Guatemala, with Copán
Traveling in a land of quetzal birds and jaguars, of volcanoes and trackless rain forests, of exceptional museums and wondrous Maya sites, our tour of Guatemala encompasses all of these historic and natural treasures. Highlights include Quiriguá, two days at Tikal and two days at the ongoing excavations at Copán, plus the rarely visited ruins along the lush jungle rivers of the Petén, Seibal and Uaxactún, the colorful market of Chichicastenango, colonial Antigua and the highland villages around Lake Atitlán.

Central Mexico
Our journey through the heart of the Aztec empire will begin with Mexico City’s fine national museum and the recently excavated Templo Mayor and end with three days in Oaxaca, giving us time to explore the historical sites and craft villages in the region. We will study the influence of the earlier Toltec and Olmec civilizations on the Aztecs and the similarities that linked Aztec cities such as Tlatelolco, Tenayuca and Tula. Cholula, sacred city of the feathered serpent god Teopanzolco, Cacaxtla and Mitla provide a panorama of provincial towns, each with its distinctive character built upon regional cultural traditions with ancient pre-Aztec roots. Although these civilizations have perished, traditions and culture persist in the festivals, colorful markets and in the crafts and mural painting tradition. Our journey will cover scant miles but an abundance of history.

Peru
Our exciting, newly revised tour studies the vast Inca Empire, which once reached from Chile to Colombia, as well as the fascinating Lambayeque, Mochica and Chimú peoples. Touring begins with Lima’s museums and includes visits to the Moche tombs of Sipán, Trujillo, the adobe city of Chan Chan and other coastal sites. The tour continues with a four-day visit to Cuzco and the sacred Urubamba Valley and two days at Machu Picchu. Tour highlights include Cerro Sechín, renowned for its unique stone carvings, the early temple-fortress of Chankillo and Caral, a recently excavated city believed to be 5,000 years old.