A Tour led by Archaeologist Dr. Edwin Barnhart

This nine day tour will take you through many of the major capitals of the Ancient Maya world. Running over the Thanksgiving Holiday week, the journey will begin with Palenque in Southern Mexico and make its way through ruins, rain forests, and indigenous towns to the border of Guatemala to visit Bonampak and Yaxchilan. Crossing the Usumacinta River into Guatemala, you'll arrive to the island of Flores in time to tour Lake Peten all afternoon. Then its up at dawn and all day exploring Tikal's vast metropolis. The next day continues south to beautiful Lago Isabel and the resort area called Rio Dulce, where a Maya-style Thanksgiving dinner will be served. On the way to Copan, the tour will stop into the little visited site of Quirigua, famous for the tallest stelae in the entire Maya world. Last stop, Copan, where an entire day will be spent exploring the ruins, the tunnels underneath them, and Copan's incredible sculpture museum. A final dinner party will bring the adventure to a celebratory close. Early the next morning, its off to San Pedro Sula to catch afternoon flights back home.

Pillars of the Classic Maya Palenque to Copan
Price	$2700 per person (add $400 for single lodging) $500 deposit due upon registration, balance due 30 days before the trip.
Date	November 22 - December 1, 2013
MAKE A RESERVATION PAY TOUR BALANCE

Nov 22, Friday: Arrival Land at the Villahermosa airport in the evening and take a cab to the Hotel Cencali in the heart of town. MEC representatives will meet you there and help you check into your rooms.
	Nov 23, Saturday: La Venta Park Morning: Tour of La Venta Park Afternoon: Transport to Palenque Evening: Lecture: Ancient Maya History Overnight at Hotel Maya Tulipanes
	Nov 24, Sunday: Palenque Morning: Tour of Palenque Afternoon: Palenque on your own Evening: Free time Overnight at Hotel Maya Tulipanes
	Nov 25, Monday: Bonampak/Yaxchilan Morning: Tour of Bonampak Afternoon: Tour of Yaxchilan Eevning: Frontera Corozal Museum Overnight at the Escudo Jaguar
	Nov 26, Tuesday: Lake Peten Morning: Travel to Flores Afternoon: Boat tour to Tayasal, Santa Barbara Museum, and Petencito Zoo Evening: Lecture: History of Tikal Overnight at Hotel Santana
	Nov 27, Wednesday: Tikal Morning: Tour of Tikal Afternoon: Tikal's museums Evening: Relax in Flores Overnight at Hotel Santana
	Nov 28, Thursday: Rio Dulce Morning: Transport to Lago Isabel Afternoon: Boat tour of the lake Evening: Thanksgivng dinner Overnight at the Hotel Tortugal
	Nov 29, Friday: Quirigua Morning: Tour of Quirigua Afternoon: Transport to Copan Evening: Lecture - Copan's Dynastic History Overnight at Hotel Marina Copan
	Nov 30, Saturday: Copan Morning: Tour of Copan Afternoon: Tour of Copan's museums Evening: Final Dinner Overnight at Hotel Marina Copan
	Dec 1, Sunday: Departure Early morning transport to the san Pedro Sula airport for flights home

Villahermosa: Hotel Cencali - AC, private bath, onsite restaurant, pool, telephone, cable TV - luxury hotel located in walking distance from La Venta Park
Palenque: Maya Tulipanes - AC, private bath, pool, onsite restaurant, and wireless internet access - located in Palenque's most beautiful neighborhood, La Canada
Frontera Corozal: Escudo Jaguar Hotel - Bungalows with private bath, fans, and onsite restaurant - a little rustic but the only hotel in town! Nice restaurant
Flores: Hotel Santana - Hotel rooms with AC, cable TV, phone, pool, and onsite restaurant - beautiful sunset views over Lake Peten
Rio Dulce: Hotel Tortugal - Cabanas rooms with fans, private bathrooms, and onsite restaurant - beautiful sunset views over Lake Isabel
Copan: Hotel Marina - Hotel rooms with AC, cable TV, phone, pool, and onsite restaurant - One of Copan's original hotels right on the main square

Includes:
- All lodging
- Ground and water transportation
- Entry fees into all ruins and museums
- Breakfast and lunches
- Archaeologist/Anthropologist guides
- Evening lectures

Does Not Include:
- Airfare to Villahermosa, Mexico
- Airfare from San Pedro Sula, Honduras
- Dinners
- Tips for Service Providers
- Travel insurance

Proceeds from MEC Tours are the center's primary source of research funding. As such, a portion of the tour costs are tax deductible. MEC will provide participants with receipts and proper documentation regarding the center's 501(c)(3) non-profit status for your records.