Guatemala Highlights

Guatemala Highlights

This 2-week tour hits the Guatemalan highlights. You'll explore a new place each day and make visits to Antigua, Lake Atitlán, Todos Santos Cuchumatán, Semuc Champey, Quetzaltenango, the Río Dulce, Flores, and Tikal.

Featured in:Archeology, Architecture, Cultural, Ruins, Atitlán Nature Reserve, Candelaria Caves, Chichicastenango Market, Lake Izabal, Lanquín Caves, Quirigua, Rey Marcos Caves, Copan Ruins
Duration:
336 hrs
Available Days:
Mon
Schedule:
8:00 AM
Hotel Transport Included
Mobile Ticket Included
Offered in English, Spanish

Day 1, Monday: Arrive in Guatemala City and be taken to your hotel.

Day 2, Tuesday: Depart for Antigua, where you will visit the most important attractions within this charming city: churches, convents, monasteries and other colonial sites. Accommodations in Antigua.

Day 3, Wednesday: Travel to the Iximché archaeological site and then continue on towards Lake Atitlán. Accommodations in Panajachel.

Day 4, Thursday: Boat excursion to the town of Santiago Atitlán, one of the twelve villages that surround Lake Atitlán. In the afternoon, you will travel to Quetzaltenango for accommodations.

Day 5, Friday: Tour the colorful animal market outside of San Francisco El Alto and then visit the San Andrés Xecul Church. In the afternoon, travel to Huehuetenango for accommodations.

Day 6, Saturday: Visit the colorful market in Todos Santos Cuchumatán. In the afternoon you will transfer to Chichicastenango to accommodations.

Day 7, Sunday: Visit the colorful market of Chichicastenango and the Santo Tomás Church. After lunch, transfer back to Guatemala City.

Day 8, Monday: Journey through the departments of El Progreso, Baja Verapaz and Alta Verapaz as you make your way to Semuc Champey. Semuc Champey has turquoise pools that are perfect for swimming.

That afternoon you will continue on to the Grutas de Lanquín, a system of limestone caves. In the afternoon you will be transferred to Cobán for accommodations.

Day 9, Tuesday: Visit the archeological site in Copán, Honduras. Accommodations in Copán.

Day 10, Wednesday: Return to Guatemalan and visit the archaeological site of Quiriguá. In the afternoon, transfer to Río Dulce for accommodations.

Day 11, Thursday: Boat excursion on the Río Dulce and visits to Lívingston and the San Felipe Castle. In the afternoon, transfer to Flores or Tikal for accommodations.

Day 12, Friday: Visit the archaeological site of Ceibal. After lunch, transfer back to Flores or Tikal for accommodations.

Day 13, Saturday: Tour the archaeological sites of Yaxhá and Topoxté. After lunch, transfer back to Flores or Tikal for accommodations.

Day 14, Sunday: Visit the Mayan site of Tikal. That afternoon you will fly back to Guatemala City

Day 15, Monday: Transfer to the La Aurora International Airport or the hotel of your choice.

Attractions Visited

Atitlán Nature Reserve

The Atitlán Nature Reserve is located along the shores of Lake Atitlán outside the town of Panajachel. This private reserve offers all kinds of fun activities, including hiking, zip lining, swimming, and more.

Read more:Atitlán Nature Reserve

Candelaria Caves

The fantastic limestone caves of Candelaria are composed of seven separate caves that are interconnected by the Río Candelaria. The caves are spread across 14 miles (22 km) and have ceilings that reach as high as 200 feet (60 m). Candelaria is one of Central America’s largest cave systems.

Read more:Candelaria Caves

Chichicastenango Market

The Chichicastenango market is one of the most colorful and exciting markets in Guatemala. It’s open on Sundays and Thursdays and is an interesting cultural experience for travelers.

Read more:Chichicastenango Market

Lake Izabal

Fed by the Palochi River, Lake Izabál is the largest lake in Guatemala. In the forests surrounding the lake, visitors have the chance to see howler monkeys and spider monkeys. This forest is also a habitat for jaguars, but sightings are rare. If you’re interested in bird watching, bring binoculars and a camera. You’re bound to see a tremendous number of birds – the park has around 250 documented species.

Read more:Lake Izabal

Lanquín Caves

The Lanquín Caves are set just outside the town of Lanquín in Guatemala’s Central Highlands. This limestone cave system is massive and part of the Lanquín Caves National Park.

Read more:Lanquín Caves

Quirigua

The Mayan site of Quiriguá has some of Guatemala’s best-preserved stelae. Set within the Caribbean Lowlands near Lake Izabal, Quiriguá is smaller but similar to the ruins of Copán, especially in regards to the architecture and carving style. It’s far less visited than Copán but nonetheless holds some fabulous Mayan structures.

Read more:Quirigua

Rey Marcos Caves

The Rey Marcos Caves are set just outside the small Q’eqchi’ town of San Juan Chamelco. The caves have some interesting stalagmites and are definitely worth a look if you’re in the area.

Read more:Rey Marcos Caves

Copan Ruins

Set just across the border in Honduras, the Mayan site of Copán features some of the best ruins in the Mayan world. The hieroglyphic carvings here are magnificent, as are the well-restored pyramids, palaces, and stelae. The artistry at Copán is exquisite and without parallel.

Read more:Copan Ruins

What to Bring

Comfortable shoes and clothes, sunscreen, hat, camera, bottled water, and cash for tips, food, crafts and other souvenirs.

What's included

Entrance fees, baggage handling, and insurance. DOES NOT INCLUDE: Hotel, tips, personal expenditures, and food.

Transportation

Many of our tours and activities offer transportation pick up & drop off options from several locations and destinations. Options vary by tour, see “BOOKING REQUEST” for full details.

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