Guatemala Tour: a Colorful Adventure in Central America (9 Days)

Itinerary

1. 1

   Guatemala City

   Welcome to Guatemala City! The largest city in Central America, it absorbed the trends of the new time, mixing them with traditional Latin American flavors. Arrive at any time and join your Trip Leader and the rest of the group for a welcome meeting followed by an optional dinner and get-together in one of the local restaurants. ­ • Accommodation : conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B in Guatemala City. • Activities : welcome meeting.

2. 2

   Guatemala City - Quirigua

   After a morning walking tour in Guatemala City, leave for Quirigua (UNESCO) - one of the most ancient Mayan cities in the world that contains some outstanding 8th-century monuments and an impressive series of carved stelae and sculpted calendars. Accommodation in a nearby hotel, optional dinner and get-together in one of the local restaurants. ­ • Transportation : private vehicle. • Accommodation : conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B near Quirigua. • Food & Drinks : breakfast. Activities: walking tour of the historic center of Guatemala City.

3. 3

   Quirigua Ruins - Castle of San Felipe de Lara - Finca el Paraiso

   After a guided visit to Quirigua Ruins go to the Castle of San Felipe de Lara (both - UNESCO) which was built in 1652 to keep pirates from looting the villages and commercial caravans of Izabal. Then move to Finca el Paraiso and enjoy its natural hot waterfalls. Accommodation in a nearby hotel, optional dinner, and get-together in one of the local restaurants. ­ • Transportation : private vehicle. • Accommodation : conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B near Finca el Paraiso. • Food & Drinks Included : breakfast. Activities: guided visits to Quirigua Ruins and Castle of San Felipe de Lara; visit to Finca el Paraiso hot waterfalls.

4. 4

   Finca el Paraiso - Flores

   After breakfast and a morning bath in the waterfalls, continue to Flores - a picturesque town on the island of Lago Petén Itzá, a base for exploring El Petén area and a stunning spot to recharge your energy. Check-in, walking tour around the town, free time to explore the area. ­ • Transportation : private vehicle. • Accommodation : conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B in Flores. • Food & Drinks : breakfast. • Activities : walking tour in Flores.

5. 5

   Flores - Tikal - Lanquin

   In the morning, after breakfast, go to Tikal (UNESCO) - one of the major sites of the Mayan civilization that lies in the middle of the jungle, surrounded by lush vegetation. In the afternoon, after an optional lunch, continue to Lanquin - a pretty village located in the deep valleys between the mountains, a perfect base to explore the wonderful cave system just out of town and as a jumping-off point for visiting the natural rock pools at Semuc Champey. Upon arrival: check-in, orientation walk, and free time to explore the area. ­ • Transportation : private vehicle. • Accommodation : conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B in Lanquin. • Food & Drinks : breakfast. • Activities : guided visit to Tikal; orientation walk in Lanquin.

6. 6

   Lanquin - Semuc Champey - Uspantán

   In the morning choose whether to sleep, explore nearby Lanquin Caves, swim in Salto del Cabro waterfalls, or tube down the Lanquin River. In the afternoon join the group at Semuc Champey - a stepped series of limestone pools with cool, flowing river water. Afterward, take one of the most picturesque roads in Guatemala that will bring you to Uspantán - a quiet and charming town in a stunning setting of a fertile valley at the base of green forested mountains. Accommodation, orientation walk, optional dinner, and get-together. ­ • Accommodation : a conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B in Uspantán. • Food & Drinks : breakfast. • Activities : orientation walk in Uspantán; visit to Semuc Champey.

7. 7

   Uspantan - San Jorge La Laguna

   In the morning continue to San Jorge La Laguna - a peaceful Maya village in the hills next to Lake Atitlán. Optional lakeshore hike and local villages tour followed by accommodation and dinner in Mayan homestay. ­ • Transportation : private vehicle. • Accommodation : Mayan homestay in San Jorge La Laguna. • Food & Drinks : breakfast. • Activities : lakeshore hike & local villages tour in the Lake Atitlán area.

8. 8

   San Jorge La Laguna - Pacaya Volcano - Antigua Guatemala

   In the morning, after breakfast, go to Pacaya Volcano - an active complex volcano of 2,552 meters that has erupted at least 23 times since the Spanish arrival in Guatemala. After an easy hike to the summit, continue to Antigua Guatemala (UNESCO) - a city in the central highlands famous for its well-preserved Spanish Baroque-influenced architecture as well as several spectacular ruins of colonial churches. Take an orientation walk with the rest of the group or explore this beautiful city by yourself. In the evening join an optional farewell dinner and get-together with the rest of the group in one of the local restaurants. ­ • Transportation : private vehicle. • Accommodation : conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B in Antigua Guatemala. • Food & Drinks : breakfast; 1x Street Food Tour (Antigua Guatemala). • Activities : Pacaya Volcano hike; walking tour in Antigua Guatemala.

9. 9

   Antigua Guatemala - Guatemala City

   Last day of our trip - depart at any time by a private taxi/group shuttle directly to the airport (40 km). ­ • Food & Drinks : breakfast.

Meeting point

• Your accommodation in Guatemala City (exact location to be provided in trip notes before the tour).
  7A Avenida, Ciudad de Guatemala
  View on Google Maps

Before you go

ACCOMMODATIONS : An exact list of accommodations is sent together with trip notes 2 weeks before the departure date. Most of the accommodations are centrally located, tourist-class, locally-owned properties with private facilities in each room (unless specified in the itinerary). We can arrange pre- and post-tour accommodations but not earlier than 2 weeks before the departure when we send you final trip notes. ROOM TYPES : • Single Room: Private room for 1 person with 1 individual bed (twin-size or similar). • Double Room: Private room for 2 people with 1 double bed (queen-size or similar). • Twin Room: Private room for 2 people with 2 individual beds (twin-size or similar). • Triple Room: Private room for 3 people with 1 double bed (queen-size or similar) and 1 single bed (twin-size or similar). • Quad Room: Private room for 4 people with 2 double beds (queen-size or similar). If none of the room types above fits you, please contact us and we will send you a personalized quote. TRANSPORT : The type of vehicle depends on the size of the group and may include car, 7-seater, minivan. PHYSICAL CONDITION : This tour involves a decent amount of walking and some hiking. Therefore, travelers should have moderate physical fitness conditions. ACTIVITIES : Participation in all activities is optional – just be sure to be in time for daily departures. AGE : Due to the required physical condition, the recommended age of participants in this tour is 12-69 years. However, potential participants outside of the above-mentioned age group can still participate upon request if (1) they are in good physical condition (2) that will allow them to cope with the pace of the group tour. FOOD : Meals and Gastronomic Experiences included in this tour can normally meet most of the common dietary restrictions. However, due to the active program of the tour and different menus in each place, satisfying a special diet or food preferences of a particular traveler will depend on circumstances and cannot be fully guaranteed. GROUP TOUR : Take a scheduled trip with other travelers. PRICE : * The price of the tour/person depends on the number of travelers and the room option you choose. COVID : Foreigners over 10 years of age must present proof of antigen or PCR test with negative result for COVID-19, no more than 3 days prior to the check point. Passengers over 12 years of age may also present proof of vaccination against COVID-19 or proof. (more info )

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