Honduras Holidays: Visit Mysterious Copan, the best known Maya archeological site

In a pretty valley in Honduras' western extreme lie the Ruins of Copan. The subject of exploration and investigation since the 1830s, archaeologists are digging deep into its massive temples, uncovering an intriguing buried dynasty. Their remarkable discoveries represent a Maya resurrection, and have made Copan the most thoroughly researched and understood of all Maya sites.
Since their emergence around 2,000 BC, the Maya developed into the New World's most sophisticated ancient civilization, a society of scientists, skilled architects and sculptors, fierce warriors, and a ruling class that raised enormous temples to honour the lives and achievements of their kings. Representing the southeast limit to the spread of the Maya world, the city-state of Copan became the Maya's crowning artistic achievement, the cultural apex of Maya civilization. Leader among all Maya cities in terms of quantity and quality of stone sculpture, it has been dubbed the Athens of the New World.
The key to understanding Copan is a large, square block of carved stone known today as Altar Q. This altar depicts sixteen seated men, four on each of its North, East, South, and West sides. These sixteen figures were once thought to be astronomers gathered at an important meeting to adjust the Maya calendar, but we now know that the figures represent the members of a dynastic lineage of 16 kings whose rule spanned nearly four centuries between 426 AD to approximately 820 AD, Copan's "golden age". The stelaes and temples in Copan were erected to commemorate the accomplishments of this dynasty of kings.

Day 1:
Early transfer by road to Copan. En route learn about Mayan trade routes, social and political organization, and theories on their mysterious demise. We enjoy the beautiful countryside. In the afternoon, we visit the museum of Copan, and have time to enjoy the atmosphere of this picturesque village. Overnight in Copan.

Day 2:
After breakfast we visit the legendary Archaeo-logical Park of Copan, consisting of two main sites: the ruins and the sepulchres. Learn about the impressive 63 step stairway with over 2,500 hieroglyphs, the masterfully carved steale. Having seen the vestiges of the Mayas of yes-terday, we continue on our tour to a Maya Chorti community of El Carrizalon. The ethnic descendants of the Maya. Speaking with them through the guide/ translator you will learn first hand about their way of life and traditions. Overnight in Copan.

Day 3:
After breakfast visit Las Sepulturas a residential and burial site of the Mayan nobles. Before return to San Pedro Sula you will have time to visit the many local handicraft stores. End of the program or extension of your stay with another of our itineraries.

Rated: Easy

Tour Tariff - Private Departures
N° of Participants	2	3	4	SGL Supp.
USD	$ 372	$ 295	$ 260	$ 40
EUR	€ 309	€ 245	€ 215	€ 33
GBP	£ 208	£ 165	£ 145	£ 22

(*) Price last updated on 27 February 2004. Current price may vary due to elements out of our control, so please always check by sending us a quotation request .
Guaranteed with only 2 passengers

Included:
* 2 nights lodging
* Daily breakfast
* Transfers, excursions according to itinerary
* Bilingual guide
* Ruins entrance fees and local guide
* All Taxes

Not included:
Meals not mentioned, personal expenses, tips, beverages.

Day 1:
Early transfer by road to Copan. En route learn about Mayan trade routes, social and political organization, and theories on their mysterious demise. We will enjoy beautiful countryside as we travel to the picturesque village of Copan. In the afternoon we'll visit the Copan Museum and have time to enjoy the environment and atmos-phere of Copan. Overnight in Copan.

Day 2:
Today we will visit the legendary Archaeological Park of Copan Ruins, which consists of two main sites: the ruins and the sepulchres. Learn about the impressive 63 step stairway with over 2,500 hieroglyphs and masterfully carved Stella. In the afternoon we will visit Las Sepulturas, a residen-tial and burial site of the Mayan nobles. Return to San Pedro Sula in the late afternoon.


	Classic Copan per person		Budget Copan per person
	2	3+	2	3+
USD	$ 239	$ 188	$ 137	$ 122
EUR	€ 198	€ 156	€ 114	€ 101
GBP	£ 134	£ 105	£ 77	£ 68

(*) Price last updated on 27 February 2004. Current price may vary due to elements out of our control, so please always check by sending us a quotation request .
Guaranteed with only 2 passengers

Included:
* 1 night lodging
* 1 breakfast
* All transfers according to itinerary
* Private transport for Classic tour, bus for budget tour
* Bilingual guide (assistance only for budget tour)
* Copan Ruins entrance fees and local guide
* All taxes

Not included:
Meals not mentioned, personal expenses, tips, beverages.