Travel across Guatemala on this 11-day trip that connects major cultural and natural sites. Walk through Antigua’s preserved streets and public plazas, where history comes to life through churches and ruins. Visit Comalapa to see colorful murals and meet local artists. Tour the Maya ruins of Iximché, where pyramids and ballcourts spark curiosity and discovery. Cross Lake Atitlán by boat to visit weaving cooperatives and highland villages where traditional crafts are shared across generations. Browse the stalls of Chichicastenango Market filled with textiles and handmade goods.
See the carved stelae of Quiriguá, then walk through the coastal town of Livingston to experience Garifuna music, stories, and culture. Hike forest paths to Siete Altares waterfalls and cruise the Rio Dulce to spot wildlife along the water. Swim in the tiered pools of Semuc Champey, explore limestone caves, and visit farms in Cobán to learn how coffee and orchids are grown. This itinerary offers a diverse and immersive look at Guatemala’s landscapes, cultures, and living history.
Highlights
Explore the streets of Antigua and pass by mammoth churches & palaces
Take a boat on Lake Atitlán and visit indigenous villages
Visit Tz'utuhil Maya villages and learn about their weaving styles
Shop Chichicastenango Market filled with crafts, flowers, and textiles
Swim in the Semuc Champey pools and float through limestone caves
Tour Cobán coffee and orchids before returning to the capital
Moderately active but not overly strenuous. This level includes activities like casual cycling, yoga, or excursions/activities that typically last 3-5 hours total each day.
Arrive at the Guatemala City Airport, meet your guide, and head out on your transfer to Antigua. Upon arrival, settle into your hotel and explore this charming colonial city on your own in the evening.
After breakfast, join a guided walking tour through the cobbled streets of Antigua. Explore lively plazas, browse vibrant markets, and visit restored churches and palaces that reflect the city’s colonial heritage. Learn about Antigua’s role as the former capital of Central America while taking in views of Volcán de Agua towering above the rooftops.
Following breakfast at the hotel, set out on a drive of just over an hour to San Juan Comalapa, a town known for its colorful murals and strong folk art tradition. Walk through the colorful streets, visit a museum honoring the composer of Guatemala’s national anthem, and sample fresh bread from local bakeries.
Continue with another short drive to the Maya ruins of Iximché. Walk among ancient temples, ceremonial plazas, and ballcourts, and explore a small museum displaying pre-Columbian sculptures and ceramics.
From there, travel just over an hour to Lake Atitlán. End the day at the lake, surrounded by volcanic peaks, and check in to your hotel near Panajachel.
Board a private boat and cross Lake Atitlán’s shimmering waters to reach San Juan La Laguna. Visit a women’s textile cooperative to watch traditional weaving and natural dyeing in action. Browse local art studios, join a painting class, or unwind in a traditional Mayan sauna.
Continue by boat to Santiago, where Tz'utujil Maya traditions remain strong. Walk through town to see locals in vibrant handwoven attire, visit art galleries showcasing daily life, and stop by Maximón’s shrine to witness the fusion of ancient beliefs and modern devotion. Return to Panajachel and enjoy your evening at leisure.
Day 5: Chichicastenango Market Day | Transfer to Antigua
After breakfast, travel approximately two hours to Chichicastenango, home to one of the region’s most vibrant traditional markets. Walk through lively stalls where local villagers sell handwoven textiles, fresh produce, and vivid flowers. Visit the town’s colorful cemetery, a striking display of cultural beliefs and local customs.
In the early afternoon, continue with another approximately two-hour drive to the colonial city of Antigua. Settle into your hotel, then explore the cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and lively plazas at your own pace.
After breakfast, prepare for a longer travel day today. Travel six hours from Antigua to the archaeological site of Quiriguá. Though modest in size, this ancient Maya city holds historical importance for its remarkable stone monuments. Walk through the site to see intricately carved stelae, including the tallest ever discovered in the Maya world—standing over 35 feet high.
Continue with an approximate 2-hour drive to Puerto Barrios. From there, board a boat for a thirty-minute ride along the coast to Livingston, a laid-back town known for its Afro-Caribbean Garífuna culture. Check in to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.
Day 7: Livingston & Garifuna Culture | Siete Altares Waterfalls
This morning, explore the relaxed coastal town of Livingston with your private guide. Walk through its colorful streets and experience the Garífuna culture through lively music, warm hospitality, and Caribbean-style cuisine. Your experience includes a guided walking tour and lunch featuring local flavors.
Continue by private boat to Siete Altares, a scenic natural site made up of seven turquoise pools and cascading waterfalls tucked in the jungle. Swim, walk the trails, or unwind in the peaceful surroundings. Afterward, return to the dock by boat and travel to Río Dulce.
After breakfast, board a private boat to explore the lush waterways of Río Dulce. Pass by small villages, watch for children paddling through calm waters, and admire the birdlife around Bird Island. Stop at the 17th-century Castillo de San Felipe, built to protect the area from pirates. After your visit, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before continuing by road to Cobán, a highland town surrounded by misty cloud forest. Enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure.
Settle into your hotel, and if you're up for it, head out to explore the town’s quiet streets, markets, or local cafés on your own.
This morning, travel two hours with your guide to Semuc Champey, a stunning natural monument deep in the jungle. Hike to the top of the limestone bridge for panoramic views of its iconic, stepped, turquoise pools. Swim in the crystal-clear water, explore the Kan’Ba Caves by candlelight, and float along the Cahabón River on an inner tube.
In the evening, return to Cobán for the night.
Day 10: Coban's Coffee & Orchids | Transfer to Guatemala City
After breakfast, meet your guide and visit a local coffee farm to learn about the full process of coffee production, including picking, drying, roasting, and tasting. Continue to a nearby orchid farm to discover native species found in Guatemala’s cloud forests.
In the afternoon, travel five hours to Guatemala City. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel. You can explore the surrounding area at your own pace or choose to unwind and spend a quiet evening resting at the hotel.
Day 11: Return Home
Enjoy breakfast in Guatemala City before transferring to the airport for your flight home. If you have more time, extend your trip to explore.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
Initial deposit is $400 plus cost of internal airfare, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days (10 weeks) prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
