...Guatemala Reservations...

Guatemala - "Meaningful, Memorable, Affordable"

Affordable 7 day itinerary designed for several families traveling together for a shared experience

Also good for extended families and friends. Children not required, but always fun to travel with !
This itinerary includes some service projects and enough "down time" to spend as family time, to volunteer or otherwise plan your own time and activities. Flexible to add days before or after the group itinerary for birth family visits, more travel, service work, etc.

The following dates are available: (Arrival Sat / Departure Sat.) Additional dates can be added upon request.

2011 (FULL SORRY)	Thanksgiving	Christmas in Guate!

Arrival	Departure	Arrival	Departure	Arrival	Departure
August 20th	August 27th	November 19th	Novemember 26th	Dec. 19th (Mon)*	Dec. 26th (Mon)*

2012	Thanksgiving (If you have a group 3-5 familiars i can arrange other dates)	Christmas

Arrival	Departure	Arrival	Departure	Arrival	Departure	Arrival	Departure	Arrival	Departure
March 10th	March 17th	June 23rd	June 30th	July 28th	August 4th	Nov. 17th	Nov. 24th	Dec 22nd	Dec 29th

ITINERARY:

* Saturday - Travel to Guatemala Airline reservations on your own.

Transfer from airport to Antigua. Overnight in Antigua.

Included this day: Airport transport, hotel.

* Sunday - Orientation / Cultural visit to "Niños con Bendición"

Meet as a group during breakfast. Introductions and brief orientation to program. Midmorning departure for San Antonio Aguas Calientes (@20 min from Antigua). Enjoy a presentation from the Niños con Bendición http://www.supportlosninos.net.
This program was designed to generate funds for the children to stay in school while also maintaining their cultural roots. The dance group is made up of 17 children ages 6-13 yrs. from some of the more impoverished families in the village of San Antonio Aguas Calientes. The children present a few of the local / native (short) dances involving the crop planting and corn harvest as well as some native Guatemalan folk dances. A small snack (safe to eat) is presented after the dances and we will also share a piñata ! This is an excellent opportunity to see local culture in a "typical" home - try weaving, grinding corn, make tortillas and get a taste of daily life. Extra time for kids of all ages to play and share. Opportunity to shop for textiles and homemade crafts. Proceeds from all sales go directly into the education fund http://www.supportlosninos.net

Afternoon/evening at leisure. Overnight in Antigua.

Included this day: Breakfast, transports, guide, snack, hotel.

* Monday - Walking tour of Antigua

Morning walking tour of Antigua including the San Francisco Church, Cathedral, La Merced, Weaving museum.

Afternoon/evening at leisure. Overnight in Antigua.

Included this day: Breakfast, guide, entrance fees, hotel.

* Tuesday - Iximche / Panajachel

After breakfast, depart for Panajachel via the ruins of Iximche - the first Capital of Guatemala after the conquest. Iximche is still an active Mayan ritual site. Visit ruins, stop en route for lunch then continue to Panajachel.

Afternoon/evening at leisure. Overnight in Panajachel.

Included this day: Breakfast, transports, guide, entrance fees, hotel.

* Wednesday - Panajachel: Boat ride on Lake Atitlan / Service Projects After breakfast, take a boat ride to Santa Cruz. Visit the project "Amigos de Santa Cruz" http://www.amigosdesantacruz.org , a non-profit which serves the educational and nutritional needs of the indigenous Mayan in the area. Continue to the village of San Juan where we will visit a medicinal and curative plant garden and you can learn about fishing and paddle a traditional cayuka / canoe (optional)

Afternoon at leisure in Pana to go zip-lining or hiking at the Nature Reserve, relax, shop ... Evening get-together with speakers from "Mission Guatemala" http://missionguatemala.com and/or from "Mayan Families" http://www.mayanfamilies.org/ Overnight in Pana. Included this day: Breakfast, boat ride, guide, hotel.

* Thursday - Day in Pana:

Free day to visit the Nature reserve, zip line, visit a pre-school, medical clinic, elderly care program, or participate in another service project in the area. OR: Take an optional day trip to Chichicastenango. 4:00pm - Transport to Antigua.

Evening at leisure. Overnight in Antigua

Included this day: Breakfast, transport, hotel.

* Fri., - Antigua / Mayan Music Museum

After breakfast, transport to La Azotea Mayan Music Museum and Cultural Center @15 min outside Antigua http://www/centroazotea.com . Late morning / early afternoon return to Antigua.

Afternoon at leisure. FAREWELL DINNER - at a local restaurant to share experiences…

Overnight in Antigua

Included this day: Breakfast, guide, transport, entrance fees, dinner, hotel.

* Sat. - Departure

Included this day: Breakfast (for those departing after 7:00am), airport transport.

NOTE: Afternoons and evenings at leisure offer the opportunity to do a volcano climb, shop, relax, swim, visit with old friends and/or foster or birth families. Translation services, additional transport and arrangements available.

"The bottom line"

Cost of $790. per person (double, triple or quad room) includes the following services as listed in the itinerary:
WELCOME PACKET with information and maps; IN COUNTRY SUPPORT / EMERGENCY CONTACT 24/7, PROFESSIONAL BILINGUAL GUIDE; ALL TRANSPORTS, 7 nights HOTEL (3 star), BREAKFAST DAILY, FAREWELL DINNER, ENTRANCE FEES AND ACTIVITIES as listed in the itinerary, TAXES and FEES included.

Payment via personal check or PayPal. Credit card payment add 5%.
Note, prices and itinerary subject to change until reconfirmed !
$200. p/p deposit holds your space and locks in package price.

Itinerary is flexible to add days before or after the group portion.
Airport transports included regardless of dates.
Hotels and additional arrangements outside of package are extra.
Please email with questions or for additional information.

Nancy@GuatemalaReservations.com