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KINICH AHAU (Fire) 18 days - 17 Nights

Departure Mondays

Day 1 - Guatemala City
Welcome at the airport and transfer to the selected hotel in Guatemala City.

Day 2 -Guatemala City - Lake Atitlan

In the morning city tour: visit the National Museum of Archaeology where you will see an extensive collection of stelae, ceramics, incense burners, etc. Visit the historic center where you will see the National Palace and the Cathedral Church (panoramisch). In the afternoon visit the archaeological site of Iximche, which was the capital of the late post-classic Kaqchiquel Maya kingdom from 1470 until its abandonment in 1524. Transfer to Lake Atitlan, a beautiful highland lake surrounded by 3 volcanoes. Night in Panajachel.

Day 3 - Lake Atitlan
Boat tour of the lake to visit two Tz'utujil indigenous villages: First San Juan la Laguna where you will have a cultural tour to learn about the process of drying, weaving, and preparing the warp. Then visit Santiago Atitlan, which is the biggest village on the lakeshore of Atitlan Lake. The artisans specialize in tempera paintings, woodwork and weavings. In the afternoon return to your hotel.

Day 4 - Lake Atitlan - Quetzaltenango
In the morning hike for three hours on the lakeshores. In the afternoon transfer to Quetzaltenango to spend the night.

Day 5 - Quetzaltenango - San Francisco el Alto - Huehuetenango
Visit of the indigenous villages of San Andres Xecul, famous for its baroque yellow church, and of San Francisco el Alto or Totonicapan on their respective market days, Zunil, where you can visit the house of Maxim—n, a local Maya effigy where local Maya gather each day to conduct pre-Columbian rituals and ceremonies. Night in Huehuetenango.

Day 7 - Chichicastenango - Guatemala City
Visit of the biggest and most colorful market of Central America as well as the Santo Tomas church where you can witness the syncretism of the Catholic and the Mayan religion. In this town the sacred Maya Tzolk'in Calendar is still observed. Visit Pascual Abaj a Mayan ceremonial altar and the cemetery. It is also possible to observe original shamanic ceremonies. In the afternoon transfer to Guatemala City.

Day 8 - Guatemala City - Copan (Honduras)
Early in the morning, transfer to Copan to visit one of the most fascinating Mayan ruins. Copan was the capital city of a major Classic period kingdom from the 5th to 9th centuries AD. Cop‡n had an occupational history that spanned more than two thousand years.
Visit includes the acropolis divided in two big plazas, the ball court, the second largest to be found in Central America, The Hieroglyphic stairway and the Great Plaza, famous for its stelae and altars. An optional tour is the visit of the sculpture museum and Macaw bird reserve.

Day 9 - Copan - Quirigua - Puerto Barrios - Livingston
After breakfast you will depart for the archaeological site of Quirigua, which is famous for its largest stelae in the Maya world. Quirigua was declared Patrimony of Humanity in 1979. From Puerto Barrios boat transfer crossing the Golf of Honduras to Livingston, a small Garifuna village, to spend the night.

Day 10 - Livingston - Rio Dulce - Yaxha
Enjoy the Caribbean flair of this river on a 2h30 hours boat tour. You will visit the bird island where you can observe a variety of water birds, cruise through the impressive Rio Dulce canyon, visit the Ak« Tenamit development project providing education for local Maya Queq'chi children, the sulfuric water, finally visit the Castillo San Felipe. In the afternoon drive to Yaxha. Night in the middle of the jungle.

Day 11 - Yaxha - Tikal
In the morning visit the archaeological site. Yaxha consists of more than 500 structures, including 40 stelae, 13 altars, 9 temple pyramids, 2 ball courts, and a network of sacbeob (causeways) that connect the Central and Northern Mahler with the Eastern Acropolis. The top of Temple 216 provides a fantastic view of the two lakes and the surrounding jungle canopy. Then visit Topoxte site, located on a small island on the lake. In the afternoon transfer to Tikal.

Day 12 - Tikal - Flores
Visit one of the largest archaeological sites in Mesoamerica. Visit of the famous great plaza with the Temples I and II, the Temple IV, which is the highest known temple in the Maya world, Temples III and V, the North and Central Acropolis, as well as the Lost World astrological observation center, where you will learn first-hand about Mayan astronomy and astrology, the importance of time and its measurement and how the special cosmic influences of each day translated into the Maya Calendar. Tikal reached its peak period around AD 700 under its King Hasaw Chan Kawil (AD 682 to AD 734). In the afternoon return to Flores and overnight.

Day 13 - Flores - Sayaxche - Aguateca-Coban
Transfer to Sayaxche where you will enjoy a boat trip on the Passion River and the Petexbatun lagoon. Visit the site of Aguateca, which is a Maya city from the late classic period (600 to 900 A.D.). In the afternoon continue to Coban. Night.

Day 14 - Coban - Semuc Champey - Coban
In the morning transfer to Semuc Champey a beauty of nature in the middle of a tropical forest. Semuc Champey consists of a 500 m limestone bridge, under which passes the Cahabon River. Atop the bridge is a series of stepped, turquoise pools which invite you to a refreshing dip into the cool water. Then transfer to Coban. Night.

Day 15 - Coban - Antigua
Transfer to Antigua on the way visit of the Quetzal Biotope, a natural reserve protecting the Resplendent Quetzal bird, Guatemala's mythical bird, in its dense cloud forest habitat. The Quetzal was considered a holy bird by the classical Maya, and its feathers were used to decorate the headdress of the Maya kings. On the walk through this unique ecosystem you can enjoy tropical trees covered by moss, ferns, orchids, and bromeliads. Then transfer to Antigua for the night.

Day 16 - Antigua - Pacaya - Antigua
In the morning transfer to San Francisco de Sales where you will start to climb the active volcano. On the way back visit San Antonio Aguas Calientes to enjoy a typical lunch with a Maya Kaqchiquel family, you will have as well an introduction into their culture and costumes.

Day 17 - Antigua
Walking tour of the charming colonial city of Antigua, which was the capital of the vice kingdom of Guatemala from 1543 to 1773. Declared UNESCO Patrimony of Humanity in 1979, most ruined churches and monasteries were built during that period. Visit the Plaza Central with the Generals Palace, the Municipality, the Cathedral church, the La Merced church, and the Capuchinas Convent. Finish your trip with a visit of the local Jade Museum and factory, where you will receive an introduction into the classical Maya culture. As an option visit a coffee plantation.

Day 18 - Antigua Ð Airport
Transfer to the airport to take your international flight