11 Days/10 Nights Departs Wednesdays from Guatemala City Ultimate Guatemala: Guatemala City, Chichicastenango, Lake Atitlan, Antigua, Copán (Honduras), Cobán, and Tikal Guatemala is a country of many contrasts. Geographically, it's a land of dramatic mountains and volcanoes, and vast lowland jungles that guard important Mayan archaeological treasures such as Tikal. The country's colonial past is reflected in the beautiful city of Antigua. In the highlands, experience the rich cultural traditions of the country's indigenous groups. This package combines a visit to the ancient Mayan city of Tikal with the "Colorful Guatemala" itinerary, which gives you a great introduction to the highland cultures and their colorful markets, as well as an overnight in historic Antigua. ACCOMMODATIONS
3 Nights Guatemala City 1 Night Chichicastenango 1 Night Lake Atitlan 1 Night Antigua 1 Night Copán, Honduras 1 Night Cobán 1 Night Rio Dulce 1 Night Tikal INCLUSIONS All Air & Ground Transfers Chichicastenango Market Tour Antigua City Tour Copán Ruins Tour Quirgua Ruins Tour Tikal Ruins Tour with Lunch Daily Breakfast ARRIVE GUATEMALA CITY: Arrival greeting and transfer to your selected Guatemala City hotel. Overnight. (Accommodations, Guatemala City) GUATEMALA CITY TO CHICHICASTENANGO: Early morning departure from your hotel for a 2½ hour drive to Chichicastenango's fabulous market (held every Thursday and Sunday) where you will see a stunning array of handicrafts, including textiles, wood carvings, and ceramics. Within the market is the historic Church of Santo Tomas, built over 400 years ago on a Mayan temple site. The Church represents a blending of the Christian and Mayan religions. Afternoon at leisure to explore and shop. Overnight at the charming Mayan Inn. (Breakfast, Guatemala City; Accommodations, Chichicastenango) CHICHICASTENANGO TO LAKE ATITLAN: After breakfast, depart for the village of Solola, an important regional market center on Tuesdays and Fridays. Here you will be able to see the distinctive costumes from the nearby villages. Continue to the lakeside town of Panajachel on Lake Atitlan. This scenic lake covers 50 square miles and is surrounded by three volcanoes. Overnight at Hotel Atitlan. (Breakfast, Chichicastenango; Accommodations, Lake Atitlan)
LAKE ATITLAN TO ANTIGUA: After breakfast, take an excursion by boat on Lake Atitlan to the lovely village of Santiago Atitlan, known for its textiles. Return to Panajachel for lunch (on your own) and more shopping time before continuing the drive to the colonial city of Antigua. Overnight at your selected Antigua hotel. (Breakfast, Lake Atitlan; Accommodations, Antigua) ANTIGUA TO GUATEMALA CITY: Morning sightseeing tour Antigua. Founded in 1541, this colonial city was once the cultural center for all Central America. It is a lovely city of cobblestone streets, colonial buildings and churches. There will be free time for exploring the city on your own. In the afternoon, transfer back to Guatemala City to your selected hotel. (Breakfast, Antigua; Accommodations, Guatemala City) GUATEMALA CITY TO COBÁN: Early morning transfer to Cobán with a tour of Semuc Champey and Lankín en route. Semuc Champey is formed by what is known as a natural land bridge 500 meters long. The Cahabón river runs under the rock mass, also known as a siguán. Lankín is an enormous and beautiful complex with chambers and rooms, limestone formations of extraordinary beauty of an infinite nature- no one has discovered the end of the cave system! Some of the cave formations have names of animals or other figures. Continue to Cobán, which is located in the Cahabón river basin, along an irregular landscape which makes the urban surrounding fairly dispersed, in a widespread combination of hills and plains. Overnight at selected hotel. (Breakfast, Guatemala City; Accommodations, Cobán)
COBÁN TO COPÁN, HONDURAS: Early morning transfer to Copán, Hunduras with Sightseeing Tour en route. After completing official immigration formalities, continue to the archaeological site of Copán. As you step inside the park, witness elaborate stone sculptures everywhere. As you walk into the dramatic expanse of the Great Plaza you are witness of the cultural achievements of the ancient Maya. Copán's main plaza contains the greatest collection of Maya sculptures in Central America. Take time to explore and marvel at the beautiful Mayan stellae, majestic temples, and complete ball court. Overnight at selected hotel. (Breakfast, Cobán; Accommodations, Copán) COPÁN, HONDURAS TO RIO DULCE, GUATEMALA: Morning departure to visit the ruins of Quirigua. Located in the lush jungle of the Guatemalan lowlands, Quirigua, although one of the smaller sites has the tallest stelae in the Mayan world. Deeply carved, deep relief stelae stand up to 35 ft. tall, and weigh as much as 65 tons. The site also has a massive acropolis and central plaza, and an ancient ball court. In the afternoon, continue to the Rio Dulce area on the Caribbean coast of Guatemala where the lovely Rio Dulce River meets the sea near the Carib town of Livingston. Overnight at selected hotel. (Breakfast, Copán; Accommodations, Quirigua) RIO DULCE TO TIKAL: Morning boat excursion to Livingston, a charming fishing village situated on a hill above the Caribbean. Continue to tikal. Overnight. (Breakfast, Rio Dulce; Lunch, Accommodations, Tikal) TIKAL TO GUATEMALA CITY: After breakfast, you have a Morning Tikal Day Tour with lunch. Afternoon transfer (flight) to Guatemala City. Rest of day to explore. Overnight. (Breakfast, Tikal; Accommodations, Guatemala City)
DEPART GUATEMALA CITY: Depart for your next Avanti destination. (Breakfast, Guatemala City)