From the Highlands to the Mayan Underworld

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 your hotel in Guatemala City. Free evening to relax after your flight and explore the town.      Optional Activities:  3 course private welcome dinner.  Accommodation:  Casa Encantada (4 star boutique hotel)__,  __Casa del Parque  (3 star hotel)  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. On route you will stop at an orchid sanctuary where you will enjoy a guided visit in the nature trails where you will do some birdwatching. Spend a free evening relaxing at the lush gardens of your hotel.  Included activity: Guided visit to an orchid sancturary.  Accommodation: Hotel Guayahá (eco-hotel and glamping).  

Today you will have a chance to 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: Visit to Semuc Champey.  Optional afternoon activity: Explore the Lanquín cave system. Accommodation: Hotel Guayahá (eco-hotel and glamping).   

After an early breakfast, you will transfer to the Candelaria Caves (approx. 3 hours), a large natural karst cave system. The caves have a particular importance in Maya culture, and are believed to be the entrance to the underworld known as "Xibalbá".. These caves were also used as part of a trading route during the classic Maya period, and artifacts in the caves evidence their use for ceremonies.  Prepare for a tubing experience on the Candelaria river, surrounded by lush jungle and unbelievable scenery.  Free evening at your jungle lodge to enjoy the nature surroundings.  Included activity: Tubing experience in the Candelaria cave system. Accommodation: Hotel Candelaria Lodge (3 star jungle lodge)

Begin your day with a transfer to the village of Sayaxché (approx. 1.5 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 to the "Crater Azul" a surreal subaquatic garden and pristine fresh blue water pools where you will spend your day swimming surrounded by nature. In the afternoon you will keep driving  to your hotel in the village of El Remate to enjoy your evening.   Included activity: Visit to Crater Azul. Accommodation: El Gringo Perdido (3 star jungle lodge) or La Casa de Don David (2 star jungle lodge).  

Prepare for an excursion to explore the amazing Maya city of Tikal, 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. Appreciate millenary architecture and be immersed by the sounds of howler monkeys and Tikal´s history. After you finish the tour, you will head to  El Remate to enjoy your evening (approx. 35 mins).  Included activity:  Guided visit of Tikal National Park. Optional activity:  Sunrise visit of Tikal before park hours or sunset visit. Accomodation: El Gringo Perdido (3 star jungle lodge) or La Casa de Don David (2 star jungle lodge).     

Enjoy breakfast on the shores of Lake Peten Itzá. You will meet your local guide and get ready to head  to Yahxá Nakum Naranjo National Park (approx. 1.5 hours), prepare to immerse yourself in some off the beaten path jungle trails. First you will take the boat to Topoxté Island, a minor site in the park and then you will go through the vast jungle and structures of Yahxá site. This national park is located between two impressive lagoons and is one of the most biodiverse wetlands of Guatemala. Enjoy lunch in the park restaurant and head back to El Remate to spend the evening.  Included activity: Guided visit to Yaxhá and Topoxté.  Accommodation: El Gringo Perdido (3 star jungle lodge) or La Casa de Don David (2 star jungle lodge).  

Enjoy breakfast and say goodbye to the Maya biosphere. Early morning, you will make your way to Mundo Maya Airport so you can catch a short flight (approx. 1 hour) to Guatemala City. Once you land, you will drive to the Pacific Coast to Sipacate Naranjo National Park (approx. 2.5 hours), one of the best preserved mangrove ecosystems in the country. Begin your adventure at the village of El Paredón Buena Vista. Hop on a local "lancha" and venture to the estuary known as "La Poza del Nance"; a lagoon where the ocean meets the mangroves and turtles come to feed all year round. Observe the turtles and pelagic birds in their undisturbed natural habitat and practice some artisan fishing with the locals!   Included activities: Boat trip to La Poza del Nance. Includes water and fruit.  Optional activity: Collect mangrove seeds and plant them on the shore.  Accommodation: Swell Guatemala (Boutique Hotel) or Cocorí Lodge (rustic beach lodge)

Spend the day relaxing at the black sand beaches, surfing with locals or paddle boarding in the mangroves for sunrise. This day is for you to relax as you please.  Optional activities: Sunrise guided paddle board expedition in the mangrove or a local surf lesson.  Accommodation: Swell Guatemala (Boutique Hotel) or Cocorí Lodge (rustic beach lodge) 

Say goodbye to El Paredón, enjoy a slow pace morning before your private transfer picks you up to take you through the coast and volcano chain to beautiful Lake Atitlán (approx. 3 hours).  Once you arrive at the town of Santiago Atitlán, you will check in to your hotel and may spend the afternoon at the beautiful gardens and enjoying unique volcano views. You can also choose an optional afternoon activity.

Optional activity:  Guided afternoon Maya cosmovision and tales of the war tour in Santiago Atitlan. Accommodation: Hotel Bambú (3 star hotel)  or Posada Santiago (3 star hotel) 

Your local guide will pick you up at your hotel, where you will take a private boat transfer (approx. 30mins) to San Juan la Laguna. Surrounded by primitive art, beautiful textiles and majestic views, San Juan will give you a warm welcome and the opportunity to interact and learn the way of life and customs of its T’zutujil villagers. You will take a guided visit to local cooperatives and associations to learn the process of natural dyeing and textiles, the use of medicinal plants, cacao production and the background and evolution of naif art. After the tour feel free to explore the town on your own before heading back to your hotel. Free evening.  Included activity: Guided boat trip and visit to San Juan la Laguna, includes lunch and artisan demonstrations. Optional activity: Medicinal plants workshop with healers or art class with naif artists. Accomodation: Hotel Bambú (3 star hotel)  or Posada Santiago (3 star hotel)

Say goodbye to majestic Lake Atitlán and make your way to Antigua Guatemala (approx. 2.5 hours). Once you arrive, you will begin exploring the colorful cobblestone streets. Food is a great way to get to know a place when you travel, culinary heritage in Guatemala comes from two streams: Maya and Hispano-Arabe. Antigua is one of the main historical capitals where this fusion of ingredients, techniques and culinary customs that originated our current traditional food took place. You will walk the colorful cobblestone streets and visit hidden restaurants, shops and street stalls with the best authentic Guatemalan appetizers and dishes. Try tamales, atole, ingredients, fruits, stews, desserts and much more! You will live an experience full of flavors, sensations and 100% Guatemalan culture.  Included activities:  Guided foodie experience in the streets of Antigua, tasting of 13 to 15 local delights.  Accomodation:  Casa Encantada (4 star boutique hotel)__,  __Casa del Parque  (3 star hotel)  Hotel San Jorge (2 star hotel) 

The village of San Cristobal El Alto, is known for having the best views of volcanoes and villages. It's also the first garden-town in Guatemala with many artisan workshops and heritage to be shared. You will take a short transfer (approx. 20 mins) and go on a guided eco-cultural trek that will allow you to explore off the beaten path trails and the local flora and fauna until you reach a natural water spring in the middle of the forest. Enjoy a rustic lunch and a glass of wine or fresh juice overlooking the valley and volcanoes.  Included activity: Guided eco-cultural panoramic trek in San Cristobal el Alto, includes lunch. Optional activities: Zip lining in Santo Domingo del Cerro or Bean to Bar chocolate experience in Antigua. Accomodation: Casa Encantada (4 star boutique hotel)__,  __Casa del Parque  (3 star hotel)  Hotel San Jorge (2 star hotel) 

We couldn't think of a better way to finish your trip other than with a relaxing day in a beautiful place. Spend your day exploring the colonial streets of Antigua at your own pace or if you're feeling adventurous take on one of the optional activities in the area. Optional activities: Artisan and textile experience in San Antonio Aguas Calientes, Coffee experience with farmers in San Miguel Escobar or local cooking class in San Cristobal el Bajo.  Accommodation:  Casa Encantada (4 star boutique hotel)__,  __Casa del Parque  (3 star hotel)  Hotel San Jorge (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 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.

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

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

Boat transfers Taxi boats within Lake Atitlán villages, Cráter Azul and Yaxhá.

Domestic flight One way flight Flores-Guatemala.

24/7 Assistance In country assistance in English 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.