Day 1 :USA-SAN SALVADOR

Depart from the USA to San Salvador. Meeting and assistance upon arrival and transfer to your hotel. Balance of day is at leisure.

Day 2 :SAN SALVADOR (B)

Set in a magnificent setting in the Valle de las Hamacas, San Salvador was founded in 1525 by a Spanish conquistador, Pedro de Alvarado. It is a modern industrial city with few remains of its original colonial architecture, a result of floods and earthquakes. A tour of the city today takes you to Plaza Barrios to see the National Theater, Cathedral, and National Palace. Continue to the area of San Benito to see the Monument of the Revolution, and to the residential areas of Escalon and Maquilishuat. Then, on to Balboa Park in Los Planes de Renderos with over 70 different species of wild life, and to Puerta del Diablo (two enormous rock formations) for a panoramic view. Continue to the indigenous town of Panchimalco with its colonial church dating back to 1725. Return to your hotel for overnight.

Day 3 :TAZUMAL-SAN ANDRES-JOYA DE CEREN (B)

Morning departure on a tour of the Mayan sites of El Salvador. Visit the Pyramids of Tazumal, located 50 miles from San Salvador, a city that was built around 500 BC and remained occupied through the arrival of the Spaniards. Then on to the ruins of San Andres, an ancient regional ceremonial center of the Mayans, which once contained more than 200 structures built from 600 to 900 AD. Continue to Joya de Ceren, a recent discovery in El Salvador, sometimes called the "Pompeii of the Americas." Here scientists have discovered the first real clues of daily Mayan life. The ruins were preserved when buried under the ashes of the eruption of the Laguna Caldera volcano more than 1400 years ago. Return to your hotel. Overnight.

Day 4 :CERRO VERDE-LAKE COATEPEQUE-IZALCO VOLCANO (B)

Today you will visit Lake Coatepeque, one of El Salvador's most famous sites. The lake is sunken deep within the base of a huge volcanic crater, and is overshadowed by the sharp peaks of Cerro Verde, Santa Ana and Izalco Volcanoes. The shoreline is dotted with expensive homes, and offers all types of water sports. Continue to the top of Cerro Verde National Park for a visit. Here you can view the bare black cone of the Izalco Volcano, its sides streaked by the lava flow. This site is breathtaking. Late afternoon return to San Salvador. Overnight.

Day 5 :APANECA-NAHUIZALCO-SANTA ANA (B)

Morning drive through beautiful countryside for a visit to the towns of Nahuizalco and Apaneca. Nahuizalco is located west of the foothills of the Cerro Verde Volcano, with remains one of the last outposts of El Salvador's indigenous cultures and their famous handicrafts. Apaneca is located in the coffee region of the country, and maintains its colonial style and beautiful cobblestone streets. Santa Ana is the country's second largest city and is considered to be one of El Salvador's most important architectural and cultural treasures. Visit the Gothic Cathedral and Theater. Return to San Salvador.

Day 6 :EL IMPOSIBLE MOUNTAIN FOREST (B,L)

Today you will visit El Salvador's newest National Park, the El Imposible Mountain Forest. It is located in the western part of the country and is home to a wide variety of unique wildlife species. Jaguaundies, wild cats, deer, white and crested hawks can be seen here. Return to San Salvador.

Day 7 :SAN SALVADOR-COSTA DEL SOL (B,L,D)

Drive to the Pacific Coast to one of El Salvador's most famous resort areas, Costa Del Sol. A tour of the area includes a guided boat trip to the Jaltepeque estuary; weave through clear channels cut between the rich and redolent world of mangrove, to observe wild life and to visit local villages. After the tour you will be transferred to the Jaltepeque Suites Resort on the beach, for overnight.

Day 8 :COSTA DEL SOL (B,L,D)

A full day at leisure in Costa Del Sol. Enjoy the beach and hotel facilities.

Day 9 :COSTA DEL SOL-HOME (B)

After breakfast, transfer to El Salvador Airport for your flight home.