Day 1-2

Step back in time to 250 AD.

We begin our adventure in hill country, dense with cloud forest, at the ancient ruins of Copán. Explore pyramids inscribed with hieroglyphics and temples built by the Mayan kings who reigned from 250-900 AD. The well-preserved artifacts and architecture of this former civilization capture your imagination. Stay in the charming town of Copán Ruinas and venture out on the cobblestone streets. Give your Spanish a try while you bargain for hammocks, jewelry and colorful Mayan artifacts. Don't speak Spanish? A smile will suffice as you quickly recognize the friendly disposition of the Honduran people.

Day 3-5

Hot coffee to cool springs.

At a shade-grown coffee farm near the Guatemalan border we immerse ourselves in Honduras' warm culture and spectacular countryside. Cowboys guide us through the hills on horseback, stopping to taste star fruit and fresh coconut milk. Learn about the economic and environmental issues facing tropical agriculture and the Honduran people. Seek shelter in the shade of teak trees and take a refreshing dip in cool springs. Local children lead us to their schoolhouse where we join together to replant gardens, play soccer and build classroom furniture. After a delicious home cooked meal, end a perfect day soaking in natural hot springs under a blanket of stars.

Day 6-12

Snorkel. Hike. Canoe. Zip line. Explore.

Travel to the Caribbean coast to the Punta Sal National Park where we snorkel the blue waters surrounding the peninsula, then hike through exotic jungle surrounded by tropical birds and monkeys. We break for lunch in thatched huts on a perfect white sand beach where Garifuna villagers treat us to local cuisine. To the east, enter the Cuero y Salado Wildlife refuge via canoe and explore estuaries abounding with wildlife. Then head deeper into the jungle to zip line through the forest canopy and conquer the raging whitewater of the Rio Cangrejal in the Pico Bonito National Park.

Day 13-16

Search for iguanas above. Find octopus below.

Embark on a ferry trip to the smallest of major islands in the Bay Island group, Utila, then travel by boat to our private lodge on a secluded palm fringed beach. Spend the first day refreshing your scuba skills, or if you've never been diving, start your PADI Open Water Certification course. Head to the beach, strap on your scuba gear and walk into the Caribbean Sea to discover sandy slopes, colorful fringing reefs and dramatic walls. Eagle rays, octopuses, sea horses and shy morays hide in wall's coral encrusted caves and crevices…perfect for beginner divers and thrilling for the experienced diver. Above the waterline, sea kayak, search for iguanas and play on white sand beaches. In the evening, kick back at the lodge and listen to presentations on marine ecology and conservation of the Bay Islands.

Day 17-21

Embrace all that Honduras has changed in you.

Now that the whole group is certified, we head to the north coast of Utila where huge pinnacles and sheer walls rise from thousands of feet below. Explore Black Hills where giant schools of fish hovering in the blue mix with the vibrant circus of life surrounding a coral mountain. Investigate the bottomless wall at Duppy Waters where huge grouper and barrel sponges abound. On the boat, keep your eyes peeled for playful dolphins and whale sharks. If you spot any, grab your snorkel and jump in to swim with these amazing creatures! On night dives off our beach, the bioluminescence lights up the ocean and we discover a completely new set of colors and reef inhabitants. A party on the final night gives us a chance to reflect on our adventures and how much we've learned about this extraordinary country, from the jungle to the sea.