Ancient Maya Temples, Caves, Cloud Forest, and Garifuna Culture

Welcome to Guatemala, one of the most diverse countries in Central America! Once you land at the Guatemala City Airport one of our representatives will greet you and provide all the necessary information and recommendations to make the most of your travels. A private transfer will take you to the colonial city of Antigua Guatemala (approx. 1.5 hours). Free evening to relax after your flight and to explore the town.   

Optional activities:  Enjoy a private welcome dinner and cacao tasting. 

Accommodation: Casa Encantada (4 star Boutique Hotel),  Casa del Parque (3 star hotel) or Hotel San Jorge (2 star hotel) .

Spend your day exploring the colonial streets of Antigua at your own pace or if you're feeling adventurous choose one of the optional activities below:

Optional morning activities: Pacaya volcano trek or panoramic trek in San Cristobal el Alto.

Optional afternoon activities: Guided foodie experience in the streets of Antigua. 

Accommodation: Casa Encantada (4 star Boutique Hotel),  Casa del Parque (3 star hotel) or Hotel San Jorge (2 star hotel) .  

Begin your day with an early departure and transfer to Lanquín (approx. 6 hours). You will make your way to the cloud forest, a region known for many microclimates and great biodiversity. En route you will stop at an orchid sanctuary where you will enjoy a guided visit in the the nature trails and do some birdwatching. Spend a free evening relaxing in the lush gardens of your hotel. 

Included activity: Guided visit to an orchid sanctuary. 

Accommodation: Hotel Guayahá (eco-hotel and glamping).  

Today you will enjoy the heavenly Semuc Champey pools – a protected national monument unique to the area and only a short drive away from Lanquín (approx. 30 mins). These stunning turquoise pools make a great place to bathe, and explore the surrounding trails at your own pace .

Included activity: Guided visit to Semuc Champey. 

Optional Activity: Tubing experience in the Cahabón River. 

Accommodation: Hotel Guayahá (eco-hotel and glamping).   

After a hearty early breakfast, get ready to make your way to the S'etzol caves (approx. 3.5 hours). These sacred caves are a place of worship and rituals for the Maya Q'eqchí population and are home to karstic formations and the pristine waters of the Chiyú river. Enjoy a guided visit and swim. Continue your travels to the town of Río Dulce (approx. 1.5 hours) where you are free to enjoy your evening  or choose an optional activity.

Included activity: Guided visit to cuevas de S'etzol.  

Optional activity: Visit to Las Conchas waterfalls or Finca Paraíso hot springs. 

Accommodation: Tortugal Marina (2 star eco-hotel) or Hacienda Tijax Hotel & Marina (3 star eco-hotel).

Surrounded by lush vegetation and home to small mammals, crocodiles, manatees and pelagic birds; Río Dulce offers scenic views and a panoramic boat ride all the way to the Garífuna, afro carribean town of Livingston. You will take the boat to this colorful town, where your local guide will teach you about Garífuna culture and history while admiring the murals and urban art in town. On the way back you will enjoy a local cooking class where you will learn how to make fresh catch coconut ceviche. Spend the afternoon relaxing at your hotel. 

Included activity: Guided visit and boat trip to Livingston with coconut ceviche cooking class. 

Accomodation: Tortugal Marina (2 star eco-hotel) or Hacienda Tijax Hotel & Marina (3 star eco-hotel).    

Say goodbye to Río Dulce and get ready to transfer to the ancient Maya kingdom of Tikal (approx. 4.5 hours). Prepare for an excursion to explore this amazing Maya city recognized for both its cultural and natural significance as well as for being a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will explore the vast jungle trails and climb some of the most emblematic temples in the heart of the lush Guatemalan jungle. Doing this in the afternoon will enable you to  see the sunset with a 360° view from one of the temples. Appreciate millenary architecture and be immersed by the sounds of howler monkeys and Tikal´s history.  

Included activity:  Sunset guided visit of Tikal National Park.  

Optional activity: Sunrise kayak in Río Dulce or Zip lining adventure in Tikal.

Accomodation: Jungle Lodge Tikal  (3 star jungle lodge) or Jaguar Inn (2 star jungle lodge and camping). 

Wake up surrounded by the sounds of howler monkeys and get ready to transfer to your hotel on the shores of Lake Petén Itzá (approx. 45 mins). Spend your day relaxing or choose an optional activity.

Optional  morning activity: Morning guided visit of Uaxactún archaeological site and Maya observatory.

Optional afternoon activity: Sunset guided visit of Yaxhá archaeological site and wetlands. 

Accommodation: Isla de Flores (4 star hotel), Hotel Casona de la Isla (3 star hotel), El Gringo Perdido (3 star jungle lodge) or La Casa de Don David (2 star jungle lodge).  

Spend the day relaxing and moving at your own pace or choose an expedition to the Blue Crater. If you choose to visit the crater you’ll transfer to the village of Sayaxché (approx. 2 hours ) where you will take a boat through the uncharted La Pasión River (approx. 35 kms and 1 hour) all the way to the Pucté creek where the colors of the water start to change. You will arrive at the "Crater Azul" a surreal subaquatic garden and pristine fresh blue water pools where you will be spending your day swimming surrounded by nature. In the afternoon you will head back to your hotel to enjoy your evening.  

Optional activity: Boat trip to Crater Azul.

Accomodation: Isla de Flores (4 star hotel), Hotel Casona de la Isla (3 star hotel),  El Gringo Perdido (3 star jungle lodge) or La Casa de Don David (2 star jungle lodge).     

We couldn't think of a better way to finish your trip other than with a relaxing morning in a beautiful place. Enjoy lunch and in the afternoon you will transfer to Mundo Maya Airport so you can catch a short evening flight to Guatemala City. Enjoy your last night in the city center. 

Optional activity:  3 course Guatemalan fusion farewell dinner.

Accomodation: La Inmaculada Boutique Hotel (3 star hotel) or In & Out Bed & Breakfast (2 star hotel) 

Indulge in one last cup of exceptional coffee and say goodbye to beautiful Guatemala before you transfer to the airport for your departure flight. We hope you had an amazing trip and come back to visit again soon!   

END OF SERVICES.

Accommodation

Lodging each night is included in your choice of hotels. Recommendations are included in the day-by-day itinerary.

Tours and activities

Unique experiences available daily. See the day-by-day itinerary for recommended tours and additional options available.

Local guides

English speaking local & specialized guides during activities.

Airport transfers

Shuttles and taxis arranged to get you to/from the airport.

Ground transportation

Private/shared shuttles will take you between destinations.

Domestic flight

One way flight FRS-GUA.

Entrance fees

Entrance fees to sites of interest, museums and national parks.

Food

Included meals are noted in the itinerary: B= Breakfast, BB=Box Breakfast, L= Lunch, BL= Boxed Lunch, D= Dinner

24/7 Assistance

English in country assistance during the whole trip

• Optional activities

• Alcoholic drinks

• Not specified meals

• Travel Insurance

• Tips and gratuities

• International flights

In order to cancel a package for which you have made a booking, please email us stating your order reference and “Cancellation” in the title of the email. You may telephone us to discuss your desire to cancel the package but cancellation will only be effective when we have received from the person who purchased the package a written confirmation of his or her decision to cancel the package. An email to us stating that you desire to cancel a package is an irrevocable notice and you cannot subsequently change your mind even if we have not yet acknowledged the cancellation in writing.

If you cancel your tour:

We will apply the airline’s cancellation policy to any flights in your package and reimburse your ground arrangements in accordance with the penalty timeline.

For cancellation of ground-only arrangements:

(a) 90 days or more prior to the stated departure date, we will retain an administrative fee of $100 per traveler and reimburse the remaining amount;

(b) Between 30 and 89 days prior to the stated departure date, we will retain 50% of the total booking cost and reimburse the remaining amount;

(c) Less than 30 days prior to departure, we will retain 100% of the price paid by you for the package.

If you leave a trip for any reason after it has started, we are not obliged to make any refunds for unused services.

We may cancel a package at any time prior to departure by giving you notice by email, letter or (if very close to departure) by telephoning you, if, due to terrorism, natural disasters, political instability or other external events it is not viable or safe for our local partner to operate the planned itinerary. If we cancel a package prior to departure, in your sole and absolute discretion you may choose between (i) us applying the amounts paid towards an alternative trip, or (ii) receiving a full refund. We are not responsible for any incidental expenses that you may have incurred as a result of your booking such as visas, vaccinations or non-refundable flights.

AMENDMENTS TO BOOKED PACKAGES

If you wish to change the date of one trip there is a fee of

(a)         $100 per traveler if done at least 90 days prior to the scheduled date of departure, subject to availability; and

(b)         $300 per traveler if done between 30 and 89 days prior to the scheduled date of departure, subject to availability.

If you wish to change the name of one or several travelers of the trip, there is a fee of $100 per passenger if done at least 90 days prior to the scheduled date of departure. No name changes are permitted within 89 days prior to the scheduled date of departure.

No amendments are permitted to your booking within 29 days of departure.