• Ancient Paradise

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  • Duration

    11 Days (Tuesday Departures)

  • Destinations
    • Antigua
    • Chichi
    • Lake Atitlan
    • Xela
    • Almolonga
    • Zunil
    • Tikal
  • Price

    starting at $1,995

Experience authentic Guatemala on this 11-day adventure with us! Immerse yourself in Guatemala’s indigenous cultures by attending a variety of local markets and visiting the centuries-old temple site in Tikal. Take in the country’s scenic beauty on Lake Atitlán and in the Petén region. With our expert guides, you’ll learn all about Guatemala’s history and culture.

Highlights

  • Enjoy the best of Guatemalan cuisine.
  • Take a guided visit of Antigua, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  • Shop around the Chichi Market and Solola Market.
  • Enjoy a scenic boat ride across Lake Atitlán.
  • Visit the UNESCO protected Mayan Temple site of Tikal.
  • Explore the beautiful Petén region with a knowledgeable guide.
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Good to Know:

  • A guide will be available at your disposal during your trip to take any additional tours of your choosing, for an additional cost.
  • All entrance fees are included on the Antigua city tour.

  • Most of the women in Chichi continue to wear their traditional clothing of huipil (blouse) and corte (skirt).
  • Arte Naïf is a term used to describe any form of art created by a person that lacks the professional training and education that a professional artist undergoes. It is a popular movement in Guatemala, especially in the Atitlán region.

  • Xela lies at 2,333m above sea level, which means nights can be very cold, especially in December and January.

Tuesday: Arrival in Antigua

Today you will be met at the airport in Antigua to be transferred to your hotel in Antigua, Posada Don Rodrigo. Located just 1 block from the main square, this authentic colonial hotel is the perfect base from which to explore the colorful streets of Antigua. Relax and enjoy a delicious traditional Guatemalan dinner to prepare for your adventure tomorrow.

Wednesday: Architecture and History Tour. Azotea Coffee Farm. Maya Museum

This morning you will take a half-day walking tour of Antigua passing through its main square, Palace, Cathedral, La Merced Church and San Francisco Church. Following a lunch stop at a local restaurant, you will visit the local woodcarvers in the village of Jocotenango. After then, we’re headed to the fabulous Azotea Coffee Farm and Maya Traditions Museums covering traditional music, costume and culture.        

Thursday: Chichi Market. Transfer to Lake Atitlan.

Today, we will take you to the famous market at Chichi. Shop for unique handcrafts and see Maya rituals being performed in the Catholic Church. After lunch, you will be transfer to your hotel at Lake Atitlán, a unique lake formed by a violent volcanic eruption over 80,000 years ago and surrounded by three towering volcanoes.

Friday: Solola Market. Leisure afternoon.

This morning you will be picked up at your hotel for a private transfer to Solola. It’s market day here, and local Maya people from all around the area flock to the market to buy and sell their wares for the week ahead. Everyone is dressed in the brightly colored local textiles and even the men here wear the traditional costume of the area. The market in Solola will give you a wonderful insight into Maya life in the Solola district of Guatemala. This afternoon, you will be at your leisure with a guide at your disposal to arrange any other activity (extra fees payable locally).

Saturday: Lake Tour (San Juan, Santa Catarina and Santiago).

This morning will begin with a scenic boat ride across Lake Atitlán to the village of San Juan La Laguna where you can visit the women’s textile cooperative to see hand weaving and natural dye process. Also here visit the studios / homes of the celebrated naïf painters. Following a quick visit to the town of Santa Catarina, you will continue to the village of Santiago for lunch in a local hotel and a village tour. Visit the Maya God Maximon and learn about the textiles, spiritualism and beliefs of the T’zutujil Maya.

Sunday: Leisure morning. Transfer to Xela.

Enjoy a free morning to relax or explore more of the Lake Atitlán area. After lunch, you will be transferred to Quetzaltenango (Xela). This is Guatemala’s second largest city and the perfect base to explore the surrounding region and villages

Mon: Almolonga vegetable market & textile cooperative in Zunil.

Today, you will be picked up for a private transfer to Almolonga where you will visit the vegetable market. Almolonga is known as “the garden of Central America” and it produces  some of the region’s finest vegetables. Afterwards, we’ll stop in San Andres Xecul to visit its famous yellow church as well as the textile cooperative in Zunil and the blown glass cooperative.

Tuesday: Transfer and flight to Flores.

This morning, you will be transferred to Guatemala Airport for your flight to the Peten Area. You will be met at the airport for your private transfer to your hotel in Flores. Located on an island on Lake Petén Itzá, Flores is the natural starting point for a visit to Petén’s wilderness.

Wednesday: Leisure day.

On this leisure day, you have a guide at your disposal to arrange local visits (extra services to be paid apart).

Thursday: Visit Tikal.

Today, you will be transferred to Tikal National park to explore the amazing UNESCO protected Mayan Temple site of Tikal where huge Mayan temples rise above the jungle canopy and monkeys and tropical birds are abundant in the surrounding rainforest. After lunch, you will have some time to relax before flying back to Guatemala City (30min) and transfer to your hotel.

Friday: Transfer out.

This morning you will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to the airport in order to connect with your flight home.

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