Orquidea Tours

Archeology and nature: the perfect combination. Our in-house travel agency, Orquídea Tours, can arrange a wide variety of very special experiences in the Copán Valley. Let Orquídea Tours expand your horizons during your visit to Copán. In addition to touring the world-famous Mayan ruins, here's a sampling of other exciting opportunties that await you when you're not in the classroom:

Orquid Tour:
The orchid (la Orquídea) is the national flower of Honduras. This natural beauty belongs to one of the most diverse botanical families, with more than 700 genuses, and 30,000 species. Here in Honduras we have numerous types of orchids.

The Orchid Tour will introduce you to a varied display of this exotic flower, whose vivid colors are mixed among the lush green trees, and refreshed by crystaline mountain springs.

Chonco-Carrizalon Tour: One of the unique characteristics of this region is its indigenous culture. The town of Copán Ruinas is surrounded by villages of indigenous Chortí Maya, who, despite the passage of centuries, still maintain social and cultural rites and traditions passed down by the ancient Maya. The villages of Chonco and Carrizalon are two indigenous communities who have offered Orquídea Tours a unique opportunity to acquaint visitors with the daily customs of the current-day Maya. On this fascinating tour you will encounter the timeless religious, culinary and linguistic culture of these people. You will learn about the traditional herbal properties of the local plants. And you will witness village artisans engaged in their craft.

Los Sapos Tour:
"Los Sapos" (The Toads) are archeological remains of extraordinary historical value; they played a major role in the great ancient city of Copán.

To arrive at Los Sapos we will walk through the land of Hacienda San Lucas, a 100-year old colonial hacienda that has been recently restored to accept overnite and day visitors. The hacienda, perched on a hill overlooking the town and the ruins, has been in the same family for generations, and they have meticulously maintained its original ambience and architectural beauty. In fact, following a week or two of intensive Spanish study in town, many of our students treat themselves to a night or two of natural tranquility and authentic local cuisine at the only lodging option in the valley with a view of the famous Mayan ruins of Copán.

This tour also includes a visit to La Pintada, a friendly indigenous community where the local craftspeople are happy to show visitors how they transform corn husks into creative, multi-colored flowers and dolls.

Coffee Finca (Plantation) Tour:
The climate and soil around Copán are ideally suited to growing world-class coffee. Enroute to the coffee hacienda, you will marvel at the lush green leaves, and the red, ripe berries of the coffee plants. You will witness with your own eyes the entire coffee-making process, from harvesting the berries to roasting the finished product. And, of course, you'll be able to enjoy a cup or two of this aromatic wonder. If you want to bring a pound home, the reasonable cost of this stimulating product may astound you.

Hacienda El Jaral Tour
El Jaral is a legendary colonial hacienda that has been converted into a diverse recreational complex, 10 miles outside of town. The hacienda has preserved for its visitors numerous architectural details from the colonial era. The wide verandas, and hallways decorated with antiques and artifacts, will transport you back to the controversial epoch of colonial Spain.

From October to May (typically), this tour offers an added treat sure to delight nature-lovers. Every year a migratory flock of thousands of white herons takes up residence in a forest reserve at El Jaral. Each morning they take off together to spend the day foraging, only to return at sunset, majestically soaring down the Copán River valley -- a truly awe-inspiring and memorable sight!

Horseback Riding Tours: It's one of the most exotic yet traditional pleasures of life in the Honduran countryside. A cascading mountain stream, tree-shaded hillsides, the blue sky, the scent of flowers, the riotous cacophony of birds ... and a good horse. Orquídea Tours is pleased to offer a nearly endless array of horsebacking riding tours. There's lush countryside in every direction, so just pick a horse and a route, and enjoy a morning - or a day - exploring this wondrous land.

Hot Springs Tour:
Perhaps you're stressed out from your journey, or maybe those fascinating hours spent touring the ruins have left you fatigued. We've got the cure. Grab a cold beer or juice, and enjoy a relaxing soak in the warm waters of this precious spot.

The Hot Springs are located just 12 miles from town, surrounded by majestic mountains, alongside the fresh waters of the Río Amarillo. We invite you to join us for this magnificent tour. You bring the stress, we'll bring the beer, the scenery, and a soothing soak in these relaxing waters.

Boqueron Caves Tour:

Help us decipher the enigma of these mysterious caves - many still unexplored - all of them full of ancient Honduran myths and legends. Enclosed in the belly of Boqueron are cathedrals of stone, rivers, springs, trees and animals unkown, and stories untold. Orquídea Tours is thrilled to offer you this un-paralleled eco-tourism experience.

El Rubí Waterfalls Tour:

An overdose of nature --that's how we describe the waterfalls of El Rubí. Just seven miles from town, a half-hour hike leads you to a paradise of leafy trees full of birds and shade, rocks dappled with sun, and a cascading plunge of refreshing water that massages the body of the adventurous visitor.

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