a once major Maya kingdom and considered “the Athens of the Maya world.” From the moment you step inside the archaeological zone, you will see elaborate stone sculptures everywhere. Walking into the dramatic expanse of the Great Plaza, become witness to the cultural achievements of the ancient Maya. This principal Copán plaza contains the greatest collection of Mayan sculptures anywhere in Central America. Learn about the majestic temples and the intricately carved stelae, representing past rulers of the city and the power, politics, and ideology of the times. (B,L)

Day 4:
Copán–Quiriguá–Antigua, Guatemala. (Tue.) After breakfast, cross into Guatemala to visit the archaeological site of QUIRIGUÁ with the largest stelae in the Mayan world, weighing more than 65 tons. The site also boasts a number of enormous and unexplainable carved monoliths sculpted into the forms of mythological animals (zoomorphs). Later this afternoon, head to Antigua, Guatemala’s capital from 1543 until a devastating earthquake in 1776 when it was moved to Guatemala City. The UNESCO World Heritage Site of 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. (B,D)

Day 5:
Antigua. (Wed.) Our morning tour of this magnificent highlands city, known for its 16th-century Spanish Colonial architecture, includes lively Plaza Mayor flanked by the impressive Catedral de San José and Palace of the Capitanes Generales. See the ruins of churches and monasteries, some with hidden underground passages, destroyed by the earthquake of 1776; and take a tour of a JADE FACTORY. The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore on your own. (B)

Day 6:
Antigua–Chichicastenango–Lake Atitlán. (Thu.) Today, reach the whitewashed highland town of Chichicastenango where we visit the colorful, open-air INDIAN MARKET and the Catholic CHURCH OF SANTO TOMÁS to witness ancient Mayan ceremonies that have long been practiced there. Continue to the shores of Lake Atitlán (Place of Great Water), surrounded by three volcanoes and numerous indigenous villages. (B,L)

Day 7:
Lake Atitlán. (Fri.) This morning you will embark on a CRUISE across 900-foot-deep Lake Atitlán, 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 as Lake Atitlán today. Next, visit the Indian village of SANTIAGO ATITLÁN where you have the chance to meet the Tzutuhil people, one of Guatemala’s indigenous tribes. (B,D)

Day 8:
Lake Atitlán–Guatemala City–Flores. (Sat.) Depart for Guatemala City today and enjoy a city tour upon arrival. After some free time to explore the city, transfer to the airport for your flight to Flores. (B)

Day 9:
Flores. Excursion to Tikal. (Sun.) A full-day excursion today takes you to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of TIKAL, the largest of the ancient Maya cities. With artifacts dating as early as 7th century BC, it wasn’t until circa 200 AD that Tikal became the leading political, economical, and military power of the Maya region. Your 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. You might want to keep an eye out for jaguars and coatis, as they are said to roam the park as well! (B,L,D)

Day 10:
Flores–Yaxhá–San Ignacio, Belize. (Mon.) This morning, depart Flores for the site of YAXHÁ, second in importance behind Tikal. Unlike Tikal, this ancient civilization consisting of more than 500 structures is in its preliminary stages of excavations. Continue into Belize, which was granted independence from Britain in 1981 and is the youngest nation in the Western Hemisphere. We head through the beautiful countryside past limestone mountains and miles of uncharted forests to San Ignacio in the Cayo District in Western Belize. (B)

Day 11:
San Ignacio. Excursion to Caracol. (Tue.) 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. Your 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. This evening, enjoy a special farewell dinner hosted by your Tour Director. (B,L,D)

Day 12:
(Wed.) Transfer to Belize City International Airport for your homebound flight. (B)

Dates & Prices

To book a tour, call and speak to one of our live, experienced travel consultants, Call us now at 1-800-942-3301.

Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
9/13/2008 - 9/24/2008	$2,579	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
9/27/2008 - 10/8/2008	$2,579	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
10/11/2008 - 10/22/2008	$2,579	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
10/25/2008 - 11/5/2008	$2,579	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
11/8/2008 - 11/19/2008	$2,579	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
11/15/2008 - 11/26/2008	$2,579	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
12/6/2008 - 12/17/2008	$2,579	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
1/10/2009 - 1/21/2009	$2,739	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
1/24/2009 - 2/4/2009	$2,739	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
2/7/2009 - 2/18/2009	$2,739	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
2/21/2009 - 3/4/2009	$2,739	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
3/7/2009 - 3/18/2009	$2,739	Call Us