Treasures of Guatemala

Antigua
Upon arrival in Guatemala City you will be met by a representative and transferred to your hotel in Antigua 45 kms away.

Once the third largest city in all of Spanish America, Antigua served as Guatemala's capital city for more than two hundred years until it was destroyed by an earthquake in 1773. Antigua today is a peaceful, partially restored colonial city that is a pleasure to explore.

Antigua City Tour
Volcan Fuego rises to the roof of the world above the streets of Antigua. Once the capital of Guatemala and all Central America, Antigua resembles a living ruin. Mammoth churches and palaces tell the story of Antigua's past glory, and restored facades speak of a bright future for this wonderful city. This morning we’ll tour the city and admire Antigua's gilded cathedrals. The afternoon is yours to rent mountain bikes to explore the countryside, visit a coffee finca or macadamia nut plantation, or simply people watch in the main plaza.

Tour departs: approximately 9:00am.

Breakfast included.

Antigua to Lake Atitlán
We’ll travel into the heart of the Guatemalan Highlands to Lake Atitlán, located in the western highlands of Guatemala and often called one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. Located at over 1500 metres above sea level, the lake reaches depths of 324 metres and is surrounded by three majestic volcanoes - Tolimán, Atitlán and San Pedro. We’ll spend a night in beautiful Panajachel, considered the jewel of the highlands and inhabited by the Cachikel people for over eight hundred years. As we wander around Panajachel and its surrounding villages, you will observe the daily lives of these people and the skill of the women weavers.

Breakfast included.

Boat Trip San Juan La Laguna
Today you’ll take a small passenger boat that takes across the azure-coloured waters of the lake to the charming village of San Juan la Laguna, a very calm village with a Tzutujil population. Here you can find dozens of female-run weaving Co-Operatives, producing beautiful textiles according to time-honored methods passed down through generations, often using organic local cotton and natural dyes. You will also find delicious chocolate.

Breakfast included.

Chichicastenango Markets – Antigua
A visit to Guatemala would not be complete without the chance to visit the famous market of Chichicastenango. This beautiful town, surrounded by valleys and shadowed by mountains, has many shamanistic and ceremonial overtones. Its large market brings villagers from throughout the region who often arrive the night before and sleep on blankets in the market square. Rising early, they set out their colourful fruits, vegetables and handicrafts. The market disperses in the early afternoon, so we will then travel back to Antigua where we’ll spend the night.

Tour departs: approximately 8:00am.

*Take note that market days are Thursdays and Sundays, however we can rearrange this itinerary to make sure you’re there on the correct day.

Breakfast included.

Depart
Pick up is at 3:30am and a boxed lunch is included. Our representative will meet you at your hotel and transfer you to the airport for your departure flight.

Arrival
Upon arrival at Flores airport you will be met by our representative who will transfer you to your accommodation in Tikal.

Tikal Ruins
Today you will enjoy a guided tour of the Tikal site, where you'll encounter towering pyramids rising above the thick jungle canopy and learn how the city thrived as an important religious, scientific, and political centre for fifteen hundred years. Today, the pristine forest engulfing the ruined city is home to howler and spider monkeys, white-lipped peccary, brocket deer, coatimundis, toucans, scarlet macaws, parrots, ocelots and the seldom seen jaguar.

The sheer scale of the ruins at Tikal may at first seem daunting; however by staying within the park you will have the opportunity to further explore the ruins beyond the central area. Wander endlessly into the maze of smaller structures and outlying complexes hidden in the jungle growth, and if your energy levels are high enough to make it to the top of Temple IV you won't be disappointed! Amazing views of the surrounding jungle canopy will greet you from the top of the highest structure within the complex, and once the crowds have left the jungle animals comes to life.

Breakfast included.

Departure
Our representative will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to Flores airport for your departure flight.

Arrival
On arrival at the airport you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel.

Guatemala City is where culture and history meet. It's a fascinating city with an energy unlike anywhere else in Guatemala and is home to the country's best museums, galleries and transport.

Departure
Our representative will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to the airport for your departure flight.