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THE LEGACY OF THE MAYA: & February 25–March 5, 2019 Above: Waterfalls at Hidden Valley Inn private reserve

Escape to Central America for the perfect winter getaway. Belize and Guatemala offer some of the most breathtaking scenery: thick tropical forests stretching up towards the misty heights of the sparsely populated Maya Mountains, extraordinary Maya archaeology, exuberant wildlife, Spanish colonial heritage, impressive volcanoes, and a vibrant indigenous culture. Discover two amazing Central American countries, while staying in charming, luxurious, tropical boutique hotels and lodges. Your adventure starts in Belize from where you travel to the Pine Ridge area for explorations of the ancient Maya cities of and Xunantunich. Continue to Guatemala to visit the impressive archaeological site of surrounded by the exuberant forest of the Petén. These sites provide a thorough introduction of the during the Classic Period 600 to 900 A.D. Your journey then takes you to Lake Atitlán, considered one of the most beautiful lakes in the world, with visits to indigenous open-air markets where the men and women still wear traditional colorful hand-woven dress. Learn about the living Maya of today, their culture, and communities, as well as local textiles and music. Your tour concludes in the graceful and charming colonial town of Antigua, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Surrounded by majestic volcanoes, this city of the eternal spring is filled with vestiges of its colonial past, transporting you back to when the Spanish ruled this land.

Activity Level 3: Study Leader

A LITTLE MORE TO IT Harvard Study Leader to be announced. My walking shoes are laced up tight and I’m ready to keep up with my traveling companions. I look forward to getting to know them on the drives and/or flights we’ll take between cities. I enjoy getting around in Zodiac rafts and 4x4 vehicles for short durations. A little mental and physical stimulation will do me good!

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LAND & RAIL CRUISES RIVERS & LAKES

EGYPT & THE NILE: EXPEDITION TO ANTARCTICA CRUISING THE MEKONG RIVER: A JOURNEY INTO ANTIQUITY ON ON LE BORÉAL VIETNAM & CAMBODIA SANCTUARY NILE ADVENTURER JAN 5–18, 2019 ON MEKONG PRINCESS DEC 26, 2018–JAN 6, 2019 JOYCE CHAPLIN JAN 14–27, 2019 TANZANIA MIGRATION SAFARI A CRUISE OF THE PANAMA CANAL SUSAN SULEIMAN MAR 10–20, 2019 & COSTA RICA ON LE CHAMPLAIN THE PRIDE OF SOUTH AFRICA, FEB 2–10, 2019 SCIENCE & COOKING NAMIBIA, BOTSWANA & ZIMBABWE DON PFISTER IN BASQUE COUNTRY: MAR 14–30, 2019 SAN SEBASTIÁN & BILBAO CUBA BY LAND & SEA SUZANNE BLIER MAY 24–31, 2019 ON LE PONANT NORMANDY TO PARIS: MICHAEL BRENNER FEB 3–12, 2019 COMMEMORATING THE 75TH LIZABETH COHEN & HMSC UGANDA SAFARI & ANNIVERSARY OF D-DAY HERRICK CHAPMAN PRIMATE TREKKING JUN 4–13, 2019 MAY 31–JUN 13, 2019 ARCTIC EXPEDITION: SPITSBERGEN CHARLES MAIER ELIZABETH ROSS & AND SVALBARD ON L’AUSTRAL RICHARD WRANGHAM JUN 14–24, 2019 FAMILY ADVENTUREs LISA RANDALL GATEWAY TO AUTHENTIC IRELAND GREECE: A FAMILY ODYSSEY JUN 7–17, 2019 CRUISING ALASKA’S GLACIERS & ON RUNNING ON WAVES CATHERINE MCKENNA THE INSIDE PASSAGE ON LE SOLEAL JUN 20–29, 2019 JUL 6–13, 2019 HMSC TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE: JONATHAN WALTON JAMES ENGELL CHILE & THE SKIES OF THE CHINA FAMILY TOUR: IMPERIAL SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE CIRCUMNAVIGATION OF ICELAND GRANDEUR, TERRACOTTA JUN 25–JUL 6, 2019 ON LE CHAMPLAIN WARRIORS, GIANT PANDAS MARK VAN BAALEN JUL 31–AUG 8, 2019 JUN 21–JUL 3, 2019 FRAN UIMER SCOTLAND’S ORKNEY & SHETLAND R. NICHOLAS BURNS ISLANDS HIKING ADVENTURE NEW YEAR’S GALÁPAGOS HMSC GALÁPAGOS FAMILY AUG 23–SEP 2, 2019 ON ORIGIN ADVENTURE ON LA PINTA DANIEL SMAIL DEC 28 2019–JAN 6, 2020 JUN 23–JUL 2, 2019 JANET BROWNE AZORES GETAWAY BRIAN FARRELL OCT 11–14, 2019

Photos: Istockphoto: © cover; Hidden Valley: © waterfall; Royal Adventures: © Alumni Travels Tikal and Mayan Girl; Shutterstock © underworld, Lake Atitlán, Antigua © Diego Above: Antigua, Catalina Arch Grandi, © zimmytws, mailing panel; Viaventure © toucan. Left: Archaeologist guide at Tikal, Right: Lake Atitlán

DAY 1 Monday, February 25 well-excavated site, Xunantunich carved stelae, and massive altars US / Belize City / was a thriving Maya city during rise from the rainforest floor. the Classic Period, from about Visit the Tikal Museum and the Pine Ridge area 600 to 900 A.D. You reach this Lithic and Stelae Museums to Depart the U.S. and fly to Belize major ceremonial center by view treasures from the excava- City, Belize. Transfer to your hotel crossing the aboard tions. Las Lagunas Boutique Hotel in the Pine Ridge area. Welcome a hand-cranked car-ferry. Once (B, L, D) reception and dinner. there, the site provides an impres- Hidden Valley Inn (D) sive view of the entire river valley; DAY 5 Friday, March 1 its centerpiece, El Castillo, rises Lake Atitlán DAY 2 Tuesday, February 26 120 feet above the plaza, making Caracol it one of the tallest buildings in Take a morning flight to Belize. After lunch travel to the Guatemala City and transfer Spend a full day at Caracol, the Petén jungle in Guatemala where to Lake Atitlán. With breath- largest Maya site in Belize and Tikal is located. taking volcanic panoramas, one of the most impressive Las Lagunas Boutique Hotel (B, L, D) Atitlán is considered one of the in Central America. The ruins most beautiful volcanic lakes were lost in the rainforest for DAY 4 Thursday, February 28 in the world. On the way, visit several centuries until their the authentic Indian market of rediscovery by chicleros in 1936. Tikal Sololá. See men in their tradi- Once Caracol has been fully Today explore Tikal, one of the tional dress of gold-embroidered excavated it may dwarf even grandest of the Mayan cities. jackets distinctive of the town the great city of Tikal. The site Tikal flourished in the Classic and behold stunning moun- is a Natural Monument Reserve, period from A.D. 250 to 900 until tainside views of the lake. and heaven for wildlife as well as it suddenly collapsed its popula- Alternatively, visit the Maya archeologists. Look out for exotic tion vanished. The jungle closed archaeological site of Iximché birds and other wildlife as you over the ancient metropolis and once the capital of the Maya meander through the ruins. On for a thousand years it lay buried Kaqchiquel before arriving at the return to the lodge, stop the under its cover. A UNESCO World your hotel located on the shores massive Rio Frio cave and nearby Heritage site, Tikal has been of Lake Atitlán and featuring pools where you may consider under excavation and recon- beautiful gardens. taking a refreshing dip. struction since the late 1950s. Hotel Atitlán (B, L, D) Hidden Valley Inn (B, L, D) Its location within a national park provides excellent opportuni- DAY 6 Saturday, March 2 DAY 3 Wednesday, February 27 ties for wildlife viewing. Today, Santa Cruz / Xunantunich / Tikal is an extraordinary exhibit San Juan La Laguna Flores (Guatemala) of temple pyramids topped with stone roofed combs towering Enjoy the views as you take a Drive to the nearby Xunantunich above the surrounding Petén pleasant boat ride to Santa Cruz, Maya Site. An impressive jungle. Plazas, deep reservoirs, one of the 12 Indian villages

For detailed itineraries, VISIT alumni.harvard.edu/travel BELIZE CITY

TIKAL XUNANTUNICH FLORES PINE RIDGE CARACOL Belize

Guatemala

SANTA CRUZ CHICHICASTENANGO LA LAGUNA SAN JUAN ANTIGUA GUATEMALA LA LAGUNA LAKE ATITLÁN located around the lake, all DAY 8 Monday, March 4 with striking, distinctive dress Antigua Highlights and traditions. Walk through the town, see the foot-loom art At 5,000 feet in a valley sur- • Marvel at the rounded by 14,000-foot inside native homes and learn biodiversity of about weaving. After lunch volcanoes, Antigua is one of the most charming of the colonial pristine rainforests continue by boat to the beauti- where wildlife thrives ful town of San Juan La Laguna towns of the Americas and is a where the Tz’utujil Maya lived. World Heritage site. This morn- • Immerse yourself Return to the hotel with time ing’s walking tour starts at the in the history of the to explore the beautiful vistas Central Park and includes the Ayuntamiento (Administrative charming colonial of Lake Atitlán and the lovely town of Antigua, gardens, or visit the village of building), Cathedral, Convent Panajachel which is great for of the Capuchinas, and Merced a UNESCO World walking and seeing the local Church, among other sites. Heritage site. textiles and handicrafts. Continue to Casa K’Ojom for • Learn about Hotel Atitlán (B, L) the preservation of Maya music and instruments, and visit the Guatemala’s colorful Centro Cultural La Azotea to see indigenous cultures DAY 7 Sunday, March 3 a collection of typical dresses of and traditions Chichicastenango / the region. as you visit local Antigua Guatemala Casa Santo Domingo (B, L, D) markets in the Depart for Chichicastenango, an villages of Sololá and Indian village nestled in the high- DAY 9 Tuesday, March 5 Chichicastenango. lands at 7,000 feet. Spend the Antigua / US • Cruise across Lake morning at the colorful native Transfer to the international market of Chichicastenango, the Atitlan on a private airport for your return flight boat ride with largest in Central America. Here home. (B) vendors sell flowers, textiles, volcanic panoramas. food, pottery, handicrafts and • Explore some of more! Enjoy seeing the indig- enous women from surrounding the most impressive villages wearing superb native archaeological dress of heavily embroidered remains of the blouses. In addition, see beauti- ancient Maya ful carved masks. After lunch, Civilization transfer to the town of Antigua including Caracol, Guatemala and to your lovely Xunantunich hotel located in what it was a and Tikal. 17th-century monastery. Casa Santo Domingo (B, L) What to Expect

This exclusive expedition is designed for Harvard vans, chartered planes, or scheduled flights, ferry, alumni and friends who are interested in learning and motor launch with daily walks of up to two about the nature, history, culture, and archaeology miles in length at a leisurely pace suitable for of Belize and Guatemala. Visits include some of nature study and Maya ruins explorations. Typically, the finest rainforest reserves in Central America the weather is hot and humid in the rainforest plus the archaeological sites of Xunantunich and (mid 80s); and spring like in the highlands. Even Tikal and the colonial and cultural wonders of the in the dry season, when this trip is scheduled, highlands of Guatemala. While at the national some rain can be expected. Since some of the parks, reserves, and colonial towns, there is a daily travel will be in remote areas, everyone must be program of nature exploration, guided rain forest flexible concerning time schedules. This program and historical walks, and educational discussions. is a tremendous experience for travelers who are This program is described as active to moderately in good shape, able to walk, with an appetite for active and includes hiking and walking over adventure who can tolerate some insects, heat, and unpaved uneven and sometimes slippery surfaces bumpy dirt roads for the chance to explore superb often without handrails. Travel is by motor coach, archaeological and natural areas.

Accommodations Hidden Valley Inn minibar, air-conditioning and its own free Wi-Fi The Hidden Valley Inn (above left) is an intimate network. Common areas include a swimming pool, luxury resort set inside a vast private reserve exclu- restaurant, bar, hot tub, spa and onsite museum. sive to guests. Located in the Mountain Pine Ridge Hotel Atitlán area of the of Belize, The Inn and Hotel Atitlán (above middle) is a rustic-style its twelve cottages are appointed with comforts property offering extensive gardens and panoramic and amenities. Comfortable lounges with stone views of Atitlán Lake. It has an outdoor pool, hot hearths, mahogany bar room, pool terrace, free tub, and a botanical garden. Free Wi-Fi in rooms Wi-Fi, and flourishing gardens create an atmo- and public areas. sphere that accommodates a sense of adventure as well as comfort and leisure. Casa Santo Domingo Set within a former convent, this 5-star hotel offers Las Lagunas Boutique Hotel an outdoor pool, spa and gym, as well as several This small boutique hotel (above right) is located museums and galleries. The spacious rooms at amongst 300 acres of private rainforest reserve Hotel Museo Casa Santo Domingo feature elegant overlooking the Quelix Lagoon and Petén jungle décor, Wi-Fi, a fireplace and scenic views. Also and minutes away from the Mayan ruins of Tikal. includes a plasma cable TV, a safe, minibar and Each private bungalow features satellite TV, a private bathroom. Cost Per person, double occupancy �������$6,595 Per person, single supplement �������$1,260

TO book A TRIP, CALL 800-422-1636 OR VISIT alumni.harvard.edu/travel Terms & Conditions Registration Form

PROGRAM COST INCLU- are acknowledged in order of To register, fill out this form and return to Harvard Alumni SIONS: Hotel accommoda- receipt until the maximum Travels with your deposit of $1,000 per person. tions per the itinerary; inter- enrollment has been reached. nal flight between Flores and Deposits may be made by Please return this form by mail to: Guatemala City; professional check, payable to Harvard Harvard Alumni Travels tour director throughout Alumni Travels, or with a major 124 Mount Auburn Street, 6th Floor, Cambridge, MA 02138 program; English speaking credit card. 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THE LEGACY OF THE MAYA: Belize & Guatemala February 25–March 5, 2019