guatemala - Holbrook Travel

GUATEMALA
GAL
t
ndy Schmid
Photo by Sa
GUATEMALA
Historical and Natural Treasures
Choose your dates / 8 days
Guatemala is the diverse cultural
center of Central America. It is
world-renowned for its colonial cities,
impressive Maya ruins, beautiful
tropical forests, and indigenous
peoples. Explore the diverse terrain
of a tropical paradise on this 8-day
program. Mountain bike through
the traditional weaving town of San
Antonio Aguas Calientes, traverse the
jungle-shrouded ruins of Tikal, and
discover the ancient and present day
Maya.
This program includes carbon offsetting
with ClimateSafe. Learn more at
holbrooktravel.com/ClimateSafe.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
• Explore the colonial city of Antigua including visits to the
Iglesia San Francisco, Cathedral, and the Santo Domingo
Convent and its colonial art museum.
• Hike through the jungle-shrouded Maya ruins at Tikal.
• Observe and interact with local woodcarvers as they perform
their ancient craft.
• Visit a working coffee mill.
• Experience Maya music and costume with a visit to the
Azotea Cultural Center.
EDUCATIONAL CONNECTIONS
• Learn about Guatemala’s geology and volcanic history.
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• Explore the tranquil Lake Atitlan.
Cultural Studies
Human Geography
Archaeology
Social Studies
Earth Science
• Investigate how an ancient ritual site is still in use by modern
day Maya.
• Discover the fascinating Yaxha ruins, home to a season of the
CBS hit show Survivor.
holbrooktravel.com | 800-451-7111
ITINERARY
DAY 1 - ANTIGUA
Upon arrival to Guatemala City on a Saturday meet your
guide and transfer to Antigua, approximately one hour. In
the late afternoon take a walking tour of Antigua including
the architectural and historical highlights of the colonial city.
Dinner at a local restaurant. The altitude of Antigua is 5,000
ft. Overnight at Hotel La Sin Ventura or similar. (D)
ht Country Inn and Suites or similar
DAY 2 - ANTIGUA
After breakfast take a field trip to La Azotea Cultural Center
and Museum. Learn about the history of coffee during a walk
through the coffee fields and the working mill. The museum
has a collection of traditional Maya musical instruments,
artifacts, costumes, and paintings from the pre-Hispanic
Maya era. Visit the village of Jocotenango to explore the local
workshops of the woodcarvers. After lunch visit the Educarte
Primary School to learn how the school supports the local
community through nutrition services, service programs, and
art education programs to build self-esteem. Upon arrival at
the primary school take a tour of the facilities and enjoy a
dance performance by the children. Later participate in an
art class at the school. Dinner will be at a local restaurant.
Overnight at Hotel La Sin Ventura or similar. (BLD)
DAY 3 - ANTIGUA
Take a scenic mountain bike ride to the west of Antigua and
its three volcanoes: Agua, Fuego, and Acatenango. Stop at
Guatemala’s oldest church, the famous macadamia nut farm,
and an interesting coffee plantation. Continue by biking
through the famous weaving town of San Antonio Aguas
Calientes with its colorful market. Enjoy breathtaking views
of the area before heading back to Antigua. Overnight at
Hotel La Sin Ventura or similar. (BLD)
DAY 4 - LAKE ATITLAN
After breakfast begin a full day adventure in the Panajachel
area. Start the day with a visit to the highland town of
Comalapa, the heart of the Cakchiqel people, one of
the many different Indian tribes of Maya people. After
exploring the bustling market and learning about life in this
community, head to a local bakery to discover how to make
roscas, traditional biscuits. Finally, visit the local galleries
to watch artists at work creating their renowned paintings.
Continue on to Lake Atitlan with a typical lunch en route.
After arriving at the hotel enjoy some time at leisure before
dinner at a local restaurant in Panajachel. Overnight at
Kakchiquel. (BLD)
DAY 5 - LAKE ATITLAN
After breakfast take a scenic boat ride across Lake Atitlan to
the village of Santiago Atitlan. The journey features excellent
views of the volcanoes Toliman, Atitlan, and San Pedro.
Disembark and take an exhilarating climb to the summit of
Cerro de Oro, part of the Toliman volcano, at an altitude
of approximately 5,675 ft. During the hike, learn about the
volcanic activity that caused the formation of this crater lake.
At the top of Cerro de Oro is a Maya ritual site where you
may see a local shaman performing a ritual. After lunch visit
the village of Santiago Atitlan. Stop at an effigy of the Maya
god Maximon, a folk saint combination of a Maya god and
Catholic tradition. View a local shaman ritual and witness
the spiritualism and beliefs of the T’zutujil Maya as well as
their local costume and traditions. Later return to Antigua
for a final night in this wonderful colonial city. Dinner at a
local restaurant. Overnight at Hotel La Sin Ventura or similar.
(BLD)
DAY 6 - TIKAL
Early transfer to Guatemala City for the morning flight to
Flores (approximately one hour). Upon arrival begin with
an exploration of the Yaxha National Park, the location of
one season of the popular CBS show Survivor was filmed.
The site is the third-largest known Classic Maya site in all
of Guatemala. Yaxha has a twin pyramid complex, nine
acropoli, and more than 500 structures. Similar to Tikal,
Yaxha was at the height of its importance between A.D.
300-900. Temple 216 offers a wonderful view of the lake and
surrounding rainforest. Lunch at a local rustic lodge before
continuing to Tikal National Park for an overnight stay in
the jungle. Overnight at Jaguar Inn. (BLD)
DAY 7 - GUATEMALA CITY
Rise early to explore the famous jungle-shrouded Maya
Temple site of Tikal and its rainforest canopy, home to many
monkeys and tropical birds. At its peak some 1,500 years
ago, Tikal was home to an estimated 100,000 Maya and was
one of the most important urban centers of its time. This is
evident in the more than 3,000 structures that extend over
six square miles. Explore of the sites followed by lunch at a
restaurant within the Tikal National Park. Transfer to the
Flores Airport for the flight back to Guatemala City, then
transfer to the hotel for your last evening in Guatemala.
Overnight at Stofella. (BLD).
DAY 8 - FAREWELL!
Transfer to the airport for your flight home. (B)
PROGRAM PRICING
$1,197 (21 participants + 3 leaders)
$1,287 (14 participants + 2 leaders)
$1,447 (7 participants + 1 leader)
Cost does not include international or internal airfare.
THE FINE PRINT
Rates are based on triple and quadruple occupancy for participants.
Complimentary leader accommodations are based on single and double
occupancy; complimentary leaders of same gender are expected to share
rooms. Holiday surcharges may apply. Program may incur unforeseen
fuel surcharges. A $200 per person deposit and enrollment form is due
upon booking and no later than four months prior to departure. This
deposit is refundable until 95 days prior to departure excluding a $100
cancellation fee. Final payments are due no later than 95 days prior to
departure. Cancellations received less than 95 days prior to departure
are not refundable. Travel/trip cancellation insurance is strongly
recommended. For more information call Travel Insured at 800-2433174 or visit ww.travelinsured.com. Holbrook Travel’s agency number
is 15849.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Visit holbrooktravel.com, call 800-451-7111, or email [email protected]