Green travel experience through Guatemala

Aeropuerto La Aurora - Guatemala City

Day 1: Welcome to Guatemala!

Upon arrival at the La Aurora International Airport in Guatemala City, you will meet your driver who will transfer you to your hotel. Rest well for the night as you will begin your amazing tour tomorrow.

Guatemala City - Biotopo Del Quetzal - Coban

Day 2: Spot the Beautiful Quetzal

You will journey to the Biotopo del Quetzal in the department of Baja Verapaz. The best time to observe the Quetzal is from November to February. Stroll on the marked trails in search of this beautiful bird which is also the emblem of Guatemala (1h or 2h walk of your choice). Take in the fabulous mountainous landscapes covered with mist, the luxuriant forest, the waterfalls as well as various species of orchids.

Later, continue to Cobán, the capital of Alta Verapaz located at 1300 meters above sea level. The name of the city comes from the Indian Quek’chi "between the clouds". It is known for producing excellent coffee.

Coban - Crater Azul - Flores

Day 3: Swim in a crystal-clear cenote

Today you'll depart for the region of Alta Verapaz, whose mountainous landscapes are covered with mist, waterfalls, and lush forests. Arrive in Sayaxché and board a motorized lancha, ready for a refreshing swim at Crater Azul and a boat trip on the Río la Pasión.

As you sail down the river, look out for many birds that have made their home in the Petexbatún lagoon, as well as turtles and crocodiles hiding away on the banks of the river. After about an hour of navigation you'll arrive at the little-known Crater Azul, a cenote about 10m deep. Enjoy a refreshing swim in its crystal-clear waters, home to an amazing water garden, then return by boat to Sayaxché and hit the road to Flores in the heart of Petén.

Flores - Tikal - Flores

Day 4: Tikal: jewel of the Mayan world

Today is dedicated to the exploration of the impressive city of Tikal, built in the 4th century B.C. The city reached its peak between the 3rd and 9th centuries A.D, and nowadays, you'll see some 3,000 structures emerging from the rainforest in a mystical atmosphere. At a height of 65m, the Serpent Temple was the tallest building in the New World until the 19th century.

Nature is very much still present at Tikal, engulfing every traveler who enters the reserve. Spider monkeys, pheasants, coatis, toucans, and multicolored parrots can be spotted, while the screams of howler monkeys can be heard for miles around. The scents of lianas and roots will no doubt surprise you as you explore the site, too.

In 2017, new research techniques uncovered temples still buried in the jungle - safe to say that Tikal has not yet finished revealing all of its mysteries!

Flores - Finca Paraiso - Rio Dulce

Day 5: Journey to the banks of the Rio Dulce

Today you'll travel for approximately four hours to Rio Dulce. There you'll begin to feel the atmosphere of the Caribbean! After lunch along Lake Izabal, discover the waterfalls and hot springs of Finca Paraíso - be sure to take a swim and relax in this tropical paradise.

Rio Dulce - Livingston - Rio Dulce

Day 6: Visit the Garifuna ethnic group

A wonderful journey along the Rio Dulce awaits! Navigate to the Fort San Felipe, which was built in the 17th century to stop continuous pirate attacks; there, you could make a stop and visit the fort from inside (fees apply). Continue your private boat trip out onto the Rio Dulce, traveling past a canyon and stopping for a dip in some hot springs.

Arrive at the village of Livingston, where part of the population belong to the Garifuna ethnic group, who are descendants of black slaves. You will notice how different the culture is here to the rest of Guatemala! Spend the afternoon at leisure in Livingston to appreciate its unique atmosphere. Then, navigate back to your accommodation at the end of the afternoon.

Rio Dulce - Quirigua - Antigua Guatemala

Day 7: Quirigua’s wonderful Mayan site

Today, visit the archaeological site in the Motagua Valley. Quirigua was an important city during the Mayan classical period (200 - 900 AD). The site is particularly renowned for the beauty of its stelae, the highest reaching 10.7m high and weighing 65 tonnes. Take a look at the impressive structures at this UNESCO World Heritage site.

After your Quirigua tour, you will continue to Antigua (5h30).

Antigua Guatemala - Panajachel

Day 8: Journey to Lake Atitlan

After lunch, drive to Lake Atitlan, a highly emblematic place in Guatemala. The lake is nestled between three volcanoes at an altitude of 1,600m, offering magnificent panoramas. The small villages along the lake - often only accessible by boat - perpetuate festivals and markets rooted in local traditions, and are fascinating to explore. Arrive into Panajachel and check into your hotel, to spend the rest of the day relaxing at your own pace.

Panajachel - Santiago Atitlan - San Juan Atitlán

Day 9: A Visit to Tzutuhil Native Villages of Lake Atitlan

In the morning, embark on a boat trip and discover the Tzutuhil villages of Lake Atitlan. The Tzutuhil natives are one of the 21 Mayan peoples of Guatemala. They are present in only a handful of villages located southwest of Lake Atitlan. Visit Santiago Atitlan and discover a curious syncretic cult. Somewhere between good and bad, Maximón, the smoking God of Guatemala is feared as much as he is idolized. The villagers offer him gifts in the form of cigarettes, alcohol, or money.

Afterward, discover the small Mayan village of San Juan La Laguna. Here the weavers' cooperative will explain the techniques of natural coloring and traditional weaving. Appreciate the naive paintings that represent scenes of daily life in the region. Proceed to Panajachel and spend the rest of your afternoon at leisure in the small town.

Panajachel - La Aurora Airport

Day 10: Bid Goodbye to Guatemala

You will be taken by private transfer to Guatemala City international airport (3h). Depart with memories of your amazing Guatemala trip. Farewell!