Your Itinerary
Day 1 - Welcome to Guatemala
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 then you are free to explore Antigua.
Day 2 - Antigua
Antigua, is the colonial capital, where you will visit some churches, colonial buildings, monasteries, convents and other jewels of colonial architecture.
You have the option to hike the Acatenango Volcano, an very adventurous trek offering views of active volcanoes.
Day 3 - Guatemala City
You will be picked up from your hotel for your panoramic tour of Guatemala City, where you will see the National Palace, the Cathedral, and the Civic Center Complex. You will also visit the residential areas to get a sense of the rapid growth of our country (No shorts or bathing suits allowed). Continue to the Iximché Archaeological Site, which dates back to the 15th century. The first Spanish capital of Guatemala was established there. The architecture of the site includes a number of pyramidal temples, palaces, and two Mesoamerican ball courts. During excavations of the site, the remains of painted murals on some of the buildings and ample evidence of human sacrifice were discovered. The ruins of Iximché were declared a National Monument of Guatemala in the 1960s. The site has a small museum with an exhibit of pieces found during the excavations, including sculptures and ceramics. In the afternoon, transfer to Chichicastenango.
Day 4 - Chichicastenango
Today is market day in Chichicastenango. You will visit the colorful open-air market and the Church of Santo Tomás. There you will witness the ceremonial rites that take place on the steps of the church, which is more than 400 years old (shorts and bathing suits are NOT allowed inside the church). Hundreds of indigenous people arrive from different surrounding villages to sell and exchange their products in small spaces. You will then be transferred to Quetzaltenango for accommodation.
Day 5 - Transfer to Lake Atitlan
Visit the colorful open-air animal market of San Francisco El Alto, then visit the Church of San Andrés Xecul. In the afternoon, transfer to Panajachel (Lake Atitlán) for accommodation.
You also have the option to hike to viewpoints like the Indian Nose for a breathtaking sunrise.
Day 6 - Explore Lake Atitlán
After breakfast, take a boat ride to explore some picturesque towns. In the afternoon, transfer to Antigua for overnight.
Day 7 - Antigua
Back to 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. After lunch, return to Guatemala City.
Day 8 - Quetzal Biotope
At 7:00 am 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.
Day 9 - Semuc Champey
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.
Day 10 - Copán, Honduras
This morning you will continue to Copán, Honduras for a visit to the archaeological site. Overnight in Copán, Honduras.
Day 11 - Rio Dulce
After breakfast, you will return to Guatemalan territory and be taken to the Quiriguá archaeological site for a visit. In the afternoon, you will be transferred to Río Dulce for accommodation.
Day 12 - Rio Dulce and Livingston
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.
Day 13 - Yaxha and Topoxte
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 in Flores or Tikal.
Day 14 - Tikal
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.
Day 15 - Home
Continue to Belize….. and end on the beach
