GUATEMALAN HIGHLANDS & TIKAL
A visit to Guatemala would not be complete without visiting Tikal. Tikal is often referred as the New York of the Mayan World. Experience the sounds of a rainforest, and admire the best of the Mayan World.
DAY 1
Guatemala – Antigua
Airport Pick up. Transfer from Airport in Guatemala City to Antigua Guatemala, town known for its beauty and tranquility, declared in 1979 as a world heritage site by UNESCO.
We will spend the overnight in Antigua.
​
DAY 2
Antigua
After a nice breakfast at your hotel, we invite you to enjoy a walking tour around Antigua. This Spanish style town is famous for the unique architecture that was inherited from the colonial years. Government buildings, churches, convents and houses had stood the test of time, and give us their history narrated by one of our local guides. For over 232 years this town was the center of the Americas, where the first university on this side of the world was founded .
There will be leisure time in the afternoon and will spend the overnight in Antigua.
​
DAY 3
Antigua – Chichicastenango - Panajachel (Lake Atitlán)
This day you will get the experience of going to a place that hasn't lost its essence through the years: a unique and colorful market is waiting for you. This is a place where you can put your bargaining skills to the test. The market is held only on Thursdays and Sundays, and people from the surrounding towns gather on the central plaza of Chichicastenango, located between the town's two main churches. This plaza is full o color, flowers, handicrafts, wood work, textiles, and souvenirs unique in their design, but you also find people praying to their ancestors doing rituals inside the church, with their ceremonial suits. Chichicastenango is also famous because it is the place where the Popol Vuh, the Mayan religious book that recounts the origin of mankind, was found. In the afternoon, we will go to Panajachel and spend the overnight there.
​
DAY 4
Lake Atitlán
This lake is often called “The most wonderful lake in the world”. A massive explosion on the crater of an old volcano caused the origins of this lake, and with time three volcanoes grew around it: Tolimán, Atitlán and San Pedro, creating this magnificent view. An immense hole was left in the earth's crust, making Atitlán one of the world's deepest lakes. The tour today will consist of a boat tour visiting 3 main towns: San Pedro la Laguna, Santiago Atitlán and San Antonio Palopó. Later in the afternoon we return to Panajachel and will spend there the overnight.
​
DAY 5
Panajachel - Guatemala - Flores - Tikal
After breakfast, our minibus will drive us back to Guatemala City. On the way, we will have a short stop in Antigua. When will then arrive on the city to catch our afternoon flight to Flores. Upon arrival we drive towards Tikal.
Overnight in Tikal.
​
DAY 6
Tikal
Early in the morning we will explore Tikal, the largest and most important city of the Mayan Civilization. This protected area features attractions such as the Great Plaza, anchored by the Temple of the Jaguar, the Temple of the Masks, and Temple IV, Tikal's tallest temple. In 1979 UNESCO declared Tikal as Heritage of Humanity due to its unique value in the extraordinary and abundant natural and cultural assets that it provides.
We will have leisure time in the afternoon and spend the overnight in Tikal.
​
DAY 7
Tikal - Flores - Guatemala
Early in the morning we head back to Flores Airport to catch our flight to Guatemala City. The flight leaves at 8:30 in the morning and arrives in Guatemala at approximately 9:20 AM. This schedule is ideal for those who have reservations on a flight back home from 12:00 hrs onward. If your flight departs the next day we can add an overnight stay in a Hotel in Guatemala upon request.
​