This itinerary starts with a few nights in the old capital of Guatemala, Antigua. You will spend the next couple of days visiting the street markets, chocolate shops and colonial churches. You will also have the chance to hike an active volcano, called Pacaya.
The second part of your journey will take you to Lake Atitlan, known for stunning scenery as the lake is has a dramatic backdrop of conical volcanoes and lush cloudforests. Indigenous Mayan communities live in the surrounding villages and a visit to one of the villages gives a fascinating interest in their cultural mix of Catholicism mixed with Mayan beliefs. After visiting the villas you will do some ziplining offering amazing views.
After a transfer to Guatemala City followed by a short flight to Flores, you will spend the next few nights in northern Guatemala. You will swim in the crystal clear waters of the Blue Crater, explore the majestic Mayan ruins of Tikal and walk on the hanging bridges of Ixpanpajul National Park.
You can then fly back to Guatemala City for your international flight, or continue into the beautiful Belize.
Price Guide
11 nights from £8,595 per family of four based
on two children under 12 sharing room with adults
These prices are excluding international flights. Average flight prices vary depending on time of year and can be considerably more expensive at peak times (Christmas, Easter, Summer). Flight routes vary, please contact us for accurate flight pricing for your timings
and place of departure.
Day to Day
Below is an example day by day itinerary
Day 1
Met on arrival and transferred to Antigua and to Meson de Maria, a small, character hotel in a central location, close to the restaurants and shops and has a small roof terrace with views of the volcanoes that surround Antigua (B).
Day 2
This morning take a guided walk around the town to see the La Merced church, the cathedral and the ruins of the San Francisco monastery that was destroyed by an earthquake in 1773. After lunch, you will learn how to make chocolate. Overnight Meson de Maria (BL).
Day 3
Today you will hike to Pacaya Volcano. The trail in 8km with 400 mts in elevation gain. It ends with a picnic lunch with the view of the crater from afar. Overnight Meson de Maria (BL)
Day 4
Day at leisure. Overnight Meson de Maria (B)
Day 5
Today you will transfer to Chichicastenango where you will have a chance to visit the famous mayan market frequented by locals before heading to Lake Atitlan. Overnight Hotel Atitlan (BL).
Day 6
Today you will visit the famous San Juan and San Antonio. They are famous for art galleries, murals, textiles and ceramic handcrafts. Overnight Hotel Atitlan (B)
Day 7
Today you will transfer to the Atitlan Reserve to zipline across the San Buenaventura Valley and reach the tip of Lake Atitlan’s bay. You will have amazing views of the volcanoes as a backdrop.
Each zipline is a different experience: some are as high as 60 m, others have superb vistas of forests, waterfalls, volcanoes, and the lake itself. At the end of each circuit there is an optional ropes course. Overnight Hotel Atitlan (B)
Day 8
Return to Guatemala City and fly to Flores in the northern region of Guatemala. Transfer by vehicle to the your lodge in Flores. Overnight Villa Maya (B)
Day 9
Today you will visit the remote Blue Crater sinkhole. On arrival, jump into the water and snorkel in this crystal-clear water sanctuary. The blue colour of the water is still unknown, but according to marine biologist who visited the place is due to the number of snails that live in it. Overnight Villa Maya (BL)
Day 10
Visit the Tikal Mayan Ruins located within the Maya Biosphere Reserve, a conservation area of over two million hectares. You can climb the temples, learn about the architecture and the history of this site and spot monkeys, parrots, macaws, and toucans in the surrounding forest. Overnight Villa Maya (BL)
Day 11
Today you will walk hanging bridges and winding paths full of vegetation. In the afternoon, you will visit Petencito Zoo, located in San Miguel Peninsula. Cross the bridge while enjoying amazing views of the lake. Once in the island, you will see colorful birds such as macaws and toucans. Overnight Villa Maya (B)
Day 12
Transfer to Flores Airport to take short flight back to Guatemala City or extend your itinerary into Belize for a few days where you can stay in rainforest lodge or fly to the cayes to snorkel or dive the barrier reef (B).