JOURNEYS OF DISCOVERY
                              Presents
      Guatemala Mayan Mysteries!   

     Guatemala Mayan Mysteries
              March 8 – 16, 2009
           Tour cost: $2,099.00 based on 10 travelers
                                        personally escorted by Gayle Lawrence

Guatemala is an incredibly beautiful country of ancient Mayan mysteries and culture. This Journey of Discovery in
Guatemala will allow you to explore natural wonders, rain forests and jungles filled with indigenous wildlife and striking
birdlife. Explore the many pyramids and temples of the impressive ancient site of Tikal, once capital of the Mayan
empire. Plenty of time to wander the cobblestone streets of colonial Antigua, one of the oldest and most beautiful
cities in the America’s. Marvel at the volcanoes that surround the azure waters of Lake Atitlan, considered one of the
most beautiful lakes in the world and visit small native villages around the lake and learn about their culture and
spiritual beliefs. No visit to Guatemala would be complete without some shopping time at the famous market at
chicastenango, a perfect ending to a truly remarkable journey through Guatemala.

                          Watch Guatamala Photo Tour!

Day 1 Sun. March 8 – Depart USA for Guatemala City. Reception upon arrival and transfer to hotel Guatemala Marriot.

Day 2 Mon. March 9 - GUATEMALA-ZUNIL-ATITLAN (B,L)
Morning departure with your private guide for the picturesque town
of Zunil to visit its non-touristic native market and the beautiful
Almolonga Valley. On the way you will stop at Iximche, a sacred site
during Mayan times. Here your guide will introduce you to the spiritual
world of the Mayas. In the afternoon, continue to Lake Atitlan for overnight.

                              Day 3 Tues. March 10 - ATITLAN-SOLOLA (B,L)
          
                            Morning depart for Solola to visit one of the major market centers. On Fridays,the market
                             is filled with indigenous people with very colorful and distinctive dresses who have come
come                               from all over the area to sell and buy produce. In the afternoon, your tour will continue to
                             Panajachel to visit "Mochimon", an ancient deity of the Quiche people. Then, visit the
                           Shamanic cave believed by the Mayas to be the navel of the world. Overnight at hotel Del
                                Lago, located on the shores of Lake Atitlan and a conducive place for meditation....



Day 4 Wed. March 11 - ATITLAN LAKE (B,L) Morning motor-launch trip on Lake Atitlan to visit some of the local
villages. This shimmering volcanic lake surrounded by forested slopes
and three distinctive volcanoes has been hailed by some as the most
beautiful lake in the world. Not only is Lake Atitlán scenically spectacular,
the lake and hillside settlements are also rich in Mayan culture. Deeply
cultural, some of these villages are the only ones in the country where
traditional costume is still worn, each village sporting its own distinctive
style and colour of densely embroidered dress. The people are also
famous for their artisan crafts, and textiles are admired for their design
and colour, distinguishing one village from the other.
Sufficient time to
wander around the village
and for meditation on the shore
of the lake.   Overnight hotel Atitlan



Day 5 Thurs. March 12 - ATITLAN-CHICHICASTENANGO-ANTIGUA (B,L) We take the scenic mountain road to
Chichicastenango to participate in the market which is held only twice a week. The town is a blend of Spanish colonial
and Mayan Indian and is known for its world famous market where thousands gather every Sunday. The native Mayans
bring an amazing variety of native handicrafts, produce and livestock to sell. View the Santo Tomas Church, built over
a prehistoric archaeological sacred site. Here pagan ceremonies are still performed on the steps while Catholic services
go on inside. The Mayan Quiche still observe unique religious and spiritual customs and experience the energy of their
nine sacred sites at this place. In the afternoon continue to the colonial city of Antigua for overnight at the Hotel Casa
Santo Domingo in Antigua or Hotel Antigua.

Day 6 Fri. March 13 - ANTIGUA-GUATEMALA (B,L) Morning guided tour of Antigua. No other town has the appeal
and charm of the world renowned Spanish Colonial city of Antigua.
From its colonial architecture to its beautiful surroundings, this
town is considered one of the most beautiful in Central America.
It is like stepping back into time over 300 years. Founded in 1543,
Antigua was one of the 3 most important Spanish colonies in
the Americas, ruling over what are now Southern Mexico and
all of Central America. More than 30 Monastic orders called
Antigua home and built stunning monasteries, convents and
cathedrals in the town and our guide will take us to some of
the most stunning. The local markets, quiet courtyards with
ornate gardens and the sights and sounds of colonial Spain
permeate the atmosphere. We will also stop at San Antonio
to observe how they weave their beautiful textiles and to learn
how the textile's represent their daily lives and beliefs. Of course
we can buy them as well!
Overnight in Antigua.

Day 7 Sat. March 14 - ANTIGUA-TIKAL (B,L) Early morning transfer to the airport for flight to Flores.
Let the raucous calls of the macaw and howler monkey transport you back to a time of kings and many gods.
                      Discover a lost world once inhabited by the ancient Maya more than two thousand   
                      years ago, a world that has slumbered remarkably intact under a mantle of thick
                      vegetation for nine centuries. Tikal, whose temples push through the tree canopy,
                      is wrapped in a mystical shroud, where battles and burials are recorded in intricately
                      carved stone; where jade carvings resemble the filigree work of fine jewelry and the
                      ceramics and textiles capture the color of the lush vegetation around them. The
                       Maya created one of the most refined civilizations in the history of the world and
                       Tikal is the legacy to this civilization, now declared by UNESCO as a Natural and
                       Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Overnight Jungle Lodge.


Day 8 Sun. March 15 - TIKAL-GUATEMALA (B,D)
You  have most of the day to explore the mystical site of Tikal on your own.Tikal is located in the jungle so howler
monkeys are everywhere and you'll surely get to see some of the cute coatimundi that are often roaming around. If a
local shaman is available, we will spend some time with him at Tikal for ceremony and to learn more about this
spectacular ancient sacred site of the Maya. Afternoon flight to Guatemala City.
Group Farewell Dinner.








Day 9 Mon. March 16 - GUATEMALA -U.S.A (B)
Morning transfer to the airport for return flight
to U.S.A and homeward bound.
$500 deposit required to reserve your space

Tour price includes:

Shared Hotel accommodations for 8 nights
Meals noted
Motor coach tour with English speaking guide
entrance fees to sites
Domestic flight from Guatemala to Flores (Tikal)
Daily breakfast and other meals noted in itinerary
Perhaps a Crystal Skull will reveal itself?
Does not include:

USA-GUATEMALA international flight
Meals not noted
Tips to hotel porters, tour guides or bus
drivers
Personal expenses, calls, laundry, alcohol,
beverages
Any services not mentioned in itinerary
Travel insurance  
To reserve your space for this trip
Contact:   Gayle Lawrence
Journeys of Discovery

1-727-785-5563
Email:    info@ajourneyofdiscovery.com