On December 21, 2012, the ancient Maya Long Count Calendar will complete a 5,125-year cycle. There are various interpretations of this transition; 2012 may mark the beginning of a new era, the end of the world or a similar catastrophe.

The modern Maya, on the whole, haven’t attached much significance to the date and the classical sources on the subject are scarce and contradictory, suggesting there is little if any universal agreement among them about what, if anything, the date might mean.

Regardless of the theory subscribed to, we can be certain that the onset of 2012 will mark a heightened awareness of the ancient Maya civilization and modern Maya culture. An air of mystery will continue to build around the Maya as is already evident in the ever-increasing amount of attention this calendar event is generating worldwide.

For this reason, Viaventure has designed a special itinerary with many important elements of the ancient and living Maya culture in Guatemala and Copan (Honduras) included. If the itinerary is booked before the end of June 2011 for dates in 2012 outside of Peak Season, travelers will receive a 10-percent discount.

The itinerary follows: (Day 1) Arrival. Transfer to Colonial Antigua. Overnight Antigua 2N; (Day 2) Architecture & History Tour in Antigua. Free afternoon; (Day 3) AGAIG Fairly Traded Coffee & Jade Workshop and transfer to Lake Atitlan. Overnight Lake Atitlan 2N; (Day 4) Lake Tour, visit San Juan & Santiago; (Day 5) Chichicastenango Market. Overnight Antigua 1N; (Day 6) Transfer to Copan (Honduras). Overnight Copan 2N; (Day 7) Copan & Bird Park; (Day ) Transfer to Rio Dulce. Overnight Livingston 1N; (Day 9) Yaxha Sunset. Overnight Tikal area 1N; (Day 10) Uaxactun Site & Camp in the Middle of Jungle. Overnight Campsite 1N; (Day 11) Tikal Tour. Flight to Guatemala City. Overnight Guatemala City 1N; and (Day 12) Transfer out.

Viaventure, www.viaventure.com