Christmas in the Mayan Wonderland! December 18-27, 2018 Chichicastenango, , Copan & Quirigua!

Dear Members & Friends: We then explore the finest Mayan ruins in Travel enthusiasts grab your binoculars and Central America—Tikal, Quirigua, and Copan— cameras, and come explore the enchantment plus the tropical lowlands around Rio Dulce. of Guatemala, the Mayan and scenic The archaeological sites are fantastic, as are wonderland of Central America! the spider monkeys, macaws, and toucans! This expedition offers a chance to visit the Guatemala is a treasurehouse of wonders! Highlands of Guatemala during the festive We invite you to take this opportunity to season. At this time, the local Maya people put explore them! on fiestas, dances, processions, and religious Sincerely, celebrations, creating an exceptional air of excitement and interest. This is also a wonderful opportunity to explore the historic cities of Chichicastenango Margaret M. Betchart and Antigua, and village life around the jewel President of the Americas, Lake Atitlan, which is Betchart Expeditions Inc. surrounded by spectacular volcanoes. For AAAS Travels, Sigma Xi & ACS Expeditions LEADERSHIP Tikal Leading this expedition for National Betchart will be Olga Slowing. Park Olga was born and raised in , amidst pine and oak forests, white tailed deer, Flores armadillos and undiscovered archaeological sites. As a child, she played around knolls containing Amatique prehispanic buildings and floors Bay covered with blades. GUATEMALA Rio Dulce In 1993, she started leading trips throughout Guatemala. After falling in love with the region and its rich nature Quirigua and culture, Olga started studies in Ecotourism and Chichicastenango Archaeology at the Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, Guatemala Copan combining studies and explorations throughout the Lake City Central American region. Olga says, “Discovering new Atitlan worlds and trying to make them understandable to Antigua people from different cultures is one of my passions; building bridges of understanding is one of my goals." Olga looks forward to sharing the delights of Guatemala, and the archaeological wonders of Guatemala and Pacific Ocean Copan in Honduras with you.

MAYAN WONDERLAND In recent geological time, the Central American isthmus came to unite the continental land masses of North America and South America. The North of this splendid area called Central America has been densely inhabited since 1,200 BC or earlier by people who profited from the bountiful resources of the region. Guatemala, in the North of Central America, is the heart of the Mayan World. There are millions of Mayan people inhabiting Guatemala today, speaking as many as 23 , and living on a day-to-day basis in between a modern state that wants to integrate them into the political and economic dominant culture, and their own culture with 3,000-year-old traditions, beliefs, cosmovision, and organization. The ancestors of the modern day Mayans are well known for having developed one of the most advanced civilizations in the Continent called America. Massive and tall pyramids in huge urban centers, the biggest and most densley populated in their times, were abandoned in a time span of around 100 years between 800-900 AD. This keeps being one of the biggest unsolved questions for Mayan archaeology. What happened to the people that dwelled around these magnificent and impressive buildings? The intellectual, technological, and organizational developments that the ancient Mayans achieved remain. They keep being a source of pride and honor, and a compass to show modern Guatemalans that there have been big times, and so, there are new big and better times to come. one of the most remarkable locations in Guatemala, ITINERARY Chichicastenango. Santo Tomas Hotel. B Day 1 Miami to Guatemala City Day 4 Chichicastenango Market Fly from Miami to Guatemala City, the capital & St. Thomas Festival to Antigua of Guatemala since 1775. Transfer to the Westin Early in the morning, we'll visit Chichicastenango Camino Real Hotel. Welcome dinner. D on its market day —an unforgettable experience full of color, sounds, and religious syncretism. We will Day 2 Guatemala City to Lake Atitlan visit the famous open air market, where native Today we will explore Guatemala City and learn handi crafts are traded and enter the 400-year-old about its remarkable heritage. Nueva Guatemala Church of Santo Tomas, where Catholic and Mayan de la Asuncion was founded in the Ermita Valley rites take place in a mystical atmosphere. Today, in the 18th century at the site where the Pre- you can enjoy the celebration of the town's most Columbian city of Kaminaljuyu rose to greatness important festival in honor of patron saint Santo some 3,500 years ago. Enjoy a visit to the National Tomas, with an explosion of fireworks, music, Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology and and color. Kaminaljuyu. Then depart through the Highlands In the afternoon, depart for the renowned to Panajachel, by the beautiful volcanic Lake colonial city of La Antigua, Guatemala, surrounded Atitlan, situated at the foot of several volcanoes. by spectacular volcanoes including El Fuerte. Enjoy Hotel Porta Del Lago. B,L,D the evening at leisure in Antigua, strolling the streets Day 3 Santiago Atitlan and enjoying the beauty of this historic city. Porta & San Juan La Laguna Antigua Hotel. B,L,D to Chichicastenango Day 5 Antigua City to Flores Enjoy a boat excursion across the lake to We will explore the city of Antigua this morning. Santiago Atitlan, located among three magnificent It was founded in 1543 and partially destroyed volcanoes. Walk through the streets and visit the by an earthquake in 1773. The city is the former different art galleries with "primitivist" paintings. colonial capital of Central America. Today, it is Also, see the Church of Santiago Apostol, built considered one of the in 1547 in honor of St. James. Later, watch the finest examples of urban curious Mayan rites of "Maximon," a native deity, planning in Latin America. at the local Cofradia. Churches, convents, Continue by boat to San Juan La Laguna. This and mansions recapture town is home of the Tz'utujil people. Enjoy the the glory of a city that was ancient traditions and unique marvels of nature. the capital of a Spanish This community offers a chance for visitors to gain colony for over 200 years. a deeper understanding of the natural and cultural Visit the most important heritage of the local people, interwoven into the buildings in this charming fascinating mosaic of modern-day Guatemala. Visit city, including a studio the local cooperativas and learn more about textiles where you can observe and traditions. Return to Panajachel, then head for the Guatemalan artisans making beautiful jewelry of ceramics and local and decoration pieces in findings. B,L,D jade. Drive to Guatemala Day 7 Rio Dulce– City for a flight to Flores in Livingston– the tropical Peten. Transfer Amatique Bay to your hotel in El Remate. Depart for Rio Dulce Hotel Camino Real Tikal this morning, then (2 nights). B,L,D continue by boat to Day 6 Tikal Livingston. During the excursion, you can observe Today we'll explore the magnificent archaeo- a wide variety of birds. Mangrove forests line the logical site of Tikal, declared a World Heritage Site riverbanks and the shores of the Caribbean coast. in 1979 by UNESCO. At the heart of the Mayan Arrive in Livingston, home of the Garifuna people, lowlands, the Peten was one of the first areas of a culture well know in Guatemala and the world for Mesoamerica to reach a high level of social and its language, traditions, and food. It was declared an cultural development. The sheer size of the Intangible Heritage for Humanity by UNESCO in majestic city of Tikal is the culmination of almost 2008. In the afternoon continue by boat to Puerto 2,000 years of occupation, 800 BC to 900 AD. At its Barrios and transfer to Amatique Bay Resort. B,L,D height, Tikal stretched for 146 square km and is Day 8 Amatique Bay – Quirigua – thought to have had a population of 100,000. To Copan, Honduras date only a few of the 4,000 buildings that dot Depart for the archaeological site of Quirigua this the 16 square km city core have been excavated. morning, also a World Heritage Site. The large plaza Hemmed in by splendid monuments, such as has monumental stone carved stelae (up to 10.60 m). Temples I and II and the warren of palaces in the Beyond that are zoomorphs, huge sand stones carved North and Central Acropolises, the Great Plaza lies in relief art. Continue to El Florido Border Station at the heart of Tikal. Stelae and altars carved with in Honduras, and the Marina Copan Hotel. B,L,D inscriptions recording the history of the powerful ruling dynasty are scattered around the square. Tikal is also part of the Maya Biosphere Reserve created in 1990 to protect the dense forests of the Peten, which started to disappear at an alarming rate due to population pressures, illegal logging, and slash-and-burn agricultural practices. Enormous trees still shroud Tikal's buildings, which cluster in groups reached by wide causeways, meandering through the tropical forest, home to toucans, parrots, wild turkeys, howler monkeys, raccoon-like coati mundis, and countless other creatures. Also visit the Sylvannus G. Morley Museum which exhibits a fine collection • • • THE SIGM SCIENTIFIC RESEARCHA X SOCIETYI ACS The Planetary Society #1522 ___ assign a roommate Christmas in Guatemala 2018 Betchart Expeditions Inc. Montebello Road 17050 Cupertino, CA 95014-5435 ESERVATIONS R ______Age______I/we want to join Christmas in Guatemala,

AAAS Travels, offered by AAAS Travels, 2018, December 18-27, Expeditions & The PlanetarySigma Xi, ACS Society. Please reserve ______space(s). As a deposit, I/we enclose a payable to check for $______($500 per person) Account. Betchart Expeditions Inc. Trust Yes! Name(s) ______Age______Address ______State City Zip ______Phone: ______Home (______) ______Email Address Work ______(______) Membership: ___ AAAS ___ Sigma Xi ACS ______Planetary Society Accommodations Preference: ___ Twin ___ Single ___ Nonsmoker ___ Smoker ______Date ______Signature Share: Twin ___ with a friend or Signature ______Date ______Please Mail To:

CST# 2036304-40 CST# ESPONSIBILITY R to Miami & Home

Copan was declared a World Heriage Site in Copan was declared a World

and the airline concerned. The airlines concerned are not to be held responsible for any act, omission, or event during the time passengers are not on board their plane or conveyance. ©2018 Betchart Expeditions Inc. All rights reserved. ©2018 Commons. Photos courtesy of Wikimedia Map by April Milne. that the air ticket when issued shall constitute the sole contract between the passenger Betchart Expeditions Inc., the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the American Chemical Society (AAAS), Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society, tation and hotels, and act only as agents for the passenger with respect to transpor (ACS)

exercise every care possible. However, we can assume no liability for injury, damage, we can assume no liability for injury, exercise every care possible. However, loss, accident or irregularity in connection with the services of any airplane, delay, coach, or any other conveyance used in carrying out the arrangements of ship, motor for losses or additional expenses due to cannot accept any responsibility We the tour. quarantine, strike, war, delay or changes in air or other services, sickness, weather, terrorism, acts of God, or other causes beyond our control. All such losses or expenses ments only for vide for arrange as tour rates pro will have to be borne by the passenger, reserve the right to substitute another leader of similar expertise the time stated. We or reserve the right to cancel any tour prior to departure, in which case the entire payment will be refunded with no further obligation on our part. The right is also No refund son as a member of the tour. reserved to decline to accept or retain any per ments are made in will be made for the unused portion of any tour unless arrange sufficient time to avoid penalties. The price of the program is based on current tariffs increases will be Any tariff, exchange rate, or fuel change. and rates, and is subject to It is understood passed on to participants. Baggage is carried at the owner’s risk entirely. Day 10 Guatemala City Guatemala Day 10 Carmino Real Hotel. B,L,D Return flights to Miami and home. Westin Westin City. Afternoon return drive to Guatemala elements. Then visit the Maya Sculpture Museum. elements. Then visit the Maya Sculpture (711-736 AD), all of which have zoomorphic AD), all of which have zoomorphic (711-736 statues placed there during the reign of 18-Rabbit of 18-Rabbit statues placed there during the reign of it is the Great Plaza, famous for the stelae and of it is the Great Plaza, famous for grouped together around the Acropolis and north grouped together around the Acropolis important buildings in Copan are The most the story of Copan and its rulers. built with 1,250 carved of stone and narrates blocks built with 1,250 Structure 10L-26. This remarkable work of art was Structure 10L-26. of the New World in the Hieroglyphic Staircase on in the Hieroglyphic Staircase of the New World studied. You can admire the longest-surviving can admire text studied. You as well as perhaps the best preserved and most described it as the “Athens of the New World” of the New World” described it as the “Athens archaeo logical sites. Sylvanus Morley once archaeo 1980. It is one of the Maya World's most beautiful It is one of the Maya World's 1980. Day 9 Honduras Copan, AAAS Travels ACS & Sigma Xi Expeditions The Planetary Society BETCHART EXPEDITIONS Inc. 17050 Montebello Road, Cupertino, CA 95014-5435

FIRST CLASS

Christmas in Guatemala! Including Chichicastenango, Tikal, Copan & Quirigua! December 18-27, 2018

Reservations, Deposits COSTS & CONDITIONS & Payments: Please mail a deposit of $500 pp with the completed Expedition Fee: $3,995 per person plus air fare of $725 reservation form to: from Miami to Guatemala City, round trip, plus in-tour fl ight Christmas in Guatemala 2018 $225 Guatemala City to Flores. Betchart Expeditions Inc. Expedition Fee Includes: 17050 Montebello Road Land transport; group airport transfers; accommodations Cupertino, CA 95014-5435 twin share; most meals; tips to drivers and local guides; The balance is due 60 days before departure. entrance fees; baggage handling; leadership, administration. Expedition Fee Does Not Include: Questions: International air fare (quoted separately); in-tour fl ight, Please call Terri Stevens gratuities to expedition leader; personal items such as Betchart Phone: (800) 252 4910 laundry, phone calls, alcoholic beverages, snacks, personal Fax: (408) 252 1444 insurance, or foreign airport departure taxes. Email: [email protected] On the Web: www.betchartexpeditions.com What to Expect: This expedition is planned for the traveler who would enjoy exploring the cultural and archaeological heritage of Guatemala and Copan in Honduras during the festive holiday season with an excellent Guatemala leader. Visit outstanding scenic and cultural sites in the Highlands, including Lake Atitlan, Chichicastenango, and Antigua, plus the archaeological wonders of Tikal, Quirigua, and Copan and the Rio Dulce in the tropical lowlands. There will be daily outings on foot of one-half to two miles at a leisurely pace to explore markets, towns, and archaeological sites. Typically, temperatures are springlike in the highlands (60's - 70's) and in the 80's at Tikal. This expedition is a tremendous experience for travelers with an appetite for adventure who enjoy the camaraderie of traveling with a Cancellations & Refunds: group and have a keen interest in learning about the cultural The initial deposit is refundable up to 60 days before heritage of this fascinating and scenic country. (No smoking departure less a handling fee of $100 per person. There in vehicles, during lectures, or meals, please.) is no refund after the 60-day period unless your place is Accommodations: resold, then only the $100 per person handling fee is Are in excellent fi rst class hotels. Singles are available for a withheld. There are no refunds for unused meals or supplement of $795. other expedition features.