New! Suggested Itineraries Guatemalan Highlands Belize & Guatemala 6 Days/5 Nights Antigua • Chichicastenango • Lake Atitlan 7 Days/6 Nights - Caves Branch Lodge or Chaa Creek (Cayo) Tikal & Antigua, Guatemala Day 1, Mon or Thur: Arrive Antiqua Arrival at the Guatemala City Airport and transfer to Antigua. Overnight in selected hotel. Day 1: Afternoon shuttle transfer from Belize International or Belize Municipal Day 2, Tue or Fri: In Antigua Antigua is a true colonial gem, and today Airport to the Cayo District, the tropical highlands of Belize. Visits will be made you will visit the principal en route to the Belize Zoo and Xunantunich Mayan Ruins. Accommodations at sites, which will include Caves Branch Lodge, Chaa Creek Cottages or Blancaneaux. Dinner at the centuries-old churches, con- lodge. (D) vents, and plazas. You will Days 2 & 3: At Caves Branch Lodge you have a wide selection of activities. See have a walking tour with a page 26 for details. At Chaa Creek you are provided with a full-day excursion to special historian/guide. Many Vaca Falls and Chumpiate Cave. A visit to the Butterfly Farm and a canoe trip down buildings have been beauti- the Macal River are also included. (B, L, D Daily) fully restored, others remain Day 4: Cayo District/Tikal Early morning departure to the vast Mayan archaeo- as they were after the devas- logical site of Tikal in Guatemala. Enjoy a full-day guided tour of the site including tating earthquakes of 1776 admissions, guide services and lunch. Overnight at the Jungle Lodge in the and 1976. Antigua is short for archaeological park, at the Camino Real Tikal or at La Lancha. (B, L) Antigua Guatemala City and it NOTE: For Caves Branch Lodge this transfer operates Tue. & Thur. only) was the original capital of Day 5: Tikal/Antigua Transfer to the airport in Flores for the short flight to Guatemala, and remains largely in its pristine colonial style. Guatemala City. Meeting service and transfer to colonial Antigua, about a 45- Day 3, Wed or Sat: Antigua to Chichicastenanago minute drive. Enjoy two nights at Posada Don Rodrigo, Casa Santo Domingo GUATEMALA Departure from Guatemala City or from Antigua for the highland town of or Casa Encantada. Chichicastenango. The scenic drive Day 6: In Antigua Morning guided tour of this charming, beautifully restored through the rolling, mountainous coun- city, full of antiquities. Afternoon free to shop and explore. tryside takes about two hours. The farms Day 7: Transfer to the airport for the return flight to the U.S., or extend your stay are lush and productive due to the rich, with a trip to the Guatemalan Highlands or to Copan. reddish volcanic soil. Arrival in Chichicas- NOTE: This program may be reversed. tanango and overnight at either the Mayan Inn or the Hotel Santo Tomas. Optional Highlands Extension Day 4, Thur or Sun: Market Day and Day 1, Wed or Sat: Guatemala City or Lake Atitlan You have the morning free Antigua to Chichicastenango Depar- to witness the unique Indian religious ture from Guatemala City or from ceremonies on the steps of the Church of Antigua for the highland town of Chichi- Santo Tomas. The church was built on the castenango. The scenic drive through the site of a Mayan religious center, and the rolling, mountainous countryside takes Indians to this day gather outside the about two hours. The farms are lush and church to make their offerings to the productive due to the rich, reddish Mayan gods. Then enjoy the largest open- volcanic soil. Arrival in Chichicastanango air market in Central America, where you and overnight at either the Mayan Inn or the Hotel Santo Tomas. will find beautiful handicrafts from all over Day 2, Thur or Sun: Market Day and Lake Atitlan You have the morning free the highlands. In the afternoon you will be to witness the unique Indian religious ceremonies on the steps of the Church of transferred to Lake Atitlan via private Santo Tomas. The church was built on the site of a Mayan religious center, and the vehicle with a driver only. The drive takes Indians to this day gather outside the church to make their offerings to the about 45 minutes. Overnight at your hotel Mayan gods. Then enjoy the largest open-air market in Central America, where of choice. you will find beautiful handicrafts from all over the highlands. In the afternoon Day 5, Fri or Mon: At Lake Atitlan Depart you will be transferred to Lake Atitlan via private vehicle with a driver only. this morning for a trip across Lake Atitlan. The drive takes about 45 minutes. Overnight at your hotel of choice. There are twelve towns dotted around the Day 3, Fri or Mon: At Lake Atitlan Depart this morning for a trip across Lake lake, each named after one of Jesus' twelve apostles. Visit the town of Atitlan. There are twelve towns dotted around the lake, each named after one of Santiago de Atitlan (St. James) and its quaint church painted in the Creole style. Jesus' twelve apostles. Visit the town of Santiago de Atitlan (St. James) and its The church houses a statue of Jesus, in the same style, to which miracles have quaint church painted in the Creole style. The church houses a statue of Jesus, in been attributed. the same style, to which miracles have been attributed. Day 6, Sat or Tue: Lake Atitlan to Guatemala City or Antigua Return Day 4, Sat or Tue: Lake Atitlan to Guatemala City or Antigua Return transfer transfer to Antigua or Guatemala City. to Antigua or Guatemala City. NOTE: The itinerary may be reversed: NOTE: The itinerary may be reversed: Day 1, Sat or Tue: Arrive Antiqua Day 2, Sun or Wed: In Antigua Day 1, Mon or Thur: Antigua to Lake Atitlan Day 3, Mon or Thur: Antigua or Guatemala City to Lake Atitlan Day 2, Tue or Fri: At Lake Atitlan Day 4, Tue or Fri: At Lake Atitlan Day 3, Wed or Sat: Lake Atitlan to Day 5, Wed or Sat: Lake Atitlan to Chichicastenango Chichicastenango Day 6, Thur or Sun: Market Day and return Day 4, Thur or Sun: Market Day and return to Antigua or Guatemala City to Antigua or Guatemala City 35.