Guatemala Tour

Exploring the Depths of Indigenous Heritage

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, we will transfer to the airport for a flight to Flores, which serves as a base for exploring the ancient site of Tikal.

Upon arrival, we will visit Tikal, the largest and most renowned city of the Maya civilization, located deep within the jungle. Only the towering pyramids peeking above the forest reveal the existence of this vast city, which once boasted significant temples and structures, including a pyramid that reaches a height of 90 meters. We will explore the site and learn about its fascinating history. Lucky visitors may encounter some of the wildlife inhabiting the rainforest, particularly monkeys. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant.

After our visit, we will transfer to the 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 Río Dulce and then depart for a 6-hour drive to the town of Cobán. This town was founded in 1543 and became a center for coffee cultivation in the late 19th century, dominated by German settlers who integrated into the local culture.

On the way, we will stop at Quiriguá, an archaeological site from the Maya period. The site features numerous large sculptures, each carved from a single block of stone. The largest sculpture at Quiriguá stands 10 meters tall and weighs about 60 tons, making it the largest monument left by the Maya.

We will continue our drive to Cobán. Upon arrival, we will transfer to the hotel.
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 2.5-hour drive to Lake Atitlán. This lake is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful in the Americas, with its deep blue color surrounded by three volcanoes. Along its shores, there are indigenous villages that rely on agriculture (growing onions, coffee, bananas, and avocados). Each village has developed its unique weaving styles and clothing, illustrating 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 altitude of 1,562 meters above sea level, where its inhabitants enjoy a spring-like climate year-round.
In the villages, three distinct tribes reside, each differing in clothing, language, and culture: the Tzutuhil, who live on the southern shore; the Cachiqueles in the northeast; and the Quiche in the northwest, all connected to the Maya culture.

Upon arrival, we will visit the stunning Atitlán Nature Reserve. The reserve features hiking trails with breathtaking views of the lake and mountains, various water sources, and waterfalls. You will stroll through coffee plantations and may encounter local wildlife. The reserve also hosts a butterfly farm, showcasing a diverse array of colorful butterflies.

After the visit, we will transfer to the 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, and depending on the flight schedule, we will embark on a 3-hour drive to Guatemala City Airport for the return flight home.