Itinerary

Day 1 Guatemala City
Upon arrival you will be met and taken to your centrally located hotel. Guatemala City is the most modern and cosmopolitan cities in Central America. It was founded in 1776 after an earthquake destroyed the old Spanish capital known now as Antigua Guatemala. Guatemala City mixes the old with the new. Enjoy a great variety of restaurants and night life. Dinner will be enjoyed at the well known local restaurant Kacao.

Day 2 Guatemala City -Comalapa-Chichicastenango
Today Guatemala City has a population of nearly 4 million. Guate, as locals call it, is the country’s most modern city and is where most museums, restaurants, bars and cafes are. At the Ixchel Museum you will find four exhibit rooms with permanent collections of Mayan garments put together in chronological order till today. The Popol Vuh Museum holds one of the most impressive Mayan art collections from ceramics to silversmiths items. Comalapa is not only famous for its goods but also for naif paintings. Comalapa was home to Andres Curruchich, one of the pioneers of naif or primitivism paintings. His paintings portrayed the daily life of his town San Juan Comalapa. Andres Curruchich was discovered by Gustavo Stahl, an art connoisseur and collector. After breakfast your guide will meet you at the lobby of your hotel for your city tour. The tour includes a guided tour down town historic center, a visit to the Cathedral, National Palace, 6th avenue. You will also visit the Ixchel and the Popol Vuh Museums. Later will be transferred to Comalapa for your market tour. After the market tour you will be transferred to Chichicastenango for overnight.

Day 3 Chichicastenango-San Juan Cotzal-Chichicastenango
San Juan Cotzal is one of the most authentic and beautiful markets in Guatemala. Cotzal was the Ixil Triangles largest town until the road to Nebaj was built in 1940’s. It’s now rather small compared to its neighbors. There is little to see in the town itself, though the weaving here are some of Guatemala’s finest.After breakfast your guide will meet you at the lobby of your hotel to transfer you to San Juan Cotzal for your market tour. The tour last around three hours and later on you will be transferred to Chichicastenango

Day 4 Chichicastenango-Lake Atitlan
Chichicastenango, 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 meet you at the lobby of your hotel. Today is market day, tour that lasts around two hours and later on, you will be transferred to Lake Atitlan. Dinner will be enjoyed at a local restaurant in Panajachel

Day 5 Lake Atitlan-Solola-Lake Atitlan
Solola, the biggest city in the plateau and has its market every Tuesday and Friday. It is one of the most traditional markets where buyers and sellers meet every week. Solola is one of the few towns remaining where men also use a traditional dress. Santa Catarina Palopo is located five kilometers away from Panajachel. Here you can find colorful textiles and handicrafts produced by the locals. In Santa Catarina Palopo some of the villagers still wear the traditional attire.After breakfast you will be transferred to Solola. The tour lasts around three hours and afterwards, you will be transferred to Santa Catarina Palopo for your tour. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure.

Day 6 Lake Atitlan-Antigua
There are a few lakes such as Lake Atitlan. Its unique characteristics make it a fantastic place to appreciate sunsets, culture and amazing views. Famous writer Aldus Huxley called Lake Atitlan “the most beautiful lake in the world” but “with additional embellishments” compared to Lake Como. Lake Atitlan is surrounded by 3 volcanoes and the villages along the shore have 2 different groups of Mayan people: Tzutuhiles and Kakchikeles. Visit San Juan la Laguna to learn from artisans, textile coops and art galleries. Visit Maximan at Santiago, a pagan deity who smokes and drinks moonshine who indigenous asks for favors and miracles. After breakfast your guide will take you on a private boat to visit San Juan la Laguna and Santiago Atitlan, two of the twelve very special and most spectacular towns around the Lake. Lunch is included at a local venue at the lake.

Day 7 Antigua
Declared World Heritage 1979 by UNESCO, Antigua is a 16th Century charming city with its colonial architecture, fine arts, terracotta, ceramics, wooden sculptures, a great variety of traditional costumes and weaving. Find out the secrets of Antigua on this walking tour. Don’t forget to wear comfy shoes! After breakfast, enjoy your private walking tour in Antigua. Your guide will meet you at the lobby of your hotel and show you the secrets and architecture of this beautiful colonial town. He/she will explain in detail some of the main heritage buildings around Antigua such as The Cathedral, San Francisco and La Merced. You will visit Casa de Artes, a museum-like shop where you will find an extensive selection of rare and unique items. After lunch you will be transferred to a real coffee hacienda. Learn about the coffee process and enjoy a cup of coffee.

Day 8 Antigua-Optional day tour ot Tikal
Free day in Antigua: Enjoy this magical colonial town at your own pace and interest. Some recommended activities available are: Canopy tour, mountain bike, shopping, visit art galleries, visit Casa Santo Domingo Museum or simply relax at the hotel. You can also take an optional excursion to Tikal. Fly to Guatemala’s most famous cultural and natural preserve. Tikal National Park contains some of the most fascinating archaeological remains of the ancient Maya Civilization. Tikal was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979.Lunch is included for this extension

Day 9 Antigua-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:

First Class: Antigua: Meson de Maria, Atitlan: Hotel Atitlan or Isla Verde, Guatemala City: Barcelo or similar, Chichicastenango: Hotel Santo Tomas

Superior First and Deluxe Hotels: Antigua: Casa Santo Domingo, Panza Verde or Posada del Angel, Atitlan: Casa Palopo or Balam Ya Guatemala City: Westin Camino Real or Vista Real or similar, Chichicastenango: Hotel Santo Tomas

Optional Tikal Excursion-Includes round trip economy class flights and all touring, entrance fees including lunch. Please note that if you take this tour your last night will be in Guatemala City.