Pillars of the Classic Maya: Palenque to Copan
A Tour led by Anthropologist Dr. Heather Teague
This nine day tour will take you through many of the major capitals of the Ancient Maya world. The journey will begin with Palenque in Southern Mexico where the trees will be blooming with pink and white flowers and make its way through ruins, rain forests, and indigenous towns to the border of Guatemala to visit Bonampak and Yaxchilan. Crossing the Usumacinta River into Guatemala, you'll arrive to the island of Flores in time to tour Lake Peten all afternoon on the day of Carnival, or Mardi Gras as its known in the states. Then its up at dawn and all day exploring Tikal's vast metropolis. The next day continues south to beautiful Lago Isabel and the resort area called Rio Dulce, where the elite of Guatemala City like to vacation. On the way to Copan, the tour will stop into the little visited site of Quirigua, famous for the tallest stelae in the entire Maya world. Last stop, Copan, where an entire day will be spent exploring the ruins, the tunnels underneath them, and Copan's incredible sculpture museum. A final dinner party will bring the adventure to a celebratory close. Early the next morning, its off to San Pedro Sula to catch afternoon flights back home.
Pillars of the Classic Maya Palenque to Copan | |||
Price | $2950 per person (add $400 for single lodging) $500 deposit due upon registration, balance due 30 days before the trip. |
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Date | February 17 - 26, 2017 | ||
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Feb 17, Friday: Arrival Land at the Villahermosa airport in the evening and take a cab to the Hotel Cencali in the heart of town. MEC representatives will meet you there and help you check into your rooms. |
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Feb 18, Saturday: La Venta Park Morning: Tour of La Venta Park Afternoon: Transport to Palenque Evening: Lecture: Ancient Maya History Overnight at Hotel Maya Tulipanes |
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Feb 19, Sunday: Palenque Morning: Tour of Palenque Afternoon: Palenque on your own Evening: Free time Overnight at Hotel Maya Tulipanes |
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Feb 20, Monday: Bonampak/Yaxchilan Morning: Tour of Bonampak Afternoon: Tour of Yaxchilan Eevning: Frontera Corozal Museum Overnight at the Escudo Jaguar |
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Feb 21, Tuesday: Lake Peten Morning: Travel to Flores Afternoon: Boat tour to Tayasal, Santa Barbara Museum, and Petencito Zoo Evening: Lecture: History of Tikal Overnight at Hotel Santana |
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Feb 22, Wednesday: Tikal Morning: Tour of Tikal Afternoon: Tikal's museums Evening: Relax in Flores Overnight at Hotel Santana |
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Feb 23, Thursday: Rio Dulce Morning: Transport to Lago Isabel Afternoon: San Felipe Fortress Evening: Sunset dinner Overnight at the Hotel Mansion del Rio |
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Feb 24, Friday: Quirigua Morning: Tour of Quirigua Afternoon: Transport to Copan Evening: Lecture - Copan's Dynastic History Overnight at Hotel Marina Copan |
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Feb 25, Saturday: Copan Morning: Tour of Copan Afternoon: Tour of Copan's museums Evening: Final Dinner Overnight at Hotel Marina Copan |
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Feb 26, Sunday: Departure Early morning transport to the San Pedro Sula airport for flights home |
LODGING
Villahermosa: Hotel Cencali - AC, private bath, onsite restaurant, pool, telephone, cable TV -
luxury hotel located in walking distance from La Venta ParkPalenque: Maya Tulipanes - AC, private bath, pool, onsite restaurant, and wireless internet access - located in Palenque's most beautiful neighborhood, La Canada
Frontera Corozal: Escudo Jaguar Hotel - Bungalows with private bath, fans, and onsite restaurant - a little rustic but the only hotel in town! Nice restaurant
Flores: Hotel Santana - Hotel rooms with AC, cable TV, phone, pool, and onsite restaurant - beautiful sunset views over Lake Peten
Rio Dulce: Hotel Mansion del Rio - hotel rooms with AC, private bathrooms, wifi and onsite restaurant - beautiful sunset views over Lake Isabel
Copan: Hotel Marina - Hotel rooms with AC, cable TV, phone, pool, and onsite restaurant - One of Copan's original hotels right on the main square
Includes:
- All lodging
- Ground and water transportation
- Entry fees into all ruins and museums
- Breakfast and lunches
- Archaeologist/Anthropologist guides
- Evening lectures
Does Not Include:
- Airfare to Villahermosa, Mexico
- Airfare from San Pedro Sula, Honduras
- Dinners
- Tips for Service Providers
- Travel insurance (optional for purchase
Proceeds from MEC Tours are the center's primary source of research funding. As such, a portion of the tour costs are tax deductible. MEC will provide participants with receipts and proper documentation regarding the center's 501(c)(3) non-profit status for your records.