It has been said that "As Tikal is the Manhattan of the Maya World, Copan is the Paris". Travel into neighboring Honduras to visit one of the great treasures of the Maya World.
Transfer to a nearby airport for a flight-seeing tour by chartered small aircraft over sprawling countryside en route to a landing strip on the Honduras side. The flight reveals breathtaking views passing through the Motagua Valley, up into the mountains before landing on a grassy runway in La Estanzuela, Honduras. A short drive leads over a dirt road to the site.
Arriving at the Copan Park, enjoy a two-and-half-hour walking tour, strolling 1.4 miles to see the artistic achievement of the inhabitants preserved in the pyramids, temples and stellae which remain today. Your guide will explain the planning of the city, from the East and West Courts to the Acropolis and the Great Plaza. Admire the famed Hieroglyphic Stairway, ponder the peculiar inscriptions on the magnificent stellae, and marvel at the well preserved Ball Court. Guests who cannot walk too far or cannot follow the regular tour, will just visit the main plaza where the stellae are located as well as the Ball Court and the Hieroglyphic stairway.
After touring the site, visit the new Sculpture Museum, the focal point being the red full-scale replica of the Rosalila Temple. Transfer back to the town of Copan to relax and enjoy lunch at a local hotel. After lunch, enjoy an optional visit to the local museum or a stroll to view the town square and shop for souvenirs. Transfer back to the air field for the return flight to the Port and the comforts of the Ship.
Please note: This tour requires walking 1.4 miles over dirt and gravel pathways, negotiating uneven stairways and rocks. Sturdy, comfortable, closed-toe walking shoes are recommended, as well as long-sleeved shirts and trousers to ensure protection from insects. Also, participants must have their passports for immigration purposes.