Guatemala Holiday Adventure

Pack your bags and get ready for a festive adventure through Guatemala! Explore the charming colonial towns where you will meet the friendly local people. Experience Mayan traditions and ceremonies, and explore ancient archeological sites with the insight only a private guide can give. These adventures will showcase the best in the country and offer a unique cultural immersion of the beautiful countryside!

Daily Itinerary

Day 1: Lake Atitlan Arrival

Lake Atitlan Arrival
Daily Summary
  • Transportation: Airport Transfers
  • Accommodation: Casa Palopó
  • Meals: B

Welcome to Guatemala! Upon arrival at the airport in Guatemala City, you will be greeted by a local representative and transferred to your hotel in Lake Atitlan. Enjoy your first night of the adventure! (This service is on a private basis.)

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 2: Lake Atitlan

Lake Atitlan
Daily Summary
  • Accommodation: Casa Palopó
  • Meals: B

Enjoy this free time at your leisure to relax and explore Lake Atitlan on your own.

Day 3: Lake Atitlan

Lake Atitlan
Daily Summary
  • Tour: Village Tour
  • Accommodation: Casa Palopó
  • Meals: B

Village Tour

After breakfast, your guide will meet you at the lobby of your hotel. Your day will start with a private boat transfer to two of the twelve villages that surround Lake Atitlan. Santiago, a town located on the south end, home to Maximon, a pagan saint who drinks moonshine and smokes cigars. Maximon is visited every day by locals, healers, and tourists asking for favors. Next, visit San Juan, a Tzutujil Maya village that is home to several women's weaving cooperatives. The place is a medicinal and naturopathic plant cooperative, fair-trade, and shade-grown coffee Finca. It is home to many incredible visual artists who paint in the"naïf ar" style. Colorful murals have been painted on the sides of buildings depicting Tzutujil Maya's life, making for a fascinating cultural history lesson while walking through the village. Next, stop at a local art gallery featuring the traditional" naïf ar" or" birds-eye vies" style depicting scenes from daily life, ceremonies, customs, and traditions of the Tz'utujil people of San Juan La Laguna. (This service is on a private basis.)

Day 4: Lake Atitlan

Lake Atitlan
Daily Summary
  • Accommodation: Casa Palopó
  • Meals: B

Enjoy this free time at your leisure to relax and continue to explore Lake Atitlan on your own.

Day 5: Lake Atitlan

Lake Atitlan
Daily Summary
  • Tour: Tzununa Hike
  • Accommodation: Casa Palopó
  • Meals: B

Tzununa Hike

After breakfast, you will take a private boat to Santa Cruz for your hike to Tzununa. The north shore of Lake Atitlan Guatemala has no real road access so that you will be hiking along ancient paths used by the Kachekel Maya for centuries. You will see villagers going about their daily life and some of the most magnificent scenery in the world. The hike will take you up several hundred feet above the waters of Atitlan and show you the most breathtaking views of the volcanoes. You will then descend into the Pumpatin Canyon for a nature walk along the banks of the river. Experience two different ecosystems as you walk from the upper lakeshore into the narrow client. (This service is on a private basis.)

Day 6: Lake Atitlan - Antigua

Lake Atitlan - Antigua
Daily Summary
  • Tour: Iximche & Mayan Ceremony
  • Accommodation: Las Cruces Boutique Hotel
  • Meals: B

Iximche & Mayan Ceremony

This morning, you will meet with your guide for your transfer to Guatemala City on the way you will stop to visit Iximche. Iximche is a Pre-Columbian Mayan site in the Western Highlands of Guatemala, founded by the Kaqchikel Maya in 1470, after a prolonged conflict with the Kiche. Capital of the late Post-classic Kaqchikel kingdom from 1470 until its abandonment in 1524 with the Spaniard's arrival. Enjoy a private Mayan Ceremony, which is a practice of religion and spirituality, and a sacred activity. They are carried out with particular goals, whether to launch and celebrate important dates, as an offering of thanks, to ask for health, work, and wisdom. It is also used to saturate positive energy or to cleanse negative energies. Continue to Antigua for the next stop on your Guatemalan journey. (This service is on a private basis.)

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 7: Antigua

Antigua
Daily Summary
  • Tour: Day with Top Guatemala Photographers
  • Accommodation: Las Cruces Boutique Hotel
  • Meals: B

Day with Top Guatemala Photographers

After a hearty breakfast, you will meet with one of the top photographers in Guatemala at your lobby. Enjoy a day with him around Antigua and drive around with your a car and driver to discover the best photo-worthy places. (This service is on a private basis.)

Day 8: Antigua

Antigua
Daily Summary
  • Tour: Walking & Coffee Tour
  • Accommodation: Las Cruces Boutique Hotel
  • Meals: B

Walking & Coffee Tour

After breakfast, enjoy a guided walking tour of Antigua. Visit breathtaking colonial monuments and find out why this city was the bustling center of the region for the Spaniards. Start the journey at the central plaza, your guide will give you a general idea about colonization, Guatemala’s history, & contemporary issues. View the main outside buildings (Palacio de Capitanes, City Hall, and El Portal), visit backstage of the Cathedral & Cathedral ruins & San Francisco church. Next, transfer to Coffee Plantation, Antigua is famous for growing one of the best coffees in Central America. Enjoy the scenery and the unique insight into a real coffee hacienda. This tour will get you up close and personal with the whole coffee-making process. Experience the smells, sights, and the flavor of one of Guatemala’s most famous exports. (Please wear comfy shoes!) (This service is on a private basis.)

Day 9: Antigua

Antigua
Daily Summary
  • Tour: Cooking Class at Finca El Pilar
  • Accommodation: Las Cruces Boutique Hotel
  • Meals: B, L

Cooking Class at Finca El Pilar

After breakfast, together with your guide, you will transfer to Finca El Pilar. Upon your arrival, get ready for a beautiful hike where you will enjoy amazing views. Your guide will open your eyes to the unique market culture of Guatemala. See, smell, and learn about the traditional ingredients used in the Guatemalan cuisine. Learn how to make delicious Guatemala food after you have learned about the ingredients! (This service is on a private basis.)

Day 10: Antigua

Antigua
Daily Summary
  • Tour: New Year's Eve Celebration at Casa Santo Domingo
  • Accommodation: Las Cruces Boutique Hotel
  • Meals: B, D

Enjoy this free time at your leisure to continue exploring Antigua on your own.

New Year's Eve Celebration at Casa Santo Domingo

At 7pm, you will walk on your own a couple of blocks to Hotel Casa Santo Domingo for their renowned New Year's Eve celebration...including dinner, open bar and live music.

Day 11: Antigua

Antigua
Daily Summary
  • Accommodation: Las Cruces Boutique Hotel
  • Meals: B

Happy New Year! Take today to relax and celebrate the beginning of 2021 in such a beautiful and complex city.

Day 12: Antigua

Antigua
Daily Summary
  • Tour: Pacaya Volcano Trek
  • Accommodation: Las Cruces Boutique Hotel
  • Meals: B, L

Pacaya Volcano Trek

Today after breakfast you will be met by your private guide and depart for a hike of the Pacaya Volcano. This volcano is one of the most visited in Guatemala, 8,373 ft above the sea level it’s been active since 1965. It takes around 2.5 hours to hike from the base to the top viewpoint overlooking the flowing lava fields this trail is very gentle with a wide trail. From the summit enjoy beautiful views toward other volcanoes and if the weather is clear you may also see the southern coastline. This active volcano has a Strombolian activity (Strombolian activity produces frequent, moderate eruptions. The lava is basaltic but sufficiently viscous for entrapped gases to build up a pressure which is released in continuous small explosions), but occasional Plinian eruptions may also occur (marked by columns of gas and volcanic ash extending high into the Earth's atmosphere. Key characteristics are ejection of a large amount of pumice and very powerful continuous gas blast eruptions). A few of its eruptions have showered Guatemala City and surroundings with ash. After the hike, enjoy a picnic lunch on top of the volcano, roasting marshmallows on the lava pots. Afternoon transfer back to your hotel. (This service is on a private basis.)

Day 13: Antigua Departure

Antigua Departure
Daily Summary
  • Transportation: Airport Transfer
  • Meals: B

Although your adventure must come to an end today, you will be leaving with new friends, amazing experiences and memories to cherish for the rest of your life. Once you have checked out of your hotel in Antigua, you will be met by your driver and transferred to the airport in good time to board your international departure flight out of Guatemala City.

We wish you safe and happy travels home. Buen viaje! (This service is on a private basis.)

Accommodation

Casa Palopó

Casa Palopó

Since 2000 Casa Palopó has established a tradition of personalized service, fine dining and eco-friendly activities in an incomparable setting. Cascading down a set of terraces overlooking Lake Atitlán, Casa Palopó is a villa-like boutique hotel with colourful, rustic interiors inspired by Guatemalan art and an equally locally flavored restaurant and bar. Outdoors, a heated pool, lounge spaces and yoga platforms make the most of the hotel’s panoramic hillside perch. Stay in a spacious, art-dotted suite or book the hotel’s villa for exclusive use with a chef and butler, plus an infinity pool of your own. Messing about on the lake is encouraged and the hotel can arrange anything from boat trips to visit outlying villages to tortilla-baking workshops with the chef.

Las Cruces Boutique Hotel

Las Cruces Boutique Hotel

Introducing Las Cruces Boutique Hotel located in the center of Antigua Guatemala City. Antigua Guatemala has it all. Travel back in time, fall in love, walk on cobblestone roads, relax and experience all the harmony of the cultural exchange in the jewel of Guatemala’s most cosmopolitan city; where you can tour in nature, drink a cup of unique PDO coffee (Antigua coffee) while gazing at the Agua volcano The uniqueness of Las Cruces Boutique Hotel resides on the location and the state-of-the-art comfort, with 11 luxurious and magnanimous suites embellish with original silver pieces from XVII century, beautiful interior patio, relaxing sitting room and a charming veranda with an amazing view of the city and the volcanoes.

Pricing and Details

Starting from $ 15,430 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

Why Global Basecamps

Unparallelled Customer Service
As dedicated travel specialists, we are here to help you plan the perfect trip. Were with you from the beginning, during the crucial planning stages, throughout your trip in case anything comes up, and afterwards to make sure everything went perfectly. If anything were to go wrong during your trip (missed/delayed flights, etc.), we and our local in‐country partners are here for you.
Hand‐crafted Trips
While we have sample itineraries to help you create the perfect trip, we encourage you to travel at your own pace with a custom itinerary ‐ or simply book accommodation and excursions to travel with full flexibility. We also give you access to an amazing product line that would be very difficult to find otherwise.
Social Responsibility
Our trips directly benefit local communities through a variety of educational, environmental, and cultural initiatives. Additionally, all of our partners have been qualified as upholding a level of service that we truly stand behind. We strive to work exclusively with like‐minded partners who are committed to making sure tourism does not have a negative impact on destinations.

Request Free Quote

Our entire team is dedicated to making this custom journey come true. Request a free quote by filling out the form and please share any details to help us customize this perfect trip just for you.

Can’t wait another minute? We understand, call us directly at (866) 577-2462 and speak with one of our extraordinary travel specialists.

Clients Love Us

  • National Geographic
  • Union Tribune
  • CNBC
  • ATTA
  • APTA
  • IATA
  • STI
  • TIES
This is just one of many authentic travel experiences offered by Global Basecamps. If you are interested in more unique destinations to Guatemala with unprecedented planning and extraordinary service visit our main Guatemala tours page to browse other sample trips.
© 2024 Copyright - Global Basecamps. All rights reserved - globalbasecamps.com - Privacy Policy - Site Map