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St. Joseph's Cathedral Ruins, Antigua , Guatemala

Guatemala Classico Explorer

Example 8 Day Tour
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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.
The city of Antigua is nestled between two volcanosA wild White-Bellied Spider Monkey in Tikal National Park, GuatemalaHand-painted colorful masks at a craft market in AntiguaExplore GuatemalaColorful indigenous maya fabric with different patterns on market in Chichicastenango, GuatemalaSt. Joseph's Cathedral Ruins, Antigua , Guatemala
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
  • Visit a macadamia nut or coffee finca plantation
Places Visited
Activity Level: Relaxed
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Arrive to Guatemala City

Arrive at the airport in Guatemala City and transfer with your guide to your hotel in Antigua.

Day 2: Antigua Guatemala City Tour

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.

Day 3: Comalapa | Iximche | Panajachel

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.
 

Day 4: Lake Atitlan Villages Tour

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.
 

Day 5: Chichicastenango Market Day | Flores

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.

Day 6: Tikal National Park Tour

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.

Accommodations

Hotel Posada Don Rodrigo

Hotel Posada Don Rodrigo
Hotel Posada Don Rodrigo

Casona del Lago

Casona del Lago
Casona del Lago
Casona del Lago

Meson de Maria

El Hotel Mesón de María
La Fonda de la Calle Real
The roof-top terrace offers the best views of the Agua, Fuego and Acatenango volcanoes which surround the valley.

Casa Veranda Hotel

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
$1,296 2-3 travelers

Notes

Select a Date
Comalapa Market Days: Tuesdays, Fridays, Sundays
Chichicastenango Market Days: Thursdays, Sundays
Included
  • 7 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch
  • 7 Nights Accommodations
  • 3 Days Locally Hosted Guide Service
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Tikal National Park Entrance Fee
Excluded
  • Gratuities
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)

Map

When to Go

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Good to ideal period to travel, and many people choose to visit at this time.
Chance for unpredictable weather but with fewer visitors.

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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.
Lindsay Gompf

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