GUATEMALA TO HAVANA For those seeking a comprehensive journey exploring Central America, this could be the perfect tour - experience a journey of cultural and natural wonders whilst visiting ten Central American countries including a transit of the Panama Canal. Join us as we visit bustling and vibrant cities, island paradises, fascinating Mayan sites, national parks and incredible regions of biodiversity. Such a comprehensive and in-depth itinerary would of course be difficult to comprehend or undertake by any other means than a cruise. Daily, guided excursions will introduce you to the natural and cultural wonders of the region and with the MS Serenisisma as our base, we are able to visit places which the larger cruise vessels simply cannot access. The history of the ancient Mayan civilisation, the colonial years and the more recent events of the region will be brought to life by our onboard team and local guides. Canal. Our days will be spent swimming from pristine beaches, searching for endemic flora and fauna with our onboard Please Note: This Voyage is a combination of Ancient & Natural naturalists, learning about the colonial and often turbulent Wonders of Central America and 'Sailing to the Spanish Main'. history of the region and of course not forgetting what will be You may be asked to change your Stateroom on day 18, this one of the highlights for many, our daylight transit through the will be advised at the time of booking. iconic Panama ITINERARY Day 1 - Guatemala City, Guatemala. Arrive this evening and transfer independantly to our group hotel in Guatemala City for an overnight stay. 01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com Day 2 - Antigua to Puerto Quetzal. explore some of the colonial towns and communities on the After breakfast in the hotel we will drive to Antigua and enjoy a Flower Route named after the abundance of flowers found along morning exploring this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built the roadsides and in the villages. Leaving the port we will drive between three magnificent volcanoes in 1542 it is one of the through the beautiful mountains to the town of Nahuizalco, oldest and most beautiful cities in the Americas. Antigua home to one of the most longstanding native communities and remained an economic and political heart of Central America arts and crafts production sites in the country. We continue to until a devastating earthquake in 1773 destroyed much of the Ataco, the final stop on the Ruta de las Flores. Ataco is a city. We will explore the city which is a wonder of colonial quaint, colonial village that is known for its natural beauty, as buildings, beautiful squares, cobblestone streets and Baroque well as, its brightly painted homes, cobblestone streets, churches and after a local lunch we transfer to Puerto Quetzal colourful murals and unique arts and crafts. Return to the ship and embark the MS Serenissima. Sail this evening. for dinner and an overnight mooring. Day 3 - Puerto Chiapas, Mexico. Day 5 - Acajutla. Overnight we will have crossed the border awaking in Mexico Todays full day excursion discovers the Mayan route starting at and the port of Chiapas. This morning we will take an historical the archaeological site of Joya de Ceren, a UNESCO World tour exploring the ancient Mayan site of Izapa which grew from Heritage Site known as the Pompeii of America. The site was a small village to be one of the regions most influential cities covered by the Loma Caldera volcano explosion which kept the and a cultural and commercial centre. After viewing the site we remains of pre-Hispanic civilisation for hundreds of years and will continue to Tapachula with its history which has been provides a unique insight into everyday life in a Mesoamerican shaped by the Mayans, Mestizos and Spanish. We will enjoy a farming community of the 6th century AD. We continue to the walking tour of the citys colourful streets before visiting the ruins of San Andres, once an important political and religious archaeological museum. After lunch onboard there will be a centre and testimony of the Indigo industry during the colonial choice of options this afternoon. Nature lovers can enjoy a boat period, better known as the Blue Gold. After lunch in a local trip amongst the nearby mangrove streams and lagoons, restaurant we will continue to Santa Ana and see the beautiful learning about the areas eco-system whilst our guide points out Gothic cathedral and National Palace before our tour ends at the various species of flora and fauna. Alternatively learn a little the ruins of Tazumal, the largest pyramid in El Salvador dating about modern life in the region visiting a banana plantation and from 1500 B.C. and an important Mayan settlement. Return to the local community to understand the role the crop has in the MS Serenissima in the late afternoon and sail this evening. sustaining their lifestyle. Day 6 - Bahia de Jiquilisco. Day 4 - Acajutla, El Salvador. Covering over 400 square kilometres, the Jiquilisco Bay Enjoy a relaxing morning at sea before we make our first call in Biosphere Reserve is El Salvadors most important marine El Salvador and the main port of Acajutla. This afternoon we will ecosystem with the coastal area being made up of remote 01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com islands, mangrove canals and desolate beaches whilst inland explore the colonial architecture and the 18th century cathedral we find beautiful forests and cacao plantations. It is an which is one of the most prominent buildings in the city with important base for migratory birds as well as a nesting site for fantastic views from the rooftop. Inside we will see the fresco four sea turtle species including one of only two sites in the paintings, statues and the lion that guards the tomb of Ruben Pacific for the endangered Hawksbill Turtle. We have a full day Dario, the famous Nicaraguan poet. to explore the different areas of the reserve spending time with the environmentalists and scientists who will teach us about the Day 9 - San Juan del Sur. conservation of the turtles, walking through the forest on the After an early breakfast we will leave from the friendly fishing lookout for spider monkeys before learning about the cultivation village of San Juan del Sur for a full day tour to Granada and of cacao, which creates some of the finest chocolate, on one of Lake Nicaragua. Founded in 1523 Granada is Nicaraguas the local plantations. oldest Spanish city and has retained much of its Spanish character with colonial churches, narrow streets and colourful Day 7 - La Union. Spanish style homes. We will enjoy a walking tour including the Today we follow the peace route set up to remember the events cathedral and convent of San Francisco where we find around of the 1980s when El Salvador experienced a bitter civil war. It 30 pre-Colombian stone statues dating back to 800 A.D. is estimated that over 100,000 were killed in the fighting whilst sculpted by the inhabitants of Zapatera Island on Lake half a million fled into exile. We will visit Perquin, once a Nicaragua. After a local lunch we continue to Lake Nicaragua stronghold of the guerrillas and home to the Museum of the and enjoy a relaxing boat ride amongst the 365 small islands Revolution where former members of the rebel army are willing created by the volcanic activity of the Mombacho volcano to share their experiences. We continue to the village of El around 20,000 years ago. Whilst some islands are inhabited Mozote in December 1981 where one of the worst atrocities most remain unspoiled and are home to the exotic plants, occurred and more than 1,000 people were killed in a single howler monkeys and orchids. This is also the location of the day. Our local guides will explain about living in the country worlds only freshwater shark. during this time and we will see the monument erected for the victims and the memorial garden decorated with brightly Day 10 - Curu National Park and Isla Tortuga, Costa Rica. coloured murals. Alternatively join a tour to Alegria, the We spend our first morning in Costa Rica exploring the Curu birthplace of the writer Alberto Masferrer and visit the museum National Wildlife refuge which boasts a rich and diverse wildlife before continuing to the lagoon known as the Emerald of in five different habitats ranging from marine zones, including a America located in the Tecapa Volcano. wide beach area, mangrove swamps and tropical forests. Here on a range of walks we will find over 200 species of birds, Day 8 - Corinto for Leon, Nicaragua. howler and capuchin monkeys, mammals such as otters, Our first call in Nicaragua is the port of Corinto, our base for our ocelots and pumas and turtles. Over lunch we sail the short visit to Leon the former capital of Nicaragua. Here we will distance to Tortuga Island where we have the chance to snorkel 01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com over the volcanic reef home to angelfish, morays and enjoying a walk through the primary and secondary forest with needlefish. Alternatively spend the afternoon relaxing on the our naturalist guides. The rich biological diversity of the white sand beaches. biological corridor of Corcovado National Park is astounding and bird lovers will be enchanted by a wide variety of birds, Day 11 - Puntarenas. including tanagers, flycatchers, kingfishers, manakins, trogons, Our berth at Puntarenas is our starting point for a choice of full crested guans, and spectacular scarlet macaws and toucans.