Itinerary

Day 1 Antigua
Upon arrival to Guatemala City airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Antigua. About 1 hour drive. Antigua is among the world’s best conserved colonial cities in the Americas. It is a magic and captivating small town that makes you feel time might have stopped 300 years ago. From its colonial architecture to its beautiful surroundings; strolling through town on the cobblestone streets, you will experience the splendors of ancient times! A few things you will find are art galleries and exhibits, coffee shops, amazing cuisine, cute little bars and much more. Remainder of the day is at leisure to visit lovely colonial Antigua.

Day 2 Antigua
After breakfast your guide will meet you at the lobby of your hotel and show you the secrets and architecture of this beautiful colonial town. Your guide will explain in detail some of the main heritage buildings around Antigua such as The Cathedral, San Francisco and La Merced, lunch included. After the tour enjoy time at leisure to explore town. Itinerary includes dinner at Panza Verde. One of the best restaurants with several awards, architecture with vaulted ceiling and candle lighting makes dinner a unique experience.

Day 3 Coffee Tour & Lake Atitlan
Antigua is famous for growing one of the best coffees in Central America. Enjoy the scenery and the unique insight to a real coffee hacienda. This tour will get you up close and personal with the whole coffee making process, experiencing the smells, the sights and the flavor of one of the Guatemala’s most famous exports. Your guide will meet you at the lobby of your hotel and transfer you to the coffee hacienda just a few minutes away from Antigua. You will learn about the production and process, from hand picking the grain to have it ready to serve. After the tour your guide will transfer you to Lake Atitlan (Lunch will be enjoyed midway). On arrival enjoy of time at leisure. Diner at the hotel this evening.

Day 4 Lake Atitlan
With three stunning volcanoes rising out of its emerald surface, Lake Atitlan is for sure the best way to be introduced to the indigenous culture in the highlands of Guatemala. Located 144km west of Guatemala City this lake is characterized by its natural beauty and surrounded by gorgeous views and indigenous villages filled with culture. The famous writer Aldous Huxley considered it “the most beautiful lake in the world” After breakfast your guide will take you on a private boat to visit San Juan la Laguna and Santiago Atitlan, two very special and different towns around the Lake. Santiago is home to Maximon, a venerated pagan saint who smokes tobacco and drinks moonshine. He resides in a different house each year. On the other hand, San Juan la Laguna is the home to several textile coops and art galleries. Dinner is on your own.

Day 5 Lake Atitlan-Chichicastenango Market-Gutemala City
Chichicastenango, located one hour away from the lake, is home to what is surely the most colorful native market in the Americas. Market days are held on Sundays and Thursdays and draw not only the K’iche’ Maya of the surrounding region, but vendors from all over Guatemala, representing many of Guatemala’s linguistic groups such as Mam, Ixil, Kaqchikel and others. Each person hawks his or her products in a riotous cacophony of color, dialects and costumes, smoke, and smells. After breakfast your guide will transfer you to Chichicastenango, open your senses and experience the folklore of one of the most colorful markets the Americas. After lunch, your tour guide will transfer you to your hotel in Guatemala City for dinner and overnight.

Day 6 Guatemala City-Peten & Yaxha Sunset Tour
The area of Peten is the largest department of Guatemala; it occupies about a third of the country but contains only three percent of its population. This area produces wood, chewing gum, oil, pepper and other agricultural products. Its main income comes from the worldwide known cradle of the Mayan civilization. An early transfer will take you to the airport for your flight to Peten. Upon arrival you will be met at the Mundo Maya airport and transferred to your hotel for time to relax. After lunch your guide will transfer you to the Yaxha Archaeological Site for a beautiful sunset tour. You will have to depart the hotel at 2pm to be able to make it in time for the sunset. After the sunset your guide will transfer you back to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 7 Tikal-Guatemala City
City and ceremonial center of the ancient Maya civilization. Tikal became an important ceremonial center with the construction of major pyramids and temples. Its best years were the Late Classic Period (600-900AD). Tikal National Park contains some of the most fascinating archaeological remains of the ancient Maya . Excavated by Pennsylvania University between 1956 and 1969, Tikal is the largest excavated site in the American continent. It is Guatemala’s most famous cultural and natural preserve. After breakfast your tour guide will meet you at the lobby of your hotel and transfer you to Tikal National Park (45min). Your guide will show you the layout of the temples, architecture, history, some theories of why they disappeared and if you are lucky a few monkeys, parrots, macaws and toucans will be on site. After the tour enjoy lunch at a restaurant in the middle of the jungle on site. After lunch a private transfer will take you to the airport for your flight back to Guatemala City. Upon arrival will meet you at the Guatemala City Airport and transferred you to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 8 Tikal-End of Tour
After breakfast a transfer will take you to the airport for your departure flight. You can extend your stay in Guatemala or continue to Belize, Honduras or El Salvador.

Additional nights available.

Hotels:

Tourist Class:
Antigua: Hotel Aurora, Atitlan: Cacique Inn or Jardines del Lago Tikal Area: Maya Internacional or Posada del Cerro, Guatemala City: Biltmore Express or similar.

First Class:
Antigua: Meson de Maria, Atitlan: Hotel Atitlan or Isla Verde, Tikal Area: Camino Real Tikal or Peten Esplendido, Guatemala City: Barcelo or similar

Superior First and Deluxe Hotels:
Antigua: Casa Santo Domingo, Panza Verde or Posada del Angel, Atitlan: Casa Palopo or Balam – Ya Tikal Area: La Lancha or Nitun Guatemala City: Westin Camino Real or Vista Real or similar.