“The
Temple Dogs That Won't Die”GUATEMALA 2009
“The
Temple Dogs That Won't Die”
ITINERARY
(updated 4 June 2008)
[Click here for comments about Guatemala]
Sat.
May 2:
Welcome to Antigua, Guatemala!
Our hotel is a hacienda surrounding a patio filled with tropical flowers.
Antigua is truly an eighteenth-century town with cobblestone streets and
buildings from the colonial past.
HOTEL:
(ANTIGUA)
Sun.
May 3:
A special, unlimited welcome breakfast from the menu will be provided at
the cloistered dining room of “La
Posada de Don Rodrigo”,
a 270-year-old colonial hacienda with macaws in the patio trees.
It overlooks a tropical garden overflowing with bougainvillea, birds of
paradise and calla lilies; the volcano in the background completes the scene. Spend
the day exploring Antigua at your leisure.
The town is an enchanting place with small shops of native crafts and
cafes in hidden gardens.
HOTEL:
(ANTIGUA)
Mon.
May 4:
A full breakfast, from the menu, will be provided at our hotel each
morning we are in Antigua. Private
vehicle to the airport.
Morning flight from Guatemala City.
Arrive Flores. Hotel
bus to Tikal. Tikal
is magnificent!
The oldest and largest center of the ancient Maya civilization. In the
heart of a vast rain forest, its main ceremonial area with countless ruins
covers a square mile. There are six
pyramid-temples, the tallest of which is the highest archeological monument in
the Western Hemisphere. Viewing the
sunset from the top of the highest pyramid, looking over hundreds of square
miles of tropical foliage, is a strong experience.
Entrance fees to the ruins will be
provided for both days at Tikal.
We will be staying at pristine bungalows on the edge of the jungle, within
walking distance of the ruins.
BUNGALOWS:
(TIKAL)
Tues.
May 5:
This morning, a “canopy tour” will be provided:
We will glide above the rainforest
treetops in harnesses suspended from
cables; a very exciting experience! Others
may choose to relax by the hotel pool,
or explore the ruins of Tikal at their leisure.
Private vehicle to Flores, an island / city in the middle of Lake Peten.
Afternoon
flight from Flores.
Arrive Guatemala City. Private
vehicle to our hotel.
HOTEL: (ANTIGUA)
Wed.
May 6:
Private vehicle through green hills then on down to Lake Atitlan, which
Aldous Huxley called “the most beautiful lake in the world”.
Our private charter boat will be
waiting for us to visit two of the
Tzutuhil Indian villages around the lake where we can shop for fine textiles
from the artisans in their homes. Towering
above the shore are the volcanoes, San Pedro, Toliman and Atitlan.
We will return across the lake to Panajachel.
It is unique: A
frenetic boom town populated by wealthy expatriates, Maya in native dress, aging
hippies still looking for the bus station, shopkeepers with only first names
(hiding from the IRS or ex-spouses).
Have a good, inexpensive meal at “The Last Resort.”
HOTEL:
(PANAJACHEL)
Thurs.
May 7:
Private vehicle to the village of Chichicastenango, the religious and cultural center of the indigenous Mayan population of Western
Guatemala. It is market day! Indians
have come from miles around, wearing the brilliant fabrics of their villages;
incense is burned on the steps of the church in homage to the old gods.
Color is everywhere. Relax by
the gardenside pool of our charming hotel or shop for fabrics.
Tonight you will want to dine at
the sophisticated “Casablanca” restaurant; or at the rather wild “PanaRock
Café.”
HOTEL:
(PANAJACHEL)
Fri.
May 8:
Return to Antigua by private vehicle. On the way back to Panajachel we
will stop at the village of Solola. It
is market day here also; a riot of color with all the men wearing red striped
pants and spangled jackets. In Antigua, it will be a day of quiet leisure, to relax and explore the
shops, cafes, and cathedrals of this beautiful town. Please do not miss seeing the paintings of B.M. Johnston and
others at “La Antigua, Galeria del Arte.”
They are magnificent!
HOTEL:
(ANTIGUA)
Sat.
May 9:
The services of a professional English-speaking climbing guide will be
provided for those who wish to spend a rigorous day climbing the active
volcano, Pacaya (8,373’). This afternoon the rest of you will be transported
to a new luxury spa where massages by trained therapists, steam baths, saunas,
and whirlpool baths will all be provided.
After
dark we will have an unlimited Farewell Dinner from the menu at “Casa Santo
Domingo”. This, the most
beautiful restaurant in Central America, was built as a convent in 1642.
Old cloistered patios, candlelit gardens, statues of martyred saints, are
reflected in the crystal. This
elegant place was chosen for the 1999 meeting between the President of the
United States and the Central American heads of state.
HOTEL:
(ANTIGUA)
Total cost of $1,840.00 ($1,968.00, effective Friday, June 6 for new participants) per person, double occupancy* includes Guatemala City / Flores flights; (with airport transfers for these flights); all transport by private vehicle with driver; all hotel and bungalow stays; full breakfast from the menu each morning in Antigua; entrance fees to the ruins at Tikal; canopy tour; transport and the services of a professional, English-speaking climbing guide on Volcan Pacaya; private charter boat passage around Lake Atitlan; therapeutic massage and use of luxury spa facilities; and unlimited Farewell Dinner from the menu at “Casa Santo Domingo".
A non-refundable payment of $920.00, payable to W.S. DONAHOO, and received at:
Post Office Box 3415
Winter Park, Florida 32790, USA
will be required for a reservation.
AVAILABLE SPACES ARE STRICTLY LIMITED TO 12 PARTICIPANTS ON A FIRST–COME, FIRST-SERVED BASIS, UPON RECEIPT OF DEPOSITS
* There is no additional cost for those signing on alone.
All payments are non-refundable; except as covered by trip cancellation/interruption insurance. Such insurance is not included in the cost of the trip. Payments are not transferable to other passengers nor other trips. Credit cards are not accepted.
Final payments will be due in February, 2009.
Items in italics are not included, but are suggestions based on location and time available. International flights, departure taxes at foreign airports and gratuities are not included.
Porterage charges are not included: “You bring it, you carry it.”
Passports, valid for six months after the end of the trip, will be required.
Buz Donahoo, Condor
Adventures
Post Office Box 3415
Winter Park, FL 32790, USA
Tel/Fax (407) 645-0490
buz@condoradventures.com