Code Starts (UK) Ends (UK) PriceTG 201* 29 Mar 12 13 Apr 12 £3,598TG 202 27 Sep 12 12 Oct 12 £3,598TG 203 29 Nov 12 14 Dec 12 £3,598*TG 201 coincides with the famous Easter celebrations in Antigua.Single supplement £456Business class supplement from £1,7802013 departures 21 Mar, 26 Sep, 05 Dec.GranadaPACIFIC OCEANCARIBBEAN SEA.Panama CityPANAMA....... vMasayaLeónAntiguaGuatemala CityLake AtitlánChichicastenangoTikalNICARAGUAGUATEMALA JOURNEY ROUTEHighlights and secrets of Central AmericaTROPICBIRD CLASSIC JOURNEY 16 days, 14 nights Central America's highlights and off-the-beaten-track secrets revealed. Marvel at the huge scale of the Panama Canal. The little-known, unspoilt delights of Nicaragua. Granada and Léon: beautiful colonial cities. Antigua, Chichicastenango and Lake Atitlán villages: Guatemala's rich living culture. Tikal: Mayan temples, pyramids and plazas in a jungle setting.Day 1 Thurs, UK clients depart, arriving Panama City in the evening. Day 2 Your hotel is apart from the busy modern capital with fine views over the Canal. You'll have a tour of the Panama Canal, an amazing feat of engineering and the Miraflores Locks.Day 3 On to graceful Granada, Nicaragua, via Managua. It's one of the best-preserved of Spain's legacy of colonial cities and sits on the shores of the vast Lake Nicaragua.Day 4 Tour of the city and Las Isletas, a jumble of 354 uninhabited, lushly-vegetated islands on the lake.Day 5 Excursion to Masaya, Nicaragua's centre of craftsmanship and folklore and home to a market selling hammocks, leather goods and woven rugs. Visit also the lovely national park embracing the Masaya Volcano, and peer into its steaming crater.Day 6 Travel along the shore of Lake Nicaragua to León, a city of crumbly, unsullied colonial atmosphere where red-roofed adobe houses are crammed along narrow alleys. Your tour leader will take you on a walking exploration of the town.Day 7 Optional excursion to nearby León Viejo, destroyed by an earthquake in 1609 but now being excavated, or take a trip to the undeveloped Pacific coast for a glimpse of the sea beyond the volcanic black-sand beaches.Days 8,9 Fly to Guatemala, and a two day stay at colonial Antigua. Walking tour of the town. Free time to explore, visit the churches and ruins, shop in the boutiques or relax in one of the many pleasant bars and restaurants.Days 10,11 Spend two nights at volcano-rimmed Lake Atitlán, where the cobalt-blue shimmering waters and mind expanding vistas are the epitome of tranquillity. Optional visit to the famous artisan market at Chichicastenango, a small town with a mystical feel where Catholicism blends with ancient religious rituals. Your landscaped hotel is in the quiet village of Santa Catarina Palopó, away from the tourist bustle of Panajachel. The fertile shores of the lake are dotted with traditional villages identified by their inhabitants' striking costumes and specialist crafts?there's a boat trip to visit and be tempted by the intricate weavings.Day 12 Return to Guatemala City and fly to Flores, a short drive to your well appointed lakeside lodge in a serene setting of exuberant jungle. Enjoy the surroundings of the lodge, where wildlife ventures up close?you may spot deer, crocodiles and howler monkeys, or relax by the pool.Day 13 Guided tour of Tikal. This ruined city of temples and pyramids is a Mayan masterpiece, set in steamy forest agitated by monkeys with a soundtrack of tropical birdsong. This is judged one of Latin America's top sights, deservedly so.Day 14 Return to Guatemala City.Day 15 UK clients depart, arriving day 16, Fri. Transport 4 flights (longest 95 mins); 7 scenic land journeys (longest 4hrs, most 2hrs).Accommodation Tourist class and Tourist class superior hotels and lodges with good, wide-ranging facilities.Meals Breakfast daily.Included excursions Guided tour of the Panama Canal and Miraflores locks; Las Isletas, Lake Nicaragua; Masaya market and volcano; Walking tours of Granada, León, Antigua; boat excursion to villages on Lake Atitlán; tour of Tikal ruins.Summary of nights Panama City 2; Granada 3; León 2; Antigua 2; Lake Atitlán 2; Tikal 2; Guatemala City 1.Group size Min 4, max 20. Led by Journey Latin America tour leader. JOURNEY PROFILEDeparture dates and prices44 Escorted Small Group Holidays 2012 » PANAMA » NICARAGUA » GUATEMALAExtensionA FEW DAYS TO SPARE?Visit Blancaneaux Lodge, a tranquil luxury hideaway within the beautiful Mountain Pine Forest Reserve of Western Belize, and a perfect base from which to enjoy its forested surroundings, outstanding river scenery, waterfalls and caves. For more details see our website.BLANCANEAUX LODGENICARAGUA TOURIST INSTITUTEBelow: The Hotel El Convento in Leon has a lovely central courtyard in which to catch the tropical breeze.Below: León is a quiet university town with 12 fine colonial churches.Small boats provide transport from village to village around and across the waters of exquisite Lake Atitlán.For more information, client reviews, trip dossiers, detailed extensions ?and to book online visit journeylatinamerica.co.uk

Call 020 8747 8315 to speak to one of our expert consultants for advice, additional information or to book your holiday 45 Escorted Small Group Holidays 2012SHUTTERSTOCK.COMPETER GREENWOODANCONAbove: Panama City has some excellent museums, yet the main attraction is the canal through which around 15,000 ships pass each year.Right: The Guatemalan women's huipil tunic has patterns indicating the wearer's village, marital status, and personal beliefs.Left: Tikal, the largest Mayan site in Central America.