Escorted Group Tours

Map of Guatemala

MAYAN CULTURE AND CIVILIZATION IN GUATEMALA: (2 Week Tour) (click here for starting dates)

Day 1	ANTIGUA
pm	Arrive in Guatemala City and transfer to Spanish colonial capital, Antigua.
later	Welcome drinks and light snacks, followed by a short briefing.

Day 2	ANTIGUA-PACAYA VOLCANO
am	Take an informative walking tour through the cobbled streets of Antigua to discover about the history-soaked Spanish colonial architecture. On the walk you will visit: the Cathedral of San José; the Casa Popenoe, a superbly restored colonial house; several atmospheric ruins; and finish up at The Jade Factory. Don't forget your camera!

pm	Visit to the Hermano Pedro hospital built in 1680, a charity run by Franciscan priests to care for Guatemala's poor and abandoned. For those feeling a little more energetic, take a hike up one of Guatemala's most active volcanoes, Pacaya. Alternatively, simply relax and soak up the atmosphere of this cosmopolitan town in one of the many good cafés.

Day 3	ANTIGUA-SAN ANDRÉS ITZAPA
am	Rest, or take time to explore the fascinating and colorful city of Antigua. Why not visit Nimpo't, a museum/retail store with the world's largest collection of Mayan textiles. There are also dozens of gift, textile, and antique stores to tempt you, plus the kaleidoscopic outdoor market full of contemporary Mayan artisania.
pm	Visit the effigy of Maximon (also known as San Simón), the myth-drenched, immoral saint, who resides in a candle-lit pagan chapel in the village of San Andrés Itzapa. Local men and women sit around the saint and accompany him in his vices of smoking and drinking the popular aguardiente, or gut rotter, Quetzalteca!

Day 4	SURROUNDING VILLAGES OF SACATEPEPQUEZ
am/pm	Full-day tour exploring the Mayan villages of the region, including visits to macadamia and coffee plantations. Appreciate the fabulously fertile and breathtakingly beautiful countryside that surrounds Antigua. Also enjoy watching the animated film of Popul Vuh, the story of the creation of man and Mayan culture.

Day 5	BIOTOPO DEL QUETZAL-COBAN
am	Scenic drive to Coban, one of the lushest and little-visited regions of Guatemala. En-route visit the Biotopo del Quetzal, where you may be lucky enough to spot one of these spectacular and rare birds, the national symbol of Guatemala.
pm	Visit the Calvario church at sunset perched on a hill-top, before descending back to Coban for a traditional meal.

Day 6	SEMUC CHAMPEY-LANQUIN
pm	Drive to the natural wonder Semuc Champey, an extraordinary limestone bridge, and take a dip in over 40 pools of tranquil, turquoise water.
later	On the way back spend some time in Lanquin to see thousands of bats flying out of the cave at dusk.

Day 7	LANQUIN-FLORES-YAXHA
am	An exciting day is ahead as we take you to the Yaxha, on the back road from Lanquin. Yaxha is a seldom visited, ruined city on the Northern shore of the Yaxha Lake. Restoration has begun, but most of the ruins are yet to be cleared. Make sure not to miss the breathtaking view of the lagoon, and the forest canopy from the top of Temple 216. Arrive later to your hotel, to enjoy dinner while listening to yet more jungle sounds. Watch those monkeys!!

Day 8	TIKAL
am	Transfer on to the Tikal National Park, a protected area some 370 square kilometers situated on the edge of the Mayan biosphere reserve. It is home to hundreds of species including spider monkeys, toucans and parakeets. Enjoy a guided tour of the mystical, magnificent ruins of the lost Mayan world.
pm	After lunch, either return to the Park to investigate further, or head back to the hotel for a leisurely afternoon by the pool.

Day 9	GUATEMALA CITY-LAKE ATITLAN
am	Fly back to Guatemala City, and visit the relief map of Guatemala.
pm	Transfer on to Panajachel, the gateway to Lake Atitlan. Undoubtedly, this is one of the most spectacular lakes in the world, flanked by vast volcanoes and mountains. On the way enjoy a hearty lunch in the Pedregal Farmhouse, surprisingly unknown by tourists.

Day 10	PANAJACHEL
day	Free day to sunbathe, and relax. Alternatively, go and barter for more of the multi-colored Guatemalan handicrafts that line the streets of Panjachel.
later	Dinner and Margaritas at the Circus Bar in Panajachel!

Day 11	SANTA CRUZ LA LAGUNA-SANTIAGO-SAN ANTONIO
am/pm	Enjoy a one-day boat trip visiting some of the villages scattered around the shores of Lake Atitlan. This includes Santa Cruz La Laguna, and Santiago where you will visit a textile museum and learn about indigenous weavings.
Day 12	CHICHICASTENANGO
am/pm	Transfer to Chichicastenango to enjoy the K'iche Mayan market day. As well as offering an abundance of Guatemalan handicrafts to buy, it also provides a fascinating insight into local religious practices. A visit to the Santo Thomas church is a good example of how Mayan and catholic beliefs collide. For those that wish, take part in a Mayan fire ceremony at Pascual Abaj, a shrine located on one of the surrounding hills. Return back to Panajachel in the afternoon.

Day 13	ANTIGUA
am	Return to Antigua and spend the afternoon shopping for last minute souvenirs and gifts.
pm	Farewell presentation, drinks and dinner in one of Antigua's colonial restaurants.

Day 14	ANTIGUA-GUATEMALA CITY
am	Time to say goodbye, as you fly back to your country of origin.

Price Per Person in Double Room: £1795 ($2895)

Supplement for Single Room: £250 ($400)

Organize a group and come for free! click here for more details

What is included ?

All ground, air, water transport
All accommodation
Welcome drink and snack the first day
Briefing meeting the first day
Meals: All breakfasts, and one main meal a day (either Lunch or Dinner)
An expert English/Spanish speaking guide
Entrance fees to all scheduled visits and sites
All talks and lectures
Tips to porters
Small donations to some of the projects we may visit.
Local Tourism and sales taxes

What is not included?

Airline ticket into Latin America
Personal expenses
One lunch or dinner a day
Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
Any expenses for Doctor's fees, medicines etc..
Costs of souvenirs, gifts, and similar purchases
Guatemalan airport departure tax (USD 30.00)
Travel insurance
Tips to your driver and tour guides