Cultural & natural highlights of Guatemala

Guatemala City - Antigua

Day 1: Bienvenidos a Guatemala

You will arrive at La Aurora International Airport in Guatemala City, where you meet your driver who takes you to your hotel in Antigua.

Antigua

Day 2: Explore Antigua on foot

Surrounded by three majestic volcanoes, the ancient capital of Central America has suffered from many natural hazards throughout its history: earthquakes, floods, volcanic eruptions... But Antigua is now one of the most beautiful cities in Guatemala.

Discover the city which is host to more than 30 monasteries and convents and a grand cathedral in the central square. The cobblestone streets adjoin the colorful patios of the colonial houses. Stroll along the arcades of Parque Central, admiring the Fuego, Agua and Acatenango volcanoes looming in the distance.

Antigua - Pacaya Volcano - Antigua

Day 3: Ascension of the Pacaya Volcano

At around 7 am, your trip to the Pacaya volcano, one of the 3 active volcanoes in Guatemala, will start. After 1,5 hours driving, the 3h ascent with 400 m altitude-difference begins. The hike is accessible to all and offers beautiful views of the valley and the volcanoes Agua, Fuego, and Acatenango.  

Once at the base of the cone, you will peek into the crater and watch the fumaroles that escape from it. Watch lava flowing, when the volcano is active.

At a restaurant with a panoramic view of the Antigua Valley, lunch is prepared with fresh produce from the gardens. Don’t miss the vegetable garden and an orchid greenhouse. After lunch, you will be transferred to Chichicastenango.

Optionally, you can meet Jacinta, an anthropologist, who is specialized in pre-Hispanic gastronomy. Learn about ingredients and most popular dishes while sampling some local food at Jacinta's home.

Antigua - Chichicastenango - Panajachel

Day 4: Take a walk through rural life

In the early morning, meet your guide before departing by boat to Santa Cruz la Laguna. Walk towards the village of Jaibalito and enjoy the beautiful views of the Toliman, San Pedro, and Cerro de Oro volcanoes.

The walk allows you to appreciate the local life, as you observe the peasants working in the corn and coffee plantations, and pass by villagers on paths along the lake. After 60 to 90 minutes of walking, return by boat to Panajachel and spend the afternoon at leisure.

You've the option of extending the walk by about 90 minutes towards the village of Tzununa, as well as enjoying trips aboard public cab boats that serve the small villages bordering Lake Atitlan (optionally, an English-speaking local guide and boat tickets can be included as part of the day's activities).

Panajachel - Santiago Atitlan - San Juan La Laguna

Day 5: A day of Mayan immersion

Depart for the Mayan site of Iximché, capital of the Indigenous Mayan Kaqchikel people who allied themselves with the Spanish settlers facing the Maya Quiché. The conquistadors established the first Spanish city of the country, but the Kaqchikels revolted and burned the city in 1562. The site sometimes hosts Mayan rituals practiced by shamans and locals.

After exploring, you'll continue on to Antigua, where you'll spend the rest of the day free in the beautiful colonial city.

Panajachel - Guatemala City

Day 6: Traditional Villages and a Stunning lake

The road along the lake will take you to the villages of Santa Catarina Palopó and San Antonio Palopo on the shores of Lake Atitlan. The inhabitants of these pretty little villages live mainly from agriculture, fishing, and weaving.

Since 2016, a community project has been gradually repainting the village houses with the colors of the local huipil - a deep blue with traditional motifs. Beautiful!

After lunch, your driver takes you on a scenic drive back to Guatemala City. Make yourself comfortable in the car and watch the various landscapes flying by. You will gather unforgettable memories

Guatemala City - Copan

Day 7: A Trip to Honduras

In the morning, you will quickly cross the border to Honduras to discover the most spectacular archeological site of Copán in Honduras. The ancient city enjoyed an important cultural and scientific influence at its peak in the 7th century.

Its baroque style, its sculptures, and its finely ornamented stelae make it one of the most impressive Mayan cities. You can also enjoy a spot of bird watching on the site.

Copan - Quirigua - Rio Dulce

Day 8: Tour the UNESCO-listed Quirigua

Return to Guatemala and travel to Quirigua, where you'll visit the archaeological site in the Motagua Valley. Quirigua was an important and respected 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.

Afterwards, continue to the Rio Dulce - you'll already start feeling the Caribbean atmosphere here, where many sailing boats come to anchor.

Rio Dulce - Livingston - Rio Dulce

Day 9: The sweet Rio Dulce

Today, navigate along the Rio Dulce towards the Fort San Felipe, which was built in the 17th century to stop continuous pirate attacks. Here, you could make a stop and see the fort from inside (fees apply), before continuing on your private boat trip along the Rio Dulce.

Travel past a canyon and take a dip in some hot springs, before arriving at the village of Livingston. There, part of the population comprises 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 on the Rio Dulce at the end of the afternoon.

Rio Dulce - Flores

Day 10: Journey to Flores

Today you'll take a four-hour transfer to Flores, in the heart of the Petén. The journey is long yet scenic, and once you've arrived, you'll spend the rest of the day unwinding at leisure - take time to admire the sunset on the picturesque peninsula.

Flores - Tikal - Flores

Day 11: Tikal - Jewel of the Mayan World

This day is dedicated to the exploration of the impressive city of Tikal, built in the 4th century BC. The city reached its peak between the 3rd and 9th century AD. Some 3,000 structures emerge from the rainforest in a mystical atmosphere.

The Temple of the Great Jaguar faces that of the masks in the main square. At a height of 65 meters, the Serpent Temple was the tallest building in the New World until the 19th century. Nature is still very much present at Tikal, engulfing every traveler who enters the reserve.

Spider monkeys, pheasants, coati, toucans and multicolored parrots are on display. The screams of the howler monkeys can be heard for miles. Delve into the extraordinary ambiance of lianas and roots, as you explore the site.

In 2017, new research techniques have uncovered temples still buried in the jungle. Tikal has not finished revealing all its mysteries.

Flores - Yaxha - Guatemala City

Day 12: On the Shores of the Green Water

The last stop-off on your enchanting journey is Yaxha, which means "green water" in Mayan language. The city is located on the shores of Lake Yaxha, which served as a freshwater reservoir to the Mayan population. Walk on the marked trails of this large and rarely visited site. Do not miss the view of the lake from the Temple de las Manos Rojas.

After lunch, transfer to Flores airport for your domestic flight from Flores to Guatemala City.

Guatemala City - Guatemala Airport

Day 13: Hasta Luego, Guatemala

At the appropriate time for your departure, your driver will pick you up and transfer you to Guatemala City Airport.