Program Itinerary
Program Itinerary (subject to change)
Day 1 – Arrival Antigua
Bienvenidos a Guatemala! You will be met at the airport and transferred to the beautiful colonial city of Antigua which is nestled in the central highlands.
Spanning a mountainous slice of Central America, Guatemala is loaded with incredible natural, historical and cultural appeal.
As the birthplace and heartland of the ancient Maya, the country is in many ways defined by the legacy of this early civilization. Their rainforest cities were abandoned centuries ago, but Maya people continue to thrive in the Guatemalan highlands, where traditions and religious rituals, mingled with Catholic practices, form the richest and most distinctive indigenous identity in the hemisphere.
As today is arrival day, there are no planned activities. Enjoy your afternoon exploring the streets of Antigua. Antigua’s setting is gorgeous at an elevation of 1500m, nestled between three volcanoes: Agua (3766m), Fuego (3763m) and Acatenango (3976m). Its myriad of streetscapes – with sprays of bougainvillea bursting from crumbling ruins and pastel facades under terracotta roofs – offer photo opportunities at every turn.
Overnight: Antigua
Day 2 – Antigua Walking Tour
After breakfast, your guide will meet you at the lobby to start your tour. A former capital, the city boasts an impressive showcase of colonial relics in a spectacular setting. Streetscapes of pastel facades unfold beneath three volcanoes. Many old ecclesiastical and civic buildings are beautifully renovated, while others retain tumbledown charm.
Antigua is among the world’s best conserved colonial cities in the Americas. It is a magical and captivating small town that makes you feel time might have stopped 300 years ago. A few things you will find are art galleries and exhibits, coffee shops, amazing cuisine, cute little bars and much more.
Overnight: Antigua
Day 3 – Antigua
Today is a day dedicated solely to photography. You’ll have the chance to walk around the colonial buildings of Antigua and
interact with the locals.
Optional: Visit a local Antigua Coffee Farm and wander through the farm amongst the coffee bushes and shade trees. Antigua
is famous for growing one of the best coffees in Central America. Enjoy the scenery and the unique insight to a real coffee hacienda. This tour will get you up close and personal with the whole coffee making process, experiencing the smells, the sights and the flavour of one of the Guatemala’s most famous exports – from seed to cup.
Overnight: Antigua
Day 4 – Niños de Guatemala Tour* (or similar)
Today we start the tour with transfer from Antigua to nearby Ciudad Vieja. Founded in 1527, it met its demise 14 years later when Volcán Agua let loose a flood of water that had been penned up in its crater. The water swallowed the town with tons of rock and mud, leaving only the ruins of La Concepción church. Here you’ll visit a “chicken bus” refurbishing shop. We continue with a visit to a family owned coffin carpentry workshop.
Last visit of the day will be to the Nuestro Futuro school run by an Non-profit Organization. For every ten children who enter the Guatemalan school system, only four graduate from primary school, one of the lowest completion rates in the Western hemisphere. Nuestro Futuro opened in 2009 in Ciudad Vieja, in partnership with the local community is a success story on how a little help goes a long way. Transfer back to Antigua.
Overnight: Antigua
Day 5 – Travel to Lake Atitlan
After breakfast you will be transfered to Iximche, a pre-Columbian Mayan site in the Western Highlands of Guatemala. It was the capital of the Late Preclassic Kaqchikel kingdom from 1470 until its abandonment in 1524 with the Spaniards arrival. You will enjoy a traditional Mayan Ceremony, held for reasons such as gratitude and respect, agriculture, religion, and soul purification.
The first step of preparation of the Fire Ceremony is the creation of the altar, which is laid out in the shape of the ancient hieroglyph of the day sign Q'anil. Sugar is the most often used to draw the altar symbol, and is then decorated with different offerings. After Mayan Ceremony you will be transfer to local restaurant at Tecpan near Iximche for lunch.
Overnight: Lake Atitlan
Day 6 – Full Day Boat trip Around Lake Atitlan
After breakfast you depart for a boat trip around beautiful Lake Atitlan soaking in the stunning views along the way. During the trip you will visit the charming Maya villages of San Juan, San Pedro, San Marcos and Santiago.
Overnight: Lake Atitlan
Day 7 – Chichicastenango Market
Early this morning travel to Chichicastenango, the largest indigenous market in Central American (open on Thursdays and Sundays only). Surrounded by valleys with mountains punctuating the horizons, Chichicastenango can seem isolated in time and space from the rest of Guatemala. When its narrow cobbled streets and red-tiled roofs are enveloped in mist, it’s downright magical. The sounds, smells, and brilliant colours of the market are incredible to experience.
Overnight: Lake Atitlan
Day 8 – Travel to Antigua – Cooking Class
This morning we travel back to beautiful Antigua.The remainder of the day is yours to explore the amazing coffee shops, boutiques, museums, and cobble streets of Antigua before our final dinner together.
Overnight: Antigua
Day 9 – Departure Day or Extend Your Trip!
After breakfast, transfer to the La Aurora International Airport for your flights.
OR
Extend your trip to – Tikal! (contact us for more information)
SAMPLE HOTELS*:
Antigua: El Meson de Maria
Lake Atitlan: Hotel Atitlan
*Hotels are subject to change and availability