In addition to the hotel in Tegucigalpa, the agreements with Grupo Santos also call for the development of new construction hotels in San Pedro Sula, Comayagua, Choluteca, and Roatan, Honduras; Managua, Nicaragua; Panama City, Panama; and Guatemala City, Guatemala.

With an increase in enquiries from travellers wishing to explore the continent in new and different ways and get off the beaten-track, the new trips for 2013 include self-drive and riding holidays, as well as tours that visit lesser-known areas of Belize, Bolivia and El Salvador.

Self-Drive Northern Patagonia
www.journeylatinamerica.co.uk/Holiday-Types/Self-Drive-Holidays/Holiday-List.aspx?holiday=25990&minortype=Self%20Drive%20Holidays

10-days from £2,574pp including flights

Explore the remote and untouched areas of Patagonia, visiting both the Chilean and Argentinean Lake District with the freedom of your own car. This trip includes the adventure capital Pucon, the stunning Huilo Huilo National Park and the undiscovered Lanin National Park.

Guatemala Highlights and Remote Southern Belize www.journeylatinamerica.co.uk/Holiday-Types/Tailor-Made/Holiday-List/Guatemala/Guatemala-highlights-and-remot.aspx?country=Belize&type=0&month=0

16 days from £3,233pp including flights.

The traditional highlights of Guatemala together with the sparsely populated and remote Caribbean rainforest of southern Belize, with exotic flora and fauna, stunning beaches and a mix of cultures and traditions.

Luxury Riding Holiday Chile

www.journeylatinamerica.co.uk/Holiday-Types/Tailor-Made/Holiday-List/Chile/Riding-holiday-in-the-Atacama.aspx

12 days from £5,798pp including flights

A unique luxury riding experience in Chile, combining the high Andean plains of the Atacama Desert and more remote areas of the Torres del Paine National Park. Perfect for beginners and experienced riders alike and using arguably the best stables in the country, this trip stays at the luxury explora lodges for the perfect combination of adventure and comfort.

Motmot Journey: Group tou www.journeylatinamerica.co.uk/Holiday-Types/Original-adventures/Holiday-List/Motmot-Journey–Central-Americ.aspx?country=El-Salvador&type=0&month=0

Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala and Nicaragua. 21 days from £3,258pp including flights.

This brand new group tour takes in the some of the undiscovered gems of Central America. The tour takes in the famous San Juan River, stays on the artists’ haven of Solentiname Island and visits unexplored El Salvador and the rural hinterlands of Guatemala.

Rio- Machu Picchu- the Ultimate Off-The-Beaten-Track Holiday www.journeylatinamerica.co.uk/Holiday-Types/Tailor-Made/Holiday-List/Brazil/Off-the-Beaten-Track-from-Rio.aspx?country=Bolivia&type=0&month

21 days from £5,053pp including flights.

A completely new way of linking up the continent’s iconic highlights of Rio and Machu Picchu by taking a route through northern Argentina, undiscovered eastern Bolivia, Uyuni, La Paz and Lake Titicaca.

Product Manager David Nichols says ‘Latin America is now well established as a tourist destination, so people are now looking for something beyond the traditional highlights and with infrastructure improving year on year, it is allowing us to expand our product into lesser known areas and to include exciting self-drive and riding programmes.’

This new tourist route takes visitors to 11 Maya cities that witnessed important historical events in the Maya Long Count Calendar, the succession of 394.23-year cycles, known as Bak’tuns, which will culminate on 21 December 2012. In the Bak’tun Route visitors will find monuments, stelae and structures related to the Long Count and the Solar Calendar, as well as sites that are still considered sacred places for the Maya.

The ancient ceremonial plazas, impressive archaeological sites and complex texts carved in stone that can be found along this route are proof of how important calendars were for rulers in the heyday of the Maya civilisation. In addition, the huge Maya indigenous population that live in Guatemala today has kept alive its Cosmology and many religious manifestations and rituals are practiced daily in various regions and ceremonial sites.

The Guatemala Tourist Board has published a map with more details of the route, which can also be found online on www.visitguatemala.com/2012. The route may be followed independently or with organised tours, and the Guatemala Tourist Board is negotiating with British tour operators to incorporate it in their programmes.

Sites visited in The Bak’tun Route:
Ceibal: Deep in the Maya lowlands’ tropical rainforest in southern Peten, Ceibal is home to some of the finest and best preserved stelae from the Late Maya Classic Period (600-900 AD). Four of these point towards the cardinal points, with a fifth one in the centre, referencing the end of the 9 Bak’tun and the beginning of the 10 Bak’tun (829 AD).
Tikal: Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, Tikal has the oldest Long Count date recorded in the Maya Lowlands (292 AD), indicating that this was amongst the first cities to establish a dynastic government where rulers were recorded with hieroglyphic inscriptions in stone stelae. One of the few commemorations of the beginning of 9 Bak’tun is found in Tikal.
Uaxactun: Meaning “eight stone”, Uaxactun, close to Tikal, was named after a stela with an inscription of the 8 Bak’tun in the Long Count Calendar. Its Astronomical Observation Complex is still very important for the celebration of Maya ceremonies and rituals, particularly at the equinoxes and solstices.
Yaxha-Nakum-Naranjo: Evidence of the use of the Solar Calendar (or Haab) can be found in the architectural complexes of Yaxha. There is also a Twin Pyramids Complex, which was used to mark and celebrate K’atun cycles (approximately 20 years) in the Long Count Calendar. The Yaxha-Nakum-Naranjo National Park is also a wetland of global significance, home to a great variety of migratory birds.
Mirador-Rio Azul: A city 1000 years older than Tikal, found amidst miles of rainforest in northern Guatemala, El Mirador is the oldest and largest Maya city from the Preclassic Period (2000 BC-250 AD) known to date. Amongst its temples and monuments is the largest Maya pyramid in the world, astronomical observatories, and triadic groups of one main pyramid and two smaller ones, which symbolize creation according to Maya mythology and are associated with the beginning of the Long Count Calendar.
El Baul: A monument from the 7 Bak’tun and still an important site for Maya religious ceremonies. Its stela 1, dated to the year 36AD, shows one of the first records of the Long Count Calendar. El Baul Museum is located within the premises of a former sugar mill in Santa Lucia Cotzumalguapa.
Tak’alik Ab’aj: Set amongst volcanoes near the Pacific coast, Tak’alik Ab’aj was inhabited for a very long period, from the Mid Preclassic (800 BC) until the Late Classic Period (900 AD), its monuments, including several dynastic stelae, show evidence of the origins of the Maya Calendar and its relation to astronomy. It is still an important site for the Mam and K’iche Maya, who perform rituals and ceremonies here.

Iximche: The last Kaqchichel capital, founded in 1470 and set on fire by the Spanish during the conquest, it later became the first Spanish capital of the Mesoamerican region, and is still a place of pilgrimage and Maya rituals.

Q’umarka’aj: Set amidst the stunning beauty of the Maya Highlands, are three architectural complexes divided by ravines. Four temples commemorate the four founding gods (Tohil-the sky, Awilix-the moon, Q’uq’umatz-the feathered serpent, and Jakawitz-the god of the mountains) and a cave system found underneath is thought to represent the “Place of the Seven Caves” described in the Popol Vuh, the “Maya Bible”.
Kaminaljuyu: Located within Guatemala City, this was an important trading centre from the Preclassic (1200 BC) to the Postclassic period (900AD). The majesty and importance of this city is revealed by its complex water supply system, called “The Snake Mound”.
Quirigua: Close to the border with Honduras, Quirgua is recognized for having the largest and best preserved stelae of the Maya World, which gained it its status as UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site. One of the stelae has Long Count inscriptions referring to 13 August 3114 BC, a date known in Maya culture as “year zero”, the date in which the gods set the stones of creation, and is used as the beginning of the Long Count Calendar, which will culminate on 21 December 2012.

Take your pick from one of the following holiday suggestions to explore Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and/or Panama:

Celebrate the dawn of a new age at the heart of the Maya World…

According to the Maya Long Count Calendar, 21st December 2012 will mark the end of the current 5125-year cycle and the dawn of a new age. What better time to explore some of Central America’s most remarkable Maya sites and celebrate this unique occasion in the company of Maya experts and the indigenous Maya community?

The Traveller (www.the-traveller.co.uk), in conjunction with Steppes Travel, has devised a specialist small group tour led by eminent archaeologist, David Sedat and Maya expert Jose Antonio Gonzalez, to explore ‘The Maya World’ from 13th to 28th December 2012. The 16-day tour will visit sites that chart the beginnings of Maya civilisation and the early formation of their calendar and hieroglyphic, such as Takali’k Abaj in Guatemala, as well as some of the largest and most impressive settlements at Tikal (Guatemala) and Copan (Honduras), where lecturer David Sedat will welcome the group on 21st December. Prices from £3,895 per person, including international flights.

Explore (www.explore.co.uk) is offering a special ‘End of the Maya Cycle and Festival of Santo Tomas’ small group tour departing on 11th December.

The 13-day tour visits Copan and Tikal as well as lesser known sites such as Quirigua, Ceibal and Uaxactun. There is also a tour of the colonial city of Antigua and Lake Atitlan, before celebrating the end of the Maya Cycle in Chichicastenango, coinciding with the beginning of the town’s week-long celebration of their Patron Saint, Santo Tomas. Celebrations are colourful and lively, and include traditions of the indigenous Maya-Quiche and local dances. Prices from £2,238 per person, including international flights.

…Or see the Maya sites before ‘the end’!

If you prefer to see the Maya sites before any change befalls the world in the new age, Andante Travels (www.andantetravels.co.uk) offers a small group tour exploring the archaeology of Belize and Guatemala from 13th to 28th November 2012.

Under the expert guidance of Maya specialist David Drew, you will visit spectacular Ancient Maya pyramids and palaces, dine with the roar of the howler monkeys in your ears and pick your way through dense vegetation, with brilliant macaw in the branches above and the occasional sighting of giant iguana and crocodile.

Prices from £4,200 per person, including international flights.

Horse-riding through the Guatemalan Altiplano
Combine history and Maya culture with the joy of riding through the highlands of Guatemala with Equus Trails (www.equustrails.co.uk).

Enjoy the pure, cold air and magnificent views of the plains below and surrounding volcanoes from an altitude of up to 3,800m. From the beautiful colonial city of La Antigua you will head off into the highlands to ride across the Sierra de Cuchumatanes through to the tropical lowlands of Huehuetenango. Your trip will end with a visit to Lake Atitlan and some of the Maya villages around it, and the magnificent archaeological site of Tikal. Prices from £1695 per person, excluding international flights, for departure dates between November 2012 and February 2013.

Kayak along the San Juan river in Nicaragua
Embark on an epic river journey that combines first class wilderness with rich history and more than a little adventure, exploring a little-known corner of Nicaragua with Pioneer Expeditions (http://www.pioneerexpeditions.com/nicaragua-san-juan-river.htm).

Paddle from the majestic Lake Nicaragua down the jungle lined San Juan River to deserted beaches on the Caribbean sea along a route once favoured by pirates and buccaneers with eyes for the gold of the Spanish colonial empire.

The cost for this amazing adventure is £2,650 per person, excluding international flights.

Enjoy a “David Attenborough experience” in Costa Rica

If you’re after multiple encounters with fascinating wildlife, you’ll be spoilt for choice in Costa Rica! Geodyssey’s “Costa Rica Nature Explorer” tour (www.geodyssey.co.uk)  will give you the opportunity to meet hundreds of colourful birds, butterflies, bizarre insects, frogs, sloths, monkeys, dolphins and more.

And if you travel between June and October, you may also find sea turtles nestling on the beach at Tortuguero.

Explore the South Pacific jungle of Piedras Blancas, the Bosque de Paz cloudforest and the tropical forest of La Selva Reserve, and go on a night safari in Sarapiqui to find out what animals get up to after dark.

Prices from £1,840 per person for a self-drive 14-night tour (tour with private driver also available), excluding international flights.

Surf and volcanoes in El Salvador

Be among the first to discover the natural beauty of El Salvador, an exciting destination too often misunderstood and by-passed when visiting Central America. Journey Latin America (www.journeylatinamerica.co.uk)  offers a new 10-day tour of El Salvador, where you will visit San Salvador, ancient Mayan sites, majestic volcanoes, charming colonial cities and the intriguingly named ‘El Imposible’ National Park, finishing with a few days relaxing at El Sunzal beach on the Pacific coast, a haven for surfers. Prices from £1,322 per person, excluding international flights.

Take to the seas

Relax as you sail along the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, Panama and Nicaragua in style onboard the magnificent, four masted Star Flyer, operated by Star Clippers (www.starclippers.co.uk),. New this year is the inclusion of a three-day land tour of Costa Rica exploring San Jose, the Arenal volcano, Orchid Gardens and Tabacon Hot Springs. The 10-day land-cruise holiday, departing on 16th December 2012, will also visit beautiful, rainforest-fringed beaches and remote islands from San Juan del Sur to Playas del Coco, the National Park of Santa Rosa, Puerto Carrillo, Islas Tortugas, Curu, Quesera and Puerto Caldera. Prices from £2,399 per person, including international flights and three nights’ hotel accommodation in Costa Rica.

For further information please contact Cristina Cunchillos at Latina Marketing on 020 7704 8485 or email cristina@latinamarketing.com

The 11-night “The Best of Belize, the Barrier Reef and Guatemala” departs Jan. 17, Jan. 31 and Feb. 14. The new 14-night “Belize, the Barrier Reef, Guatemala and Honduran Bay Islands” departs Feb. 28.

In addition to the network, Avianca, TACA Airlines and Copa Airlines customers will also gain access to the full breadth of the global Star Alliance benefits by using their existing frequent flyer memberships to collect and redeem miles on all member carriers.

Those customers with higher status privileges in the LifeMiles program of Avianca, TACA Airlines or in Copa Airlines’ Mileage Plus program will be entitled to the Star Alliance Gold benefits, which offer priority services across the whole network, including extra baggage allowance, priority baggage delivery and access to over 990 lounges world-wide.

At the same time, holders of frequent-flyer cards of the other Star Alliance member carriers will be offered the Star Alliance Frequent Flyer benefits when travelling on the Avianca, TACA Airlines and Copa Airlines network.

“On behalf of the Star Alliance Chief Executive Board, it gives me great pleasure to welcome Avianca, TACA Airlines and Copa Airlines to the Star Alliance family. The addition of these quality aviation groups strengthens our presence in the rapidly growing Latin American market,” said Mark Schwab, CEO of Star Alliance. With Avianca, TACA Airlines and Copa Airlines our customers now enjoy increased connectivity across the Americas by connecting through five new Star Alliance hubs right in the middle of the American continent.”

A further benefit from Star Alliance is fare products both for the corporate and leisure customer. With the home bases of both airline groups being located in one of the fastest growing regions in the world, these are ideal markets for expanding Star Alliance Corporate Plus, Conventions Plus and Meetings Plus. At the same time, the Star Alliance Round the World fare can now offer customers routings which include destinations such as the Galapagos Islands, Cuzco and the Jungles of Central America as well as many beach resorts in the Caribbean.

As June 21, the Star Alliance network is comprised of 27 members offering more than 21,500 daily flights to 1,356 airports in 193 countries.

Xultun, in Guatemala’s Peten district, is the largest known Maya site from the Classic Period. The inscriptions found on the walls and ceiling of one of the buildings are made of bars and dots displayed in columns, similar to those in the Dresden Codex, painted in red and black and measuring just a few millimetres.

Experts believe this to be a representation of different Maya calendars: the 260-day ceremonial calendar, the 365-day solar calendar, and calendars based on the 584-day sky track of Venus and 780-day one of Mars.

The Mayan calendar consists of several cycles or “counts” of different lengths.

All the B’aktunes Route locations feature monuments and structures related to the end of the 2012 long count, including sites where contemporary Mayans continue to hold spiritual ceremonies.

The sites can be divided into two smaller circuits, the first focusing on pre-Hispanic Mayan cities, and the second highlighting contemporary Mayan cultures.

The route includes the Petén region, which features lush jungles and archeological sites including Tikal National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979.

Other key B’aktunes sites include Yaxha and Ceibal.

The B’aktunes Route features “stunning archeological locations of great significance,” said Pedro Pablo Duchez, Guatemala’s minister of tourism. “Communities around the country are hosting celebrations on the 21st day of each month, offering visitors a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience one of the most unique celebrations of our history.”

The classic period of Mayan civilization occurred during the eighth and ninth baktuns (a period of 144,000 days) of the current Mayan calendar cycle. The 13th and current baktun will be completed Dec. 21, 2012.

Travelers on this one-time tour will camp near the oldest complete Maya astronomical complex, watch the sun align with ancient temples, and explore the rich Maya heritage on a date that historians, anthropologists, and spiritual leaders have debated for centuries.

Prices start at $2,495.

“Studies have been released stating that many the Mayan prophecies have been misinterpreted,” said Adventure Life Operations Director Jonathan Brunger.

“This tour is really about studying and exploring Mayan culture in some of Guatemala’s most beautiful and sacred areas, while celebrating a day shrouded in mystery.”

Highlights of the 12-day tour include exploring Antigua by mountain bike; visiting the market of Chichicastenango, Copan Ruinas and the village of Santiago Atitlan; boating across Lake Atitlan to the village of San Juan La Lagun; canoeing and horseback riding to a cloud forest; working with small coffee farmers in their daily coffee processing; hiking to remote waterfalls, local hot springs or surrounding coffee plantations; visiting Tikal’s towering pyramids; and camping at the site of Uaxactun, the oldest complete Maya astronomical complex on earth.

Adventure Life offers more than 100 adventures in South and Central America exploring local culture, ecology and life from remote villages, to city markets, to the jungles and mountains.