Guatemala Tour

Unveiling the Secrets of the Maya Land

Welcome to Guatemala City, the capital of Guatemala! This vibrant city is known for its rich history and culture, blending modernity with traditional influences.

Upon your arrival, you will meet our representative at the airport, who will assist you with your transfer to the hotel.
Overnight in Guatemala City.

Early in the morning, depending on your flight time, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Flores, a city that serves as a base for excursions to the ancient site of Tikal.

Upon arrival, you will embark on a journey of approximately 75 kilometers to Yaxha, located deep in the jungle along the shores of Lake Yaxha. This site was once the third-largest city of the Maya, housing around 40,000 inhabitants at its peak. Researchers believe it served as a recreational site for the Maya elite during their golden age.

At Yaxha, you will explore the remnants of pyramids, palaces, and even a ruined observatory situated at the lake’s center. Some of the pyramids have been restored, and from one of them, you can enjoy breathtaking views of Lake Yaxha, surrounded by a lush tropical forest teeming with wildlife.

After your visit, you will return to Flores for a transfer to your hotel.
Overnight in Flores.

After breakfast, you will set out to visit Tikal, the renowned city of the Maya located deep within the jungle. Only the pyramids peeking above the tree canopy reveal the existence of this vast city, which once housed significant rituals and monumental structures, with the tallest pyramid reaching a height of 90 meters.

During your exploration of the site, you will hear about its fascinating history and, if you’re lucky, encounter wildlife living in the rainforest, particularly monkeys. A lunch will be served at a local restaurant.

After your visit, you will be transferred back to your hotel in Flores.
Overnight in Flores.

After breakfast, you will embark on a 3.5-hour journey to Rio Dulce, known as “the sweet river,” which connects Lake Izabal to the Caribbean Sea.

Upon arrival, you will enjoy a boat ride on the river, passing through the ecological reserve located at the delta of Lake Izabal. If you’re lucky, you might spot manatees in these waters. During the ride, you will also see the San Felipe Castle, a Spanish colonial fortress situated at the entrance to Lake Izabal. Additionally, a stop will be made to visit a local art museum.

At the end of the boat trip, you will reach the town of Livingston, located on the Caribbean coast. The residents of Livingston are of Afro-Caribbean descent and speak English, which is a unique phenomenon in Guatemala. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel.
Overnight in Livingston.

After breakfast, enjoy a free day in the charming town of Livingston. This vibrant location offers a blend of Caribbean culture, stunning beaches, and opportunities to explore the surrounding natural beauty. You might consider visiting local markets, relaxing on the beach, or exploring the lush jungles nearby.
Overnight in Livingston.

After breakfast, we will return by boat to the Río Dulce and then drive for about 6 hours towards the town of Cobán. Founded in 1543, Cobán became a center for coffee cultivation by German settlers in the late 19th century, many of whom integrated into the local culture.

Upon arrival, we will visit the Candelaria Caves, which feature large karst formations that create natural windows illuminated in fascinating ways. This tour will immerse you in the underground world of the Maya civilization.

After the visit, transfer to the hotel for check-in.
Overnight in Cobán.

After breakfast, we will travel to Semuc Champey, a unique piece of paradise. We will descend wooden steps into the valley, where we can enjoy swimming in natural pools that cascade over limestone formations, with crystal-clear turquoise waters.

After our time at Semuc Champey, we will return to Cobán.
Overnight in Cobán.

After breakfast, we will set out for Antigua.
On the way, we will stop at the Quetzal Bird Sanctuary, which is approximately 30 km from Cobán and will take about 45 minutes to reach. The sanctuary is home to Guatemala’s national bird, renowned for its impressive green feathers. The quetzal’s feathers adorned the headdresses of Aztec and Maya rulers, symbolizing wealth, social status, and agricultural abundance, making them valuable offerings throughout their kingdoms. The penalty for killing a quetzal was nothing less than death!

After visiting the sanctuary, we will continue our journey, which is approximately 135 km to Antigua, for about five hours. Antigua is one of the most beautiful colonial cities in America. The city served as Guatemala’s capital until it was devastated by an earthquake in 1773. Antigua is located at the foot of three volcanoes that rise nearly 4,000 meters above sea level. Volcanic eruptions and seismic activity have destroyed the city and surrounding villages several times in the past.

Upon arrival, we will transfer to the hotel.
Overnight in Antigua.

Antigua, the former capital, was established by the Spanish in 1543 and offers travelers beautiful colonial buildings, museums, churches, and the inner courtyards of mansions that have transformed into boutique restaurants and hotels.

Early in the morning, we will set out for a hike up Volcán Pacaya, one of the three volcanoes surrounding Antigua. The tour includes a climb to a viewpoint where, on certain days, you can see the lava (it is also possible to climb on horseback).
Afterward, we will embark on a city tour through the cobblestone streets, where you will encounter churches, monasteries, inner courtyards, and galleries that seem to have frozen in time.

Next, we will continue to visit the coffee plantations, where you can observe the growth and production processes.
Overnight in Antigua.

After breakfast, we will embark on a two-and-a-half-hour drive to Lake Atitlán, undoubtedly one of the most beautiful lakes in the Americas. Its deep blue color is surrounded by three majestic volcanoes, with indigenous villages along its shores where the local economy is based on agriculture, including crops like onions, coffee, bananas, and avocados. Each village has developed its own unique weaving and clothing styles, which explains why Guatemala is often referred to as the “Land of the Rainbow.”

Lake Atitlán is located in the mountainous region of western Guatemala, sitting at an elevation of 1,562 meters above sea level. The residents enjoy a spring-like climate year-round. The area is home to three distinct indigenous groups: the Tzutujil in the southern shores, the Kaqchikel in the northeastern region, and the K’iche’ in the northwest, all of whom are connected to the Mayan culture.

Upon arrival, we will visit the stunning Atitlán Nature Reserve. The reserve offers walking trails with breathtaking views of the lake and mountains, various water bodies, and waterfalls. You will walk through coffee plantations and may spot local wildlife. The reserve also features a butterfly farm that showcases a wide variety of colorful butterflies.

After the visit, we will transfer to our hotel.
Overnight in Atitlán.

After breakfast, we will embark on a boat trip on Lake Atitlán to the indigenous village of Santiago Atitlán. Here, you’ll see the unique textiles of this village, with women sitting in the town square selling huipiles—embroidered blouses featuring flowers and birds, which are characteristic of the region. The village is also home to an interesting cult surrounding a wooden statue of a shaman known as Maximón, to whom locals from all over the area pilgrimage to seek help, blessings, and participate in trance ceremonies.

Next, we will visit San Juan La Laguna, followed by San Antonio Palopó, a village known for its onion cultivation and vibrant weaving. In San Antonio, we will hike up to the church, where we can observe the local men wearing distinctive black and white skirts.
Overnight in Atitlán.

After breakfast, we will embark on a 1.25-hour drive to the vibrant market in Chichicastenango. This bustling market is renowned for its stunning array of textiles, unique hammocks, colorful clothing, intricate figurines, and ceremonial masks used in traditional rituals.
We will explore Central America’s largest and most colorful market, where the air is filled with the sounds of bargaining and lively chatter. Afterward, we will visit the Church of Santo Tomás, a fascinating site where indigenous religious practices blend with Catholic rituals, creating a unique spiritual atmosphere.

Next, we’ll tour a local workshop where traditional masks are crafted, offering insight into the cultural significance of these artifacts.
We will then ascend to the summit of Pascual Abaj, a sacred site where pagan rituals are performed in honor of the Maya gods. Here, purification ceremonies take place for market-goers seeking blessings and spiritual renewal.

In the afternoon, we will return to Atitlán and transfer to the hotel.
Overnight in Atitlán.

After breakfast, we will embark on a two-and-a-half-hour drive to Quetzaltenango, the second largest city in Guatemala. This vibrant city is a commercial and industrial hub that serves as a base for exploring the surrounding villages. Known as “Xelajú” by the locals, Quetzaltenango is a quintessential Guatemalan city, located at the foot of the Santa María and San Gilito volcanoes.

Upon arrival, we will begin our exploration in the town of Zunil, a picturesque highland market town nestled in a fertile valley. Here, we will experience local life and visit the bustling market. Next, we will travel to the village of Almolonga, renowned for its vegetable cultivation, where we can appreciate the traditional lifestyle of the locals.

Continuing our journey, we will head to San Francisco El Alto, perched on a hill overlooking Quetzaltenango. This town is famous for its textile production, where you can find shops selling sweaters, socks, and blankets made by local artisans.

Finally, we will visit the small village of San Andrés Xecul, where we can immerse ourselves in the local culture and traditions.
In the afternoon, we will return to our hotel in Quetzaltenango for an overnight stay.

After breakfast, we will embark on a three-and-a-half-hour drive to Guatemala City. Upon arrival, we will transfer to the airport for your flight back home.