GUATEMALA IN A GLANCE AND TIKAL
No trip to Guatemala would be complete if you don't visit Tikal. On this tour you get the best of Guatemala: Antigua, Chichicastenango, Panajachel, Lake Atitlan and Tikal.
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.
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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.
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DAY 3
Antigua – Chichicastenango - Panajachel (Lake Atitlán)
Guatemala is so diverse that in 2 hours away from Antigua we reach Chichicastenango, home of the largest outdoor market in the Americas. 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. 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 Lake Atitlán and spend the overnight in Panajachel.
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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, which is the largest, famous for the paintings from local people and the controversial wooden god Maximón. On our way back to Panajachel we will visit San Antonio Palopó. Later in the afternoon we drive back to Guatemala City, with a brief stop at Antigua Guatemala.
Overnight in Guatemala City.
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DAY 5
Panajachel - Guatemala - Flores - Tikal
The flight to Flores departs early in the morning, upon arrival you will be transferred to Tikal National Park. Tikal is also referred as the New York of the Mayan Civilization, it´s 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.
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DAY 6
Tikal - Flores
Enjoy this day to relax, visit the museums, explore the jungle, you can also visit Tikal on your own or choose from one of our optional tours. Later in the afternoon our minivan will drive you back to Flores to spend the night there.
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DAY 7
Flores - Guatemala
After an early flight back to Guatemala City, a van and a guide will be ready for you to take a city tour. Our city was built in the late eighteenth century and still retains the urban-architectural features of the Spanish cities. However, it also has contemporary architecture reflected on its hotels, office buildings and shopping complexes, clustered in different areas. At the end of the tour, our driver will take you back to your hotel where you will have the rest of the afternoon free.
Overnight in Guatemala City.
DAY 8
Departure Guatemala
According to your flight schedule, our minivan will take you to the airport.
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