13 Days – Mosaic of Central America Travel date 24 Jan - 05 Feb 2020 TOUR INFORMATION CENTRAL AMERICA

INTRODUCTION

Sandwiched between the Pacific and Atlantic, linking the 2 mighty continents of North and South America, this narrow strip of land consists of a patchwork of countries mysterious to most. This trip takes you from Panama where you have a special arrangement to visit the famous canal to access docks that are not opened to other tourists. Then, we move on to where you will have the chance to explore the largest known Maya site with dramatic natural formations. We will spend three nights there visiting some local cultural villages and some local women’s cooperative to experience their way of life.

Besides Belize, one of the largest Mayan complexes can be found in . We’ll visit the spectacular temples of Yaxhá before taking a boat tour to witness the unique islands ruins of . National Park a UNESCO World Heritage Site is also a must see highlight also know for its majestic array of ancient temples.

We will also make a side trip into where we have specially arranged for a renowned archaeologist to guide us through a Mayan ruin followed by dinner at his home.

At the end of the trip, we will enjoy a half day walking tour of Antigua. If you don’t want your journey to end here, why not extend to Costa Rica which boasts some of the best jungle eco-tourism hotels and experiences.

SPECIALS

• Special visit of Panama Canal accessing areas not open to other tourists; • Private charter planes into Guatemala City & Tablones (round-trip); • Enjoy a private sunset tour in & Topoxte national park; • Dinner in the home of David Sadat, an archaeologist and be guided through Copan; • Private sunset champagne lake cruise; • Tipping to Guide, Driver & Porter included; • Accompanied by Scott Dunn Travel Concierge; • Comprehensive Travel Insurance included

DEPARTURE DETAILS ITINERARY DAY BY DAY • Land Tour Price: Twin Sharing: Day 1 24 Jan (Fri) Arrive Panama City S$ 16,990/-; Single Supplement: S$ 2,990/- Day 2 25 Jan (Sat) Panama City & Canal • Airfare (subject to availability) Day 3 26 Jan (Sun) Panama City / Belize / Cayo Economy from S$ 2,952/-; Day 4 27 Jan (Mon) Cayo / / Cayo Business from S$ 11,534/- Day 5 28 Jan (Tue) Cayo / San Ignacio / Cayo • Deposit amount: Day 6 29 Jan (Wed) Cayo / Yaxha & Topoxte / Las Lagunas S$ 4,000/ per person Day 7 30 Jan (Thur) Las Lagunas / Tikal / Las Lagunas • Registration Closing Date: Day 8 31 Jan (Fri) Las Lagunas / Lake Atitlan 31 October 2019 or when tour is fully subscribed Day 9 01 Feb (Sat) Lake Atitlan / San Juan / Santiago / Lake Atitlan • Early Bird Promotion: Day 10 02 Feb (Sun) Lake Atitlan / Chichicastenango / Guatemala First 4 rooms booking will enjoy Day 11 03 Feb (Mon) Guatemala / Copain complementary upgrade from standard Day 12 04 Feb (Tue) Copan / Guatemala City / Antigua Guatemala room to Junior Suite at the El Convento Day 13 05 Feb (Wed) Antigua Guatemala / Depart Guatemala City Hotel in Antigua

Raffles City Tower #10-03, 250 North Bridge Road, Singapore 179101 | Tel: +65 3165 4050 | Travel Licence No: 029233 [email protected] | www.scottdunn.com ITINERARY CENTRAL AMERICA

DAY 01/02 - 24/25 JAN (FRI/SAT) - SINGAPORE PANAMA CITY & CANAL

Flight:

Singapore / San Francisco UA 2 1000/0835 (14h 35m) San Francisco / New York UA 2319 1215/2053 (5h 38m) New York / Panama City UA 1214 2351/0510+1 (5h 19m)

Arrive in Panama. You will be met as you disembark from the flight for a fast track and VIP immigration and custom clearance. Start the day with an ecological boat tour on Gatun Lake, a large man-made lake that was formed when the Gatun Dam was built across the Charges River between 1907 and 1913. At the time of its creation, Gatun Lake was the largest artificial lake in the world, encompassing 430 square kilometers (166 sq mi). Today it remains an essential part of the Panama Canal system, carrying ships for 33 kilometers (21 mi) of their transit across the isthmus of Panama, and generating crucial hydro-electricity for the operation of the Canal’s locks. A boat ride on the lake surrounded by untouched exotic rainforest will reveal the area’s many different species of birds, monkeys, iguanas and sloths.

In the afternoon, we will continue to the Miraflores Locks. This VIP experience will also allow you access restricted areas not usually accessible to the public, presenting the unique opportunity to get a closer view of the locks and operations. Then continue to the picturesque Casco Viejo, commonly called the walled city. Casco Viejo was founded by the Spaniards in 1673 after the First City of Panama (Old Panama) was destroyed. Together with Old Panama, the Casco Viejo is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is appreciated worldwide for its unique historical and artistic value. We’ll take the time to appreciate the area’s beautiful colonial and neoclassical architecture, squares and monuments, whilst learning more about the history and culture of the city.

This evening, dinner will be served with a private folkloric presentation of Panama’s most beautiful and traditional dress, La Pollera together with traditional dance and music.

Accommodation: American Trade Hotel Meals: Lunch & Dinner

DAY 03 - 26 JAN (SUN) - PANAMA CITY / BELIZE / CAYO

Bid farewell to Panama and catch an early morning flight to Belize.

Flight:

Panama City / Cancun CM 316 0736/1020 (2h 44m) Cancun / Belize 9N6611 1400/1445 (1h 45m)

Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel for around 2 hours in the Cayo district to enjoy a welcome dinner in Belize.

Accommodation: San Ignacio Resort Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Raffles City Tower #10-03, 250 North Bridge Road, Singapore 179101 | Tel: +65 3165 4050 | Travel Licence No: 029233 [email protected] | www.scottdunn.com ITINERARY CENTRAL AMERICA

DAY 04 - 27 JAN (MON) - CAYO | CARACOL | CAYO

Experience two ecosystems in a long but fascinating day exploring the largest known Maya site in Belize followed by a refreshing dip in pristine pools formed by waterfalls. The 2.5- to 3-hour drive starts out on a paved road from San Ignacio in western Belize and continues off-road through the Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve, a sprawling national park featuring dramatic falls and pristine rivers and pools. Notice the change from pine forest to tropical rainforest as you enter the Chiquibul Forest Reserve, which surrounds the stunning Caracol ruins. Covering 78 square kilometers (30 square miles) of thick jungle, Caracol contains five plazas, a cosmic observatory and thousands of structures. Follow the footsteps of by climbing up the steps of the massive Caana pyramid and browsing the three temples sharing its lofty peak. Enjoy a panoramic view of the rainforest canopy as you look out from 43 meters (140 feet) above the jungle floor. Because the ruins lie within the Chiquibul reserve, you may encounter exotic birds and wildlife as you meander through the ruins.

On the way back to town, stop at the alluring Rio Frio Cave and take a refreshing dip in the Rio On Pools. The route threads along national borderlines so don’t be surprised by the military escort, a precautionary measure arranged for certain sections of the drive.

Accommodation: San Ignacio Resort Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 05 - 28 JAN (TUE) - CAYO | SAN IGNACIO | CAYO

You will be met in the morning at your hotel and transferred to San Ignacio to visit a Maya family for an interactive chocolate making workshop. The demonstration starts with the peeling of the roasted cacao beans, then crushed on a grinding stone and turned into a chocolate paste. Then you will mix a chocolate drink with the pure chocolate paste adding sugar and honey. You will also have the option to add ground cinnamon, all spice or ground pepper to the mixture. Finally, the leftover chocolate paste is added and molded into heart or square shaped bars which you can take back home as handmade gifts.

Afterwards, continue to the San Antonio village to visit the home of a local women’s cooperative and experience the lifestyle and culture of the villagers. After a brief introduction, you’ll enter the kitchen, grind corn on a grinding stone and make tortillas. You will also participate in a pottery workshop and make clay figures either by hand or using a spin wheel for making vases and pots. A typical village style lunch is served after the workshops. Your tour concludes with a visit to Sak Tunich, a place to meet local Mayan artists, famous for their handmade slate carvings; you will also visit their workshops and exhibits before returning to the hotel.

Accommodation: San Ignacio Resort Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Raffles City Tower #10-03, 250 North Bridge Road, Singapore 179101 | Tel: +65 3165 4050 | Travel Licence No: 029233 [email protected] | www.scottdunn.com ITINERARY CENTRAL AMERICA

DAY 06 - 29 JAN (WED) - CAYO | YAXHA & TOPOXTE | LAS LAGUNAS

One of the largest Mayan complexes in Guatemala, Yaxhá contains over 500 structures, including nine temples and one of the few twin pyramid complexes outside of Tikal. Your adventure features a climb up Temple 216 (37 metres / 121 feet), providing a 360-degree panorama of the rainforest canopy, nearby pyramids, and two shimmering lakes. You will also explore the less visited areas of the site before hopping aboard a boat to visit the small island ruins at Topoxte. As the sun sets behind this post-classic site, the densely shrouded temples and structures lure your imagination back into a bygone era.

Afterwards, enjoy some drinks and savor the sunset before continuing to . This experience spotlights Yaxhá’s spectacular temples with the added mystique of a sunset boat tour of unique island ruins.

Accommodation: Las Lagunas Boutique Hotel Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 07 - 30 JAN (THU) - LAS LAGUNAS | TIKAL | LAS LAGUNAS

You’ll be met at your hotel by a private guide for a tour of Tikal National Park, where 3,000 ancient structures rise from the rainforest floor. Not only will you enjoy a fascinating tour of this impressive UNESCO World Heritage Site, but you’ll also experience the sights and sounds of tropical birds and animals, including howler and spider monkeys, that live in the jungle canopy. Once home to an estimated 50,000 residents or more, Tikal flourished from 800 BC to 900 AD. You’ll follow in the footsteps of Maya royalty and commoners as your guide leads you to the majestic Great Plaza and its Temple of the Jaguar (44 meters / 144 feet), Temple of the Masks (38m/125ft), the Acropolis and much more. You can also explore the museum at the visitor center before returning to your hotel.

Accommodation: Las Lagunas Boutique Hotel Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 08 - 31 JAN (FRI) - LAS LAGUNAS | LAKE ATITLAN

This morning we will visit San Juan Comalapa, a town known for its 500 painters, primarily of Maya Kaqchiquel heritage. On arrival, you will see the famous mural, painted by local schoolchildren and adults, depicting major events in Guatemala’s history from the pre- Columbian era through the signing of the 1996 peace accords. You will then visit a few of the artists who continue the tradition of naïf painting for which the town is famous. We will then take the private charter plane to Guatemala City and transfer via Compala to Lake Atitlan.

You can walk through Comalapa’s authentic market for a glimpse into daily life in this region, as residents, dressed in the colorful textiles traditional to the region, buy their weekly produce and goods. You can also visit the small museum dedicated to the Comalapa-born composer who wrote Guatemala’s national anthem.

Accommodation: Hotel Atitlan Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Raffles City Tower #10-03, 250 North Bridge Road, Singapore 179101 | Tel: +65 3165 4050 | Travel Licence No: 029233 [email protected] | www.scottdunn.com ITINERARY CENTRAL AMERICA

DAY 09 - 01 FEB (SAT) - LAKE ATITLAN | SAN JUAN | SANTIAGO | LAKE ATITLAN

Although more than a dozen fascinating towns and villages overlook majestic Lake Atitlán, Santiago and San Juan La Laguna top the must-see list. In San Juan, watch indigenous weavers mix natural dyes from locally grown plants and flowers, and then see the women use a back-strap loom to create intricate textiles, thread by thread. From there, peruse a workshop of art naïf painters before boarding the boat for the cruise to Santiago.

After a delicious lunch, head out with your guide to find the house of Maximón, the Maya folk saint who moves annually with the selection of his new caretaker. A shaman may be performing a ritual for a local follower or two gathered at Maximón’s candle-lit altar. Afterward you can visit the church, learn about the town’s vivid history and explore the thriving market. Be sure to check out more of the distinctive textiles and primitive art, both famous from the lake basin.

Accommodation: Hotel Atitlan Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 10 - 02 FEB (SUN) - LAKE ATITLAN | CHICHICASTENANGO | GUATEMALA

You’ll be met at the hotel by your private driver and guide for the 1.5hrs drive to the highland town of Chichicastenango. Along the way you will pass through the central highland region and see the local Maya people in their traditional dress going about their daily lives working in the fields, collecting firewood, traveling between markets and selling their wares. Upon arrival at Chichicastenango, your guide will take you to explore this expansive, world-famous market. You’ll visit the fruit and vegetable markets where locals buy produce and household goods and spend time in the artisan craft area where countless stalls overflow with an endless variety of handmade textiles, carved wood, and ceramic crafts.

You can also visit the famous St Tomas Church, where both Maya and Catholic rituals are performed in the sanctuary, reflecting the intertwining of these two diverse faiths in this region. If you wish, you can also hike up the hill to the Pascual Abaj, where you may see local shamans performing their rituals, or you can visit the cemetery on the outskirts of town, where the mausoleums are painted in vivid colors.

Accommodation: Westin Camino Real Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Raffles City Tower #10-03, 250 North Bridge Road, Singapore 179101 | Tel: +65 3165 4050 | Travel Licence No: 029233 [email protected] | www.scottdunn.com ITINERARY CENTRAL AMERICA

DAY 11 - 03 FEB (MON) - GUATEMALA | COPAN

Located in western Honduras, Copán ranks as one of the finest archaeological sites of the Mayan world. This morning, a private charter flight will take you to cross the border to Tablones. Your Copán immersion experience starts after a short drive and is led by David Sedat, a renowned archaeologist and the former Copán field director for the University of Pennsylvania’s museum. In the morning, David escorts you from your hotel to the ruins for a private tour of this remarkable UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its intricately carved stelae and incredible hieroglyphic stairway exemplify why Copán is considered one of the most lavish cultural centers of the Mayan world. You will also visit the sculpture museum and two ancient tunnels that provide insight into Copán’s early stages.

In the evening, join David at his home for cocktails, appetizers and a one-hour presentation on Copán’s fascinating royal tombs, which he helped excavate. He also covers some of the site’s amazing, lesser-known discoveries. During the dinner that follows, David will gladly answer your questions. Half the cost of the presentation goes directly to David’s and the University of Pennsylvania’s ongoing work at Copán.

Accommodation:Marina Copan Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 12- 04 FEB (TUE) - COPAN | GUATEMALA CITY | ANTIGUA GUATEMALA

This morning our private charter plane will take us back to Guatemala. Be transferred an hour to Antigua Guatemala for your half day walking tour. This tour explores this colonial city’s cultural, architectural, and social history with a behind-the-scenes look at some of Antigua’s ornately decorated churches, Spanish colonial-era ruins, and the tomb of the first Guatemalan saint.

This evening enjoys a farewell dinner for praising all amazing places travelled

Accommodation: Westin Camino Real Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 13- 05 FEB (WED) - ANTIGUA GUATEMALA SINGAPORE

Transfer to the Guatemala City airport for your flight back to Singapore or to San Jose for your Costa Rica extension.

Flight:

Guatemala City / Houston UA 1903 1330/1629 (2h 59m) Houston / San Francisco UA 2254 1825/2050 (4h 25m) San Francisco / Singapore UA 1 2240/0800+2 (17h 20m)

You’ll arrive in Singapore on 07 Feb, Fri

Accommodation: N/A Meals: N/A

Raffles City Tower #10-03, 250 North Bridge Road, Singapore 179101 | Tel: +65 3165 4050 | Travel Licence No: 029233 [email protected] | www.scottdunn.com PRICE INFORMATION CENTRAL AMERICA

Land tour price per person Hotels Twin share Single Supplement Panama City: American Trade Hotel (Cuarcuarto Chico) Belize: San Ignacio Resort (Deluxe room) Tikal: Las Lagunas Boutique Hotel (Queen Suite) Lake Atitlan: Hotel Atitlan (Standard double room) S$ 16,990/- S$ 2,990/- Guatemala City: Westin Camino Real Hotel (Deluxe room) Copan: Marina Copan Hotel (Standard double room) Antigua Guatemala: El Convento Boutique Hotel (Deluxe room) * These prices are based on minimum ten persons traveling together.

Airline Airfare price per person

United Airlines (UA) Economy Class Singapore/San Francisco/New York/Panama S$2,194 + S$758 (taxes) = S$2,952/- City// Guatemala City/Houston/San Francisco/ Singapore Business Class: S$10,776 + S$758 (taxes) = S$11,534/-

*Airfare & Taxes are estimation only and subject to change & availability. Please explore alternative flying routes and consult our friendly consultants.

COST INCLUDES COST EXCLUDES

• Accommodation on twin or double sharing basis; • International Airfare as quoted above; • Domestic & charter flights as stated in the program; • Visa; (if any) • Meals as stated with 1 glass of wine/beer/juice; • Personal expenses e.g. laundry, and telecommunication • Tours and transfers in air-conditioned vehicle, • Entrance fees where applicable; • Tipping to Guide, Driver & Porter; • Comprehensive Travel Insurance; • Service of Scott Dunn Travel Concierge;

Raffles City Tower #10-03, 250 North Bridge Road, Singapore 179101 | Tel: +65 3165 4050 | Travel Licence No: 029233 [email protected] | www.scottdunn.com