Guatemala - Itinerary
Day 1: Flores
On arrival at Flores, transfer to the Maya International Hotel for overnight stay. (B)
Day 2: Flores - Tikal - Guatemala City
A trip to the spectacular Tikal Mayan Site. Visit Tikal National Park, which covers 550 square kilometers, and is the Petén's most famous attraction. Within the 16 square kilometers that contain the ruins of this ancient Maya city, more than 3,000 structures have been discovered, including temples, palaces, ballcourts and a sauna. Visitors to Tikal stroll along trails through protected jungle from one building complex to another. Toucans, monkeys, coatis, Ocellated Turkeys, trogons, motmots and many other tropical animals are commonly sighted along the trails. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant. Afternoon transfer to Flores Airport for flight back to Guatemala City. Transfer to the hotel and overnight. (B,L)
Day 3: Chichicastenango - Lake Atitlan
Travel overland to Lake Atitlan via Chichicastenango famous for its huge open air market held every Thursday and Sunday and the 400 year old church of Santo Tomas. This is one of the most colourful events in Guatemala as this little town is the hub of the Maya-Quiche highlands and where you will see the magnificently woven costumes of the local indigenous Indian population. Overnight at Villa Santa Catarina or similar. (B)
Day 4: Lake Atitlan - Santiago - Antigua
Lake Atitlan is 1500 m above sea level and is surrounded by volcanoes. The light and the beauty of the surrounding mountains mean that the colour of the lake varies from lapis lazuli to emerald and azure. The villages around the lake are all named after the 12 apostles. Santiago is a boat ride away across the lake and is one of the prettiest and most traditional villages along the lakeshore. Overnight at Hotel Villa Colonial in Antigua. (B)
Day 5: Antigua
Morning walking tour of the city. Antigua Guatemala, founded in 1543, was the seat of Spanish colonial government for the Kingdom of Guatemala, which included Chiapas (southern Mexico), Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. For the first century or more of its existence the city did not live up to the pretentious official title, but it ultimately grew into the most important city in Central America, filled with monumental buildings of ornate Spanish colonial architecture. By 1773, in addition to the cathedral and government palace the city could boast of over 30 churches, 18 convents and monasteries, 15 hermitages and 10 chapels. According to many authors, Antigua Guatemala in its heyday, with a population of perhaps 60,000, was surpassed in the New World only by Mexico City and Lima. (B)
Day 6: Exit Flight
Breakfast in your hotel. Transfer to the Guatemala International Airport for your onward flight. (B)Key:
- B = Breakfast included
- L = Lunch included
- D = Dinner included