GUATEMALA AND HONDURAS
FEBRUARY 20-29, 2012
2012 is a significant time on the Mayan Calendar. Join PCC and special guest hosts and lecturers as you journey through the land of the Mayans uncovering the true meaning of the “Mayan Calendar”.
PORTLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE EXPLORES
Day 1- Monday - February 20 - Departure  Miami/Guatemala City
This afternoon you will depart Miami for Guatemala. Welcome to Guatemala City the economic, governmental and cultural capital of the Republic, and considered by many, an economic capital of Central America. You will be met and transferred to your hotel. This evening gather for a Welcome Cocktail Party and Dinner.
ACCOMMODATIONS: HOTEL CAMINO REAL OR SIMILAR (D)

Day 2 - Tuesday - February 21 - Guatemala City
Your exploration of the city begins with a visit to Minerva Park where you will see the giant relief map of Guatemala, then to the central Plaza to visit the National Palace, the Cathedral and the central market with a huge variety of handicrafts. Proceed to the civic center to visit the “Miguel Angel Asturias” cultural center & continue to the southern end of the city along Avenida de Las Americas to observe modern residential areas. This afternoon visit a local orphanage. ACCOMMODATIONS: HOTEL CAMINO REAL OR SIMILAR (B, D)

Day 3 - Wednesday  February 22 - Guatemala City/Antigua
After breakfast drive through the Guatemalan highlands along the Pan-American Highway to Antigua - Guatemala's third capital city founded by the Spaniards in 1541. The city was destroyed by a series of earthquakes in 1773 and the capital was moved to where Guatemala City is today. Antigua still has some of the region's finest examples of 16th, 17th and 18th century Spanish colonial architecture most of which has been restored. The city is an UNESCO “World Heritage” site. Visit San Antonio Aguas Calientes where you will see local artisans creating unique and beautiful weaving.  Continue onto Ciudad Vieja the second capital of Guatemala where you will visit a  macadamia nut farm. Arrive in Antigua and visit the Central Park, the Cathedral, the University of San Carlos which is now a museum, San Francisco Church and the ruins of the monastery of Capuchinas.
ACCOMMODATIONS: HOTEL CAMINO REAL ANTIGUA OR SIMILAR (B, L, D)

Day 4  - Thursday - February 23 - Antigua/Lake Atitlan
Today you will visit Lake Atitlan.  Surrounded by three volcanoes and 12 Indian towns Lake Atitlan is considered to be one of the world's most beautiful lake areas.  Visit the Chichicastenango Market to shop for local crafts and to see how the locals gather to barter their handicrafts and agricultural products. See Santo Tomas Church, built in 1540. Here Indians practice their faith, blending Mayan and Catholic rituals. Indian priests chant prayers in ancient dialects, copal incense fills the air, and rose petals and candles cover the church floor.  This afternoon visit an orphanage in the area.
ACCOMMODATIONS: HOTEL CAMINO REAL ANTIGUA OR SIMILAR (B, L, D)

Day 5 - Friday - February 24 - Antigua/Flores/Tikal
After breakfast you will take a flight to Flores.  Visit the ruins of Tikal. Settled in 700 B.C., Tikal became the grandest of all Mayan cities and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. This majestic site also served as the victorious rebel base in the first Star Wars movie. Here, while the sounds of monkeys and tropical birds fill the air, you see towering pyramids jut out of the rainforest canopy. Visit Tikal's great plaza. See the Temple of the Grand Jaguar and Temple II. Visit the Plaza of the Seven Temples and El Mundo Perdido, the Lost World.  The afternoon is at your leisure for relaxing poolside or taking a nature walk.
ACCOMMODATIONS: HOTEL CAMINO REAL TIKAL OR SIMILAR (B, L, D)

Day 6 - Saturday - February 25 - Flores/Guatemala City
Return to Guatemala City today by flight. The afternoon is at your leisure for personal exploration.
ACCOMMODATIONS: HOTEL CAMINO REAL OR SIMILAR (B)

Day 7 - Sunday - February 26 - Guatemala City/Copan
You will leave Guatemala City this morning for Copan, Honduras. Visit the Copan Ruins, the “Athens” of the Mayan world. These magnificent ruins are known for their detailed carvings and remarkably preserved stelae (stone) monoliths which record Mayan history. Visit the Acropolis, Great Plaza, and Ballcourt. See the Hieroglyphic Stairway where the world's longest Maya text, with over a thousand glyphs, is carved on 63 stone steps. See Altar Q, a rectangular stone altar with carved portraits of all of Copan's rulers from the founder, Yax Kuk Mo, to the last ruler, Yax Pac.
ACCOMMODATIONS: HOTEL MARINA COPAN (B, L, D)

Day 8 - Monday - February 27 - Copan
The day is at your leisure with many options to keep you busy or you can stay that the hotel poolside relaxing. You may enjoy a visit to the Luna Jaguar Spa where you will find natural hot springs that flow into the cold, clean water of the river that form pools for physical, mental, and spiritual relaxation. This is a really unique experience that allows relaxation in stress free natural surroundings. You could also choose a canopy tour. After enjoying a long, pleasant hike up the mountain, you will find the release point for the tour via zip lines. Here you will experience the indescribable sensation of flying at high speed down the mountain you just climbed. This is a unique experience that you will want to live time and time again. If you enjoy hiking you can climb to indigenous Maya communities that have hardly changed for hundreds of years, or hike to hidden Maya stelae, mountaintops with matchless vistas, or discover secret waterfalls rarely visited by outsiders. There is also an opportunity to explore El Boquerón Cave, reached by a drive, hike, and scramble up boulders to the cave mouth. The hike within the cave is up a subterranean river. This unforgettable adventure is as strenuous as it is unforgettable. El Rubí Waterfalls this stunning natural display is reached by a 40 minute hike through a pristine forest located just ten minutes east of downtown. Don't forget your bathing suit.
ACCOMMODATIONS: HOTEL MARINA COPAN (B, L, D)

Day 9 - Tuesday - February 28 - Copan/Guatemala City
Return to Guatemala City today. This evening you will gather for a farewell dinner.
ACCOMMODATIONS: HOTEL CAMINO REAL (B, D)

Day 10 - Wednesday - February 29 - Departure
Farewell to Guatemala as you transfer to the airport for your flight to Miami. Arrive home your hearts and minds filled with many happy memories. (B)

PLEASE NOTE: Itinerary sequence subject to change without prior notice.


  • International air Miami/Guatemala City/Miami
  • One way air transportation Antigua/Flores
  • One way air transportation Flores/Guatemala City
  • 4 nights accommodation in Guatemala City at the Hotel Camino Real or similar
  • 2 nights accommodation in Antigua at the Hotel Camino Real Antigua or similar
  • 1 night accommodation in Tikal at the Hotel Comino Real Tikal or similar
  • 2 nights accommodation in Copan at the Hotel Marina Copan or similar
  • All transfers by deluxe air-conditioned motor coach
  • English speaking guide throughout Guatemala and Honduras
  • All sightseeing as per program including entrance fees
  • Meeting rooms as per program  or they can be adjusted
  • Hotel taxes and service fees
  • 9 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 8 dinners
  • Hotel taxes and service fees

        NOT INCLUDED
  • U.S. Departure Taxes & Airport Security
  • Domestic air within the U.S.
  • Items of a personal nature such as laundry, telephone calls, inter-net services, soft drinks, coffee, tea (except at breakfast), mineral water, alcoholic beverages, passport fees, gratuities for drivers, guides, transfer personnel,  etc……

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS