Itinerary

Day 1 Copan

Copán is 171km (106 miles) from San Pedro Sula. The Copán Ruins Archaeological Park in western Honduras is the best remaining testament to the culture of the Mayan Indians. Among the best of the ruins are the magnificent Acropolis composed of courts and temples, the Great Plaza, a huge amphitheater, and the Court of the Hieroglyphic Stairway. Near the Great Acropolis, recent archaeological work has brought to light invaluable excavations. The majority of the site’s original sculptures are on display at the Copán Sculpture Museum, the four-story centerpiece of which is the Rosalita temple, a full-scale replica of a temple recently excavated beneath the Acropolis.

Upon arrival you will be met by our local representative who will help you locating your vehicle.

Transfer to Copan by private vehicle and English-speaking driver.

Kensington Tours donates a portion of proceeds to our charitable initiative www.kensingtoncares.com which supports education-based initiatives in disadvantaged communities.

The 100-year old Hacienda San Lucas has managed to transcend age and time by presenting guests with a chic, restored retreat overlooking the Maya ruins of Copan. The 8 bedrooms are each equipped with delightful beds, linen, and private bath, while espousing local design techniques and handcrafted art in the decor. The chef and kitchen help are exceptionally well-trained, with flavorful native dishes prepared alongside international staples. Enjoy fresh ingredients, high standards of service, and a fine candle-lit ambiance when dining. Visit the Copan ruins or take a 5 minute ride into the center of town to understand the community and its history. Otherwise, simply lounge in a hammock and sink into paradise.

Overnight at Hacienda San Lucas.

Day 2 Copan

Drive to the Archaeological site at Copan. Enjoy a guided tour of this beautiful site which is famous for its intricately carved Stelea and the amazing hieroglyphic stairway. Return to the town of Copan and continue up into the hills to the wonderful Hacienda San Lucas. Enjoy a sumptuous lunch and time to relax. Tour includes lunch, entrance fees at site and museum.

Overnight at Hacienda San Lucas.

Day 3 Antigua

Antigua is situated southwest of Guatemala City, and was considered to be one of the most splendid cities in Central America before its partial destruction in the earthquake of 1773. The town is now a UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site. Despite the damage of countless earthquakes, floods and fires, Antigua is a beautiful place of multi-colored, single-story buildings, tropical gardens, plazas, fountains and cobbled streets. A popular tourist center, it has several good hotels, restaurants and bookshops with a fairly lively nightlife.

Pick up from your hotel in Copan and transfer to Antigua, Guatemala by private vehicle.

The Lion's Inn is a charming, romantic hotel located in a working coffee plantation, not far from Antigua's most intriguing sights and attractions. The Inn has a very intimate ambiance, with only 10 rooms and many small but meaningful touches that are proffered by the staff. Cuisine is exquisite, with a huge range of options for breakfast. Lunches and dinner s may be taken at the restaurant as well, sometimes on the terrace with a stunning view of the nearby Agua Volcano. Others take advantage of the numerous restaurants in the area. The Lion's Inn is walking distance to the Central Park, for those who want to get to know the city. Otherwise, simply spend time lost in your thoughts in the hotel's magnetic lounging space.

Overnight at Lions Inn.

Day 4 Antigua

You will be met at your hotel reception by your private guide to begin your half day walking tour of Antigua. Your tour will cover the architectural & historical highlights of this colonial city with a behind-the-scenes look at some of the many ruined churches, convents and cathedrals. Entrances are included to the Iglesia San Francisco (church), the Cathedral, Central Park and La Merced Church.

Ceremonial Maya Dancing Tour: Today in Guatemala, many distinct indigenous Mayan groups use masks in the performance of dances and pageants. The exact meanings of these ceremonies may be long forgotten, but they typically enact a mythical story intended to bring fertility, yield a good harvest or scare away evil spirits. All traditional fiestas include folk dancing whose forms date back hundreds of years to the conquest and beyond. Some of these dances are rooted in traditions brought from Spain - these are usually the religious celebrations. Then there are the dances rooted in Mayan tradition where animal masks are often used in dances like "Toritos" (the Little Bulls), or "El Venado" (the Deer). Observe a traditional dance routine while learning about ancient traditions and customs in Guatemala.

Overnight at Lions Inn.

Day 5 Lake Atitlan

The beautiful, volcanic Lake Atitlán is surrounded by purple highlands, olive-green mountains and three distinctive volcanoes – Tolimán, Atitlán and San Pedro. Water-skiing, swimming and boating are all available on the lake, which is 19km (12 miles) in length and between 6.5km (4 miles) and 12km (7.5 miles) wide. Around the lake are several villages, each of whose inhabitants wear differently colored, densely embroidered clothes.

Pick up from your hotel in Antigua and take a private transfer with English-speaking driver to your lakeside property at Atitlan.

Situated outside of Guatemala City, at the edge of Lake Atitlan in a hilly countryside getaway circling Catarina Palopo village, Casa Palopo is surrounded by a wealth of forest and volcanoes. The 8 rooms are adorned with the finest of linen and toiletries, and further equipped with to-die-for views. Sleeping in these impressive rooms is an experience like no other. Look forward to the height of hospitality, as the staff provides sincere and consistent service. Cuisine is enjoyable, though many opt for trying the restaurants in the nearby towns. Relax in the heated pool, and absorb the surrounding views. Or, plan a boating trip and get to know the lake which some consider the most beautiful in the world.

Overnight at Casa Palopo.

Day 6 Lake Atitlan

Pick up from your hotel by your private guide and driver and transfer to Santiago village. (For guests in staying in Casa Palapo, Hotel Atitlan or Hotels in Panajachel this includes a 30min scenic boat ride across the lake). Upon arrival in Santiago you will visit the house where the Mayan God Maximon is living. Each year a different "brotherhood" has the privilege of taking care of their God. Once with Maximon you may see local shaman performing rituals for local people and if you wish you can ask your guide to help you hire the services of a shaman, in order to have a personal ceremony. After visiting Maximon, you can visit the local church to learn about the history of this very traditional town and also see the market and learn about the distinctive textiles and primitive art that is famous from the area. Take a ride in a local "flete" to get to Hotel Posada Santiago for lunch and then return to your hotel after the tour.

Overnight at Casa Palopo.

Day 7 Flores

Flores is built on an island in the middle of Lake Petén Itza. A causeway connects Flores to the mainland town of Santa Elena, where the banks and main shops are located. Buses run throughout the day from both Santa Elena and Flores to Tikal. The spectacular Mayan ruins of Tikal (City of Voices) encompass vast pyramidal temples, ball courts, causeways, plazas and public buildings that extend over some 16 sq km (6 sq miles). While there are about 3000 known structures, many more lie buried under dense jungle vegetation. First occupied in about 800 BC, this great city was eventually abandoned around 1000 years later.

Pick up from your hotel in Guatemala City and transfer to your hotel in Atitlan.

Enjoy a short flight from Guatemala City to Flores.

Upon arrival to the airport you will be met and transferred to La Lancha.

Be sure to pre-book your local excursions through us to ensure you make the most out of your time in Guatemala. Optional activities in Flores include: Yaxha & Topoxte Maya Ruins, Yaxha Sunset Tour, Zip Canopy Adventure.

A Francis Ford Coppola Property

La Lancha is a warm, sun-soaked escape near Lake Peten Itza in Guatemala's Peten region, near the archaeological site of Tikal. The 10 rooms promise unhindered privacy, and a rustic approach to travel. Management has made it a point not to include televisions, phones, and internet, ensuring that all who visit will bask in the natural aura of La Lancha. Impeccable service and dining options make all meals an occasion, as guests tend to anticipate the fine cuisine prepared by chefs. Activities range from boat trips to hikes, so one may get in touch with both the land and the water in this stunning environment.

Overnight at La Lancha.

Day 8 Flores

Tikal was one of the major cultural and population centers of the Maya civilization. Though monumental architecture at the site dates to the 4th century BC, Tikal reached its apogee during the Classic Period, ca. 200 AD to 900 AD. Some of these pyramids are over 60 meters high (200 feet). Enjoy some free time at the site and return to your hotel after a VIP picnic lunch.

Overnight at La Lancha.

Day 9 Cayo District

The Cayo District boasts several Mayan sites including El Pilar and the magnificent Xunantunich with its 1500-year-old El Castillo, the second-tallest building in Belize. The canaa of the Caracol Mayan site in Cayo is the tallest Mayan building in Belize. This site has been claimed to rival such other famous sites as Tikal in neighboring Guatemala.

Pick up from your hotel in Flores and transfer to your hotel in Cayo District, Belize by private vehicle.

Chaa Creek is situated on a large expanse of land in Belize's Mayan Rainforest, near the Macal River. The 23 cottages and rooms are individually themed, with each built according to the needs of different groups and couples. Some suites come with garden views, others with Jacuzzis. All promise tranquil, refreshing surroundings. Enjoy the lodge's produce, direct from their on-site Maya farm. Feast on Caribbean, Mexican and Belizean spices and savories. Later, walk the forest trails or go on a hike and discover the rainforest. The lodge's spa is also a point of interest for those who need a little pampering.

Overnight at Chaa Creek.

Day 10 Cayo District

Your tour will begin when you are picked up in your private vehicle by your personal guide and driver. You will transfer to Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve which is a 106,000 acre protected national park. In the 1950's, 60's and 70's, many Belizeans were employed as timber cutters in this area and on the tour you will see that history. Later you will visit Chiquibul Forest Reserve. About a 1 hour drive from Pine Ridge you will arrive at the beautiful Maya site of Caracol (which means the Snail), named by archaeologists because they found numerous snails on site. The original name is Oxwitza which means the sky place. Caracol is the largest archaeological site in Belize, covering 30 square miles in thick, high canopy jungle, and includes five plazas, an astronomic observatory and over 35,000 buildings that have been identified. Among them is a massive pyramid (Caana) capped by three temples and rises over 140ft above the jungle floor. When the tour is complete you will return to your hotel. Tour includes a private guided tour of the site with entrances and picnic lunch. You can choose to stop and explore the Rio-on Pools and Rio Frio Caves before returning to your hotel if they wish.

Overnight at Chaa Creek.

Day 11 Ambergris Caye

Ambergris Caye, with its many beaches and the fishing village of San Pedro, is the most popular tourist destination. Along with the other Cayes, it is a paradise for divers with access to one of the most unspoilt coral reefs in the world; Hoi Chan Marine Reserve is a popular dive site where southern stingray and nurse sharks can be observed in shark ray alley. Situated 58km (36 miles) north of Belize City, it is accessible by daily scheduled air flights and boat transfers.

Transfer from Cayo District to Belize City by private vehicle.

A direct flight from Belize City International airport will take you to San Pedro, Amergris Caye.

Airport transfer with private vehicle, and driver.

Surrounded by lush, immaculately-kept grounds and a pristine beachfront, the Victoria House is recognized across the world for its magical atmosphere. The 42 accommodations consist of casitas, plantation rooms and suites, and private villas. A multitude of palm trees and tropical gardens promise privacy. Dining is exquisite, as expected with a luxury resort of this standard. Every morsel is filled with flavor and texture, with fusions of Caribbean and world influences. Grilled meats and perfectly prepared vegetables make for memorable culinary experiences. A host of activities to keep one busy, from massages and spa treatments to snorkeling trips and fishing.

Overnight at Victoria House.

Day 12 Ambergris Caye

Enjoy some leisure time on the tranquil shores of Ambergris Caye. Optional activities are available at your resort (scuba diving, watersports, snorkelling, kayaking).

Overnight at Victoria House.

Day 13 Belize City

Enjoy a direct flight from Pan Pedro, Ambergris Caye to the Belize City International Airport.

Airport transfer with private vehicle, and driver.

Overnight at Depart (Int`l Airport) .

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