Day 1 - Guatemala City

Welcome at the airport and transfer to the selected hotel in Guatemala City.

Day 2 – Guatemala -Copan (Honduras)

Early in the morning transfer to Copan to visit one of the most fascinating Mayan ruins. Copan was the capital city of a major Classic period kingdom from the 5th to 9th centuries AD. Copán had an occupational history that spanned more than two thousand years.

The visit includes the Acropolis which is divided in two big plazas, the Ball court, the second largest to be found in Central America, the Hieroglyphic stairway and the Great Plaza, famous for its stelae and altars. An optional tour is the visit of the sculpture museum and the Macaw bird reserve.

Day 3 - Copan - Quirigua - Puerto Barrios - Livingston

After breakfast transfer to the archaeological site of Quirigua, which is famous for its largest stelae in the Maya world. Quirigua was declared Patrimony of Humanity in 1979. Continue to Puerto Barrios, boat transfer crossing the Golf of Honduras to Livingston, a Garifuna village with a Caribbean flair to spend the night.

Day 4 - Livingston - Rio Dulce – Flores

Enjoy the Caribbean surroundings of this river on a 2h30 hour boat tour. You will visit the bird island where you can observe a variety of water birds, cruise through the impressive Rio Dulce canyon, visit the Ak´ Tenamit development project providing education for local Maya Queq'chi children, the sulfuric water and the tiny Castillo of San Felipe. Continue to Flores for the night.

Day 5 - Flores - Yaxha

Transfer to Yaxha to visit its ruins. The archaeological site consists of more than 500 structures, including 40 stele, 13 altars, 9 temple pyramids, 2 ball courts, and a network of sacbeob (causeways) that connect the Central and Northern Mahler with the Eastern Acropolis. The top of Temple 216 provides a fantastic view of the two lakes and the surrounding jungle canopy. Night in a lodge in the middle of the jungle.

Day 6 - Yaxha - Tikal - Guatemala City

Transfer to Tikal to visit one of the biggest sites of the Mayan world. Visit of the famous Great Plaza with the Temples I and II, the Temple IV, which is the highest known temple in the Maya world, Temples III and V, the North and Central Acropolis, as well as the Lost World astrological observation center, where you will learn first-hand about Mayan astronomy and astrology, the importance of time and its measurement and how the special cosmic influences of each day translated into the Maya Calendar. Tikal reached its peak period around AD 700 under its King Hasaw Chan Kawil (AD 682 to AD 734). In the afternoon transfer to Flores to board the plane back to Guatemala City.

Day 7 - Guatemala City - Lake Atitlan
Transfer to the Atitlan Lake, a beautiful lake which is surrounded by 3 impressive volcanoes, and which Aldous Huxley described as the "most beautiful lake of the world". On arrival boat tour of the lake to visit two Tz'utujil indigenous villages: First San Juan la Laguna where you will have a cultural tour to learn about the process of dyeing with natural colors, weaving, and preparing the warp. Then visit Santiago Atitlan, which is the biggest village on the lakeshore of Atitlan Lake. The artisans specialize in tempera paintings, woodwork and weavings. In the afternoon return to your hotel.

Day 8 - Lake Atitlan - Huehuetenango

Transfer to Huehuetenango, on the way visit the indigenous villages of Solola and Salcajá on its market day. Then visit San Andres Xecul with its famous baroque church and San Cristobal Totonicapan. Night in Huehuetenango.

Day 9 - Huehuetenango – Cuchumatanes – Chichicastenango

Visit one of the most authentic markets of Guatemala, with the wonderful landscape of the Cuchumatanes and a road that will take you to an altitude of over 3000m. In the afternoon transfer to Chichicastenango for the night.

Day 10 - Chichicastenango - Antigua

In the morning visit the biggest and most colorful market of Central America as well as the Santo Tomas church where you will witness the syncretism of the Catholic and the Mayan religion. In this town the sacred Maya Tzolk'in Calendar is still observed. You will also see Pascual Abaj, a "Mayan ceremonial altar" and the cemetery. In the afternoon return to Antigua

Day 11 – Antigua – Pacaya – Antigua

In the morning transfer to San Francisco de Sales where you will start to climb the active volcano. On the way back visit San Antonio Aguas Calientes to enjoy a typical lunch with a Maya Kaqchiquel family. You will have as well an introduction into their culture and costumes.

Day 12 - Antigua- Airport

Walking tour of the charming colonial city of Antigua, which was the capital of the vice kingdom of Guatemala from 1543 to 1773. Declared UNESCO Patrimony of Humanity in 1979, most ruined churches and monasteries were built during that period. You will visit the Plaza Central with the Generals Palace, the Municipality, the Cathedral, the Church La Merced, as well as the Capuchinas Convent. Finish your trip with a visit of the local Jade Museum and factory, where you will receive an introduction into the classical Maya culture. Then transfer to the airport to board your international flight.