Maya Magic

You will be met upon arrival at Guatemala City Airport by your guide and driver and transferred about an hour to the colonial town of Antigua. You will receive a welcome pack that includes trip notes and general information on the destinations in Guatemala, including restaurant and shopping recommendations. Once in Antigua, you can relax in a beautiful colonial boutique hotel.

Lodging: El Convento

This morning, you’ll be met at your hotel by your guide, and you will have a choice of either an Antigua walking tour or an "As Green As It Gets" (AGAIG)  coffee tour. The Antigua city tour provides you with a behind-the-scenes look at some of the many churches, convents, and cathedrals, such as the Iglesia San Francisco, the Cathedral, Central Park, and La Merced Church. Visit various other monuments, museums, and attractions. Alternatively, the coffee tour supports a local charity called "As Green As It Gets," which independently produces and promotes environmentally responsible agriculture in Guatemala. During the tour, you will visit some of the families supported by this organization. You will help the coffee farmers in their daily coffee processing, before sampling the coffee yourself. Your guide will accompany you back to the hotel or take you to a recommended restaurant. The rest of the day is free to explore on your own.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Lodging: El Covento

This morning, you will be met by your driver and transferred to Guatemala City Airport, where you will board the morning flight to Flores, Petén. Once in Flores, your driver will transfer you to the Aguateca site. A trip to Aguateca means an exciting full day adventure combining nature and archaeology. We drive down for about two hours until we reach the river port town of Sayaxché on the Rio Pasion. Here you board a boat for the one hour trip downstream to the ruins of Aguateca, capital of the dynasty founded in 645 AD by a prince from Tikal. It is a fortified Maya city overlooking the river, while surrounded by steep escarpments and a sheer sided 200 ft. depp chasm. After a long day of adventure, we transfer back to our hotel.

Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: Camino Real Tikal

Today you will travel to Tikal National Park, where you can enjoy a private guided tour of this fabulous site, known for its huge temples rising up through the jungle canopy. The park is home to a large variety of tropical animals and birds. Some of the species you may observe today include the howler monkey, the spider monkey, and a plethora of tropical birds. Enjoy lunch today at the Jaguar Inn Hotel. Explore the park’s museum before transferring back to your hotel for the evening.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Lodging: Camino Real Tikal

This morning you will fly to Guatemala City, where you will be met by your driver and transferred to the famous Maya site of Iximché for a guided tour. Iximché was the capital of the Kakchiquel Maya. The archaeological site sits atop a fortified hilltop surrounded by a moat about nine feet deep. The Kakchiquel Maya were powerful warriors and skillful builders. The stucco faces of many stone structures are still intact. It is thought that Iximché was founded in the year 1470 AD and throughout the life of the city were always the bitter enemies of the Quiché Maya. The first Spanish settlement on Guatemalan soil was in Iximché. After touring this fascinating site you can enjoy a traditional lunch in a local restaurant before continuing on to Lake Atitlan and your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Lodging: Hotel Atitlan

Today you will be transferred to San Juan La Laguna village where you will visit a local textile cooperative to see the back strap loom in use and how natural dyes are still used, as well as the home and workshop of a local naif painter before boarding a boat to go to Santiago village for lunch. After the meal, you and your guide will find the house where the Maya God Maximon is living and have a ceremony performed if we wish. We can also see the local church and market to learn about the history and tradition of this town. When you're ready, head back to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Lodging: Hotel Atitlan

In the morning, drive an hour to reach Chichicastenango. While driving through the central highland region, see local Maya people in their traditional dress going about their daily lives. Upon arrival at Chichicastenango, your guide will take you to explore the famous market, as well as a craft area where we can appreciate beautiful textiles, wooden and ceramic crafts. You will also visit the famous St. Tomas Church where local Maya people come to perform Maya rituals. If you would like, hike up the hill to the Pascual Abaj ritual site to see if any local shamans are performing rituals. After having lunch in Chichicastenango, you may decide to continue exploring before heading back to Antigua.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Lodging: El Convento

Today you will be transferred to the Guatemala City Airport to catch your onward flight.

Meals: Breakfast