Central America Highlights

After breakfast head to Iximche, a Pre Columbian Mayan site in the Western Highlands of Guatemala for a brief guided tour, then enjoy lunch at local restaurant in Tecpan. You will then be transferred to Lake Atitlan, Panajachel where you can see breathtaking views of one of the most beautiful lakes in the world, Lake Atitlan, as well as the volcanoes Toliman, Atitlan and San Pedro.

During the period of the Spanish conquest of Guatemala, the shores of the lake were the scene of a great battle in which the Spanish and their Cakchiquel allies defeated the Tzutujils. The Spanish set up a church and monastery in Panajachel soon afterward and used the town as a centre for converting the Indians of the region to the Catholic faith. The original facade of the church stills stands, and is one of the gems of the colonial style in Guatemala.

Later, why not visit Panajachel's busy market street (Calle Santander) or pay a visit to the colourful Sololá market – open Tuesdays and Fridays - just a 15 minute ride from Panajachel on the local ‘chicken bus’!

Included Activities

Visit to Iximche

Accommodation

Hotel Jardines del Lago or similar

After breakfast, take a boat trip across Lake Atitlan to the indigenous islands of San Juan, San Pedro and Santiago. Get acquainted with local cultures including textiles, paintings and history. Clean, quiet San Juan is famous for its textiles and art galleries – its streets are painted with murals reflecting everyday life and traditions. Santiago meanwhile, is mostly known for the famous Maximon - a smoking and drinking Mayan-Catholic deity who, according to legend, has been known to grant favours and miracles to those who visit him!

Accommodation

Hotel Jardines del Lago or similar

After breakfast you will be transferred to Chichicastenango – a town in the El Quiche department famous for its traditional K'iche' Maya culture. Tour its famous market where you will discover a staggering variety of wares including textiles, handicrafts, leather goods, food, flowers, pottery, medicinal plants, candles, incense, lime stones, pigs and chickens, machetes, ceremonial masks, and many more.

After lunch, transfer to Antigua, the charming and colourful once-capital of Guatemala. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979, Antigua is known for its beauty and historical importance. The cobblestone streets, balconies and colonial buildings offer visitors a wonderful mixture of cultural and religious tradition, surrounded by the three volcanoes, Volcán de Fuego, Volcán de Agua and Acatenango.

Despite the destruction caused by the 17^th Century earthquakes, many inhabitants decided to stay in the old city and took the task of recovering the beauty of the buildings and monuments, making Antigua what it is today.

Included Activities

Tour of Chichicastenango market

Accommodation

Posada San Vicente or similar

Today, enjoy a guided walking tour of Antigua. Walk around in this wonderful city and learn more about Guatemalan history during colonial times, visiting historic sites along the way. These include the Cathedral and fountain on the main square, City Hall, the cloister of Capuchinas with its colonial architecture and the San Francisco el Grande Church, one of best preserved churches in Antigua.

Included Activities

Antigua City Walking Tour

Accommodation

Posada San Vicente or similar

Today you will head to Honduras and the town of Copán Ruinas, known for its magnificent Mayan ruins. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980, the Mayan city of Copán, as it exists today, is composed of a main complex of ruins with several secondary complexes that surround it.

The Hieroglyphic Stairway is one of the main attractions and one of the most outstanding structures of Mayan culture. Within the lines of this 10m wide stairway are more than 1,250 individual glyphs that constitute the longest known Mayan inscription. The charming city of Copán Ruinas itself is typified by cobblestone streets whilst the surrounding area boasts many options for hiking, trekking, visits to coffee plantations, bird watching, visits to Mayan towns, motorcycle or bike rides, extraordinary horseback rides and more.

Accommodation

Hotel Plaza Copán or similar

In the morning, enjoy a tour of Copan, known as the ‘Paris’ of the Mayan archaeological sites. Situated in the southwestern part of the Mayas region, it flourished during the 7th century AD and represents for the New World what Athens represents for the Old: the cradle of its civilisation. In 1980, UNESCO declared Copán a world heritage site.

After lunch, transfer to the colonial town of Suchitoto in El Salvador.

The small town of Suchitoto is a popular weekend destination for the Salvadoran population and boasts beautifully renovated houses and cobblestone streets, many art galleries and cultural activities that are held throughout the year. Every weekend, handicrafts are displayed in the artisan fair. Trips to Lake Suchitlán, nearby waterfalls, pre-columbian ruins and forests and volcanoes can be organised from Suchitoto, too.

Included Activities

Copán Walking Tour

Accommodation

El Tejado Hotel or similar

Suchitoto means ‘place of birds and flowers’ in Nahuatl language, spoken by the Pipils, founders and first inhabitants of this place. Take a tour around the city and see its most emblematic buildings including Santa Lucía Church, the Arte para la Paz (Art for Peace) Museum and Las Ruinas Theatre among others, while enjoying a historical-cultural narration about the city.

Included Activities

Suchitoto Walking Tour

Accommodation

El Tejado Hotel or similar

After breakfast, transfer to the harbour of La Union where you will take the boat across the Gulf of Fonseca to Potosi in Nicaragua. After immigration procedures, continue to León.

The city of León is a cultural historical city with an authentic atmosphere where you can easily connect with the locals. It offers a quiet, relaxed and pleasant atmosphere that comes to life at night owing to the city's large student population. In the evenings you can enjoy parties, live music, folkloric performances and much more. The centre with its colonial buildings, beautiful churches and the cathedral which has been declared as a UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site, are only some of León´s many attractions.

If you want to cool off you can head to the nearby beaches of Poneloya and Las Peñitas. Culture buffs may want to visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of León Viejo, where the city was originally founded, whereas those who enjoy hiking can go to one of the many volcanoes in the surrounding area. One of the most popular attractions is ‘volcano-boarding’ at Cerro Negro.

Accommodation

Hotel Austria or similar

This morning, enjoy a walking tour of the colonial centre and explore the fascinating history of one of Nicaragua's oldest and most influential cities. Considered to be Nicaragua's historical, cultural, educational and religious capital, León was dismantled, moved, and rebuilt due to volcanic activities; ransacked (and reconstructed) by pirates; and won and lost its struggle as the most important city in Nicaragua against Managua.

During your guided walking tour you will visit revolutionary murals, baroque and neoclassical churches and an art museum displaying works by internationally renowned artists. In addition, you can climb to the rooftop of Central America´s largest cathedral, registered on UNESCO´s list of World Heritage, and enjoy the astonishing views over the city and surrounding Maribios Volcanic Chain.

Accommodation

Hotel Austria or similar

Today you will head further south to Granada, one of the oldest Spanish colonial towns in the Americas, and one of the best preserved to boot.

Granada was founded in 1524 and is believed to be the second oldest city established in mainland Latin America by the Spanish conquest. During colonial times, Granada saw much unrest as the city was attacked several times by pirates. Nowadays Granada is characterised by brightly-coloured Spanish colonial architecture, visible throughout the city centre, with its city centre and surroundings drawing visitors from all over the world.

Along the way to Granada, stop at the fiery Masaya volcano where you can peek inside the active crater – a thrilling and iconic experience. You will also visit Masaya´s artisan market where you can purchase quality Nicaraguan handicrafts before enjoying lunch overlooking the impressive Apoyo Lagoon. Finally, travel through San Juan de Oriente, one of the so-called ‘White Villages’ to witness local craftsmen producing fine ceramics out of clay enroute to your final destination of the day, Pueblos Blancos.

Included Activities

Masaya Highlights Tour: Masaya Volcano, Artisan Market & Pueblos Blancos.

Accommodation

Hotel Patio del Malinche or similar

The day starts with a guided city tour of Granada’s historic centre, travelling both on foot and by traditional horsedrawn carriage. Explore interesting sites including the San Francisco church and adjacent San Francisco Convent, built in 1529. You will also visit the Merced church where you have the opportunity to climb the bell tower and enjoy spectacular views over the city, Lake Nicaragua, and Mombacho volcano. The last stop is the oldest part of the city where you visit the Xalteva church and the old city walls.

Included Activities

Granada City Tour

Accommodation

Hotel Patio del Malinche or similar

Transfer to the port of San Jorge, where you will take the onward ferry to Isla de Ometepe, one of the world's largest fresh water lakes. Ometepe has served as home to indigenous tribes and cultures for many centuries, of which the many pre-Columbian petroglyphs are silent witnesses. The two volcanoes on the island, Concepción and Maderas, offer stunning views when approaching Ometepe by boat from the mainland. Both volcanoes have their own climate and unique vegetation and hiking either of them is a great way to enjoy spectacular views of the surroundings.

Take a hike in the Charco Verde reserve - a protected area located between Ometepe´s two volcanoes consisting of a lagoon, a beach, and a forest. The reserve is named Charco Verde (Green Puddle) due to the green color of the lagoon. Many birds find shelter in this part of the island so birdwatching enthusiasts should keep an eye out! The hike is not strenuous and leads up a hill, from where you are treated to fantastic views.

Included Activities

Charco Verde Walking Tour

Accommodation

Hotel Villa Paraíso or similar

This morning, take the ferry back to San Jorge and transfer to the border with Costa Rica. Here you will be picked up and transferred to La Fortuna de San Carlos.

La Fortuna is situated just a few kilometres from the looming Arenal volcano, among the most active volcanoes so you will be treated to some breathtaking views! Other attractions in the area include a 70 metre high waterfall, hanging bridges, ziplines, a butterfly farm and whitewater rafting.

Accommodation

Arenal Montechiari Hotel or similar

Today you will be given the opportunity to get closer to the Arenal Volcano with a hike through the national park. The impressiveness of the volcano is undeniable as you will see! Walk along the trails through extensive and authentic rainforest, where you can appreciate the local wildlife and, don’t miss the impressive Ceiba tree which is over 400 years old.

That evening, relax your muscles at the thermal baths of Ecotermales, where you will also enjoy dinner.

Included Activities

National Park Arenal

Accommodation

Arenal Montechiari Hotel or similar

Transfer to the modern city of San José, founded in 1738. The city is a showcase of beautiful art and architecture, and boasts many excursion options including visits to beautiful national parks and a national theatre.

Accommodation

Hotel Balmoral or similar

It’s time to depart! After breakfast transfer to San José Airport for your onward International flight.