Highlights of Guatemala
9 days, Guatemala City to Antigua
Itinerary
Day 1Guatemala City
Arrive at any time. Attend a Welcome Meeting in the evening and get to know your CEO and fellow group members before the adventure begins tomorrow.
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Day 2Guatemala City/Flores
Have some breakfast at the hotel in Guatemala City before travelling to the airport to board your flight to Flores. Located in the northeast jungle Petén region, this town is considered the gateway to nearby Mayan ruins and towering temples. Get settled at the hotel this evening and have dinner at your leisure.
Plane
Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
Free Time
Get settled in Flores. Choose to go for a walk or find a cute local spot to have an authentic Guatemalan dinner.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 3Flores
Today enjoy a guided tour of the Tikal archaeological site. Return to Flores in the afternoon and choose to relax or go for a swim in Lake Petén Itzá during your free time. Dinner will be at your leisure this evening.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Tikal Ruins Guided Tour
Put on your walking shoes and prepare for a tiring but memorable day walking through history at the impressive site of Tikal. The Mayan site is set in the heart of the jungle, in Tikal National Park, now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Along with our bilingual guide, see some of the temples, plazas, carved stone monuments and public squares, more than 3,000 buildings in all, dating from as far back as 600 BC. Climb to the top of Temple IV, catch your breath, take photos, and then sit and contemplate the magnificence of the site and the tropical rainforest beyond. Look for monkeys, anteaters, armadillos, and deer, as well as macaws and eagles, snakes, and spiders.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Free Time
Back in Flores enjoy free time to recharge. Go for a walk along the shores of the lake or maybe take a swim.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 4Flores/Lanquín
Travel by private vehicle from Flores to Lanquin, a small town in the Alta Verapaz region of Guatemala, is known primarily as the gateway to Semuc Champey. Once at the hotel enjoy free time to take advantage of property amenities like the pool, or to simply relax in your new setting. The town itself also is home to the Lanquin Caves, a large cave system with interesting rock formations and a colony of bats that emerge at dusk. Maybe go check it out if there's time.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the comfort of your private vehicle. There will be stop along the way to break up the long drive and for you to grab some lunch on your own.
Free Time
Get settled in at your hotel in Lanquín after a long day of travel. Enjoy the hotel's amenities and simply relax in your new setting. There is a nearby cave system that bats fly out of at night, if there's time for you to visit this evening on your own.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 5Lanquín
Visit the stunning natural monument of Semuc Champey today. These tiered turquoise pools have been formed by a limestone bridge over the Rio Cahabon. Afterwards return to Lanquín for free time to relax and do as you please for the remainder of the day.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Semuc Champey Visit
This beautiful natural monument is nestled within a lush, tropical jungle, adding to its scenic beauty and appeal. The location is renowned for its stunning series of turquoise pools formed by the Cahabón River flowing over a limestone bridge. This river disappears beneath the bridge and reemerges downstream, creating a unique geological phenomenon. Semuc Champey's "hidden river" combined with the picturesque pools and surrounding jungle make for a very captivating destination in Guatemala. Enjoy time here to explore and perhaps take a swim and cool off from the heat to make this an even sweeter adventure.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 6Lanquín/Panajachel
Head to the shores of Lake Atitlan with a stop to Chichicastenango Market along the way. This market is one of the largest and most authentic indigenous markets in the Americas, offering a glimpse into both Mayan culture and Guatemalan daily life. Enjoy time here to browse and shop before continuing on to Panajachel. Get settled and have dinner at your leisure.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the comfort of your private vehicle. There will be a stop along the way to the Chichicastenango Market to break up the long drive.
Chichicastenango Market Visit
Pack your patience as you set out for this famous market held Thursdays and Sundays in Chichicastenango, about an hour’s drive from Panajachel. Prepare for crowds, and keep your valuables hidden. Haggle is the word of the day – because there’s so much to buy. Shop for hammocks, painted wooden masks, hand-woven textiles, bags, baskets, belts and blouses. Go crazy taking photographs. “Chichi” is a riot of colour but also an important trading and religious centre for the local Maya.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 7Panajachel
Spend a full day boating out on Lake Atitlan with beautiful views of the surrounding volcanoes and small villages. This area is known for stunning scenery and great shopping for Mayan handicrafts. Take part in a cultural tour of San Juan la Laguna where you can opt to bargain for colourful textiles and paintings from the local artisans. Sit down for a delicious lunch made at a G Adventure-supported community initiative. Travel back to Panajachel in the early evening for free time and to relax after a day on the water.
San Juan La Laguna Village Visit
Visit the town of San Juan la Laguna and immerse yourself in the Tz’utujil culture for an afternoon. Focus on three different associations originating in San Juan la Laguna; textiles, medicinal plants, and paintings. See groups of women making textiles using natural dyes. Your guide will explain the dyeing techniques and observe the waist loom in action. Next, see how plants are used for their medicinal properties within these communities. Enjoy the sights of traditional paintings by local artists/painters who portray their traditional way of life, ceremonies, customs and traditions through large scale murals found throughout the town of San Juan la Laguna. Souvenirs/products from all points of this tour will be available for purchase if you'd like to bring something home and also support this village community.
Your G for Good Moment: Lake Atitlán Boat Ride and Community Visit
Get ready for spectacular views of the surrounding volcanoes and everyday life in a highland village. The people of this area are friendly and excited to greet travellers. Stop off in San Juan la Laguna, a G Adventures-supported village, for an included local Mayan lunch. Participate in a Mayan tree planting ceremony, providing insight into Mayan culture and beliefs.
Test your communication and bargaining skills in the colourful local markets, of which there are many. There are also a number of community Mayan weaving cooperatives that you may wish to visit. The proceeds from the sales return directly to the community and are a significant contribution to the local economy.
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 8Panajachel/Antigua
Leave Panajachel and Lake Atitlan behind as you travel to historic Antigua. Enjoy a CEO-led orientation walk of the downtown area before having free time to explore a bit more on your own.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Orientation Walk – Antigua
Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO. He/she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs. For more specific or in-depth information, an official guided tour is recommended.
Free Time
Enjoy a final evening in Antigua. Take photos, walk around the centre of town, book a cooking class, or perhaps attend an optional group dinner.
Optional Activities - Day 8 HideShow
Antigua Cooking Class
55USD per personLearn the tips and tricks to Guatemalan cuisine while joining a local cooking class. Try whipping up local staples before digging in to the fruits of your labour. Hope you're hungry!
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 9Antigua
Depart at any time.
Departure Day
Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.