Tour Overview
| Duration | 9 Days / 8 Nights |
|---|---|
| Country | Guatemala — Heart of the Mayan World |
| Price From | $1,199 per person (twin share, 25% off) |
| Tour Style | Small Group / Solo Traveler Friendly |
| Data Source | G Adventures via TourRadar — 2026 |
Itinerary Highlights
Day 1: Arrive Guatemala City — Transfer to Antigua
Welcome to Guatemala! Airport pickup and transfer to Antigua, the jewel of colonial Central America. Evening orientation walk through cobblestone streets with views of Volcan Agua. Welcome dinner at a rooftop restaurant. Overnight in Antigua.
Day 2: Antigua Colonial Discovery
Full day exploring UNESCO-listed Antigua. Visit the iconic Santa Catalina Arch, the Cathedral of San Jose ruins, and La Merced Church with its yellow baroque facade. Afternoon: chocolate workshop — Guatemala is the birthplace of chocolate, and you will learn the Mayan bean-to-bar process. Overnight in Antigua.
Day 3: Pacaya Volcano Hike
Morning hike up Pacaya Volcano (2,552m), one of Guatemala’s most active volcanoes. Walk across cooled lava fields and roast marshmallows over volcanic steam vents. Stunning views of three neighboring volcanoes. Afternoon free for exploring Antigua’s artisan markets. Overnight in Antigua.
Day 4: Cooking Class & Cultural Immersion
Local market visit to shop for ingredients, followed by a traditional Guatemalan cooking class. Learn to make pepian (the national dish), handmade corn tortillas, and rellenitos (plantain desserts). Afternoon visit to a local cooperative supporting Mayan women weavers. Overnight in Antigua.
Day 5: Lake Atitlan — The Most Beautiful Lake in the World
Scenic drive to Lake Atitlan, described by Aldous Huxley as “the most beautiful lake in the world.” Three majestic volcanoes — San Pedro, Toliman, and Atitlan — rise from its shores. Boat across the lake to Santa Cruz La Laguna village. Participate in a community reforestation project. Overnight at Lake Atitlan.
Day 6: Lake Atitlan Village Hopping
Boat tour to Mayan villages around the lake. Visit San Juan La Laguna: women’s textile cooperative, naif art galleries, and a medicinal herb garden. Continue to Santiago Atitlan to see the Maximon shrine, a fascinating blend of Catholic and Mayan spirituality. Overnight at Lake Atitlan.
Day 7: Fly to Flores — Gateway to Tikal
Morning transfer to Guatemala City for a short flight to Flores, a charming island town on Lake Peten Itza. Afternoon free to explore Flores’ colorful streets and swim in the lake. Overnight in Flores.
Day 8: Tikal — Lost City of the Maya
Dawn entry to Tikal National Park (UNESCO) — hear howler monkeys roar as the jungle awakens. Climb Temple IV (70m) for the iconic view above the rainforest canopy used in Star Wars. Explore the Great Plaza, Temple of the Great Jaguar, and the Lost World complex. Tikal was one of the most powerful Mayan cities, spanning over 1,500 years of occupation. Farewell dinner in Flores. Overnight in Flores.
Day 9: Depart Guatemala
Morning flight from Flores to Guatemala City. International departure. You have walked in the footsteps of the ancient Maya!
Inclusions
- 8 nights accommodation (boutique hotels & lodges)
- Daily breakfast + 3 lunches + 2 dinners
- English-speaking CEO (Chief Experience Officer)
- All transportation + internal flight
- Chocolate workshop & cooking class
- Tikal National Park entry & guided tour
- Lake Atitlan boat tours
- Community reforestation activity
Why Visit Guatemala
- Tikal: one of the greatest Mayan cities, set in pristine jungle
- Lake Atitlan: consistently voted one of the world’s most beautiful lakes
- Antigua: the best-preserved Spanish colonial city in the Americas
- Living Maya culture: 22 Mayan languages still spoken, traditions alive
- Birthplace of chocolate — taste it where it all began
