| Day 1 | Arrival in San Pedro Sula, Honduras |
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Meet & Greet on arrival at the airport and transfer to the
Best Western Hotel Gran Sula for an overnight stay. (RO) |
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| Day 2 |
Mayan Adventure |
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 Early
transfer by road to Copán with stops at the village of
La Entrada for a brief visit to the market. En route learn about
Mayan trade routes, social and political organization, and theories
on their mysterious demise. From La Entrada enjoy the beautiful
countryside as you travel on to the picturesque village of
Copán Ruinas. Check in at the lovely Hotel Marina Copán.
for a 2 night stay.
After lunch at the hotel, the entire afternoon
is spent exploring the extensive Temples, Pyramids and Plazas of
Copán with an archeological guide. (B,L) |
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| Day 3 |
More Mayan Mysteries
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| Today
is a special day. Having seen the vestiges of the Mayans of
yesterday there is a hike to a little known village of Chorti
Indians, the ethnic descendants of the Maya. Speaking
with them through the guide/translator you will learn first hand
the culture and way of life of this forgotten people. Free afternoon to
explore the village of Copán Ruinas and another overnight at the Hotel Marina Copán. (B) |
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| Day 4 |
National Parks
of the Caribbean Coast |
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After breakfast transfer to the tranquil port of Tela.
Two night stay in a very comfortable beachfront hotel overlooking the Caribbean.
Take a step back in time with a visit to a traditional beachfront
Afro-Caribbean Garifuna Village where the people live in the relaxed style of
a bygone age in tiny thatched huts built on stilts without any modern conveniences like
electricity or telephones.
Enjoy a typical lunch before a boat trip on the
Laguna de los Micos - "Spider Monkey Lagoon", a huge lagoon
located in a lush mangrove forest in the middle of Punta Sal National Park.
From the boat it is easy to spot the rich wildlife, such as large waterbirds like
Spoonbills, Herons and Anhingas living in the area and possibly
even freshwater turtles and crocodiles too.
(B) |
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| Day 5 |
Nature and Wildlife |
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In the morning leave by boat to explore the
impressive rock formations of Punta Sal.
Visit the sheltered little bays, well hidden among the rocks,
with palm-fringed beaches and
blue lagoons. There you will enjoy a tropical lunch,
listening to the Howler Monkeys living in
the forest behind the natural beaches. Swim and snorkel in
the crystal clear water exploring
the interesting marine life as the world's second largest
Coral Reef comes close to shore at
Punta Sal.
Returning to Tornabe
there is also the chance to see dolphins jumping alongside the boat. The
rest of the afternoon is free to enjoy the white beaches in front of the
hotel. (B,L) |
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| Day 6 |
Botanical Beauties |
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After
breakfast leave Tornabe to visit the Lancetilla
Botanical Gardens.
The gardens were
founded over 70 years ago as an experimental botanical site
by the United Fruit Company. Here you will find hardwood, medicinal
and ornamental plants as well as tropical fruit trees
from all over the world.
You will see how the bamboo forest
absorbs some 90% of the daylight, admire the long rows of majestic
Royal Palms or try exotic fruits fresh from the tree. An Orchid Garden and a Natural Reserve with it's beautiful
1,200-hectare virgin tropical rainforest with 240 species of birds are also part of the
Park.
Lunch at the Restaurante Garifuna, a unique restaurant
featuring typical local foods situated on a delightful patio next door to the
Garifuna Museum. The museum is the result of a tremendous community
effort by the local Garifuna women's group, and a great place to learn a little more about
these fascinating people who have made their home along the Caribbean Coast of Honduras and Belize.
Late afternoon transfer to La Ceiba, a
typically Caribbean port town and gateway to wildlife reserves, national parks
and only minutes away by air from the Bay Islands. Two night stay.(B,L) |
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| Day 7 |
Wildlife Refuge |
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Rising early leave La Ceiba for the village of La Union,
where the vehicle is replaced by a Railway Hand Cart. Local
villagers use long poles to push the train along the tracks to the
isolated Cuero y Salado Wildlife Refuge.
Explore the mangroves by boat to see numerous waterfowl, monkeys
and, if you are lucky, the endangered manatee. Lunch will be at
the small traditional community of Salado, nestled between
river and sea, before returning to La
Ceiba. (B,L)
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Day 8 |
Time to Depart...
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Transfer back to San Pedro Sula for homebound flights.
The Caribbean Dream....If you have a little more time to spare, ask us about the options to
extend your stay on the Caribbean Coast or on one of the beautiful Bay Islands.
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