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| Explore — Worldwide 2008/09 |
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Page Text Content
THE AMERICAS
NICARAGUA " COSTA RICA
Beneath the Volcanoes
16 DAYS HOTELS/LODGES CARIBBEAN ESCAPE, JUNGLES, COLONIAL TOWNS
Ref
NI
JFMAMJJASOND JFMA
Central Americas largest nation is a tropical land of high volcanoes flanked with coffee plantations; exotic flora in dense rainforest; empty, palm-fringed Caribbean beaches and sleepy old colonial towns all just waiting to be explored! Peaceful once more, we take the time to uncover some of Nicaraguas special secrets.
Colonial Leon & Lake Nicaragua After exploring Managua, Nicaraguas ramshackle capital, well drive to the old Spanish town of Leon with its colonnaded plazas, magnificent cathedral and colonial churches. From here we will travel to elegant Granada, situated in the shadow of Mombacho volcano. Horse-drawn carriages clip-clop through the quaint, baroque streets, adding to its timeless atmosphere. There is the opportunity to visit Masaya and browse the native market colourfully stacked with ceramics, naif paintings and basketry. Lake Nicaragua & River Exploration Travelling by bus then boat we reach Ometepe island two perfect black volcanic cones rise magnificently out of Lake Nicaragua once a burial ground for native Indians. After a quick glimpse at the Pacific we will head through Costa Rica to finally cruise along the winding San Juan river to El Castillo fortress, where the Spanish forced Lord Nelson to retreat. Well explore the steamy Indio Maiz Rainforest Reserve our open-sided boat and foot safaris offer us the chance of sighting scarlet macaw, toucan, monkey and crocodile. Rainforest to the Caribbean After and adventurous journey by road and boat via Juigalpa we will reach Bluefields on Beautiful Lake Nicaragua/John Telfer the coast from where we will fly on to the remote Corn Island in the Caribbean sea. Here, we spend two days simply relaxing, beachcombing, swimming and snorkelling offshore a sunken Spanish galleon lies entombed in the coral reef. Finally we will return to the mainland for our last night in Managua.
GUATEMALA " HONDURAS
Ball court of Copan
Ancient Lands of the Maya
16 DAYS HOTELS/LODGE COLOURFUL VILLAGES, VOLCANOES, MAYA SITES
Ref GM
JFMAMJJASOND JFMA
Ancient Lands of the Maya Ref GM
Gulf of Honduras Lake Petén Itzá
FLORES TIKAL
1st Great Mayan city BELIZE
MEXICO Remote hilltown Rio Dulce
LIVINGSTON
Coban Quetzal Reserve
NEBAJ
Chichica -stenango Indian market
BIOTOPO
Quirigua
Wonders of Tikal We enter the tangled forests of El Peten to view the mighty 20-story temples of Tikal, the most impressive Maya city of all. We can only speculate about these monumental temples which soar 30m above the Great Plaza, piercing the jungle canopy, and the sophisticated engineering of the mighty stonework palaces. Finally we stay in the modern capital of Guatemala, also shadowed by volcanoes. Market day at Chichi/Jane Sweeney
FACTFILE
Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/Managua. 2 Tour of Managua; visit Leon, sightseeing; drive to Granada. 3 & 4 In Granada; sightseeing. 5 Drive to San Jorge; boat to Ometepe Island; optional island tour. 6 In Ometepe; free for optionals. 7 Ferry and bus to San Juan del Sur. 8 Bus via Costa Rica; boat to El Castillo; visit fortress. 9 Cruise to Bartola; walks in Indio Maiz Reserve. 10 At Bartola; birdwatching, optional canoeing. 11 Boat to San Carlos; continue by bus to Juigalpa. 12 Bus and Boat to Bluefields; fly Corn Island. 13 On Corn Island; beachcombing, swimming, optional snorkelling. 14 Fly Managua. 15 Fly London. 16 Arrive London. Accommodation & Meals: 11nts hotel, 3 nts lodge; 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches & 2 dinners included. See insert p2. Mode of Travel: Bus/Riverboat/On foot/Flights as itinerary. Comment: Nicaragua has remarkable scenic diversity and some of the friendliest people in the Americas. Using several modes of transport we achieve an in-depth exploration of this little visited and intriguing country. Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour Leader plus driver(s), boatmen and some local guides. Group Size: Approx. 14 to 18.
HONDURAS
Beneath the Volcanoes Ref NI
NICARAGUA
Colonial capital Leon Swimming Relaxing
COPAN
Ritual staircase EL S A LV A D O R km
GUATEMALA CITY LAKE ATITLAN ANTIGUA
Colonial Town
CORN ISLAND JUIGALPA
E
GUATEMAL A
PA C I F I C O C E A N
0
dido scon
Bluefields
CARIBBEAN SEA
160
We discover the natural and cultural splendour of Lake Atitlan, the incredible scenery of the Guatemalan highlands, and visit the early Maya cities of Copan, Tikal and Quirigua hidden in the forests and backcountry of Central America.
Lake Atitlan & Indian Highlands We begin this journey in the old capital of Antigua, Guatemala, an architectural jewel nestled between three of Guatemalas grandest volcanoes. From here we drive to Lake Atitlan (1500m), where huge volcanoes dominate the landscape. Here, we take a fullday boat trip on the blue waters of Lake Atitlan. Well admire the craftwork of the Quiche Indians in the local market at Chichicastenango, before making a journey high into the remote Cordillera de los Cuchumatanes, a beautiful and isolated region of steep, verdant hills. We spend a day at the whitewashed town of Nebaj, home to the Ixil, wandering its streets and markets, exploring surrounding areas on foot. Copan & the Rio Dulce Next we drive through spectacular mountains to reach Coban, from here we drive to the Biotopo del Quetzal reserve, where we plan to go in search of the elusive quetzal. We make a foray into Honduras to visit the ceremonial centre of Copan. A major astronomical site, it abounds with strange stelae and complex mathematical notations. Travelling via Quirigua, we reach Livingston on the Caribbean. Then make an enchanting boat trip beneath the cliff walls of the Rio Dulce.
Lake MANAGUA Nicaragua GRANADA SAN JUAN San DEL SUR Carlos PA C I F I C MOYOGALPA O C E A N Ometepe Island
EL CASTILLO San Juan BARTOLA Birdwatching
walks km 0
Volcanoes C O S T A R I C A
160
Corn Island
FACTFILE
Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/Guatemala City; transfer to Antigua. 2 In Antigua. 3 Drive to Lake Atitlan. 4 & 5 Visit Sololá market and Panajachel; boat trip to San Antonio; optional walks. 6 Visit Chichicastenango market en route to Nebaj. 7 In Nebaj; discover hidden hill villages. 8 Drive to Biotopo del Quetzal via Coban. 9 Early visit in Biotopo; drive Copan (Honduras). 10 Explore Copan site. 11 Drive via Quirigua (Guatemala) to Livingston. 12 Launch to Rio Dulce; drive to Flores. 13 Drive to Tikal; full-day visit. 14 Drive to Flores; fly Guatemala City. 15 In Guatemala City; fly London. 16 Arrive London. Accommodation & Meals: 13nts hotel, 1nt lodge; 5 breakfasts & 1 dinner included. See insert p2. Mode of Travel: Bus/Riverboat/Flights/On foot. Comment: An in-depth look with some off-beat travel in one of the most varied countries in the region. This trip takes in some of the finest Mayan sites in existence, as well as contemporary indigenous cultures. Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour Leader plus driver(s), boatmen and some local guides. Group Size: Approx. 14 to 18.
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