Signature Guatemala

You will arrive in the city of Antigua, the former capital of Guatemala. Three volcanos and coffee plantations provide a picturesque backdrop to this beautiful colonial city. Many of the buildings, including the famous Santa Catalina Arch and La Merced Church, are prime examples of Spanish Colonial and Baroque architecture and their pastel facades help to create a wash of colour across the city. Today is an arrival day and you are free to explore.

Today you will enjoy a private tour of Antigua, first exploring the city outskirts with a visit to San Juan del Obispo and Santa Maria de Jesus before returning to the city centre. San Juan del Obispo is a small village that’s home to the first catholic church in Guatemala while Santa Maria de Jesus sits under the slopes of Volcana Agua and has a central square with a 17th century temple at its centre. Back in Antigua City you will enjoy a street eats’ tour tasting local foods such as shucos (Guatemalan hotdogs) and chuchitos (corn dough pastries stuffed with chicken or pork).

Departing early, you will travel to the district of Tecpan, where you will find the pre-Columbian Maya ruins of Ixmche. At the site, you can explore a number of pyramid-temples, palaces and two Mesoamerican ballcourts.
From Ixmche, you will continue to Chichicastenago. The town is home to one of the largest open markets in the Americas and you can wander the stalls to buy souvenirs. Before departing Chichicastenago, you will visit Santo Thomas Church. Enroute to Panajachel you will stop at a local cornfield to discover how corn is harvested and take part in a tortilla making workshop. Your final stop, Panajachel is located in the Guatemalan Highlands on the shores of Lake Atitlan.

Enjoy a boat trip on Lake Atitlan to San Juan La Laguna Village and Santiago Atitlan, two small villages located on the opposite shores of the lake. San Juan La Laguna is home to the Tzutujil people and the locals maintain their ancestral traditions. In the village you will visit a coffee plantation to learn more about the process involved in producing 100% organic coffee. In Santiago Atitlan you will take a guided walk through the colourful alleys to the home of Maximon, a Maya God who represents the light and dark. At the house, local shaman perform rituals such as pouring liquor and burning cigarettes as tourists and locals bring their offerings to Maximon for his blessings.

Departing early from Panajachel, you will head to Guatamala City airport and to fly to Flores. You will travel to Laguna Yaxha, the site of an archaeological site with over five hundred structures and forty carved monuments, two ball courts and nine temple pyramids. Yaxha means ‘emerald-green water,’ an apt title due to the two lakes it’s located between. The area is also abundant with local flora and fauna, providing a habitat to howler, spider monkeys and a number of tropical birds. Your day will end watching the sunset over Yaxha Lake.

Today you will visit Tikal National Park. The park is home to several Maya ruins including the Great Jaguar of Tikal, the North Acropolis, The Lost World, the Central Acropolis and Temples I, II and III. While exploring the ruins with your own private guide, be on the lookout for local wildlife and birdlife. Tikal is also home to hummingbirds, toucan, parrots, coatis, howler monkeys, spider monkeys, crocodile, snakes and even the occasional jaguar.

You will fly back to Guatamala City from Flores and the remainder of your day is free to explore the city. Perhaps take the time to visit Centro Historico at the heart of the city. Here you can see the National Palace of Culture, the Metropolitan Cathedral, the National Congress, the Presidential House, the National Library and Constitution Plaza.

You will be transferred to the airport to fly to your next destination.