Uncover Guatemala’s rich history, culture, and landscapes on this 8-day adventure. Walk through Antigua’s colonial streets, then visit San Juan Comalapa, known for its vibrant folk art. Explore Iximché’s Maya ruins before heading to Lake Atitlán, where you’ll visit Tz’utujil villages by boat. Browse Chichicastenango’s famous market before flying to Flores. In Tikal, climb towering pyramids and spot wildlife in the jungle. Relax by Lake Petén Itzá or explore Ixpanpajul National Park’s forest trails and zip lines before returning to Guatemala City. This journey blends history, nature, and culture, offering a deep dive into Guatemala’s most iconic sites.
Highlights
Tour Antigua and visit mammoth churches and palaces
Attend Comalapa Market full of handicrafts, artwork & local crops
Travel to Lake Atitlan, a deep caldera lake flanked by three volcanoes
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Today, get out and stretch your legs on a guided walking tour through the charming streets of Antigua, Guatemala, exploring its historic plazas, bustling markets, and stunning colonial landmarks. Later, hop on a tuk-tuk for a ride up to Cerro de la Cruz, where you’ll enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of Antigua and its surrounding volcanoes.
Volcán de Agua towers over the city, and to the sky in this charming town. Once the capital of Guatemala and all of Central America, Antigua is now a living museum, where grand churches and palaces stand as echoes of its former glory and a reminder of Antigua’s colonial past.
This morning after breakfast, drive to San Juan Comalapa, a town known as “the Florence of America” for its thriving folk art scene. Stroll through colorful streets, visit a museum honoring the composer of Guatemala’s national anthem, and try freshly baked bread from a local panadería.
Continue to Iximché, a pre-Columbian Maya site abandoned in 1524. Walk among pyramid temples, palaces, and ballcourts of the abandoned site. You will also view surviving murals, sculptures, and ceramics in the on-site museum.
End the day at Lake Atitlán, a stunning volcanic lake surrounded by towering peaks. Check in to your lakeside hotel near Panajachel.
Today, board a private boat to cross Lake Atitlán’s deep blue waters, heading to San Juan La Laguna. Here, visit a women’s textile cooperative to see traditional hand weaving and natural dyeing techniques. You can also explore the home studios of local artists, join a Maya painting class, or try a unique experience in a traditional Mayan sauna.
Continue to Santiago Atitlán, where the Tz’utujil Maya people still follow age-old traditions. Stroll through streets lined with art galleries and market stalls, and visit the shrine of Maximón, a revered folk deity.
Return to Panajachel in the afternoon and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Start the day with an early visit to the Chichicastenango Market, one of Guatemala’s most famous markets. Vendors from surrounding villages gather to sell fresh produce, textiles, and handcrafted goods. Explore the bustling stalls, observe local traditions, and experience the vibrant atmosphere.
By early afternoon, leave the market and drive back to Guatemala City. Arrive at the airport in time for an evening flight to the Petén region, home to ancient Maya sites. Upon arrival at Mundo Maya Airport, meet your driver and transfer to a hotel near Flores Island for the night.
Meet your guide at the hotel in the morning and transfer to Tikal, one of the most important and significant Maya sites. Explore towering pyramids rising above the jungle canopy and discover how this ancient city functioned as a religious, scientific, and political center for 1,500 years.
Keep an eye out for wildlife, including howler and spider monkeys, white-lipped peccaries, deer, coatimundis, toucans, scarlet macaws, parrots, and ocelots. Jaguars also inhabit the area, though they are rarely seen.
After lunch, return to Flores for an evening at leisure.
Day 7: Free day in Flores | Transfer to Guatemala City
Today is a free day to allow you to explore how you prefer. Spend the day exploring the area around Lake Petén Itzá. Swim in the hotel’s pool, paddle a kayak or take a boat ride across the lake, or head into Flores to browse local shops and experience the island town’s lively atmosphere. For more outdoor adventure, opt to visit Ixpanpajul National Park, where well-maintained trails lead through lush forests, and a zipline course offers an adrenaline-filled way to take in the jungle scenery.
In the afternoon, transfer to Mundo Maya Airport for your evening flight back to Guatemala City. A private driver will be waiting at the terminal for your transfer to the hotel.
Day 8: Depart Guatemala
1 Breakfast
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
This was our first trip to South America and we were a little nervous. But Adventure Life made things so easy! All our questions were answered before we left, and our guide, Vidal, was amazing! He gave us enough space to explore without rushing us along. He also knew where the best picture taking opportunities were, which was great.
