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The Trip

Please note that the trip dates have changed from what was originally published. If you have questions, please contact us.

Explore the colorful history of the Maya civilization and rich culture of the famous Guatemalan and Honduran cities and villages on this comprehensive adventure. We venture not only through the Mayan ruins but also through colonial towns, indigenous markets and villages, dense tropical jungles, Caribbean shores, volcanic landscapes, highland forest and the serene lake country. The people we meet along the way are proud of their heritage and reflect the diversity and vibrancy of the landscape. The birds, mammals, and plants of the various ecological zones will surprise you with their beauty and natural history. Guatemala and Honduras are full of color and vitality, and are popular destinations for travelers seeking an enchanting adventure. It’s possible that you may fall in love with the spirit of Central America on this trip!

The Maya civilization left an indelible mark in the jungles of Central America, particularly in Guatemala and Honduras. The ancient Mayas had a rich culture replete with sophisticated architectural and engineering wonders, as well as advanced mathematics, astronomy, calendars and a written language. After nearly 3,000 years of habitation, the Mayas abandoned their cities in the 10th century. The reasons for this abandonment are still not fully understood; some theorize long-term drought, lack of food sources, or civil unrest. The legacy of their long history and belief systems is found in jungle sites, preserved on walls, temples, and ritual objects that we explore and ponder. This trip provides a comprehensive overview of four major Mayan sites that will allow us to compare and contrast the fascinating ancient Maya civilizations in the verdant jungles near the Caribbean coast. Maya people, culture, and many Mayan dialects continue to this day, as people from the ancient overgrown cities are now dispersed throughout Central America, giving us the opportunity to notice the living Maya as well as the wondrous cities of their ancestors.

Maya Explorer: Guatemala and Honduras is designed for the enthusiastic traveler who is reasonably fit for our daily walks and hikes. In addition to the local destinations in each country, our journey takes us to several UNESCO World Heritage sites. Our local guide is well versed in both natural and Maya history, and assists us in learning about and understanding ancient and current cultures, as well as local ecology. Join this intimate adventure for a trip of a lifetime!

Itinerary

Day 1: We meet at La Aurora International Airport and transfer to the charming colonial city of Antigua, Guatemala for a festive welcome dinner. Overnight in Antigua.

Day 2: After breakfast we begin our exploration of Antigua, a UNESCO World Heritage site. We tour the Parque Central, walk under the Arco de Santa Catalina, and visit La Merced Church, the Convent of the Capuchins, and the Centro Cultural Casa Santa Domingo. The afternoon is free to explore the cobblestone streets and quaint shops of Antigua, or just relax. Overnight in Antigua.

Day 3: After breakfast, we board our private bus and begin our trip toward the heart of the Guatemalan highland, driving through incredibly rich landscapes. We arrive at the legendary Solola market to enjoy a riot of color, sounds, smells, and smiles as the ancient, indigenous commercial process turns the day into a magical experience. After lunch we continue to Lake Atitlan, the deepest lake in Central America, and spend the night in a cozy lodge in nearby Panajachel.

Day 4: This morning begins with a scenic boat ride on Lake Atitlan. We disembark at the village of San Juan La Laguna for a short walk to visit a women’s textile cooperative. Afterwards we tour the studios of the celebrated local painters and then boat to the next village, where we pay respects to the Maya God Maximon and learn about the textiles, spiritualism, and beliefs of the T’zutujil Maya. We travel back to Guatemala City for dinner and overnight accommodations.

Day 5: Today we journey to the archaeological treasure of Copan, one of the most powerful ancient Maya city states. We travel through the eastern part of Guatemala and cross the border to enter Honduras. In the afternoon, with expert local guides, we tour Copan and explore the acropolis -- a large complex of overlapping step-pyramids, plazas, and palaces -- as well as the ceremonial center, the ball court, and the hieroglyphic stairway. We ponder the almost intact shrine of the Rosalila Temple in the Museum, which was hidden for centuries and is therefore very well preserved. After this full day, we retire to our lodging in Copan.

Day 6: We travel back to Guatemala to Izabal Lake, which is connected to the Atlantic Ocean by the Río Dulce River and is home to the manatee, jaguar, spider monkey, and howler monkey. Our journey through colorful villages leads us to the ancient Maya city of Quiriguá, which was situated at the junction of several trade routes. Here we find some famous zoomorphs, stone sculptures that represent animals. After our tour at Quiriguá we drive to Río Dulce ("Sweet River") and enjoy the howler monkeys and toucans that inhabit the forest around our accommodations. Overnight in Rio Dulce.

Day 7: As the sun rises over the Caribbean, the howler monkeys serenade us in our rooms. We take a morning tour on the Río Dulce River, visiting Castillo de San Felipe de Lara and birdwatching on a nearby island. We then travel to the Garifuna village of Livingstone; Garifuna are descendents of Carib, Arawak, and West African people. We walk around this village and enjoy a savory lunch in a local restaurant. After lunch we enter the warm, humid climate and dense vegetation of Tikal National Park, the first protected area in Guatemala and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Tikal was the capital of one of most powerful kingdoms of the ancient Maya. Overnight in Tikal.

Day 8: Today we have a full-day guided tour through Tikal. We climb Mesoamerican step pyramids known as the Temples and explore the Acropolis, Great Plaza, Great Plaza Ball Court, altars, stellae, and burials. We visualize the activities of the ancient city through the stories from our guide as we walk the Maya pathways. This moving experience leads us to a deeper understanding of the history of this area, the cradle of the Maya civilization. Overnight in Tikal.

Day 9: After breakfast we travel to the Yaxha National Park, the site of a recently restored Maya archaeological site. Located on the banks of the Yaxha Lake, this was a major Maya ceremonial site. We climb temples, visit palaces, ball courts, and an observatory, and look for birds and howler monkeys in the tropical forest. After an appetizing lunch in the ruins, we drive to the airport to take a short flight to Guatemala City. We enjoy our last dinner together, reminiscing about all the adventures that we have shared. Overnight in Guatemala City.

Day 10: The trip ends at our hotel following breakfast. We say goodbye to the "Land of Eternal Spring" and the Mayan civilization until next time.

Getting There

The trip begins at La Aurora International Airport in Guatemala City. Guatemala City is serviced by numerous airlines from the United States. You must make your own travel arrangements to the starting point, but the leader can provide some recommendations. We will meet everyone at La Aurora International Airport in Guatemala City, and then transfer to Antigua, a 40-minute drive from the airport. You will need a passport that is valid at least through November of 2013. The leader will be happy to assist participants who wish to extend their stay with additional recommendations.

Accommodations and Food

We will be staying in locally owned, charming eco-lodges and hotels that are clean, safe, and comfortable. All lodges and hotels have ceiling fans or air conditioning. Rooms will all be double-occupancy, so if you're a solo traveler, you will be assigned a roommate. If you are single and would like to pay for a single supplement, please contact the leader about pricing and availability. All meals except for one dinner are included. Alcoholic and soft drinks are not included. Guatemalan and Honduran traditional foods are based on Maya cuisine and prominently feature corn, chilis, and beans. Guatemala is also known for its delicious tamales and famous candies from Antigua, while Honduran food is a fusion of indigenous, African, and Spanish cuisines. We sample traditional foods, local cuisines, and Western meals, and enjoy all the abundant fresh fruits and vegetables. Your taste buds are going to enjoy this adventure as well!

Trip Difficulty

This is an active trip, suitable for old and young alike, as long as you are in reasonably good health, enjoy nature, and have a good-humored and flexible approach to traveling in Latin America. You will enjoy this trip more if you are in good shape. Most days we will be walking or hiking up to three miles, with one optional strenuous day when you need some stamina to climb the steep stairs at the ruins of Tikal. Keep in mind that Guatemala and Honduras are developing countries -- things don't always run exactly as they do at home. Although we are traveling during the dry season, rain may fall, clothes may get muddy and/or wet, and plans may change, but that's all part of the charm of international travel. A few of the rides on our private bus will be long; we'll mostly be on good roads, though, and the views will be fantastic. There will be plenty of opportunity to stop to take photographs or view wildlife along the way.

Equipment and Clothing

The leader will send a detailed packing list to each registered participant. Though Guatemala and Honduras are located in tropical Central America, the local climate varies depending primarily on altitude. We will experience both temperate and tropical climates on our trip. The majority of the trip will be in the temperate zone, where the daytime temperature rarely exceeds 85 degrees Fahrenheit and the nights are comfortably cool. Our time at the Maya ruins of Copan, Quirigua, Yaxha, and Tikal will be in the tropical zone, where daytime temperatures can be in the 90s and nighttime temperatures rarely drop below 70 degrees Fahrenheit. April is considered the dry season in Central America, but we still might encounter rain. Appropriate rain gear is necessary and hopefully we won’t use it much.

References

Travel Guides:

• Gorry, Connor, Guatemala: Great Destinations in Central America.
• Vidgen, Lucas, Lonely Planet: Guatemala.
• Gill, Nicholas, Frommers Honduras.

Field Guides:

• Reid, Fiona A., A Field Guide to the Mammals of Central America and Southeast Mexico.
• Edwards, Ernest Preston, A Field Guide to the Birds of Mexico and Adjacent Areas.
• Beletsky, Les, Travelers’ Wildlife Guide: Belize and Northern Guatemala.

Books on Mayan Civilization:

• Sharer, Robert, The Ancient Maya 6th Edition.
• McKillop, Heather Irene, The Ancient Maya, New Perspectives.

Websites:

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guatemala
• http://wikitravel.org/en/Guatemala
• https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/gt.html

Conservation

Guatemala and Honduras are located in the heart of Central America and are known for their biodiversity and cultural importance dating from the ancient Maya civilization. The second largest contiguous forest in the Americas, the Maya Forest travels through Guatemala and Honduras. This indigenous tropical forest supports jaguars, tapirs, quetzals, scarlet macaws, anteaters, and many other plant and animal species. It is an extremely important habitat, and represents the confluence of flora and fauna from North and South America, which were separate land masses until about three million years ago. Many conservation organizations work with Guatemalans and Hondurans to help protect this unique forest and biological transition zone through growing shade-grown and organic coffees, reforesting barren land, and developing sustainable ventures. On this trip we will discuss the Mayan forest management techniques and debate whether these techniques were conservation-oriented or perhaps led to the collapse of the powerful Mayan civilization.

One of the more unique conservation solutions that has been successfully utilized in Guatemala is the debt- for-nature land swap. Because Guatemala is a third world country and hampered with significant debt, it is difficult to protect natural resources. Recently the United States government, in partnership with Guatemala, Conservation International, and The Nature Conservancy, entered into an agreement for the largest debt- for-nature swap ever. The swap cancels Guatemala's $24 million debt, which the Guatemalan government will instead channel into a fund for conservation grant making. These grants are targeted to four geographic regions that are important for their tropical forests, their biodiversity, and the benefits that their natural resources provide local communities. On this trip we hope to meet with a conservation organization in Panahachel to give us an update on the agreement.

The Sierra Club is an environmentally focused entity. We are concerned about conservation and sustainability of resources, both locally and globally. Our work is accomplished by volunteers and aided by a salaried staff, encouraging grassroots involvement. Our outings seek to empower participants toward environmentally understanding parallel concerns at home and abroad.

Trip Price

This trip requires a $200 per-person deposit. An additional payment of $300 per person is due six months prior to trip departure. International trip prices are subject to change and are based on double-occupancy or group accommodations as described above. Single rooms may not be available or may cost more than the listed price. If you have any questions regarding double occupancy, please contact the trip leader.

See the How to Apply for an Outing section for more details on registering for this trip and details about our Reservation and Cancellation Policy.

The payment of a deposit does not confirm you as a member on the trip. Participants must be approved by the trip leader. After signing up for this trip, you will be sent a confirmation packet containing approval materials (Participant Approval Questionnaire, Medical Form, Liability Release Form). Each applicant (including those on the waitlist) must fill out these forms and promptly mail them to the trip leader. The leader will review the approval materials and notify you of your acceptance in a timely manner.

The Sierra Club accurately and fairly budgets and prices our trips. However, unforeseen costs such as devaluation of the dollar compared to other currencies and fuel surcharges assessed by our international providers may necessitate adjustment in trip price. We will make every effort to mitigate and absorb these fees. If a price increase is necessary, however, you will have 14 days after announcement to cancel without penalty.

Staff

Kath Giel loves Latin America for its rich biological diversity and friendly people. She has been involved in the Sierra Club's outings program since 2000. Kath has a keen interest in natural history and has traveled widely and independently to over 60 countries. She is an avid outdoorswoman and devotes much of her time to travel. When Kath is at home in northern California, she's often hiking the local trails, backpacking and botanizing in the High Sierra, or riding her bike in the local foothills.

E-mail: sierrakath@gmail.com

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General Notes About Sierra Club Trips

• Carbon Offsets
• Electronic Devices
• Equipment
• How to Apply for a Trip
• Leader Gratuities
• Liability Release and Assumption of Risk
• Medical Issues
• Non-discrimination Statement
• Participant Approval
• Reservation and Cancellation Policy
• Seller of Travel Disclosure
• Travel Insurance
• Trip Feedback