Guatemala Explorer: The Youthful Traveler

This tour is made thinking of those active and smart travelers in search of activity and information. If you are looking for adventure, moderate activity, trying different things, experiencing the local flavors and learning interesting facts, this itinerary is right for you. The highlights go from Colonial, indigenous markets, churches, volcanoes and Archaeology. Your guide will show you the history, the life of a local, hidden spots and the layout of the country.

Daily Itinerary

Day 1: Antigua Arrival

Antigua Arrival
Daily Summary
  • Transportation: Airport Transfers
  • Accommodation: El Meson de Maria

Welcome to Guatemala! Upon arrival on your international flight, you will be picked up at the airport and transferred to your hotel.

Antigua

Antigua is among the world’s best conserved colonial cities in the Americas. It is a magic and captivating small town that makes you feel time might have stopped 300 years ago. From its colonial architecture to its beautiful surroundings; strolling through town on the cobblestone streets, you will experience the splendors of ancient times! A few things you will find are art galleries and exhibits, coffee shops, amazing cuisine, cute little bars and much more.

Day 2: Antigua

Antigua
Daily Summary
  • Tour: Antigua Guatemala Walking Tour
  • Accommodation: El Meson de Maria
  • Meals: B, L

Antigua Guatemala Walking Tour

After breakfast your guide will meet you at the lobby of your hotel for your tour in Antigua. See colonial architecture, fine arts, terracotta, ceramics, wooden sculptures, a great variety of traditional costumes and weavings. Find out the secrets of Antigua on this walking tour that will show you both architecture and flavor.The tour includes a visit to The Cathedral, San Francisco and La Merced. See breathtaking colonial monuments and find out why this city was the bustling center of the region for the Spaniards. Lunch is held in a local restaurant around Antigua. After lunch enjoy of a free afternoon exploring town on your own.

Day 3: Antigua

Antigua
Daily Summary
  • Tour: Cooking Class & Coffee Tour
  • Accommodation: El Meson de Maria
  • Meals: B, L, D

Cooking Class & Coffee Tour

Today you will enjoy a cooking class and coffee tour. Learn how to prepare a Guatemalan 'pepian', a mouth watering chicken stew made with different types of native seeds and vegetables. Make hand crafted tortillas which is not easy. After lunch, your driver will take you to a near by coffee farm to learn everything about the preparation and history of this world famous drink.

The cooking class can either be at a local home supporting local communities or at a professional restaurant kitchen. Both options take 3-4 hours. After lunch your driver will transfer you to a nearby hacienda for your coffee experience. Enjoy dinner at a local venue with superb food.

Day 4: Antigua - Lake Atitlan

Antigua - Lake Atitlan
Daily Summary
  • Tour: Chichicastenango Market & Lake Atitlan
  • Transportation: Hotel Transfer
  • Accommodation: Jardines del Lago
  • Meals: B, L, D

Chichicastenango Market & Lake Atitlan

Chichicastenango is home to what is surely the most colorful traditional market in the Americas. Market days are Sundays and Thursdays, and draw not only the K'iche' Maya of the surrounding region, but vendors from all over Guatemala, representing many of Guatemala's linguistic groups such as Mam, Ixil, Kaqchikel and others, each hawking his or her products in a riotous cacophony of color, dialects and costumes, smoke, and smells.

After breakfast, join your guide for a 2.5 hour drive to Chichicastenango. Your guide will show you the most important aspects of this buying and selling activity, interesting facts and the beautiful catholic church were several Mayan rituals are held. After the tour your guide will take you to one of the local hotels to enjoy lunch. When you are ready, your driver will take you on a 1 hour transfer to Lake Atitlan. Enjoy dinner at the hotel.

Lake Atitlan

With three stunning volcanoes rising out of its emerald surface, Lake Atitlán is for sure the best way to be introduced to the indigenous culture in the highlands of Guatemala. Located 144km west of Guatemala City this lake is characterized by its natural beauty and surrounded by gorgeous views and indigenous villages filled with culture. The famous writer Aldous Huxley considered it ¨the most beautiful lake in the world¨.

Day 5: Lake Atitlan

Lake Atitlan
Daily Summary
  • Tour: Village Tour
  • Accommodation: Jardines del Lago
  • Meals: B, L

Village Tour

Along the shores of Lake Atitlan there are twelve indigenous villages, each named after one of the twelve apostles. Today, you will visit two of the villages, each very unique and different. San Juan la Laguna, famous for its naïf-style art galleries, colorful town murals and women’s weaving cooperative which utilize natural dyes in their Mayan textiles. The village is very well cared for and an excellent example of how sustainable community tourism which benefits the community can be successful.

Santiago (St. James), is the largest village on the lake and most famous as the home of Maximon, a pagan saint who drinks moonshine and smoke cigars (Maximon is another name for San Simon, who you visited at the beginning of the trip in San Andrés Itzapa. There many shrines Maximon/San Simon but the most famous are in San Andrés Itzapa, Santiago and Zunil). Maximon is visited every day by locals, healers and tourists asking for favors.

After breakfast, your local guide will meet you at the lobby of your hotel for boat transfer to San Juan village. You will visit this amazing town and learn about ancient Mayan weaving textiles. After exploring San Juan, you will be transferred to Santiago by boat. Enjoy lunch followed by a tour of the town including visiting Maximon, the simple local church, the market and simply soaking in the atmosphere of this lively lakeside town.

Day 6: Lake Atitlan - Copan

Lake Atitlan - Copan
Daily Summary
  • Transportation: Hotel Transfer
  • Accommodation: Don Udos
  • Meals: B, D

After breakfast your driver and guide will meet you at the lobby of your hotel for your transfer to Copan Village. Lunch will be held on a venue mid way to break the transfer (pay direct). On arrival enjoy of free time to relax at this beautiful village.

Copan is a charming little town with cobblestone streets, white adobe buildings and red tile roofs is a relaxed and peaceful place that will surprise you. A town which treasures one of the most beautiful and important cities of the Mayan Civilization. Local people are very friendly and willing to help someone from abroad.

Day 7: Copan

Copan
Daily Summary
  • Tour: Copan Ruins
  • Accommodation: Don Udos
  • Meals: B, L

Copan Ruins

After breakfast your guide will meet you at the lobby of your hotel to transfer you to Copan for a tour of the Copan Ruins. After the tour, your guide will take you in to town to enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch enjoy of free time to explore town on your own.

Copan

Copan is known as the Paris of the Mayan archaeological sites. Located between beautiful valleys, Copan is famous for the elaborated and detailed stelas. This city has a special history, architecture, astronomy and art. Today, the site is one of the best restored, interesting and elaborate Maya cities known. Copan features some of the Mayas most impressive accomplishments in architecture, in astronomy, and in sheer civic organization.

Day 8: Copan - Peten

Copan - Peten
Daily Summary
  • Transportation: Hotel Transfer
  • Accommodation: Jungle Lodge
  • Meals: B, L

After breakfast your guide will meet you at the lobby of your hotel for your transfer to Peten. The best place for lunch is Rio Dulce which is half way. After lunch, continue your journey towards Peten.

Peten

The area of Petén is the largest department of Guatemala; it occupies about a third of the country but contains only three percent of its population. This area produces wood, chewing gum, oil, pepper and other agricultural products. Its main income comes from the worldwide known cradle of the Mayan civilization.

Day 9: Peten

Peten
Daily Summary
  • Tour: Tikal Tour
  • Accommodation: Jungle Lodge
  • Meals: B, L

Tikal Tour

After breakfast your tour guide will meet you at the lobby of your hotel and take you on a tour of Tikal National Park. Your guide will show you the layout of the temples, architecture, history, some theories of why they disappeared and if you are lucky a few monkeys, parrots, macaws and toucans will be on site. After the tour enjoy lunch at a restaurant in the middle of the jungle.

City and ceremonial center of the ancient Maya civilization, Tikal became an important ceremonial center with the construction of major pyramids and temples. Its best years were the Late Classic Period (600-900AD). Tikal National Park contains some of the most fascinating archaeological remains of the ancient Maya Civilization. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979, Tikal is Guatemala's most famous cultural and natural preserve.

Day 10: Peten - Guatemala City Departure

Peten - Guatemala City Departure
Daily Summary
  • Transportation: Airport Transfer
  • Transportation (Air): Domestic Flight
  • Meals: B
Domestic Flight
Peten - Guatemala City
Flight #: TBD
Departs: TBD
Arrives: TBD

Today you will be met and transferred to the airport for your departing flight. We hope you enjoyed your experience and we wish you a pleasant flight home.

Accommodation

El Meson de Maria

El Meson de Maria

Constructed in harmony with the colonial style and beauty of La Antigua Guatemala, El Meson de Maria was established in a finely restored mansion from the XXII century. This relaxed and refined property is located in the heart of the city, just a few steps from the main street of Calle del Arco, and only 150 meters from the Main Plaza. Listen to the soothing sounds of the fountain and admire the hotel's unique decoration and design, as you walk through the beautiful corridors. On the third floor, you will discover a rooftop terrace with the best view of the Agua, Fuego and Acatenango Volcanoes that surround the valley.

Jardines del Lago

Jardines del Lago

Jardines del Lago hotel is inspired by its vision of responsibility of the environment and social development. Such inspiration generates customer satisfaction and great service. It has 30 simple but cozy bedrooms decorated with Guatemalan elements, wonderful gardens, and traditional Guatemala cuisine. Since 2010 Jardines del Lago is in alliance with Rain Forest Alliance in order to implement great sustainable tourism practices.

 Don Udos

Don Udos

Located minutes away from Copan Ruins and surrounded by mountains; this hotel has a beautiful and breathtaking view. Decorated with a unique colonial style and built around a garden courtyard, this cozy and comfortable hotel offers you a fantastic escape.

Jungle Lodge

Jungle Lodge

The Jungle Lodge Hotel was established in 1956 by Mr. Antonio Ortiz Contreras (the discovered of the temple of the inscriptions in 1951), just a 10 minute walk from the ceremonial center of Tikal. The Jungle Lodge Hotel has been under constant renovation in order to adjust to the modern standards of comfort and hospitality.

Pricing and Details

Starting from $ 3,098 per person

*Pricing is based on two persons traveling together, based on availability, subject to change.

Price Includes

  • Full support before, during & after your trip
  • Meals as mentioned
  • Accommodation as mentioned
  • Tours/activities as mentioned
  • Transport as mentioned

Price Excludes

  • International & domestic flights
  • Travel insurance (highly recommended)
  • Entrance visas when applicable
  • Other services not mentioned
  • Tips and gratuities to guides, drivers
  • Taxes and fees

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