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Home , Iximche, Maya textiles, Usumacinta River, Yaxchilan, Yaxha

Ancient Kingdoms of the Maya

Extension: Highlands: San Cristobal de Las Casas Highland Maya Communities.

December 29, 2017-January 10, 2018 Prepared for Ronald Wixman

Cultural Journeys

Mexico | Colombia | www.tiastephanietours.com | (734) 769 7839 Ancient Kingdoms of the Maya! Art History of

Join us on a journey to explore the ancient and living Maya of Guatemala, and Mexico! We’ll visit the former power- ful Kingdoms of and and important satellite communities such as Quirigua, , and others. In addition to learning about the Ancient Maya, we’ll visit living Maya communities in the Guatemala highlands, around Antigua and Lake Atitlan. This educational journey promises to be rich in historical perspectives and understand- ing of the ; its legacy and living cultures of today.

Program Highlights

• : Museum of History and the National Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology • handcrafts and ethnographic LOCATION of Guatemala • Overnight in Lake Atitlan • Museum in Copan, Honduras • We’ll visit Archaeological Site • We’ll visit the • We’ll visit Palenque Itinerary

Day 1: Friday, Dec. 29: Arrive Guatemala (D) for whom it is still a sacred place. By visit- Located at 5,000 feet above sea level, Lake Arrive at Guatemala City Airport, where ing this site, we will gain access to observe Atilan is surrounded by three imposing you will be met and transferred to our a serene Maya healing ritual performed by volcanoes and a dozen Maya villages. Lake hotel in Guatemala City. We’ll enjoy a a qualified community shamaness. Ar- Atitlan is magical to behold and explore. meet and greet welcome dinner! Overnight, riving to “Chichi” on the eve of a market Traveling by boat, we’ll visit the most pic- Guatemala City. WESTIN Camino Real . day provides the opportunity to see the turesque towns of the Maya Tzutuhil People: transformation of a normally quiet town in Santiago and San Juan, on the Southwest- Day 2: to a bustling market. It happens overnight. ern side of the lake, on the slopes of thee Saturday, Dec. 30: Guatemala City, Overnight in . Mayan Inn volcanoes. Textiles, wood carvings, primi- , Transfer Chichicastenango (B, L) tive art paintings abound here, and the vi- This morning, we’ll visit the most important Day 3: Sunday, Dec. 31: Chichicastenango brant Maya culture is fully alive. Overnight museums in Guatemala City, beginning with Sunday Market! (B, L, D) in Lake Atitlan. the Museum of . Here, No place is more colorful and vibrant than we’ll learn of the vast and diverse cultural Chichicastenango during its Sunday market. Day 5: Tuesday, January 2, Antigua – landscape of the Maya of Guatemala, and Here, handcrafts and ethnographic textiles Guatemala City (B, L) how dress and traditions are an are bought and sold by venders from all This morning we’ll transfer to Antigua. At integral aspect of their cultural expression. over the country, representing numerous 5,000 feet, surrounded by three volcanoes, Nearby, we’ll visit he Museum ethnic groups of Guatemala. In addition to Antigua is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, of History and the National Museum of the dynamic market day, we can observe and is an excellent example of a Span- Archaeology and Ethnology. At these muse- how the Maya worship in a syncretic man- ish colonial city from the 18th Century, in ums, we’ll learn of the Maya ancient past ner, observing their ancient Maya gods, the afternoon we’ll walk the cobblestoned and their legacy. In the afternoon, we’ll within the Saint Thomas Catholic Church. streets, visiting plazas, fountains, churches, transfer to Chichicastenango, but will make Tonight is New Year’s Eve and it will be convents and of charming Antigua. a strategic stop en route to visit the Iximche celebrated with a special Dinner. Overnight Antigua an excellent example of a Span- Archaeological Site, a late Post Classic in Lake Atitlan. 2 nights at the Posada Don ish colonial city built in the 18th Century. In Maya Site, built in 1470 and destroyed by Rodrigo Hotel in Lake Atitlan. the late afternoon, 45-minute transfer to the Spanish conquistadores in 1524. While it Guatemala City. Overnight in Guatemala was destroyed, it was never truly lost nor Day 4: Monday, January 1: Lake Atitlan City, Vista Real Hotel. forgotten by the Maya Cackchiquel people, Communities (B, L) Itinerary

Day 6: Wednesday, Jan. 3: Copan, Honduras. afternoon & overnight by Rio Dulce, in a Tikal is one of the few places in the World Today we’ll depart early, and enjoy a waterfront hotel. Banana Palms Resort that deserve UNESCO’s World Heritage rec- scenic morning drive to Copan in Honduras. and Marina. (B,L) ognition for both its cultural and natural We’ll spend the afternoon exploring the wealth. Tikal reached its zenith in the 7th Copan Archaeological Site and its remark- Day 8: Friday, Jan. 5: Transfer to Flores Century, at the peak of the Classic Maya able on-site Museum, where we’ll see the Before we leave Rio Dulce, a boat will period. Overnight in Flores. (B,L) most intricate carvings, inscriptions and come to the hotel pier for a nice ride for art on the walls and monuments of the the best sights of the San Felipe Fortress, Day 10: Sunday, Jan. 7: Yaxha Site – Maya World. It is a well-deserved UNESCO built in the 15th Century by the Spanish Transfer to Frontera Corozal World Heritage Site. We’ll overnight in authorities, to prevent the attacks from In the morning, we’ll visit Yaxha Archaeo- Copan, Clarion Copan Hotel. (B,L) British and Dutch Pirates. It is one chain of logical Site, in an impressive jungle setting, fortresses built by the Spanish Kingdom on the shores of a lake. As fewer people Day 7: Thursday, Jan. 4: Copan - around the and Caribbean visit this site, this will provide us with excel- Quirigua – Rio Dulce Colonies. Arriving in Flores, there will be lent viewing opportunities to see the flora Today, we transfer back to Guatemala, to time to enjoy the charming town built in and fauna of this region. Birds are of partic- visit Quirigua Archeological Site, another an island in Lake Peten Itza, destroying the ular interest! In the afternoon, we’ll transfer UNESCO World Heritage Site. For most of last Maya Capital as late as 1690. Over- to the Usumacinta River, the largest river in its history, Quirigua was a province under night in Flores. 2 nights at the Camino Real the region and an ancient Maya trade route. Copan, until a Quirigua King killed the Co- Tikal Hotel. (B,L) We’ll overnight in a lodge by the river, at pan King. Such was life in the Maya World! Frontera Corozal, a town that is managed Quirigua is famous for its enormous carved Day 9: Saturday, Jan. 6: Tikal and run by the Lacandon Maya. (B,L) stones or stelae. One of them shows the In order to fully immerse in this space and glyphs with the Date of Creation: 13.0.0.0.0 place, we will spend a full day at Tikal. – August 13th 3114 BC! We’ll enjoy the Located within the Maya Biosphere Reserve, Itinerary

Day 11: Day 14: Thursday, Tenejapa (Market Day) Monday, Jan. 8: Yaxchilan (B, L) The Maya were in a continuous struggle for Visit Tenejapa, Market Day This morning, we’ll hop on our “lanchas” and power and domination, for resource control. take a river boat ride on the Usumacinta As such, the alliances and rivalries were Visit Cancuk, Beautiful remote village with River to visit Yaxchilan, famous for its carved strategic and dynamic; often secured via lovely textiles lintels. Again, we’ll see how the rivers of inter-marriage. Demonstrating royal lineage this region, and in particular the Usuma- was also a key strategy employed to justify Day 15: Friday, Pottery and Gauze Textiles. cinta, provided strategic locations to control one’s claim to ascension and dominance. Amatenango Pottery the trade of the region. Rivers were the key Also an UNESCO World Heritage site, the Venustiano Carranza for access to commerce, wealth and power. Pyramid of the Inscriptions, houses the tomb We’ll make our way to Palenque, but not for King Pakal and his glorious sarcophagus. Day 16: Saturday, Highland Communities. without stopping first at Bonampak, famed A full size replica can be seen at the on-site Magdalenas for their mural cycle that depicts warfare museum, and is one of its highlights! We’ll Larrainzar and Maya dress. Arriving in Palenque, we’ll have some time to visit Palenque Town. settle into our hotel, and enjoy a fun dinner! 2 nights at the Villas Kin Ha Hotel. Extension: Chiapas Highlands: San Day 16: Sunday, Chamula and Zinacantan. Cristobal de Las Casas Day 12: Highland Maya Communities Tuesday, Jan. 9: Palenque (B, L, D) Today is dedicated to visiting the once Day 13: Wednesday, Jan. 10, Transfer to powerful Maya kingdom of the Classic pe- San Cristobal de Las Casas riod, Palenque. Under the rule of King Pakal, City Tour and Banamex Museum of Palenque became an important power cen- Maya Textiles ter, along with Tikal and .