Original
Explorer
Heart of Central America
15 days • 4
4
Very Good
1 reviews
15 days
Start
Granada, Nicaragua
Finish
Antigua, Guatemala
Trip Code
QBSKC
Min Age
15
Trip Size
1 - 16
Physical Rating
Meals
8 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners
Transport
Private vehicle, Local bus, Taxi
Accommodation
Hotel (14 nights)
From £1,870(15 days)
Trip Informations
Why you’ll love this trip
Take a guided tour of the Copan ruins and archaeological site – a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most important sites of the Mayan civilisation.
Visit an Indigenous artists’ village in Nicaragua to meet with a local artist who makes traditional masks – an important part of the history of the country's revolution.
Drive up through the cloud forest at Mombacho Volcano Natural Reserve and head on a hike to one of the crater lakes with an expert local guide.
Visit Chichicastenango market – known as Chichi for short – and pick up your very own huipils (a traditional Mayan garment worn by women and girls) or some handmade jade jewellery.
Take a scenic boat ride on Lake Atitlan to Santiago Atitlan, with 95% of the population of Mayan descent, and meet the shamanic keepers of Maximon and share a bottle of local spirits with them as they tell you stories of local life.
Is this trip right for you?
As this trip covers destinations across four countries, you’ll make several border crossings. While these are usually straightforward, please prepare to be patient while local authorities process papers.
This trip involves some long travel days as you traverse four countries in a short amount of time.
Central America is tropical, so expect a hot and humid climate. Protect yourself from the sun, wear comfortable, light clothing and stay hydrated – especially when out on walking tours. Air conditioning may not always be available in your rooms. Occasionally, properties may require an additional charge for air conditioning.
If you are traveling with a UK passport, a visa is now required to enter Honduras. Please ensure you check the Important Notes and Essential Trip Information for more details.
Itinerary
Journey into the very heart of Central America
Take a wild ride through the heart of Central America – a place of diverse culture, Maya civilisations and modern religions. Take a 15-day trip starting on Lake Nicaragua, surrounded by active volcanoes. Visit Mombacho Volcano, travelling through cloud forest to the top at the crater lake, then explore the city of Leon at your own pace. Meet a former guerilla in the Cinquera community, during a tour of the small town, then enjoy a spot of bird watching in El Salvador. Learn to make some local favourites in a cooking class and explore the Copan ruins – a UNESCO World Heritage site. Hit the markets of the Guatemalan Highlands and ride on a traditional chicken bus – the source of pride for many locals in Quetzaltenango. Learn about the history and pull of the deity San Simon and find all the hidden gems in Antigua before enjoying a scenic boat ride on Lake Atitlan.
Inclusions
Meals
8 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners
Transport
Private vehicle, Local bus, Taxi
Accommodation
Hotel (14 nights)
Included activities
Monimbó - Indigenous artists village visit
Granada - Mombacho Volcano Natural Reserve
Leon - Leader Led Walking Tour
San Salvador - El Rosario church
San Salvador - Leader-led orientation walk
Suchitoto - Salvadoran Pupusa cooking demonstration
Suchitoto - Leader led orientation walk
Suchitoto - Cinquera Community tour with former guerilla
Copan - Guided visit to Archaeological site
Antigua - Leader-led Orientation Walk
San Andres Itzapa - San Simon shamanic ceremonies
Western Highlands - Almolonga vegetable market
Quetzaltenango - Chicken Bus Experience
Chichicastenango market visit
Santiago Atitlan - Shamanic Keepers of the Shrine of Maximon
Lake Atitlan - Boat to Santiago Atitlan
Optional activities
Leon - Volcano Sand Boarding (requires a minimum of 3 travellers to operate) - USD55
Leon - Juan Venado Island Kayaking - USD55
Suchitoto - Indigo Dyeing Demonstration - USD44
Copan - Macaw Mountain Bird Park (entrance fee) USD - USD10
Copan - Natural Hot Springs & Dinner - USD50
Quetzaltenango - Chocolate Museum - Free
Quetzaltenango - Mayan Cooking Class - USD55
Xela - Las Fuentes Georginas Hotsprings - USD25
Dates and availability
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Important notes
1. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm on Day 1 in Granada. There are no activities planned for the final day so you may depart at any time.
2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights on your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
3. Please be careful when booking flights to Granada; make sure you fly to Managua - Augusto C. Sandino International Airport [MGA]. Managua’s Airport is the closest airport to Granada. Please do not book flights to Granada Airport [GRX] as this is in Spain.
4. Please be careful when booking flights from Antigua; make sure you fly from Guatemala City Airport [GUA]. Guatemala City Airport is the closest airport to Antigua. Please do not book flights from Antigua & Barbuda Airport [ANU] as this is an island in the Caribbean.
5. As per updated Nicaragua entry requirements, customers are currently required to supply a copy of their passport front page to their booking agent no later than 15 days prior to departure.
6. Should you have any questions or need assistance with the Honduras pre-registration, your leader will be able to assist on Day 1 of your tour. For more information, visit the ‘Passports, visas and entry requirements’ section of the ‘Essential Trip Information.’
7. IMPORTANT FOR UK PASSPORT HOLDERS: You must obtain a multiple entry visa to Honduras before traveling on this trip. Due to reported delays in securing embassy appointments, we recommend checking appointment availability with the Honduran Embassy before confirming your travel plans. See the Passports, visas and entry requirements section in your Essential Trip Information for details.
8. Under Honduran law, travelers under age 21 who are traveling unaccompanied or with only one parent must have written, notarized permission to travel (in Spanish) from the non-traveling parent(s) or guardian(s). Please check with your local embassy or consulate for specific requirements.
Reviews (1)
4 stars
1
Heather
Mar 16, 2024
5 days in Guatemala was an excellent trip full of cultural experiences and an excellent guide in Isaias.
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