Award-winning and fully-protected holidays
Discover the Maya world, as you explore ancient ruins and lakeside villages, rivers, lakes and much more. Where volcanoes rise in the distance. Visit colonial Antigua for vibrant markets and explore the charming cobbled streets and wander around crumbling ex-convents. You’ll continue to Quetzal Biotope, created to protect the Quetzal and visit the beautiful pools of Semuc Champey. You’ll continue to Rio Dulce and take a boat trip to Livingston on the Caribbean Coast. Finally you’ll visit the ruins of Yaxha and Topoxte and Tikal.
Welcome to the land of eternal spring! Upon arrival at La Aurora International Airport, our representative will transfer you to the hotel for check-in and accommodation.
In the morning, you will enjoy a brief panoramic tour of Guatemala City, visiting the National Palace, the Cathedral, and the Civic Center Complex. You will also explore the residential areas to get a sense of the rapid growth of our country (no shorts or bathing suits allowed). Then, continue to the archaeological site of Iximché for a visit before proceeding to Chichicastenango for accommodation.
In the morning visit to this former colonial capital, Antigua Guatemala, the most important and charming colonial city in Guatemala. Founded by the Spanish in 1543, today Antigua is a beautiful combination of ruins, restored colonial buildings, and new buildings in colonial style. It was declared a “Monument of America” in 1965. At the end return to Guatemala City.
You have the option to hike the Acatenango Volcano, an very adventurous trek offering views of active volcanoes.
Today you will be transferred to your hotel on the lake.
You also have the option to hike to viewpoints like the Indian Nose for a breathtaking sunrise.
Twelve indigenous villages surround the lake and its inhabitants are descendants of the Quichés, Cackchiqueles and Tzutuhiles.
Back to enjoy some more time in Antigua, tomorrow you continue your adventure.
You will begin your trip to Alta Verapaz to visit the Quetzal Biotope. It was created to protect the Quetzal, which is the national bird and is in danger of extinction. This protected habitat was established in 1976 by Mario Dary and has since become one of the most important tourist destinations in the country. Given its location and forested area, the place has a very varied fauna and flora where you can find everything from hummingbirds to orioles. Then you will visit Orquigonia, a private nature reserve dedicated to the conservation of orchids. This reserve began in 2007 and was created in honor of Oscar Archila Euler —originally from Cobán— who began collecting orchids that he found in the forests of the region. From there you will continue to Cobán for accommodation.
This morning you will visit Semuc Champey, located in the municipality of Lankin, on the Cahabón River. Semuc Champey is built by a natural stone bridge approximately 500 meters long, inside which the Cahabón River flows underground, in what is known as a siguan. At the top, a large variety of pools from 1 to 3 meters deep are formed, which are fed by mountain springs. These pools are located in a small canyon formed by sedimentary rock and limestone typical of the highlands of the Polochic Valley. In the afternoon you will return to Cobán for accommodation.
Today you transfer to Rio Dulce to your hotel.
In the morning you will have a boat trip to Livingston and along the Dulce River to visit the San Felipe Castle. In the afternoon, transfer to Flores or Tikal for accommodation.
Today you will visit the archaeological sites of Yaxha and Topoxte for your visit. The site is contemporary with Tikal, and is located on the northeast shore of Lake Yaxha, on a hill. The site has more than 1,400 known structures, where an excavation and restoration project has been carried out in the last 10 years, which has revealed the magnificence of its architecture. You will visit ball courts, residential and religious areas such as the Maler Group and Northeast Acropolis that has now been restored and finally Temple 216, more than 30 meters high. You will continue your visit to Topoxte, a city from the Post-Classic period that is located on one of the islets of Lake Yaxha. Its buildings are similar to those of Tulum in Yucatan. It was inhabited during the Post-Classic period (900 – 1,200 AD). In the afternoon, return to your hotel.
Today you will be taken to Tikal Park. You will visit the “Q” Complex, the Great Plaza with the temples of the Great Jaguar, The Masks, and the Palace of the Nobles. In addition, from Temple IV you will be able to appreciate a complete view of Tikal and the surrounding jungle. After lunch, visit the “Lost World” complex. In the afternoon you will board your flight to Guatemala City. Transfer to your hotel.
Today you either go home or continue to Belize of Mexico if you like.
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