The Best of Guatemala

Description

Program

Day 1:
Guatemala City
Arrival at Guatemala City airport and transfer to the hotel. Possible free time according to the flight arrival time. Overnight.

Day 2:
Guatemala City - Lake Atitlán
Departure by boat to the village of Santiago Atitlán while admiring the three volcanoes that surround one of the 10 most beautiful lakes in the world. In Santiago we will visit the place of veneration of the Santo Maximón, an example of the mixture of pagan rites with the Catholic religion. Overnight

Day 3:
Lake Atitlán - Chichicastenango - Guatemala City - Flores
The morning is dedicated to visit the indigenous market of Chichicastenango where every Thursday and Sunday the inhabitants of the region gather to buy and sell fruit, vegetables, flowers, seeds, fabrics and crafts, making it the most colorful and picturesque market in Guatemala. We will also visit the local church of Santo Tomás, a place where the Maya-Quiché indigenous people celebrate their traditional rites. At the end we will continue towards the Guatemala city airport to take the internal flight towards Flores. Arrival in Flores and overnight.

Day 4:
Flores - Tikal
Departure to the Tikal National Park whose name means "Place of Voices", declared a Natural and Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. The majestic Mayan city is considered to be one of the largest and most monumental of all the sites discovered in the Mayan world. Guided tour of the most important squares, monuments and temples, also admiring the tropical forest, home of hundreds of exotic birds and a wide variety of wild animals. Overnight in Flores.

Day 5:
Flores - Verapaces - Cueva de Candelaria - Coban
Departure from Flores towards Verapaces, an area of north-central Guatemala which is characterized by numerous woods, waterfalls, natural pools and a great variety of flora and fauna. During the day we will visit the Candelaria Caves, a system of underground caves and rivers considered one of the largest and most impressive in Latin America. In addition to its speleological importance, this was a pilgrimage site of great importance for the Mayan civilization and is, today, a refuge for a great diversity of flora and fauna. In the afternoon arrival at Coban. Cobán is a mountainous city in the highlands of Guatemala. The mountains around Cobán are filled with evergreen forests, coffee plantations and freshwater streams. This idyllic setting makes Cobán a favorite place for nature lovers. Overnight in Coban.

Day 6:
Coban - Semuc Champey - Coban
Departure to the village of Lanquin from where we will start a 4x4 adventure to get to Semuc Champey. Semuc Champey is a natural bridge 300 meters long, on top of which there are pools of different shapes and sizes of crystalline water from springs, with depths from 1 to 4 meters. The Cahabón River flows under this bridge. At the end of the bridge the water from the tanks falls into the river forming a waterfall about 40 meters high. The color of the water in the pools changes throughout the year depending on the weather, the sun and other natural factors, a phenomenon that results in unique photos. Time to relax, take a bath in the natural pools and enjoy this paradise. Return to Coban and overnight.

Day 7:
Coban - Pacaya Volcano - Antigua
Departure for the visit of one of the most active volcanoes in the countries, located at 2,500 meters high (more than 8,000 feet): the Pacaya volcano. After walking along the paths of the volcanic sands with a splendid view of the three volcanoes of Agua, Fuego and Acatenango and having admired the unique vegetation of the place, we will reach the plateau from which it is possible to see the main crater of the volcano. Currently it is not possible to visit the crater for safety reasons, but if it is active, you will still be able to see the lava and some steam emanations produced by the heat of the Pacaya volcano. At the end continuation to the enchanting city of Antigua where we will stop for the overnight stay.

Day 8:
Antigua
Day dedicated to visit Antigua: walking in Antigua is like going back in time... stone streets, bougainvillea falling from ruined walls, colored walls with characteristic balconies, brick roofs, parks with fountains and a spectacular landscape at the slopes of the three volcanoes: Water, Fire and Acatenango. These are some of the reasons that make Antigua one of the most beautiful colonial towns in the Americas and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After visiting the main places in the center of Antigua we will head aboard a characteristic tuk tuk to "La Azotea" for a visit to the Mayan music museum and the finca de Café. Overnight in Antigua.

Day 9:
Antigua
Free morning at disposal to explore the city and transfer to the airport according to the flight departure time.

Price includes

- Convenient private transport
- Option with guide in english from day 2 to 8. Notes: guide change in the Peten region
- Daily breakfast
- Lunch in Tikal
- Tickets to Antigua (Cathedral, La Merced, Iglesia San Francisco Church), Tikal archaeological site, Candelaria and Semuc Champey, Pacaya volcano
- Private boat to Santiago Atitlan
- Ticket domestic flight Guatemala City / Flores

Price does not include

- Personal expenses
- Tips for guide, driver, waiter etc.
- Food and drinks not mentioned
- Tickets for places not mentioned
- Security tax not included

Itinerary

Accommodations provided in each place

To be advised