Guatemala, heart of the Mayan World

Arrival at Guatemala City International Airport "La Aurora".

Transfer from the airport to your hotel by private transport and check-in at your hotel.

Head for the department of Alta Verapaz whose mountainous landscapes are covered with mist, waterfalls and lush forests.

Visit to a coffee cooperative made up of small producers from the Q'eqchi ethnic group in the heights of Cobán. A member of the community accompanies visitors to the plantation and explains the history of coffee in Guatemala, the production and roasting processes.

Continuation to Cobán, capital of the Alta Verapaz region located at 1300 meters above sea level. The name of the city comes from the Quek'chi Indian "between the clouds".

Option included: entrance to the Coffee Cooperative

Head north to the Alta Verapaz to explore the Caves of Candelaría. The main gallery measures almost 22 kilometres and there are 60 kilometres of secondary networks, making up one of the largest underground networks in Latin America. Excursion of 1h30 to discover a part of the network that the Maya considered as an entrance to the infraworld of Xibalba.

Continuation to Flores in the heart of the Petén.

Option included: Entrance and excursion to the caves of Candelaria.

Day dedicated to the exploration of the impressive city of Tikal built in the 4th century BC. The city reached its peak between the 3rd and 9th centuries AD.

Some 3,000 structures rise from the rainforest in a mystical atmosphere. The temple of the great jaguar faces the temple of the masks in the main square, the nerve centre of the city. At 65 metres high, the Snake Temple was the highest building in the New World until the 19th century.

Nature is not to be outdone, engulfing the traveller who enters the reserve. You can watch for spider monkeys, pheasants, coatis, toucans and other colourful parrots. The cries of howler monkeys can be heard for miles around. The smell of creepers and roots surprises the traveller.

In 2017, new research techniques uncovered temples still buried in the jungle. Tikal has not finished revealing all its mysteries...

Transfer to Flores located on a peninsula of the Peten Itza lake.

Option included: local English speaking guide in Tikal.
Option included: Tikal entrance.

Departure for Yaxha, "green water" in Mayan language. The city is located on the shores of Lake Yaxha, which was used to supply the Mayan population with fresh water. Walk on the marked paths of this large and little frequented site. Don't miss the view of the lake from the Temple de las Manos Rojas.

4 hour transfer to Río Dulce. The atmosphere of the Caribbean is beginning to be felt, many sailing boats come here to drop anchor.

Option included: local English speaking guide in Yaxha.
Option included: Entrance to Yaxha.

Night in a charming tropical setting on a small island in the Rio Dulce.

Visit to Fort San Felipe, built in the 17th century to stop recurrent pirate attacks.

Beautiful boat trip on the Río Dulce (private boat). Crossing a canyon and swimming in hot springs. We reach the village of Livingston by river. Part of the population is from the Garifuna ethnic group, descendants of black slaves, and the contrast with the rest of the country is striking.

Afternoon of discovery in Livingston to appreciate the unique atmosphere of Guatemala.

Return by boat to Rio Dulce at the end of the day. Night in a charming tropical setting on a small island.

Transfer to Copan in Honduras.

Visit of the archaeological site of Copan in Honduras. The city had an important cultural and scientific influence at its peak in the 7th century. Its baroque style, sculptures and finely ornamented stelae make it one of the most spectacular Mayan cities. Birdwatching is also enjoyed at the site.

End of the day free in the pleasant village of Copan.

Option included: Local English speaking guide in Copan.
Option included: Copan entrance.

This morning we visit Macaw Mountain. This tropical bird reserve works to protect and reproduce endangered species. You can see toucans, parrots and red, green and blue guacamayas. Elevated pontoons allow you to observe the birds up close. At the end of the tour you can take a swim in the river.

Return to Guatemala and drive to Antigua. End of the day free in the beautiful colonial city.

Guided tour of Antigua

Surrounded by 3 majestic volcanoes, the ancient capital of Central America has suffered throughout its history from many natural hazards: earthquakes, floods, volcanic eruptions.

Morning with a guide to visit the city which has more than thirty monasteries and convents, a cathedral. The cobbled streets adjoin the flowering patios of the colonial houses. You can stroll along the arcades of the Parque Central and see the Fuego, Agua and Acatenango volcanoes in the distance. The beautiful Antigua leaves no visitor indifferent.

Free afternoon to enjoy the beautiful colonial city.

NB: walking tour of the city (without transport service).

Early departure (7am) for the Pacaya volcano, one of the 3 active volcanoes in Guatemala. After an hour and a half of transportation, we start the ascent (3 hours of walking, 400 meters of difference in altitude). The hike is accessible to all and offers beautiful views of the valley and the volcanoes Agua, Fuego and Acatenango. Once at the base of the cone, you can see the crater and the fumaroles that escape from it. Lava flows can be seen when the volcano is active. Descend the giant and return to Antigua around 1pm. Free afternoon.

NB: Good physical condition recommended. Possibility to do the climb on horseback.

Option included: Pacaya volcano entrance.
Option included: Community guide for the ascent of the Pacaya (Spanish - English speaking).

Departure at 8am for Chichicastenango and its famous market (Thursday and Sunday). Kaqchikel Indians come down twice a week from the surrounding villages to sell their wares. The women wear the traditional huipil representing the seasons of the Mayan calendar. The town is transformed into a kaleidoscope of colours and smells. In the centre of the village, shamans purify the stairs of the church with incense and perform Mayan rituals.

Pre-Hispanic lunch 
Visit Jacinta's home for an out of the ordinary culinary experience. Jacinta is a French-speaking anthropologist who has taken a keen interest in pre-Hispanic gastronomy. Our western palates are surprised to discover new flavours (5 to 6 dishes are proposed). A beautiful discovery.

Descent towards Lake Atitlan, a highly emblematic place of Guatemala. It is nestled between 3 volcanoes at an altitude of 1600 meters and offers magnificent panoramas. The small villages along the lake - often only accessible by boat - perpetuate festivals and markets rooted in local traditions.

Drive to the village of Santa Catarina Palopó on the shores of Lake Atitlan. The inhabitants of this pretty little village live mainly from agriculture, fishing and weaving. Since 2016, a community project has been progressively repainting the houses of the village in the colours of the local huipil: deep blue with traditional motifs. Beautiful!

Check into your hotel in this picturesque village.

Day trip by boat to discover the Tzutuhil villages of Lake Atitlan. The indigenous Tzutuhil are one of the 21 Mayan peoples of Guatemala. They are present in only a handful of villages located in the southwest of Lake Atitlan.

Head to Santiago Atitlan. Visit of Santiago Atitlan and discovery of a curious syncretic cult. Half good and half bad, Maximón is feared as much as he is idolised. The villagers make offerings to him in the form of cigarettes, alcohol or money.

Continue by boat to San Juan la Laguna. Discovery of the small Mayan village; the cooperative of women weavers opens its doors to explain the techniques of natural colouring and traditional weaving. We also appreciate the naive paintings that represent scenes of daily life in the region.

Option included: local English speaking guide for the day.

Departure at your convenience to the Pacific Coast of Guatemala, famous for its large black sand beaches where sea turtles come to lay their eggs.

End of the day free along the Pacific Ocean.

Free day at the beach in Monterrico (no transport service).

The coast is popular with surfers and sport fishermen. The marine fauna is very rich (marlin, sailfish in particular). At certain times of the year, it is possible to observe whales, dolphins or turtles laying eggs on the black sand beaches.

Travellers looking for a break will particularly appreciate relaxing by the pool overlooking the sea with a cocktail in hand. The local gastronomy based on fish and seafood is a delight.

We enjoy the sunshine with a last free morning in Monterrico.

Transfer to Guatemala City airport. Check-in for your international flight.