The Best Of Guatemala

Itinerary

Day 1 Guatemala City/Antigua

Arrive at La Aurora International airport where you will be greeted and transferred by a representative to Antigua Guatemala.

Day 2 Antigua (B)

Antigua is located just 48kms from the capital. This is a city full of architecture and history, recognised in 1979 as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The beautiful Agua, Fuego and Acatenango volcanoes are silent guardians of Antigua's streets and buildings. Once the third largest city in all of Spanish America, Antigua served as Guatemala's capital city for more than 200 years until it was destroyed by an earthquake in 1773. In 1979 UNESCO declared Antigua a World Heritage site, and Antigua today is a peaceful colonial city that is a pleasure to explore. Walk through quiet cobblestone streets past rebuilt stucco homes with heavy, beautifully carved wooden entrances. The point of reference for finding one's way around Antigua is the Central Park, and the place to be in the late afternoons/evenings. You can pick up a map from the tourist office located on the ground floor of the Palace of the Captains-General on the south side of the central park. Explore the museums, colonial buildings and soak up the atmosphere in this delightful city, one of the best-restored Spanish colonial cities in the world.Antigua has various specialties that make shopping here very worthwhile. Textiles sold here and in the nearby towns are of the highest quality, beautifully designed and woven on foot looms or the more traditional back-strap loom. Jade, in carved statues and jewellery, is sold in several factories and shops in town and silver jewellery is sold in the better shops and also in a silver factory in nearby San Felipe de Jesus. The city also offers good buys in ceramics and antiques as well. For the museum and gallery buffs, one of the best in the Central America is found in the Hotel Casa Santo Domingo. It houses colonial religious, contemporary Latin American and pre-Colombian art pieces. These form only part of the galleries and museums of the 5-star Hotel Santo Domingo, formerly a Dominican monastery.Antigua is a popular centre for Spanish study, and here you will find dozens of schools and a collection of students from around the globe. Because of the international population, there is no shortage of restaurants, bars and activities available in Antigua. You’d have to try very hard to get bored!There are also plenty of fun day trips available from Antigua, one of the most popular being a climb of still-smoking Pacaya Volcano.

Day 3 Panajachel (B)

Morning transfer from Antigua to Chichicastengo, located 40 kms from Atitlan. In Chichicastengo visit the incredible and colourful indigenous open air market of the country, and be witness of religious rituals at Santo Tomas Church, which has splendid colonial architecture, built in 1540. During the afternoon tramsfer to Panajachel, one of the villages located on the shores of Lake Atitlan, considered as one of the most beautiful lakes in the world, it has three magnificent volcanoes as a backdrop.Panajachel is a relatively modern town with paved streets in its centre and a great deal of old world flavour and charm. The best way to see Panajachel is on foot, but pay attention to where you’re going as there aren’t any street signs. Visit the old churches and explore the back streets to see the more traditional side of Panajachel. You’ll have the opportunity to visit the villages on the lake by boat, departing in the mornings and returning in late afternoon. Get ready for spectacular views of the surrounding volcanoes, and everyday life in a highland village. The people of this area have received tourists for some time, and are friendly and ready to smile at strangers as readily as they will at a life long friend. The area is also ideal for outdoor pursuits like swimming, fishing, wind surfing, hiking, bird watching, kayaking, and horseback riding.Note: Please dress conservatively when visiting the villages and refrain from photographing religious ceremonies, or individuals who do not wish to be photographed.

Day 4 Panajachel (B)

Transfer this morning to enjoy a boat trip across the beautiful Atitlan Lake. Here you have an incredible view of three volcanoes; Toliman, San Pedro and Atitlan. Visit Santiago, where you will learn about the culture of the local people, famous for its women weavers and their traditional clothes.

Day 5 Quetzaltenango (B)

Transfer to Quetzaltenango, a beautiful colonial city located in Guatemala's High plateau. It sits in a large valley surrounded by volcanoes and hills. Visit to Zunil and Almolonga. Zunil is famous for its colourful weavings, made using pre-Hispanic techniques, with rich colours and designs that portray objects from the surrounding areas. Almolonga is a fertile land valley, known for its vegetables and fruits cultivated on small parcels.

Day 6 Quetzaltenago/La Demnocracia/Guatemala City (B)

Transfer from Quetzaltenango to the South Coast to visit La Democracia Archaeological Site. Here you will find a complete collection of gigantic stone heads, as remains of the Olmeca culture. During the afternoon, transfer to Quetzaltenango, the country’s second most important city. Quetzaltenango is full of history, located in Guatemala’s high plateau, it is surrounded by volcanoes and high peaks. In the afternoon transfer to Guatemala City.

Day 7 Peten/Ciebal (B,L)

Transfer from the hotel to the airport and fly to Flores, Peten, this flight takes only 45 minutes. In Santa Elena Airport, our representative will kindly assist and transfer you to take a boat for a visit of Ceibal Archaeological site, known as “The Mayan Art Gallery” for its fine and well preserved Mayan Stelas. Here you will also admire the unique Tolteca, a circular structure found in Guatemala.

Day 8 Tikal (B,L)

Transfer from the hotel to visit Tikal's national park, which has revealed more than 3,000 Pre–Hispanic constructions of temples, plazas, sanctuaries and ceremonial platforms. The tour visits the most important areas: Central Plaza, Northern and Central Acropolis, Temples I, II, III and V, Complexes N-Q-R, Lost World Complex, etc.The sheer scale of the ruins at Tikal may at first seem daunting. Even if you make it only to the main plaza, or spend an hour relaxing in deep contemplation, you certainly won't be disappointed. The central area, with its five main temples, forms by far the most impressive section. If you start to explore beyond this you can wander endlessly into the maze of smaller structures and outlying complexes hidden in the jungle growth. If your energy levels are high enough to make it to the top of Temple IV, your senses will be stimulated. Spectacular views of the surrounding jungle canopy will greet you from the top of the highest structure within the complex. Occasionally, you may spot toucans, macaws and other bright birds from this artificial perch within the greenery. Otherwise, you may simply marvel at the engineering and organizational skills needed to construct this city within the jungle.

Day 9 Rio Dulce (B)

Transfer from Flores to Rio Dulce. This river is the link between the Caribbean Sea and Izabal Lake; it stretches along 42km and ends on Amatique Bay.Rio Dulce is a popular destination for yachts cruising from the Lake to the Caribbean coast along the Rio Dulce. There are plenty of opportunities for R&R aside from boating on Lake Izabel. There are optional tours in the area to view protected howler monkeys at dawn by kayak, or you may opt to horseback ride through a rubber plantation. Cruise along Lake Izabel to relax in the thermal springs or hike through the jungle-strewn trails in the Chocón-Machacas Natural Reserve area.

Day 10 Rio Dulce (B)

Enjoy a boat trip across Rio Dulce. Visit San Felipe Castle, a historical monument that was built during the 16th Century to prevent attacks from pirates. Continue to Livingston and visit the Chocon Machacas wildlife reserve.

Day 11 Quirirgua/Guatemala (B)

Transfer from Rio Dulce to visit Quirigua Archaeological Site. Founded during the Late Pre-Classic period, it contains the largest stelaes ever discovered in the Mayan world. It is one of the smallest Mayan cities, yet one of the most notable due to its splendid series of monuments. Nine stelaes are arranged around the central plaza, accompanied by altars carved into zoomorphic shapes. The largest one, Stelaes E, is 8m tall. In the afternoon transfer to Guatemala City.

Day 12 Guatemala (B)

Transfer from hotel to airport for departure.

Trip Details

Accommodation	Comfortable hotel (11 nts)
Brochure Notes	Blackout Dates: Apr 05/09 - Apr 12/09, Dec 24/09 - Dec 31/09, Mar 28/10 - Apr 05/10, Dec 24/10 - Dec 31/10
Departure	Daily
Group Size	Minimum 2 passengers
Meals Included	11 B, 2L
StartFinish	ex Guatemala City
Transport	Bus or Van, Boat, Local Flight

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