Guatemala is home a variety of gorgeous bodies of water throughout all of the country. Many of these majestic waters remain pristine, untouched and are deemed sacred. Be it the all natural turquoise water pools in the North, the splashing waves of the Pacific Ocean upon the volcanic sand beaches of Monterrico, or the mystical water of Laguna Chicabal, Guatemala’s waters are sure to delight and satisfies one desire to experience aquatic beauty. Not only will you experience the beauty and magic of the natural world but also the enchanting and captivating culture of the Mayan people and their sacred rituals.
Brief Itinerary: Day 1: Guatemala city airport - Antigua. Day 2: Antigua - Lanking. Day 3: Lanking - Semuc Champey. Day 4: Semuc Champey - Monterrico Beach. Day 5: Monterrico Beach. Day 6: Monterrico Beach - Antigua. Day 7: Antigua- Laguna Chicabal. Day 8: Laguna Chicabal- Antigua. Day 9: Antigua – Mixco Viejo. Day 10: Antigua - End in Guatemala City to take you to the airport. Tour Itinerary: Day 1: Guatemala City airport - Antigua We will meet you at the airport and from there drive 45 minutes to the picturesque colonial town of Antigua complete with traditional Spanish architecture and cobblestone streets. Depending on your arrival time we can head to a local restaurant to experience authentic Guatemalan cuisine. Day 2: Antigua - Lankin At 8:00 am we will pick you up at your hotel and head to Coban. In this city we are going to stop for lunch and you can taste a traditional dish of the region, Kak Ik, a seasoned turkey soup that is served with Tamalitos de Chipiling which are a smaller version of the tamales made with maiz. After lunch we will continue for 3 more hours finally arriving in Lankin with an ETA of 5:00pm. Lankin is a village only 45 minutes from Semuc Champey where will be staying to eat dinner. Day 3: Lanking - Semuc Champey We will eat breakfast in the hotel at 7:00 AM so we are ready to start our jouney into Semuc Champey. We will be driving in a 4x4 vehicle and should arrive in Semuc Champey at 9:00 AM. We will then begin our 50 minute hike to El Mirador where will have a stunning view of the entire park, allowing us to appreciate the river Cahabon that feeds into the majestic turquoise water pools of Semuc Champey. After this amazing vista from El Mirador we will begin our descent down towards the pool. Here we can relax and swim in these pristine waters. After our time in the pools we are going to have lunch outside from the park and get ready for the next adventure: Canvas Caves. Our guide will provide us with a candle to guide us through an exhilarating two hour adventure exploring the caves and all of its natural beauty, including the bats. To finish our adventure on the river Cahabon we will take a 30 minute tubing trip as we float down the river and gaze up at the plush tropical forest surrounding us. Our driver will be waiting for us at the end of the trip and we will head back to the hotel in Lankin where you will have the rest of the day of to explore the village. Day 4: Lanking-Monterrico Beach After a delicious breakfast at 8:00am we will be driving towards Monterrico beach. We will make a stop for lunch in Guatemala City where you can appreciate both the historical and modern life of one of Central American’s most important and influential cities. After lunch we will continue our trip to Monterrico with an ETA of 5:00 pm. After a long day of traveling you can relax, watch the sunset from the pool and sip on a cool beverage at one of the best hotels in the area. Day 5: Monterrico Beach The schedule for today is free, giving you your independence to explore the streets, beaches, culture and of course the food of Montericco, Day 6: Monterrico Beach-Antigua This morning we will have breakfast as a group at 8:00 am so we can be on the road at 9:00 to start our two hour drive to Antigua. Upon our arrival in Antigua we will check in to the hotel, leave our bags and get ready for our walking tour of the town. During this tour you will see all of major points on interest of this enchanting beautiful town which has preserved its colonial charm. For lunch we are going to one of the most famous Guatemalan restaurants so you can try a variety of traditional foods. After our meal we will drive up to Cerro La Cruz where we will have a stunning view of the entire city and the surroundings volcanoes. The rest of the afternoon is free allowing you to further explore all that Antigua has to offer: culture, food, architecture, and of course shopping. Day 7: Antigua- Laguna de Chicabal Mayan Sanctuary Today we will be rising early as we need to hit the road at 6:00 am to start our drive to Laguna de Chicabal. We will stop at 9:00 am for breakfast in Xela and then continue on for two and a half more hours until we reach the host house. We will be leaving the van with this host family as we camp for the night so we must be sure to take all of our gear with us: tents, sleeping bags, food, water, headlamps, a change of clothes or any personal items. We will then begin a 90 minute hike allowing us to test our strengths on this steep trek towards the base of the Chicabal Volcano where will take a break before starting our ascent to the top. An hour and half a later will wil reach the top of Chicabal Volcano where there is the gorgeous untouched lagoon of Chicabal, which is protected and preserved under Guatemalan law since 1956. At this place we will be able to observe traditional Mayan rituals, providing us with an inside look into the customs of this unique and well preserved culture. Meanwhile we will setup camp and prepare the dinner we are providing you. This lagoon is sacred and protected meaning we cannot touch or disturb it, fish from it, swim in it, or utilize it in any way other than appreciating its beauty. Day 8: Chicabal – Antigua We will wake up with the sun at our campsite, eating a hardy breakfast at 7:00 am and breaking down camp to prepare for our descent. We should be arriving back at our van around 10:00 am and then heading to Xela for lunch at 1:00. After lunch we will drive for three more hours, arriving finally in Antigua, with an ETA of 6:00 pm. Then we will drop you off and the hotel and you will have the rest of the evening free. Day 9: Mixco Viejo Breakfast will be in the hotel or a local café this morning, and everyone needs to be ready to leave at 9:00 am. We will pick you up and start our two hour drive to Mixco Viejo, the ancient capital of the Poqomam Kingdom built in the 12th century. This city was conquered and destroyed by Pedro de Alvarado in the year 1525. Here we will see the impressive architecture and construction of temples, palaces and two 12th century football courts. A lunch box will provided for you. Around 2:00 pm we will head back to Antigua, giving you the rest of the late afternoon and evening to relax and enjoy. Day 10: Antigua – Guatemala City Three hours before your flight we will be arriving at the hotel to assist in checking you out and then driving you to the airport for the departure. Notes: Price Includes:
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