Touching down in Guatemala City, we begin our cultural journey by browsing the stalls of one of the country's largest markets at Chichicastanengo, paying a visit to the nearby cathedral and mingling with the locals, who are reportedly the purest descendants of one of the world's greatest ancient civilizations; the Maya. Via traditional villages inhabited by friendly peoples who adhere to long-established, centuries-old customs and adorn themselves in the traditional dress of their ancestors, we set a course for Lake Atitlan, an incredibly picturesque body of water set against the backdrop of volcanoes and for the superlative Maya site at Iximche. We find evidence of the country's more recent past in the colonial architecture, palaces and cathedrals of Antigua and we end our adventure with a stop off in Tikal, perhaps the finest of Guatemalan Mayan sites, with temples and ruins dating from 500BC.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive in Guatemala City. Today we arrive in Guatemala City. Overnight in Guatemala City. Dinner if required.
Day 2: Guatemala City - Chichicastanengo. This morning we travel to Chichicastanengo where we visit the famous market. This is one of Guatemala's largest local markets with an impressive array of beautiful hand-woven textiles and crafts for sale. It is also possible to see the 400 year-old Cathedral of Santo Tomas where Catholic and pagan beliefs mingle as one. Overnight in Chichicastanengo. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 3: Chichicastanengo - San Catarina Palopo & San Antonio Palopo - Panajachel. Departing Chichi, we drive to Lake Atitlan and visit San Catarina Palopo and San Antonio Palopo, two traditional Kaqchikel villages on the south shores of the lake. Before the road was completed in 1980, access was only by boat or by footpaths. Overnight in Panajachel. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 4: Panajachel: Lake Atitlan. Our journey today takes us across the shimmering waters of Lake Atitlan, nestled beneath the three volcanoes of San Pedro, Atitlan and Toliman. When we visit Santiago de Atitlan you will notice the unusual headdresses that the locals wear which are called Tocoyal and consist of 12 metres/40 feet of material. This is easily the most beautiful and fascinating village on the lake, as well as the largest, with a population of almost 15,000 people if the outskirts are included. Overnight in Panajachel. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 5: Panajachel - Iximche - Antigua. This morning we travel to Antigua. We travel by bus through the spectacular volcanic landscape of Guatemala's western highlands to visit Iximche en route, an excellent Maya site which became a model of civic planning. Most of the buildings were erected around four large courtyards. There are also two smaller courtyards at Iximche that may have been used for religious ceremonies. Overnight Antigua. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 6: Antigua: Free Day. Today you are free to explore Antigua. Sit and relax in the Plaza de Armas, the central square, and enjoy the view of the Palace of the Captains General, the old City Hall and the remains of the Cathedral and Archbishop's Palace, excellent examples of Spanish colonial architecture. Overnight Antigua. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 7: Antigua - Guatemala City - Flores - Tikal Site Tour. Today we transfer to Guatemala City for our flight to Flores. On arrival we embark on a guided tour to experience the mystiques of Tikal, possibly the most magnificent of all Mayan sites. Here we discover ancient temples, pyramids and stone structures dating from 500 BC. The five great pyramids of Tikal give this ceremonial center a majestic grandeur unique among Maya cities. Overnight near Tikal. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 8: Flores - Guatemala City. Today we fly back to Guatemala City. Overnight in Guatemala City. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 9: Departure from Guatemala City. Breakfast. Buen Viaje!
Price Includes:
- Breakfast and dinner daily (hotels and local restaurants)
- All transport, sightseeing and entrance fees for sites noted as 'visited' in the detailed itinerary
- Gratuities for local guides, drivers, restaurant staff, hotel porters (if available)
- Airport transfers for land / air customers arriving / departing on tour dates.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
All pricing reflects per-person Land Only expenses, however, we can book flights from virtually every city.
Price Excludes:
- Tour Leader gratuity, lunches, drinks, personal items (phone, laundry, etc), departure taxes, domestic and international air taxes (if applicable)
- Airport transfers for early / late arrivals / departures or Land Only customers
- Optional trip cancellation insurance
- Our post-reservation trip notes offer further guidance on not included meal costs, shopping, and locally paid departure taxes.
Also see tour packages in:
Central America and Caribbean
Guatemala
Cultural Journey
Ecotourism
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