Guatemala Balam

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1:

  D1 GUATEMALA IN

  

  Airport reception and transfer to the hotel Accommodation

• day 2:

  D2 GUATEMALA-IXIMCHE-PANAJACHEL

  

  Breakfast Departure for the discovery of the Iximché site, the former capital of Cakchiquel and subsequently, the first capital of the Spanish kingdom of Goathemala. Transfer to Panajachel. Arrival and accommodation at the hotel.

• day 3:

  D3 PANAJACHEL-SAN JUAN LA LAGUNA

  

  Breakfast Boat excursion to discover San Juan la Laguna located around the Atitlan lake. We will cross the lake to visit San Juan La Laguna, little tzutuhil town where we will be in touch with several Indians associations ( painters, weaving, medicinal trails plantation, coffee farmers). Arrival and accommodation at homestay

• day 4:

  D4 SAN JUAN LA LAGUNA-CHICHICASTENANGO-ANTIGUA

  

  Breakfast Boat trip to Panajachel, then transfer to Chichicastenango, this small village has long been the hiding place of one of the greatest treasures of Guatemala, the Popol Vuh, bible of the Quiché Indians. Visit of the Church of Santo Tomás, where we observe the syncretism of both the Catholic religion and the Mayan ceremonies. Walk in the market. Shooping time Departure to Antigua. Arrival and accommodation at the hotel

• day 5:

  D5 ANTIGUA

  

  Breakfast Antigua was founded at the beginning of the 16th century. The charm of this colonial city, which articulates its streets in a checkerboard pattern according to the canons of the Renaissance and former capital of Guatemala has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979. Visit of the Santa Clara convent founded in 1699, largely destroyed by earthquakes. The cathedral, surrounded by the old government buildings, the Palace of the Captains General built in 1549 and the Town Hall. San Francisco Church where Brother Pedro de Bethancourt, a venerated figure of the Franciscans, rests. Visit of the magnificent convent of Santo Domingo restored into a luxury hotel and its 5 museums including the very beautiful colonial museum. Visit of the church and convent of La Merced and its baroque facade, and finally the San José cathedral and its majestic facade. Discovery of a jade workshop, the sacred stone of the Mayas.  Overnight

• day 6:

  D6 ANTIGUA-VOLCAN PACAYA-ANTIGUA

  

  Breakfast Departure to San Vicente Pacaya for the ascent of the Pacaya volcano, active since 1960 and culminating at 2500 m altitude. Possibility of seeing lava flows. Descent and return to Antigua.  Overnight

• day 7:

  D7 ANTIGUA-BIOTOPO DEL QUETZAL-COBAN

  

  Breakfast Departure to Ranchitos del Quetzal Nature Reserve, where you might observe several species of colorful birds. This is the special place occupied by the national bird of Guatemala "el Quetzal". Its humid climate favors the growth of lush tropical vegetation. Continue to Coban. Arrival and accommodation at the hotel

• day 8:

  D8 COBAN-SEMUC CHAMPEY -COBAN

  

  Breakfast Departure to Semuc Champey, located 11 km south of Lanquín, in a valley with steep walls, and surrounded by tropical rainforests. There are several natural pools of different sizes, filled with crystal clear spring water. Return to Coban. Overnight

• day 9:

  D9 COBAN-FLORES

  

  Breakfast Road to Cuevas de Candelaria, caves from the Mayan period. Ancient natural site seat of Mayan rituals nestled in the heart of the jungle. Continuation to Flores. Arrival and accommodation at the hotel.

• day 10:

  D10 FLORES-TIKAL-FLORES

  

  Breakfast Departure to visit the archaeological site of Tikal in the heart of a thick jungle, where jaguars, anteater pumas, howler monkeys and snakes live.  Return to Flores. Overnight  

• day 11:

  D11 FLORES-YAXHA-RIO DULCE- LIVINGSTON

  

  Breakfast Departure to the archaeological site of Yaxha. Third largest Mayan site in Guatemala, this park overlooks Lake Yaxha and houses the ruins of ancient Mayan cities. There are 400 structures naturally protected by the forest. Transfer to the Atlantic coast of the country. Boat trip to the Garifuna village. Arrival and accommodation at the hotel

• day 12:

  D12 LIVINGSTON-RIO DULCE -QUIRIGUA -ANTIGUA

  

  Breakfast Boat trip to Rio Dulce then departure by bus to QUIRIGUA, a city well known for its famous Mayan stelae, similar in their sculptures to the Copan style but more geometric. Departure to Antigua. Arrival and accommodation at the hotel

• day 13:

  D13 Antigua

  

  Breakfast Day at leisure Overnight

• day 14:

  D14 ANTIGUA-GUATEMALA OUT

  

  Breakfast Transfer to the International airport