Border information: if joining in Antigua, you will most likely enter Guatemala at Guatemala City La Aurora International Airport (IATA code: GUA).There will be an important group meeting at 18:00 at the joining hotel - please look out at the hotel reception for a note from your leader with more details about this important meeting.The rest of the day is free to explore the beautiful colonial city and its dramatic surroundings, and to take part in some optional activities. Please note that many of the options listed below will only be possible for those with extra time in Antigua before the start of your trip with us - please contact the Sales team if you would like to book pre-tour accommodation with us to have extra time exploring Antigua.
Today we will cross the border into El Salvador and drive to the stunning Cerro Verde National Park, where we will be surrounded by awe-inspiring volcanoes and countryside. In the morning we will have will take a guided trek up the nearby Santa Ana volcano (approximately 4 hours).Border information: Exit Guatemala at Ciudad Pedro de Alvarado, enter El Salvador at La Hachadura.
After our trek up the volcano, we will take a short drive to the beautiful town of Suchitoto, where we will have a free afternoon to explore the town, with its cobbled streets and whitewashed houses, and to learn about the incredible work of the community centre in which we stay.In Suchitoto we will stay in dormitory rooms at the Centro Arte Para La Paz community centre, which runs many programs for the local communities to build cultural identity, unity, teaching skills, self-sufficiency, environmental equality and a culture of peace.
Today we will have a day to explore Suchitoto, have a guided walking tour of the town, head out on a sunset boat trip or take a day trip to San Salvador.
Border information: Exit El Salvador at Anguiatú, enter Guatemala at Anguiatú. Exit Guatemala at El Florido, enter Honduras at El Florido.Today we will have a full day drive to return to Guatemala and then onwards to Honduras, arriving at the small village of Copan.
Today we will have an included guided visit to the spectacular Mayan ruins of Copan, followed by a free afternoon to explore some of the other highlights in the area.
Today we will take a short drive to the town of San Pedro Sula and board a short local flight to Roatan, the largest of the famous tropical Bay Islands. On arrival we will transfer to the area of the West End Bay, where we base ourselves for our stay.
Today we will enjoy some free time to take part in the wealth of optional activities available on Roatan, and of course to relax and swim on the stunning Caribbean beaches here!
Relax on the beach or head out on some activities
Today we will start early to transfer back to Roatan's airport and catch our flight back to the mainland, rejoining our overland bus! We will then continue our journey east through Honduras to the beautiful countryside of Lake Yojoa.
Today we will cross the border into Nicaragua, we will the head to the Somoto Canyon and stay in cabins near a village community.
This morning we will enjoy our canyon tour and then drive to the university town of León.
Today we will have free time to explore the town's wonderful colonial architecture or to take part in the many optional activities available here.
Today we will take a short drive to Nicaragua's oldest city of Granada, a beautiful town which oozes with colonial charm! En route we will have an included visit to the traditional markets in the small town of Masaya, and witness the incredible active caldera of the nearby Masaya volcano (if its volcanic activity isn't too high).
Today we will have free time to explore the historic streets of Granada's old town, or take part in some of the myriad of optional activities that are available here.
This morning we drive to the small town of San Jorge on the shores of Lake Nicaragua, Central America's largest lake. Here we will board a ferry to the stunning volcanic island of Ometepe, where we base ourselves in the port village of Moyogalpa and enjoy free time to explore on arrival.
Today we will have free time to explore and take part in optional activities such as the challenging trek to the summit of the Concepción volcano that dominates the island, or seeing some of the mysterious ancient petroglyphs that are dotted through the landscape.
Border information: Exit Nicaragua at Penas Blancas, enter Costa Rica at Penas Blancas.Today we will take an early morning ferry back to San Jorge and drive to La Fortuna in Costa Rica, a stunning town under the shadow of the mighty Arenal volcano.
Today we will have a free day to take optional treks through the incredible surrounding volcanic landscapes or forest canopies, or get involved in many different adventure activities such as zip-lining, white-water rafting, and canyoning. La Fortuna is also famous for its outstanding hot springs, which we will have the opportunity to visit.
Today we will leave our overland vehicle behind and transfer by taxi and boat into the dense cloud forests and coffee plantations of Monteverde, a stunning area offering an incredible diversity of flora and fauna.
Today we will have an included walk on the trails of the Monteverde Cloud Forest National Reserve, followed by a free afternoon to visit some of the town's highlights or enjoy some adventurous activities such as canyoning or horse riding.
Today we will continue by taxi to the small town of Tilaran, where we will rejoin our overland vehicle and drive to the spectacular beaches of Manuel Antonio National Park on the Pacific coast.
Today we will have an included walk through some of the beautiful trails within park, learning all about its flora and fauna and immersing ourselves in the idyllic landscape. We will have free time in the afternoon to take part in some optional activities or relax on the wonderful beaches.
Border information: Exit Costa Rica at Paso Canoas, enter Panama at Paso Canoas.Today we will drive across the Panama border into the Chiriqui highlands, arriving at the town of Boquete.
On Today we will have a free day to take part in some of the many optional outdoor activities which the town is famous for, including the opportunity to take the strenuous trek to the 3,478m summit of Volcan Barú, the highest point in Panama.
Today we will continue to Chagres National Park and explore the Grandfather of the Panama Canal: the Camino Real, a cobble stoned road from the Caribbean to the Pacific through the rain forests of Panama, established as the transport route of gold and silver by Spanish conquistadors in the 16th Century. The Camino Real was rediscovered only recently, and we will visit and stay overnight at a community, which worked together with researcher Christian Strassnig to identify the original route of the Camino Real in the jungle.At Alajuela Lake we take a dugout boat to observe remains of the Camino Real at the lakeshore, then we arrive at the community and we are warmly welcomed by the people who are inspired with perspective of sustainable development through community tourism. We have a typical Panamanian lunch and see then a presentation of authentic Panamanian folklore. In the morning we will undertake a hike on the Camino Real, see the original cobblestone and be fascinated by stories of the mule trains, gold and pirates.
After early morning coffee we can go for an optional bird-watching hike on a trail with plenty of tropical birds (free with local guides). At our return to the community we have a hearty breakfast. We will then take a hike on the trail. Afterwards it is time to say good-bye and we return by boat to our overland bus.We will then drive to the Miraflores Visitor Centre at the world-famous Panama Canal, learning about its incredible role in shaping trade and world politics in the 20th century. After our included visit we will complete the drive to the capital, Panama City.
Border information: if you are finishing in Panama City, you will most likely exit Panama at Panama City Tocumen International Airport (IATA code: PTY).Today is the end day for passengers finishing their trip in Panama City. Please note there is no accommodation included on the trip tonight - please contact your sales agent if you are interested in booking extra nights of accommodation in order to fully explore and take part in some of the optional activities listed below.If you are continuing on to Cartagena with us, then your leader will assist you with airport transfers for your included flight - you will spend this night in a hotel in either Panama City or Cartagena (depending on the flight times and availability).
