10 Days
Welcome to Guatemala! You will be amazed and truly astounded by the beauty, culture and diversity of wildlife and geographical locations during this once in a lifetime trip!
Let's go on an adventure!
Day 1
Arrival into Guatemala City, Guatemala. Head to the charming town of Antigua
Day 2
Enjoy a cultural walking tour of Antigua, head to a local coffee plantation for a delicious coffee sampling
Day 3
Head out on a full day trek to admire the fiery crater of Pacaya Volcano
Day 4
Visit Chichicastenango market and then head to the Lakeshore of Lake Atitlan and immerse yourself in the regions beautiful landscape
Day 5
Venture out to explore the colonial villages of San Juan and Santiago
Day 6
Immerse yourself in the local culture during a cooking class and weaving demonstration
Day 7
Relax and enjoy some time at leisure before flying to Flores in the Guatemalan jungle
Day 8
Take an exhilarating helicopter ride to explore the ruins of El Mirador
Day 9
Walk in the footsteps of the Mayans during an exploration of the ancient city of Tikal
Day 10
Depart Guatemala
With the help of our travel specialists, create a perfect trip planned around your specific interests, tastes and preferences. We will provide helpful tips and honest advice based on first-hand knowledge of the destination.
CONTACT US ABOUT THIS TRIPWelcome to Guatemala!
Travel to the charming town of Antigua and begin your Signature luxury journey.
Stroll through the city’s avenidas, plazas and cobblestone streets while admiring the beautiful ornately decorated churches and artisan workshops that align Antigua’s sidewalks. Walk to visit the city’s top landmarks like the Ayuntamiento (City Hall Palace); Palace of the Captain’s Genera; the main cathedral; and Santo Domingo, a well-known hotel and cultural center. Head to Hill of the Cross for an impressive panoramic view of the area.
Travel just outside the city to explore the Guatemalan countryside and enjoy a sampling of delicious coffee. This session is ideal for those passionate about coffee and anyone that wants to deepen their knowledge about aromatic coffee cupping.
Gain insight on the process of growing and cultivating coffee from start to when the coffee is served. Sit and let your senses take over as you sample the different varieties of coffee that Guatemala is famous for. Learn about the characteristics such a fragrance, aroma, flavor, acidity, and aftertaste.
Head out to discover the fiery crater of Pacaya Volcano during a full day trek.
A grumbling, smoke-belching spectacle, Pacaya Volcano (2,552 metres / 8,371 feet) beckons adventure-seekers with its breathtaking display of nature’s raw power. Travel by vehicle to Pacaya’s foothills and begin a steep hike through a lush pine forest.
A widening panorama unfolds on the way up, offering views of northern volcanoes, the Pacific lowlands and all the way to El Salvador. At the base of the peak itself, a barren moonscape of loose rock and pebbles greets you, adding tricky footing to the adventure. Steam rises from numerous vents, which sometimes yield a view of bright orange magma deep inside.
Take a minute to admire this majestic volcano and enjoy beautiful panoramic views before heading back down to enjoy a delicious gourmet picnic lunch.
Visit Chichicastenango market and then continue to the Lakeshore of Lake Atitlan and spend the day taking in the region’s beautiful landscape.
To fully experience the way of life at Chichicastenango market, you must understand the market’s culture. Families arrive from outlying villages aboard trucks and carts loaded with products from their farms and workshops. They stock their stalls with a dizzying assortment of merchandise while the family leader strikes deals with the vendors who will sell their goods. Explore the nearby streets to witness the daily routines of Chichi residents, wearing the traditional clothing worn by many of the local adults and children.
Although more than a dozen fascinating towns and villages overlook majestic Lake Atitlán, Santiago and San Juan La Laguna top the must-see list. In San Juan, watch indigenous weavers mix natural dyes from locally grown plants and flowers, and then see the women use a back-strap loom to create intricate textiles, thread by colorful thread.
From there, peruse a workshop of art naïf painters before boarding the boat for the cruise to Santiago. After a delicious lunch, head out with your guide to find the house of Maximón, the Mayan folk saint who moves annually with the selection of his new caretaker. A shaman may be performing a ritual for a local follower or two gathered at Maximón’s candle-lit altar. Afterward you can visit the church, learn about the town’s vivid history, and explore the thriving market to see some of the distinctive textiles and primitive art.
Spend a day immersing yourself in the local cuisine and learning traditional weaving techniques during a cultural workshop.
Join a local chef at the market to buy ingredients and to meet local vendors. Learn about the different variety of produce that are native to this region. Head to the kitchen where you will learn how to prepare local favorites. There is an incredible list of recipes that you can choose from, including vegetarian dishes. Spend the next couple of hours learning how to prepare three authentic Guatemalan dishes, and after enjoy the fruits of your labor.
Enjoy an interactive weaving demonstration during your visit to a local woman’s cooperative, where you will gain a deeper understanding of the Mayan culture.
Enjoy leisure time on the lake before heading back to Guatemala City for your flight to Flores.
There are a variety of water and nature activities that you can enjoy on and around the lake, including kayaking, canoeing, paragliding, mountain biking, horseback riding, birdwatching, and nature hikes.
Fly to Flores/Peten, to begin your exploration in the Guatemalan jungle.
Take an exhilarating helicopter ride to discover the Mayan ruins of El Mirador.
Worth the effort for adventurous travelers and history buffs, El Mirador is a truly ancient urban center that flourished almost a thousand years before Tikal had constructed its first pyramid. With an estimated population of close to 100,000 in 600 BC, it was one of the first megacities in the Americas.
Archaeologists who began excavating El Mirador (“The Viewpoint”) 30 years ago have basically rewritten early Mayan history based on their findings. The site is centered on three amazing temple pyramid sites, “El Tigre,” “Los Monos,” and “La Danta,” the last of which is one of the largest pyramids in the world.
Tikal National Park is where some 3,000 ancient structures rise from the rainforest floor. Enjoy a fascinating tour of the impressive UNESCO World Heritage Site. Experience the sights and sounds of tropical birds and animals, including howler and spider monkeys, that live in the jungle canopy.
Once home to an estimated 50,000 residents or more, Tikal flourished from 800 BC to 900 AD. Follow in the footsteps of Mayan royalty and commoners as you admire the majestic Great Plaza and its Temple of the Jaguar (44 meters / 144 feet), and Temple of the Masks (38m / 125ft).
Fly to Guatemala City.
Head to the airport for your departure flight from Guatemala.
With the help of our travel specialists, create a perfect trip planned around your specific interests, tastes and preferences. We will provide helpful tips and honest advice based on first-hand knowledge of the destination.
CONTACT US ABOUT THIS TRIP
