Activities: Hiking and Walking, Small Ship, Culture Exploration, Wildlife and Jungle Exploration, and Archaeology

Departures: Mondays and Thursdays

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Places Visited: Antigua Guatemala, Chichicastenango, Lake Atitlán, Tikal, Yaxhá & Topoxté and Guatemala City

Description:

In this program you will visit the premium destinations of Guatemala in one week, including the Western Highlands, Tikal and Antigua Guatemala.  It is specially designed for all ages where you will enjoy different types of activities like exploring the Mayan pyramids in the middle of a virgin jungle or having a cup of one of the best coffees in the world surrounded by a unique landscape of three majestic volcanoes and baroque style constructions.

GA Unforgettable Memories:

• Getting to an untouched colonial city like you were travelling through time
• Being at the top of a viewer watching one of the most beautiful lakes in the world
• Doing some shopping of original handcrafts in the colorful open market in Chichicastenango
• Getting to “El Gran Jaguar” Temple in Tikal and admiring the astonishing architecture techniques of this unique civilizatio

Itinerary:

Day #1 Guatemala City – Antigua Guatemala:
Reception at the airport “La Aurora”. Transfer to your hotel in Antigua Guatemala.

De Luxe: Casa Santo Domingo or similar

Standard: Posada de Don Rodrigo or similar

Day #2 Antigua Guatemala (B):
Visit to the most important and significant attractions of the city including Antigua’s most beautiful churches, monasteries, convents, and the cultural center. In the afternoon visit a coffee plantation where you will experience the entire coffee process considered one of the best in the world in quality and flavor. Overnight accommodations in Antigua Guatemala.

De Luxe: Casa Santo Domingo or similar
Standard: Posada de Don Rodrigo or similar

Day #3 Pacaya Volcano (B)
Visit to the most active volcano in Guatemala, its 2500 mts. above the sea; the environment is formed by humid forest and rocks. This is one of the most exciting experiences in Guatemala, where you will enjoy from impressive views of the lagoon of Calderas and other three volcanoes: Agua, Fuego and Acatenango and landscapes as if you were on the moon. It is readily accessible and you don’t need to be in good shape to climb it, however you need to wear good hiking boots and wear long pants. Early in the morning around 8 a.m. transfer to Pacaya Volcano for a 5 hours visit. Free Afternoon. Overnight accommodations in Antigua.

De Luxe: Casa Santo Domingo or similar
Standard: Posada de Don Rodrigo or similar

Day #4 Chichicastenango and Iximché (B):
Visit to the archaeological site of Iximché, also known as “The Land of Corn”. This city was the first capital of Guatemala and the last Mayan City. Experience for yourself a place fulfilled with mysticism, being the city that witnessed the Conquer of the Spanish and a place for Mayan rituals. After the visit you’ll be transferred to Chichicastenango’s market, the most colorful and exciting place in the Mayan Highlands and the only place in Guatemala of 100% Quiché population. Admire the historical and mystic Church of Santo Tomás, where the Mayan bible was discovered. Be the witness of Mayan ceremonies inside the church, where you can presence their gifts to the Mayan God’s. Transfer to Panajachel for overnight accommodations.

De Luxe: Atitlán Hotel or similar

Standard: Posada de Don Rodrigo Panajachel or similar

Day #5 San Juan La Laguna & Santiago de Atitlán (B):
Visit to Lake Atitlán, one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. The word “Atitlán” is a Mayan word that translates as “the place where the rainbow gets its colors”. Panajachel is an 800 year old town of about 14000 people, mostly Kaqchikel Mayas and some foreigners from every corner of the globe, living inside that rainbow. Upon arrival discover the magic that surrounds all its greatness while taking a boat to cross the Lake and visit two different Tzutuhil Villages. Visit a small town around the lake, where you’ll be able experience the Mayan culture to the purest. Then transfer to Santiago where you will visit the confraternity of the local saint named Maximon or Ri Laj Mam, visited by different people of different ethnicities who come to ask health and prosperity in their lives. Whether you believe in it or not, make sure to enjoy this magical experience. Transfer back to Panajachel by boat to have lunch. Transfer to your hotel in Guatemala City.

De Luxe: Intercontinental Hotel or similar

Standard: Hotel Stofella or similar

Day #6 Tikal (B, L):
Early in the morning we take a flight to Flores, Petén. Upon arrival transfer to one of the most important archaeological sites of the Mayan World, Tikal, its name means “Place of Voices”, built during the Maya Classic Period. There are places on this earth that are so stunning that it is impossible to capture them in words or photographs. Tikal is such a place and is considered the second largest city in the Maya world. Tikal has the distinction of being the first site in Guatemala declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Upon arrival at Tikal archaeological site, the guide will show you the layout of the complex of Temples and Acropolis. Visit to the Complex Q and R, then to the Central Acropolis, Temples I “El Gran Jaguar and the Temple II” Los Mascarones “, regarded as the first and one of the most important monuments in the complex. Visit to the Lost World. Transfer back to Flores or Tikal for overnight accommodations.

De Luxe: Villa Maya or similar

Standard: Hotel Isla de Flores or similar

Day #7 Yaxhá (B, L):

Transfer to Yaxhá, a former ceremonial center and city of the Pre-Columbian Maya Civilization. The facilities have evidence of Teotihuacan influence in their architecture and stelae. We can find the only twin pyramid complex outside of Tikal, also known as the Stelae Plaza. After we finish the tour, transfer to the airport to take flight back to Guatemala City. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel in Guatemala City.

De Luxe: Intercontinental Hotel or similar

Standard: Hotel Stofella or similar

Day #8 Guatemala City (B):
Transfer to the airport to take flight back to your country.

The package includes:

• All ground transportation as specified in itinerary
• Flight Guatemala City – Flores, Petén – Guatemala City via TAG (Saab 340A , Embraer 110)
• Lodging everyday of the trip in specified hotels
• Private Boat Tour in Lake Atitlan
• All breakfasts at the hotels
• Specialized guide in your language
• All entrances and taxes
• Lunch in Tikal Park and Yaxha on Day #6 and Day #7

Not included:

• Tickets abroad
• Meals not specified
• Tips and Personal expenses
• Taxes on tickets abroad

**Prices may vary depending on selected hotels.