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

Departures: Tuesdays and Fridays

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Places Visited: Antigua Guatemala, Chihicastenango, Lake Atitlán, Tikal, Yaxhá and Guatemala City

Description:

“Unparalleled Guatemala” is part of GA’s Guatemala luxury vacations. This program has been expertly designed for travelers who are looking for the best of the best in each destination. This tour not only includes the premium destinations in Guatemala but also includes the best hotels. Whether you are looking to get some rest and pleasure, you will also learn about Guatemala’s culture and archeology, considered one of the richest of the world. While taking this trip, you’ll receive a first class service to enjoy your experiences to the most in Guatemala.

GA Unforgettable Memories:

• Enjoy a Spa session at one of the most famous hotels in Latin America.
• Admire the magnificent view from the sunset while being relaxed in the Jacuzzi.
• Have a private picnic surrounded by several majestic pyramids and wild jungle

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- Coffee Plantation (B,L):

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 for a mule ride and 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 in Antigua.

De Luxe: Casa Santo Domingo or similar

Standard: Posada de Don Rodrigo or similar

Day #4 Chichicastenango (B):

Transfer  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: Hotel Atitlán or similar

Standard:  Posada de Don Rodrigo

Day #5 Lake Atitlán (B):

Bike Tour for about 5 hours where you will enjoy 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”. Discover the magic that surrounds all its greatness while visiting some Mayan Villages and other interesting sites.   Free Afternoon.

De Luxe: Hotel Atitlán or similar

Standard:  Posada de Don Rodrigo

Day #6 Auto Safari Chapín – Monterrico (B):

Transfer to Monterrico Beach.  You will visit Auto Safari Chapín, the first zoo in Central America where you can drive through in your car. Your car windows and doors are the only things that separate you from the animals.

De Luxe & Standard: Dos Mundos or similar

Day #7 Monterrico (B):

Free morning to enjoy the black sand Beach at Monterrico.  Transfer to Guatemala City.

De Luxe: Barceló or similar

Standard: Barceló or similar

Day #8 Río Dulce (B):

Transfer from Guatemala City to Río Dulce.  Visit to Finca Paraíso.

On the riverside of the waters that divide Río Dulce and Lake Izabal is the Castle of San Felipe, which was built and rebuilt several times in the early sixteenth century because of the constant incursions of pirates by the Río Dulce.  Time for your own in Rio Dulce.

De Luxe & Standard: Nana Juana or similar

Day #9 Río Dulce (B):

Time to enjoy a boat trip from Río Dulce to Livingston, which is a river running from Lake Izabal, in the eastern part of Guatemala, to the Carribean. On the way visit to the Isle of Birds and the Ak-Tenamit Project, that is a Kekchi origin population. Then the excitement continues with a half an hour stop in the area of hot waters, near the entrance of the canyon of Rio Dulce. At the end of the journey the river mouth will reach the Caribbean Sea “La Buga” Livingston, a population of African origin that was originally called La Buga which means La Boca. Livingston is a fun and interesting Carribean town that is populated by the Garifuna people of African origin with a laid-back Carribean attitude, their own language (though they tend to speak Spanish and English as well), and a style of dancing known as “Punta” that requires the hips to move faster than lightening. Transfer to Tikal or Flores for overnight accommodations.

De Luxe: La Lancha or similar

Standard: Camino Real Tikal or similar

Day #10 Tikal (B,L):

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, our 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: La Lancha or Similar

Standard: Camino Real Tikal

Day #11 Ixpanpajul Park (B,L):

Visit to Ixpanpajul Park where the adventure will begin with a walk through six amazing suspension bridges where you will see the wonderful local flora and fauna.  You´ll choose to ride a horse, a tractor or bike to go around a pathway that surrounds a fruit plantation and the jungle.   Then you´ll begin the Canopy tour through nine platforms and a crossed cables system and you´ll have the chance to see different wild animals in their natural habitat.  At proper time transfer to the airport to take flight back to Guatemala City. Overnight accommodations in Guatemala City.

De Luxe: Barceló or similar

Standard: Barceló or similar

Day #12 Guatemala City (B):

Transfer to the airport to take flight back.

(Includes: One way flight from Flores, Petén to Guatemala City)

The package includes:

• All ground transportation as specified in itinerary
• Flight from Flores, Petén to Guatemala City via TAG (Saab 340A , Embraer 110)
• Lodging everyday of the trip in hotels specified
• Private Boat Tour in Lake Atitlan and Rio Dulce
• All breakfasts at the hotels
• Specialized guide in your language
• All entrances and taxes
• Lunch in Tikal Park on Day #9
• Cooler box with drinks  throughout the tour

Not included:

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

**Prices may vary depending on selected hotels.