The Maya Classic
Tour
12 Days, 11 Nights
in 4 Countries:
HONDURAS –
BELIZE – GUATEMALA – MEXICO
4 Major
Classic Maya Sites:
COPAN –
CARACOL – TIKAL – PALENQUE
8 Other
Maya Sites en route:
QUIRIGUA –
NAJ TUNICH CAVES– XUNANTUNICH – YAXHA – TOPOXTE – YAXCHILAN – BONAMPAK –
COMALCALCO
Day 1. Sat.
Arrival in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, airport greeting. Three hour scenic
drive to Copan. Tour briefing and welcome dinner. Overnight Hotel Marina
Copan. [D]
Day 2. Sun. Copan,
Honduras. Copan, a
World Heritage Site, was the southernmost major centre of lowland Maya
civilization and is famed for its artistic sculpture. The great Hieroglyphic
Stairway bears a continuous text of more than 1250 glyph blocks listing dates
and names of the city's Classic Period rulers. Visit Copan’s Museum of Maya
Sculpture which contains some of the finest examples of Maya sculpture ever
found. The museum contains a full-scale brightly colored replica of the
Rosalila Temple. Imagine yourself playing with the Mayans on their ball courts,
where it is believed the losing team’s captain was often sacrificed to the
Gods!! Overnight at the Marina Copan Hotel.
(B.L.)
Day 3. Mon. QUIRIGUA,
Guatemala. Early
morning departure for Guatemala and on to the Rio Dulce/Caribbean area to visit
Quirigua, another World Heritage Archaeological Site. This strategically located
river city boasts remarkably preserved portraits and texts on sandstone stelae
which chronicle a ruling dynasty in competition with nearby Copan. Quirigua is
home to the largest stelae in the Maya World at 26 feet, 6 inches in height and
weighing about 65 tons. In the afternoon visit the Spanish Colonial Fortress of
San Felipe which was built in 1595. Overnight at the Banana Palms Hotel in the
Rio Dulce area. (B.L.)
Day 4. Tues.
NAJ TUNICH CAVES,
Guatemala. Early
morning transfer to the Peten area to visit the pre-eminent Maya caves yet
discovered. You will marvel at the cave architecture, elite masonry tombs,
inscriptions and paintings. Afternoon drive to San Ignacio in Belize.
Overnight at DuPlooy’s Jungle Lodge on the banks of the Macal River. (B.L.)
Day 5. Wed. CARACOL, Belize.
Visit one of the largest political, religious and economic centres of the Maya
Classic Period including many magnificent and well restored pyramids. In the 7th
century, in an alliance with Calukmal, Caracol defeated mighty Tikal. Overnight
at DuPlooy’s Jungle Lodge. (B.L.)
Day 6. Thurs. XUNANTUNICH,
Belize and YAXHA and TOPOXTE, Guatemala.
Near the border between Belize and Guatemala, Xunantunich is a compact site with
a tall pyramid offering a spectacular view of the San Ignacio Valley. Yaxha,
the only Maya Classic Site whose name is the same as its emblem glyph, is known
for its concentration of massive buildings and well defined avenues and
causeways. Its location, on the shore of a lake and within the Maya Biosphere
Reserve, makes it unique. The day will end with a visit to Topoxte, the only
Pre-Classic Maya site of the tour. It is located on an island in Lake Yaxha.
Overnight within Tikal National Park at the Tikal Inn, enjoying the sights and
sounds of the tropical forest wild life. (B.L.D.)
Day 7. Fri. TIKAL,
Guatemala. At its
peak Tikal covered about 48 square miles and had a population estimated at
55,000. In 292 AD, Temple IV was built. It is one of the many pyramids erected
to memorialize the dead rulers of Tikal's royal dynasty, and, at 212 feet, it is
one of the tallest structures in the Maya world. Overnight at the Tikal Inn. (B.L.D.)
Day 8. Sat. YAXCHILAN,
Chiapas, Mexico.
Depart early from Tikal to the Usumacinta River that defines the border between
Guatemala and Mexico. After a brief boat ride we will reach Yaxchilan which was
first inhabited around 200 AD. Adventurous travellers will want to climb
Yaxchilan's highest temple as the view of the Rio Usumacinta and surrounding
jungle is magnificent. Enjoy an afternoon boat ride to Corozal Town for
overnight at Escudo Jaguar, a lodge on the banks of the Usumacinta owned and run
by a cooperative of Maya Lacandon People. (B.L.)
Day 9. Sun. BONAMPAK,
Chiapas, Mexico. A
morning scenic drive takes you into the Lacandon Forest Reserve, home to the
Lacandon people and Bonampak Archaeological Park. Bonampak’s ruins are
particularly well preserved. The "Templo de los Frescos" contains three rooms
covered with paintings depicting ancient Maya ceremonies and customs. In the
afternoon we continue on to Palenque for overnight at the Villas Kin-ha Hotel.
(B.L.)
Day 10. Mon. PALENQUE,
Chiapas, Mexico.
This World Heritage Site is prized for its well-preserved buildings, carved
stucco ornamentation, delicate bas-reliefs and lengthy hieroglyphic texts.
Palenque reached its zenith during the reign of Pacal the Great (615-683 AD).
His tomb in the Temple of the Inscriptions was opened in 1952 and stands as one
of the greatest discoveries of Maya archaeology. Overnight at the Villas Kin-ha
Hotel (B.L.)
Day 11. Tues. LA VENTA PARK AND
COMALCALCO, Tabasco, Mexico.
After a two-hour ride
to Villahermosa, capital city of the Mexican State of Tabasco, visit La Venta
Park where colossal Olmec Heads, found in the surrounding area, are exhibited.
The Olmec pre-date the Classic Maya and they laid the foundation for the later
development of all Mesoamerican Civilizations. In the afternoon visit
Comalcalco, one of the westernmost Classic Maya sites, unique for being built
using clay bricks. Overnight and farewell dinner at the Calinda Viva Hotel in
Villahermosa. (B.L.D.)
Day 12. Wed. Departure from
Villahermosa, Mexico.
Transfer to Villahermosa
International Airport for flight home.
Guaranteed
departures November 3, December 1, 2007. January 5, February 2, March 1, 2008
Meals as indicated. Air fare to San Pedro Sula not included. Contact us for
bulk air rates.
Special consideration for groups of eight or more.
Departures for groups of four
or more first and third Saturday of every month all year long.
$2495 per person double
occupancy. Single supplement $499.
