Spring 2025
Guatemala: A Journey Through Time and Culture
Santa Fe Archaeological Society
May 3 - May 15, 2025
No other country in the world is as colorful and hospitable as Guatemala. Color is everywhere, from lush green foliage and tranquil blue lakes to the multicolored costumes of the inhabitants. We begin in GUATEMALA CITY, locally known as Guate, the capital and largest city of Guatemala, and the most populous urban area in Central America. The city is nestled in a mountain valley called Valle de la Ermita.
We will travel to the heart of the Guatemalan rainforest to explore the crown jewel of the Mayan world, the Archeological Site of TIKAL, where the Maya raised their pyramids to the sky. Because of its geographical location Tikal was a major trading city. Though considered to be of the Classic Period, from 200 to 900 AD, construction began in 900 BC. The superbly designed city of Tikal was inhabited for a thousand years. ANTIGUA, among the oldest and most beautiful cities in the Americas. Founded in 1543, it was for 200 years the capital of an area that is now Central America and the Mexican state of Chiapas and was, along with Lima and Mexico City, one of the three great capitals of the Americas. Surrounded by valleys, CHICHICASTENANGO has always been an important market town. We will visit on a Sunday, its big colorful market day, where local villagers also worship the Catholic saints and their ancient gods at the Church of Santo Tomas.
PANAJACHEL is the main center of this region, located on the shores of LAKE ATITLÁN, one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. It is the hub from where we will visit the market town of SOLALÁ and the villages of SAN ANTONIO PALOPÓ and SANTIAGO ATITLÁN. These villages are predominantly quiet agricultural communities, rich in indigenous culture and the residents are proud, independent, and conservative people. Most women and many men wear traditional dress, which varies from town to town, and nearly everyone speaks one of two Mayan languages (Tzutujil to the south and Cakchiquel to the north).
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1, Saturday, May 3 - GUATEMALA CITY
Welcome to the land of eternal spring! On arrival at Guatemala City’s La Aurora airport and after clearing customs and immigrations we will be met and taken to our hotel.
Day 2, Sunday, May 4 - GUATEMALA CITY
(B) (L)
Today we have a full day in Guatemala City where we will visit the National Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology and the Relief Map which represents the geography of the country. After lunch we will have a panoramic tour of the historic center which includes the National Palace and the Cathedral.
Day 3, Monday May 5 - TIKAL NATIONAL PARK
(B) (L)
Morning transfer from our hotel to the Guatemala City Airport for our flight to Flores, the closest airport to the National Park of Tikal. We will have lunch and continue to the park. It is a great time to relax and enjoy a tropical sunset.
Day 4, Tuesday May 6 - TIKAL NATIONAL PARK
(B) (L) (D)
Tikal is one of the preeminent Maya archaeological zones having a long settlement history going back to 900 BCE. It was among the largest cities in the Americas. Tikal is located deep within the Peten tropical rainforest in the Tikal National Park, which in turn is situated within the Maya Biosphere Reserve. Tikal was a powerful, regional kingdom, whose influence extended throughout most of the Maya Lowlands. Relationships were also developed outside the Maya area, including the great central Mexican city/state of Teotihuacan. We will have a guided tour of the site. The rest of the day is free.
Day 5, Wednesday May 7 – ANTIGUA (B)
Early morning transfer from our hotel to the International Airport Mundo Maya located in Flores. We will fly to Guatemala City. Upon arrival we will transfer to the colonial city of Antigua. The rest of the day is free.
Day 6, Thursday May 8 – ANTIGUA (B) (L)
The city was the capital of the Captaincy General of Guatemala from 1543 through 1773. It was once called Santiago of the Knights, and it was designated a World Heritage Site in 1979. Our guided walking tour will take us to the Church of La Merced, the Arch of St. Catherine and the Central Square, where you can see the Cathedral, the Town Hall, the Fountain of the Sirens and the Palace of the Captains. We will also see the Church of San Francisco El Grande and the Union Tank.
Day 7, Friday May 9 - ANTIGUA (B)
A full day at leisure to explore this wonderful town on your own. You might want to visit the Museums at Casa Santo Domingo which include: the Archaeological Museum, the Silver Museum, the Pharmacy Museum, Museum of Pre-Columbian Art and Modern Glass, the Colonial Museum and the Art Gallery.
Day 8, Saturday May 10 - CHICHICASTENANGO (B) (L)
We will leave Antigua and travel to the Sito Arqueológico Iximche. This site was the capital of the Late Postclassic Kaqchikel Maya kingdom from 1470 until its abandonment in 1524. The architecture of the site included several pyramid-temples, palaces and two Mesoamerican ballcourts. After our visit we will continue to Chichicastenango, also known as Santo Tomás Chichicastenango. It is in a mountainous region 87 miles northwest of Guatemala City, at an altitude of 6,447 FOSL. The Spanish conquistadors gave the town its name from the Nahuatl name used by their allied soldiers from Tlaxcala: Tzitzicaztenanco.
Day 9, Sunday May 11 - PANAJACHEL (B) (L)
Market Day in Chichicastenango! It is one of the largest markets in Guatemala, serving Indian villages in the neighboring highlands. Those interested can visit the Church of Santo Tomás, a 400-year-old church built atop a Pre-Columbian temple platform. The 18 steps that lead up to the church represents one month of the Maya calendar year. The pre-Hispanic Maya civilization remains venerated as K'iche' Maya priests still use the church for their rituals, burning incense and candles. After mass, we will depart for the beautiful Lake Atitlán and our overnight stay in Panajachel.
Day 10, Monday May 12 - PANAJACHEL (B)
Today we will take a boat trip to visit two Tz'utujil indigenous villages. First, San Juan La Laguna to see their stunning mural art and to visit some of the weaving workshops. And Santiago Atitlan, the largest village around the lake, where we will visit several workshops engaged in woodworking, ceramics, watercolors and weavings. If possible, we will try to find Maximón, also called San Simón, a Maya deity, narco-saint, and folk saint, represented in various forms by the Maya peoples of several towns in the Guatemalan Highlands.
Day 11, Saturday May 13 - PANAJACHEL (B)
A short distance from Panajachel is the town of Solalá which will be holding its Tuesday market. It is one of the most authentic markets in the country where many Kaqchikel Maya come from surrounding villages. The rest of the day is to enjoy this beautiful place.
Day 12, Sunday May 14 - GUATEMALA CITY (B) (L)
After breakfast and check-out, we will head back to Guatemala City. Upon arrival we will visit the Popol Vuh Museum. It is the home to one of the major collections of Maya art in the world. Although the museum is well known for its funerary ceramic art, the section on Maya pottery includes some of the best-preserved Maya vases and bowls. After our visit and lunch, we will continue to our hotel.
Day 13, Thursday May 15 - INTERNATIONAL DEPARTURES
IMPORTANT NOTES:
*B=breakfast, L=lunch D=dinner
It is possible that changes to the above itinerary and activities may be necessary. If so, whatever is altered will be replaced by its equivalent. Price is subject to change due to currency exchange fluctuations or fuel surcharges.
Hotels:
Guatemala City
Hotel Wyndham Garden
May 3 - 4, 14
Tikal
Hotle Jungle Lodge
May 5 - 6
Antigua
Hotel Meson de María
May 7 - 9
Chichicastenango
Hotel Mayan Inn
May 10
Panajachel
Hotel Porta del Lago
May 11 - 13
Tour Cost
Double Occupancy $3,680.00 per person
Single Supplement $750.00
* 3 Junior Suites available in Tikal for a surcharge of $45.00 per room per night
Program Information
INCLUDED:
• All accommodations
• Breakfast daily, seven lunches and one dinner
• Transportation throughout by chartered bus
• Round trip airfare between Flores and Guatemala City
• Entrance fees to all sites indicated in the itinerary
• Boat ride in Lake Atitlán
• English-speaking local guides as noted
NOT INCLUDED:
• International air fare
Rosa Ramírez Carlson, owner of Journeys International, Inc. handles all air and land arrangements. For any questions about airfare or if you wish to go early or extend your trip, please contact Rosa Ramírez Carlson at info@journeys-international.com or phone: (505) 310-1863
HOW TO REGISTER FOR THIS TOUR:
Please contact Rosa Carlson to confirm your participation. Space is limited and reservations are accepted on a first come, first served basis.
Please return the following documents to the address listed below.
• Booking and Release Form per person
• Clear photocopy of your passport
• Your deposit check made out to Journeys International, Inc.
MAILING ADDRESS:
Journeys International, Inc.
49 Verano Loop
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87508
DEPOSIT
A deposit of $1,000.00 per person is due at time of booking. No credit cards accepted.
FINAL PAYMENT IS DUE TUESDAY, MARCH 4TH, 2025
CANCELLATION PENALTY
Deposits are non refundable after payment. Final payments are non refundable after March 4th, 2025.
Important: Purchase of trip cancellation insurance is strongly recommended. If you have any pre- existing conditions for which you would like coverage, most companies require that the purchase of the insurance must be made within 14 days of your first payment for the tour. You may be able to purchase coverage just for your deposit and later increase your coverage when the final payment is made. In addition, many health insurers, including Medicare, do not provide coverage for insured persons traveling abroad. Affordable health insurance for overseas travelers is readily available with companies such as Geo Blue, Travel Guard, Allianz Travel Insurance and similar companies.
Additional Information
Prior to departure, you will receive complete information about the tour. An introductions and orientation meeting will be scheduled prior to the tour departure.